Just-Acquired 1958 Fatboy not as good as Black Beauty?

[TAP119]

I just acquired a birth-year Fatboy (D4), scrubbed it and loaded up with a new Merkur blade. I started on 3, then went to 4 and was still missing spots, no matter how I held it. I had to finish with my long handle Black Beauty on 3 to get the missed places. What gives?

The Fatboy is more compact, has a denser feel to it but it seemed to skate over the stubble remaining after pass 1. I like how this 50+ year old razor feels, but I'm disappointed.

 

[highball]

I would try some other blades, Merkur blades are not rated very well.

 

[AlanL]

Oh! If you're used to the Black Beauty, notice that the Fat Boy has a higher profile head. This means the blade angle where exposed is a bit greater. So you might have to slightly alter the hold angle you're accustomed to. Skipping is exactly what you'd expect with a Fat Boy if you hold it at the same angle you use for a Black Beauty.

 

[Go West Young Man]

. What gives?

You used it once and expect to be an expert already? It takes at least 3 or 4 shaves until you get a handle on a new razor, the angles and weight are all different and you need to retrain your hand.

Give it a week, you'll more than likely come to love it.

 

[BTrack]

I agree with adjusting the blade angle. Also, try a different blade like an Iridium.

 

[media]

The head on the fatboy is different from the other adjustables if I remember correctly. Blade angle, as suggested, might be your problem. You might want to up the setting above 5 as well. I dont get a good shave on the fatboy unless it's on 7 or above.

 

[maxman]

Buy a blade sampler. Not all blades work well in all razors.

 

[Bloodhound]

Sharks work well in my FatBoys...but I have to run them at a 5 or more to get the BBS shave...and it is an adjustment from the other Razors as far as angle

 

[ShavinBacon]

FWIW, I used a fatboy on 5 or 6 for awhile until another thread here inspired me to dial it up to 9. The higher the setting, the better it works for me. I keep it between 7 and 9 all the time now. YMMV

 

[GatorShaver]

I agree that I get the best shaves on high settings, but I also find that the Fat Boy is the worst shaving of the three common Gillette adjustables for me. Slim is the best, Fat Boy is the worst, and Super Adjustable is right in the middle for me. YMMV of course.

 

[DerFly]

Hmmmm, surprised that you get any result at all with your Fatboy on 3.

I'm revisiting my adjustables after quite a while with my 40s SS.

- A Slim on 4 is approximately equivalent.
- A Fatboy on 4 is not, on 5 still not.

I will try 6 tomorrow.

 

[73mountaineer]

As already stated, "3" on one razor is not the same as "3" on another. Even if the heads appear nearly identical, the blade gap will likely be different. Use it for a few days and then decide. And if it is missing stubble, change the setting, not the razor - that's why it's an adjustable!

I'll echo the comments on blade choice too - some razors just don't perform well with certain blades, and Merkur blades aren't very highly-regarded, though I am sure that they have their fans as well.

I was reluctant to try the higher settings on my fat boy early on, but found my personal setting at "7". 3 passes, DFS, and I am done. It is a fine razor.

 

[Copierguy]

+1 on all the angle advice etc.

Also even after all that, if you feel that it is not shaving you close enough do a search on "overclocked" and "underclocked". In theory your razor could be underclocked.