Hello all !!! Im Bob, forty-sixteen years old (thats 56), married, daughter just graduated university and is teaching elementary school, and a freshman son away at college and our home is in SE Michigan.
I guess Ive technically been a wet shaver since the beginning and Im pretty sure my first razor was a hand me down DE Gillette from my dad or grandfather just so long ago I dont remember. I do remember trying out the disposable razors that came 4 or 6 to a pack big mistake. I also remember receiving an electric foil razor as a gift one year when I was about 20 or so, used it about 3 times, stuck it in the back of my sock drawer until I finally threw it out never took an interest to electrics again nasty, just plain nasty.
I moved to the cartridge razors early on, Atra I think I dont know exactly when they came out but Im talking mid to late 70s now. Used the two blade system until I made the switch to the Mach 3 system which I still have today. I must admit the first time I used the Mach 3 I was blown away by the smoothness and closeness of the shave I could go every other day between shaves and I was a suit and tie guy. Over time, I felt the blades diminish in performance, smoothness and comfort they also didnt seem to last as long. So . . . I believe it was about three years ago I bought a bulk order and examined the cartridges to all known sources to identify any possibility of counterfeits. As far as I could tell they were genuine. They worked ok, but not like the ones I remembered from the beginning.
I dont remember how many were in the package, but my wife and daughter used them, my son started using them when he began shaving Ive got six left. My wife and daughter moved on to some contraption that looks like lips pressed against glass with blades in the middle, my son still is using the Mach 3 but he doesnt need to shave much and he has no interest in DEs at this time. When he was home from school for the holiday break I showed him what I bought and he said although everyone else uses electric at school, even his high school buddies use electric, he was fine using the Mach 3. I guess I was more than a bit surprised to hear hes a rarity and actually takes a bit of a ribbing over it.
So, here I am today, about three weeks into going old school. I bought a ball end Tech of off ebay, ordered a sample pack of blades from an online vendor, but I couldnt wait for the sample pack to arrive so I bought the generic store branded blades to get started. First results, so so, WTG only and irritation on my lower neck. Based on reading here I put a Feather into the very mild Tech and tried hard not to use any pressure. Still irritation. I did not like the pencil thin ball end handle right from the start so I ordered a New long comb and another Tech with the fatter handle. After one use with the Feather I put it in the New for the next shave. I think dermatologists have a procedure and get paid to do what I did to myself I sheared off every imperfection I had and created a dozen or so weepers. I guess thats what to call them as I didnt actually cut myself as in a slice. My wife had a good laugh at my expense. I then went on to a Merkur in the fat handled Tech and last nite put a Derby in the Tech and liked that the best so far not particularly close but it was the most comfortable to date.
Been using the canned Nivea but will get a brush and soap soon, never whipped up a lather before. If youre still with me thanks for staying tuned and hopefully it was a bit entertaining. Quite the coincidence on Xmas eve as I told my brother-in-law I made the switch and he was beginning to make the switch himself. His brother has been using a straight razor for 20 years, but his brother only shaves once a week. I gave him the New, he-he.
I do have a couple of questions if I may:
First, the three razors I bought from ebay where inexpensive I didnt care what they looked like I wanted to try the safety razor out before sinking a bunch of money in. The Gillette adjustables did get my attention, but only due to the price. Some are going for pretty good money and it makes me wonder.
Who is buying these old razors at the hefty prices, is it just us older guys returning to the old ways, or is it the younger guys wanting to use a quality, American made product thats 50 or 60 years old? Im really curious to know that.
The second question In looking at the Fatboys on ebay - I REMEMBER THAT CASE - the one with the magnifying glass so you could see the dial. I have a cedar jewelry box that belonged to my dad somewhere that I kept a few of his old things in (he died in 68 when I was quite young). About once every 10 years or so I happen across the box and look through it. The 12" of snow on Monday gave me an opportunity to look for it and low and behold theres a Fatboy sitting in it, an F-1, no case. Its missing the bottom threaded retainer and spring and not in collectible or display shape but it would be perfectly fine as an everyday razor.
Is there anywhere a guy can get the parts to get it working again?
Anyway, thanks all for tuning in and thanks for all of the great info provided - Bob
I guess Ive technically been a wet shaver since the beginning and Im pretty sure my first razor was a hand me down DE Gillette from my dad or grandfather just so long ago I dont remember. I do remember trying out the disposable razors that came 4 or 6 to a pack big mistake. I also remember receiving an electric foil razor as a gift one year when I was about 20 or so, used it about 3 times, stuck it in the back of my sock drawer until I finally threw it out never took an interest to electrics again nasty, just plain nasty.
I moved to the cartridge razors early on, Atra I think I dont know exactly when they came out but Im talking mid to late 70s now. Used the two blade system until I made the switch to the Mach 3 system which I still have today. I must admit the first time I used the Mach 3 I was blown away by the smoothness and closeness of the shave I could go every other day between shaves and I was a suit and tie guy. Over time, I felt the blades diminish in performance, smoothness and comfort they also didnt seem to last as long. So . . . I believe it was about three years ago I bought a bulk order and examined the cartridges to all known sources to identify any possibility of counterfeits. As far as I could tell they were genuine. They worked ok, but not like the ones I remembered from the beginning.
I dont remember how many were in the package, but my wife and daughter used them, my son started using them when he began shaving Ive got six left. My wife and daughter moved on to some contraption that looks like lips pressed against glass with blades in the middle, my son still is using the Mach 3 but he doesnt need to shave much and he has no interest in DEs at this time. When he was home from school for the holiday break I showed him what I bought and he said although everyone else uses electric at school, even his high school buddies use electric, he was fine using the Mach 3. I guess I was more than a bit surprised to hear hes a rarity and actually takes a bit of a ribbing over it.
So, here I am today, about three weeks into going old school. I bought a ball end Tech of off ebay, ordered a sample pack of blades from an online vendor, but I couldnt wait for the sample pack to arrive so I bought the generic store branded blades to get started. First results, so so, WTG only and irritation on my lower neck. Based on reading here I put a Feather into the very mild Tech and tried hard not to use any pressure. Still irritation. I did not like the pencil thin ball end handle right from the start so I ordered a New long comb and another Tech with the fatter handle. After one use with the Feather I put it in the New for the next shave. I think dermatologists have a procedure and get paid to do what I did to myself I sheared off every imperfection I had and created a dozen or so weepers. I guess thats what to call them as I didnt actually cut myself as in a slice. My wife had a good laugh at my expense. I then went on to a Merkur in the fat handled Tech and last nite put a Derby in the Tech and liked that the best so far not particularly close but it was the most comfortable to date.
Been using the canned Nivea but will get a brush and soap soon, never whipped up a lather before. If youre still with me thanks for staying tuned and hopefully it was a bit entertaining. Quite the coincidence on Xmas eve as I told my brother-in-law I made the switch and he was beginning to make the switch himself. His brother has been using a straight razor for 20 years, but his brother only shaves once a week. I gave him the New, he-he.
I do have a couple of questions if I may:
First, the three razors I bought from ebay where inexpensive I didnt care what they looked like I wanted to try the safety razor out before sinking a bunch of money in. The Gillette adjustables did get my attention, but only due to the price. Some are going for pretty good money and it makes me wonder.
Who is buying these old razors at the hefty prices, is it just us older guys returning to the old ways, or is it the younger guys wanting to use a quality, American made product thats 50 or 60 years old? Im really curious to know that.
The second question In looking at the Fatboys on ebay - I REMEMBER THAT CASE - the one with the magnifying glass so you could see the dial. I have a cedar jewelry box that belonged to my dad somewhere that I kept a few of his old things in (he died in 68 when I was quite young). About once every 10 years or so I happen across the box and look through it. The 12" of snow on Monday gave me an opportunity to look for it and low and behold theres a Fatboy sitting in it, an F-1, no case. Its missing the bottom threaded retainer and spring and not in collectible or display shape but it would be perfectly fine as an everyday razor.
Is there anywhere a guy can get the parts to get it working again?
Anyway, thanks all for tuning in and thanks for all of the great info provided - Bob
.....yes, you can send or text the pics and i see if i can help.
