Trouble with the Fatip Piccolo

[AshleyC]

Last week I had two shaves with a day of no shaving in between them. First shave was with a 1966 Tech and a new Suneko blade. Nice shave, close, no nicks or weepers or irritation. The next shave was with my Fatip Piccolo, also with a new Suneko. I rarely use the Fatip, which is why I tried it last week, as I am revisiting stuff that is way out of rotation. That shave left my face quite raw. I mean the following day when I woke up, 24 hours later, I could still feel the aftermath of that shave. I got out of bed and immediately applied a splash of Pinaud Bay Rum to to test my suspicion. Yep, I was still getting feedback from AS 24 hours after that Fatip shave. It had really scratched me up. I threw on another splash around mid-afternoon and the tingle was still there.

On the surface, it kind of surprises me that two razors with the same blades could produce such radically different outcomes. The Fatip seemed to require an engagement angle a lot closer to a right angle on my face. So the effect was less of a blade "slicing" hair and more of a "scraping". And surprisingly, the Tech seemed to have more blade feel, so it was easier to stay in the angle. The Fatip was easier for me to lose the angle, and the main way of determining if I was making contact with hair was audible feedback, rather than feel.

I certainly appreciate any insights people have to offer. Just plain stubborn cussidness makes me want to give that Piccolo another try, as I can't believe the technique I used with the Tech produced a nice shave while producing a miserable experience just the day after next with the Piccolo.

 

[nemo]

And that, my friends, is why the Gillette Tech is one of the most popular razors the world 'round.

Closely check the top cap of the Fatip, mine was warped so badly it couldn't clamp the blade evenly.
Yes, it provides one "miserable experience" and is relegated to the "out of rotation" pile.

 

[helicopter]

you might need to align the blade in the sloppy mechanism better. I do it by shoving the top cap toward one tab as I tighten it. it ends up with even blade exposure that way and it doesn't take any nitpicking or extra time. Some people visually align the two edges, but I think that is a pain, is more likely to cut me, and is too difficult to get right with the slants. I have used the latter method with success before, but putting pressure parallel to the blade edges is life hack method.

Slippery proprietary thread handles are what give me trouble with Fatips.

 

[Jay21]

The Fatip is a scraper at neutral angle. I was only able to tame mine by riding the cap at a shallow angle.

 

[AshleyC]

you might need to align the blade in the sloppy mechanism better. I do it by shoving the top cap toward one tab as I tighten it. it ends up with even blade exposure that way and it doesn't take any nitpicking or extra time. Some people visually align the two edges, but I think that is a pain, is more likely to cut me, and is too difficult to get right with the slants. I have used the latter method with success before, but putting pressure parallel to the blade edges is life hack method.

Slippery proprietary thread handles are what give me trouble with Fatips.

In that instance, my visual alignment of the blade looked good on my first try putting it back together. In the past it often took a bit more fiddling. It is bizarre to me that a modern machine shop cannot now do what Gillette was accomplishing with blade fit and alignment back when John Dillinger was robbing banks.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

I swear, every Fatip must be completely unique. Maybe that's part of the "charm." Mine shaves better neutral to steep (and I generally consider myself a shallow angle guy) and I don't think I could get irritation with it unless I actually tried to do everything wrong. It's also just a little mild for my tastes. Aligmnent is usually not a problem. And, the plating has already flaked off one of the corner teeth.

 

[AshleyC]

I swear, every Fatip must be completely unique. Maybe that's part of the "charm." Mine shaves better neutral to steep (and I generally consider myself a shallow angle guy) and I don't think I could get irritation with it unless I actually tried to do everything wrong. It's also just a little mild for my tastes. Aligmnent is usually not a problem. And, the plating has already flaked off one of the corner teeth.

Indeed, I love the concept of someone still producing nickel and gold-plated brass razors that are styled like the art-deco Roaring Twenties. I just wish the QA/QC was a bit tighter.

 

[Quaznoid]

My Piccolo is moderately aggressive and too heavy. I have no alignment issues, but I don’t enjoy shaving with it. I get good results so it stays in my rotation.

 

[Babou]

Shame on you Fatip, shame on you !!!

 

[thombrogan]

E’ery Fatip is different.

My Grande is nickel plated and seems to do well (weighs less than a Piccolo, too).

Mine cuts best at a neutral angle, but leaves my skin out of it, usually, at a shallow angle.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I like the Fatips (and Schone) quite a lot, usually prefer a neutral angle with them.

I'll have to admit I use the wood handle the most, followed by the Grande handle. I find the razor a little easier to handle and better balanced with those.

 

[Alex Jr]

I love my piccolo. I find it as gentle as the mildest razors in my collection.

The blade is clamped tightly, the low gap makes the cap and comb feel like one piece and it’s smooth even if I try to make it harsh.

Yes you have to check for correct alignment but I don’t care.

I wish I could point a possible cause but I really can’t think of a reason for the lingering irritation.

All I could say is try to explore other blades in it.

 

[Saloogie]

I've had some of my best shaves with my Piccolo SE, and some pretty bad ones too. It seems inconsistent to me and I don't know why.

It's not an alignment problem that I can tell, so I'm guessing it could be the blades? I think I need to shave with it consistently for a couple of weeks and see what works.

Like many Italian products, it looks sexy as hell, but mechanically it's a bit suspect.

 

[cranewarrior]

I have a Fatip Grande which has a slight alignment issue, but I can fix the blade pretty quickly. I understand the Grande has the exact same head as the Piccolo. I shave neither shallow nor steep with mine - I basically hold like any newbie coming from a cartridge razor would, which is to say without a lot of thought or attention to angle. This works fine for me and I successfully use a variety of blades in it though I would not use the sharpest. Gillette Silver Blues and Platinums work great for me.

 

[bushisho]

I have 5 Fatips and love 4 of them. The black sheep is a v1 Piccolo and is a wild beast (indeed makes my r41 gs look like a kitten next to it). I don't like the v1 head first because its more aggressive, and second the QC is absolute zero. The other 4 fatips are 2 Grande nickel plated v2 heads, and 2 FOCS, love shaving with them all neutral or steep.

 

[Qanzoq]

I have only had two shaves with my Fatip Piccolo and they were rough.
I am putting that down to new(ish) middling technique as i never blame the razor.
I still like it though because i got it cheap and will come back to it sometime.

 

[Goblin]

The Fatip is a scraper at neutral angle. I was only able to tame mine by riding the cap at a shallow angle.

This right here is the answer. The Fatip needs a shallow angle or it can be harsh and scratchy.

 

[amateur]

I think it's time to stop discussing problems with Fatip razors. Everyone has their own truth. These conversations about the "charm" of these razors did not convince me. I once decided to try Fatip Piccolo too. And I didn't like shaving with this "legendary" razor at all. Cuts and irritations after each shave. I gave this razor as a gift without regret. At this point, I consider the topic of Fatip closed for myself.

 

[AshleyC]

I think it's time to stop discussing problems with Fatip razors. Everyone has their own truth. These conversations about the "charm" of these razors did not convince me. I once decided to try Fatip Piccolo too. And I didn't like shaving with this "legendary" razor at all. Cuts and irritations after each shave. I gave this razor as a gift without regret. At this point, I consider the topic of Fatip closed for myself.

That has to be the most passive-aggressive gift I've ever heard of!

Probably gave him several tucks of Voskhod and Rockwell blades too!

 

[Filudo]

There is an older version, MK1?. I got a Schone and loved it....., then a Fatip...was OK but not great....and then from reading so much.....I got one of those MK1, brand new old stock from Germany. That one is unpleasant.....used it maybe, 3 times max. I don't use them as much now.....and I have to use the Gillette Techs more.... I got one from the yearly benefit bidding here, an original black color issued, and yes I used it and it's really nice. Will have to use it more.