To plate or not to plate? FatBoy is the question

[jtadmin]

So I just started Wet Shaving and at first I was set on having all my supplies from my birth year. Well the mug is 1977, the cool Avon Rook after shave is from 1973, and the Gillette Super Speed is from 1969. So kind of ditched the whole birth year stuff. Also I don't much care for the plastic bottom Gillette introduced on the DE razors in 77. Anyways where was I, oh yes to plate or not to plate FatBoy.

Ok so I have not yet used an adjustable but I keep hearing all the ranting and ravings on these razors. Well some gent on Ebay is now selling replated FatBoy's. And while I was like no way in hell going to spend more than $40.00 bucks on a razor my jaw dropped when I saw something from and old age sitting so pretty! There is some thing to be said about the lasted quality that used to be made in good ole USA! Anyways should I just stick with the original nickel plated to test before I buy, or just pop the sexy beast and call her my own?

Joey

 

[Hank]

I feel that the price is way to high you can get a fat boy at an antique store for ten to fifteen dollars and have it replated for 50 (?) my opinion ofcourse

 

[kingfisher]

If you have the means and you like the look and the idea, go for it.

Otherwise, you could post a "want to buy" in the B/S/T and try to get a pristine non-replated Fatboy. You could probably pick up one in near perfect condition for about 50 bucks.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I would test out the razor first a few months to see if it's your fit. Than if you want to re-plate the razor go right ahead. Also if in time you do not like the razor makesure that you let the potential buyer know that it has been replated. I use two razors, SS Red Tip and a NEW and they have been re-plated.

 

[Go West Young Man]

I feel that the price is way to high you can get a fat boy at an antique store for ten to fifteen dollars and have it replated for 50 (?) my opinion ofcourse

The odds of finding a Fatboy at an antique store are minute. The odds of finding one for $15 are infinitesimal.

To the OP - $145 is a lot of money. Plating is completely aesthetic, it makes no functional difference to the razor either way.

 

[Bloodhound]

The Fatboy that I shaved with this morning, an E model in about 96% condition was purchased at a flea market for $12 it was priced at $16 and i made an offer...the seller has a semi permanant space at the market and had 3 other adjustables and many others, but just the one Fatboy...I'll check it out again this Friday.

They are not in every store or getting dusty on the shelves, but they are out there...the hunt is part of the fun...

 

[Freehand]

I like pretty razors....so I'm having one of my FBs, which is about 85% mint, refurbished and rhodium plated. The finished product will cost about $60 less than the eBay unit, but the concept is exactly the same. You could have instandt gratification with the eBay unit - while my method is going to take about a month.

Just my opinion.....YMMV.

Freehand

 

[jansob]

One thing...llinks to live auctions are not allowed, so you might want to go back and edit it out of your post before a mod does.

That price is seriously high. You should look for a decent user-grade Fatboy and use it for a while. If you love it and must have the Rhodium, then get it replated yourself. It will cost a lot less.

One thing that bothers me is that he doesn't actually state that the razor is "RE"plated, which I think is misleading. His text about the care taken cleaning and sanitizing it implies that that is all that was done.

 

[Go West Young Man]

One thing...llinks to live auctions are not allowed, so you might want to go back and edit it out of your post before a mod does.

.

BIN auction links are OK.

 

[jansob]

BIN auction links are OK.

Ah, thanks for the info!

 

[waynejitsu]

To OP-
Are you "sure" it was replated?
I read the ad and did not see anywhere that stated it had been plated again.

 

[Copierguy]

To OP-
Are you "sure" it was replated?
I read the ad and did not see anywhere that stated it had been plated again.

Rhodium is not a stock finish for the FatBoy.
========================================

But my response to the OP would be:

Nothing wrong with the purchase if it’s something you will enjoy, but you may wish to try a “user grade” for a bit to see if this model works for you. Let your wallet be your guide. That is much more than you need to spend on a “nice FatBoy”.
But then again, some say life can be uncertain so have dessert first.

 

[waynejitsu]

Rhodium is not a stock finish for the FatBoy.

That was my "thought", but not real familiar with the different finishes.
Which is more durable (rust resistant, wear resistant, etc)
Rhodium,
Chrome,
Nickel,
Other???

What about price, from low to high and is the difference a lot or little?

Thanks

 

[Copierguy]

That was my "thought", but not real familiar with the different finishes.
Which is more durable (rust resistant, wear resistant, etc)
Rhodium,
Chrome,
Nickel,
Other???

What about price, from low to high and is the difference a lot or little?

Thanks

I've got 50 year old Nickel plated FatBoys that look great.

Gold and Silver (both being rather soft) are the only ones that I normally see showing signs of wear.

 

[jtadmin]

Thanks everyone for your feed back think I'm going to pop for a cheap one first and see what I think of it before I dive into my Deseret Some times meat and potatoes is all that's on the table so enjoy what you got

 

[Speedwell68]

So I just started Wet Shaving and at first I was set on having all my supplies from my birth year. Well the mug is 1977, the cool Avon Rook after shave is from 1973, and the Gillette Super Speed is from 1969. So kind of ditched the whole birth year stuff. Also I don't much care for the plastic bottom Gillette introduced on the DE razors in 77. Anyways where was I, oh yes to plate or not to plate FatBoy.

Ok so I have not yet used an adjustable but I keep hearing all the ranting and ravings on these razors. Well some gent on Ebay is now selling replated FatBoy's. And while I was like no way in hell going to spend more than $40.00 bucks on a razor my jaw dropped when I saw something from and old age sitting so pretty! There is some thing to be said about the lasted quality that used to be made in good ole USA! Anyways should I just stick with the original nickel plated to test before I buy, or just pop the sexy beast and call her my own?

Joey

That Rhodium plated Fatboy looks the spuds. I am quietly nursing a semi because of it.

 

[kingfisher]

That Rhodium plated Fatboy looks the spuds. I am quietly nursing a semi because of it.

Yeah. And in American English, it looks pretty sweet.

 

[cnnc97]

Definitely pick up a user grade Fatboy before shelling out that much cash. If you like it you can pay top dollar for a good one or have it replated yourself for $40-50. You should be able to get a user grade on Ebay for $15-30 if you are patient. I picked mine up for $15 with some Gillette Spoiler blades and a Gem G-Bar. Just browse the listings instead of searching on Fatboy or adjustable, they are usually cheaper if they aren't listed correctly as a Fatboy.

 

[njpaddy]

Thanks everyone for your feed back think I'm going to pop for a cheap one first and see what I think of it before I dive into my Deseret Some times meat and potatoes is all that's on the table so enjoy what you got

I've found that the DE's I coveted the most I liked the least.

 

[bakerbarber]

I am only going to say this once, then I'll put my soap box away.

I like shiny just as much as the next guy. I can afford plasti-dip and find matte black a very fine finish. Very grippy.

I had a slim adjustable that had some plate loss on the handle.

Today, I dipped it. Up to the adjustment ring. I hung it with the doors closed and actually dunked it to the bottom of the numbers. When it 'cured' I cut the coating around the TTO knob with a blade, and under the adjustment knob. The excess on the adjustment knob came off with my fingernail. The TTO looked like it needed a touch up. I could see nickel where I sliced the coating. I left the bottom coated across the opening. I gave it a quick touch up dunk and hung it again for a few hours. I sliced where the TTO knob turns, this time very slowly, and am very pleased with the results.

Now- I wouldn't be pleased if the head was brassed, or the adjustment numbers were washed out. Since this Slim's only blemish was on the handle, I have a beautiful custom piece.

If I had money to do it, and a razor that had extreme sentimental value, or was not easily replaced... I would replate, no problem.

**I defied the urge at the hardware store today to pick up liquid electrical tape. They had four colors....

Soapbox away...