I'm just not enjoying my 59 fatboy

[acissa]

For about two years I have been shaving primarily with a 34c while alternating sharks, Astras and feathers blades. I also shave with a fatip muhler as my second razor. Get BBS most of the time.

I recently picked up a 59 fatboy, and have tried it with all my usual blades, and I just can't get a good shave. I find it hard to handle - kind of like driving an old Buick. It doesn't really give me any feedback on my shave. I can't hear it or feel it when I shave. I find that feedback important. I also can't quiet get the angle right.

I am not ready to give up, but if anyone has learned how to successfully shave with this beast, I would love to hear ideas.

 

[nsideguy]

Keep it on a mild setting at first, also make sure the blade exposure is equal on both sides and straight. Other than that just keep checking your technique wrist locked, no pressure, move it from 15 to 45 degrees to find the sweet spot n all that

 

[cpcohen1945]

Maybe there's a lesson here:


. . The EJ DE89 is a really good razor!

. Charles

 

[Antares600]

If you're really having trouble, I'll take the Fat Boy off your hands ; )

 

[ThePatrician]

I just picked up an HD on the BST, and it is a fantastic razor. A poll a few years ago listed it as one of the best razors ever made. As you yourself have already found out, it is a tough champion to unseat. I also have a Fatboy, I believe mine is a Heinz '57 (JUST FOUND ITS NAME WOOHOO!). Personally, I love mine; between that and my Slim Adjustable my RAD is pretty much kicked. Between what the second poster said, and the fact that the Merkur 34C is about as solid a razor as anyone could ask for, you may be finding the Fatboy a step down in terms of overall shave experience.

Don't give up on the Fatboy yet, though. It sounds as though you may have it dialed to one. Dial it to two, remember to watch your angle, and give it another shot. If after a couple of shaves it is still too mild and unresponsive, dial it to three. Keep going up that way until you finally decide it isn't for you. I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding a buyer for it if you decide to get rid of it.

If you're really having trouble, I'll take the Fat Boy off your hands ; )

No way Mr. Antares, I called it first! Oh wait, I've already got one........

 

[Early Morning]

I recently picked up a 59 fatboy, and have tried it with all my usual blades, and I just can't get a good shave. I find it hard to handle - kind of like driving an old Buick. It doesn't really give me any feedback on my shave. I can't hear it or feel it when I shave. I find that feedback important. I also can't quiet get the angle right.

If you keep trying out different blades in it, some will work better than others. But, I hear what you are saying, and I have to agree it is cumbersome. The head is rather thick and blades feel stiff in it to me, and I generally avoid using it. The only reason I keep it around is because it's a Fatboy. I only keep it because it's a classic.

 

[kcb5150]

The angle is probably a bit different than your EJ. You need to open a fatboy up a bit and have a VERY LIGHT hand.

 

[GreekGuy]

The fatboy is definitely not one of the most user friendly gillettes. If you want a similar experience thats easier to dial in, the gillette slim is a better choice. I think the fatboy gives a better shave once you have it figured out, however. I would suggest sticking with it.

One thing to note, not all blades perform equally well in all razors. And with 9 settings to choose from, that only complicates matters. If it helps, pick a setting a try using different blades until you find a setup that works and go from there. I change the setting for different blades, between passes, and depending on how many shaves I already have on the blade.

 

[Merkur25]

I didnt care for the shave the fatboy delivers either, YMMV

 

[itsmedave]

I've had trouble with a FatBoy as well. If you'd like to borrow a Slim to give it a shot (much prefer the Slim) shoot me a PM and it's yours for a couple of weeks.

 

[z3driver]

When tightening the razor, make sure you turn it an additional 1/4 turn after it stops. Almost need to force the additional tightening but it is critical it bending the blade to get the proper blade angle by its design.

 

[gmgaj]

I don't like the slim or fatboy razors unless they are in the 4-6 range or higher. There just seems to be a sweet spot in the middle of the adjustment range.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

Mine shaves well at 2 & 3. I haven't seen a need to go more aggressive than that.

 

[Shave_Rat]

The Fatboy is sort of like the classic cadillac of the razor world. It's solid, well built, heavy, and cumbersome. It's not a razor everyone will enjoy or like, but there's no shame in that. The higher domed head makes the angle a bit different than many razors, the construction does mute the feedback a bit, and finding your preferred blade along with it's preferred setting can be a chore.

While it's considered a classic razor, there's got to be a reason gillette redesigned it after it was on the market for only 4 years so to something slimmer, lighter, with a lower domed head on it. Users back in the day must have encountered some of the same issues many of us have found with it, and they made the changes.

In the end, don't stress over it. Pull it out to try to get the variables that make it work for you, keep it merely for it's great classic looks in your collection, or pass it on since they have very easy and good resale value. There are too many great razors out there to get too hung up on one of them.

 

[ouch]

I have a '59 fatboy, and it's a nice but mild razor. I find it works best with a very sharp blade, usually a Feather set to 3.

 

[Elder Scrolls]

I like my fatboy... it is a good razor but my slim is much better in performance and handling.....

 

[clk]

I didn't like my fatboy at first, but I found that after several months of developing my technique with other razors, I was able to pick up the fatboy and get a really good shave from it.

 

[Saltchuck]

I get my best shaves from my Fat Boy set on #8, using an Astra SP and a nice, light touch. It feels like a very different razor on #8 than on, say, #3.

 

[cwnidog]

It took me awhile to get the hang of mine (a '59, as well). I find that Feathers work really well in it and its best if I hold it a little closer to the end of the handle to accommodate the angle that the domed head seems to require. But until then, it was best if I shaved at the Red Cross, at least someone could use the blood.

 

[oxford1833]

It isn't for everyone--what is?--but my Fat Boy is among my absolute favorites. It's a bit of a beast, but I prefer heavier razors. I tend to start with a wide gap (7 or higher) and dial down with each pass.

You might try gripping it lightly closer to the head, right around the dial. I find it much more maneuverable that way.