Back in the day, most manufacturers took pride in their work (not all). But what can you expect from a ten year old working in a Chinese sweat shop. 
I Just Got A 1959 (E-3) Gillette Adjustable Fatboy DE Razor!!! (My Very First Vintage Razor!)
- Thread starter Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker
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- #42
@Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker, the Fatboy is a gateway drug. It was the first vintage Gillette razor I ever bought. I've been bingeing since. I've lost a precise count of how many vintage Gillette razors I now have, but it's approaching 100. I think I currently have four Fatboys with at least two more on the way. Both of those are super grungy, but I'll get them back into working order, likely for someone else to enjoy. The vast majority of vintage Gillette razors are incredibly well made. Even the original OLD types usually still shave perfectly even when the handle is cracked (which is nearly always).
WOW, you sure do have an impressive vintage collection! I am honestly grateful to just have one Gillette Fatboy. Sinatra Lennon has at least 4 Gillette Fatboys, and 3 of them are in excellent condition, while 1 of them is super grungy, infact so much so, he nicknamed that one, Grampa Grungy lol. And wouldn't you know it, out of all 4, that is the Fatboy he likes to use most often.
Those Old Type razors look pretty neat with the ball on the bottom of the handle, you really pick up on the art deco with those things. Of course all those razors were design for thicker blades I've heard, which I guess that explains why some folks on B&B stockpile vintage blades hehe. So, do you put all your vintage razors on display, or do you just stick them in a drawer?
Hopefully you got them on display, which that alone would up your cool factor hehe
The shear number of razors I've bought has more than clogged my available display space. Just this morning, I decided to buy an acrylic test tube holder (holds 12) as a way of seeing whether I could use it as a way to display more of what I've got (and make them visible for me to use). The rack arrives tomorrow. We'll see how it goesWOW, you sure do have an impressive vintage collection! I am honestly grateful to just have one Gillette Fatboy. Sinatra Lennon has at least 4 Gillette Fatboys, and 3 of them are in excellent condition, while 1 of them is super grungy, infact so much so, he nicknamed that one, Grampa Grungy lol. And wouldn't you know it, out of all 4, that is the Fatboy he likes to use most often.
Those Old Type razors look pretty neat with the ball on the bottom of the handle, you really pick up on the art deco with those things. Of course all those razors were design for thicker blades I've heard, which I guess that explains why some folks on B&B stockpile vintage blades hehe. So, do you put all your vintage razors on display, or do you just stick them in a drawer?
Hopefully you got them on display, which that alone would up your cool factor hehe
Nice looking 195, SWCT!!
It really does make it more exciting to get a 195 as your first razor, since it does shave nicely. Unfortunately I already had a collection of Techs, Superspeeds, long & short combs and old types, so to me it didn't perform any better. I have a Slim & Slim Aristocrat that I actually prefer that get much more use. They shave as well as the 195, but are more streamlined & maneuverable.
Although the issue of which Gillette Adjustable is the best razor is virtually impossible to resolve objectively, I will cast my vote just as @ShaverAZ. I've used Fatboys, Slims, and Super Adjustables. They are all fine shaving machines, I just like the balance of durability and maneuverability embodied in the Slim. I probably doesn't hurt that the Slim was released during my birth quarter
(1961 Q3). The Fatboy is just a little, well, chunky. The Super Adjustable feels too light and slightly fragile to me. If I could just put a Slim head on a Fatboy body, ....I did, however, just pick something up this morning that I'm dying to throw into this mix of which "mainstream" Adjustable is the best. Behold, the 1958 D3 Gillette Executive pictured on the left below!
I did, indeed, buy this Executive in an estate sale as part of these four razors--THREE Adjustables and a stepchild black handled Super Speed (a nice-shaving razor in its own right). They are all pictured in the condition in which I found them. Only the Executive would even open. The other three are firmly frozen shut, and I will be giving them a hot ultrasonic cleaning. Say a prayer for these razors. I'll post a follow up after I give them some razor spa treatment.
I did, indeed, buy this Executive in an estate sale as part of these four razors--THREE Adjustables and a stepchild black handled Super Speed (a nice-shaving razor in its own right). They are all pictured in the condition in which I found them. Only the Executive would even open. The other three are firmly frozen shut, and I will be giving them a hot ultrasonic cleaning. Say a prayer for these razors. I'll post a follow up after I give them some razor spa treatment.
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Ahhhh Fat Boys... it started with just two of them, but I've kept it below 10. If you look in the right spots, you can find them for some embarrassingly low prices in good condition, and sometimes cased. Oddly enough, I noticed your Fat Boy only goes to setting "9" and while all of my Fat Boys look Lile yours, they go to "11"......
You’re going to need more test tube holders at this rate.
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- #50
Oh my gosh, that Executive looks absolutely gorgeous!
The other's are most certainly more grungy looking for sure, and I agree, if you can't even open the doors, they need an ultrasonic deep cleaning for sure! Don't forget to give them a proper oiling after the cleaning process. they will need that lube love lol.You know why I think they call it the Executive? Because thats exactly the kind of DE razor, one might expect to see, on your bosses executive desk. That clearly is a razor of supreme refinement, no other's dare challenge its awesomeness!
Thanks for sharing!
Color me jealous!
That razor is in magnificent condition! Great find! Congrats!
I'm beginning to accumulate cheap junk-condition razors for parts to use in refurbishing other razors. I have yet another #160 Goodwill cap & bottom plate that came without a ball end on the handle. Over a couple of days I've got some donor razors in the mail, as well as a couple that should be cleaned up and replated.
It's amazing how many razors have been just left for crud and soap scum to accumulate over the years. Fortunately, Scrubbing Bubbles dissolves the soap scum (I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner) and all razors now function as smooth as new.
No doubt you have a classic on your hands. Enjoy.
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