Thanks @Esox. I'll give them a read... sounds very interesting. I have not looked at SE before and wasn't aware of the thickness... quite interesting!
I keep hearing great stories about the Fatip (and Gillette NEW SC); a pity the finish on the Fatips is so poor, but I will probably get one for my brother to get him into DE (the SB version then)
The NEW SC is one of the best razors ever made. A member here measured 7 different samples of NEW SC bases and found the blade gaps on all measured the same .023". The NEW LC on the other hand, a different design that offers less blade support, the blade gaps varied by as much as .017" or more across all samples. The NEW SC is a very precisely machined piece. So is a Fatip.
I paid $48CAD for my Grande. I would have been just as happy with it had it cost $100. It looks every penny and then some.
The only weakness with the Fatip are the blade alignment pins. They're soldered on by hand. That can have an effect on blade loading, but its nothing 5 seconds wont fix as you load a blade in one.
As said above by Vlad, Joris razors are made by Fatip, but the handles and plating are done by Plisson, I believe.