What have I done?

[DE Newbie]

So I have heard Ya'll talk about a Gillette Fat Boy. "Hmm wonder what that is?" I asked myself. I went to Ebay & Wow! It looks cool!! So I've looked at a few of these off & on for a while & yesterday I saw 2 of them & clicked on "watch this item". Well I went back today & starting watching one of them(1958 model). It started at 9.99 & was at about 15.00. Long story short I now own it for 23.00!!
What have I done? I think it's a good deal. It's in the original case, in good condition, cleaned & sterilized. It also comes with Gillette "blue blades" whatever those are. Guys, I'm a total DE Newb!! I recently went back to wet shaving after doing the electric deal for about a year(ugh!). I've never used a DE.
I'm currently using a triple blade deal from Bic. It's decent, but my plan has been to get a Merkur 38 C online soon.
Any thoughts on if a DE virgin should even attempt to use one of these?
I'm thinking maybe I'll just admire it for a time & still get the Merkur.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Sounds like you got a great deal on the Fat Boy!

Try it. Unless it you somehow snagged a NOS one.

Just remember to tighten it a quarter turn past when the silo doors close, and start at the low end, say 2 or 4.

I crank the FB up to a 9.

 

[luvmysuper]

It'll probably serve you just fine if you don't get too ambitious about changing the settings frequently.
Set it where you need it to adequately shave and leave it there while you work on technique.

 

[DE Newbie]

Thanks Gents!!

 

[kwigibocity]

Happen to like them more than many a Merkur, and it is common to pay as much as you did without the case, or even perhaps sterilization.

U got a good deal and a new way of life.

 

[Rumbaldi]

The hook is set now. Pretty soon you'll have a whole collection of vintage razors.

 

[Gray Wolf]

The hook is set now. Pretty soon you'll have a whole collection of vintage razors.

SSHHH! You might scare him away, then he will never catch all the AD viruses that are prolific around here!

 

[Dharion]

That's a nice score!

Cleaning instructions from our longtime member mantic59
[YOUTUBE]TBvG77qSq2g[/YOUTUBE]

More info on using these is available. Look for The DE Shave. mantic59 also has a large video database.

Good luck, it's easier than you might think.

 

[DE Newbie]

Thanks all!!
If I may further impose on your kindness. What about those blue blades that come with it? They are unused but old. I also have been looking at listings for those blades. Should I try them or get something new? Thanks again Gents! Larry

 

[denim]

They're a collector's item at best, as I understand it. Get new blades.

 

[miamimoe]

Based upon the latest listings on fleabay, it seems as if you got an excellent deal. Fatboys have become a cult thing, and I note the prices keep rising, so consider yourself fortunate to get a classic and coveted vintage razor at a very fair price.

 

[ackvil]

You got a great deal. I have seen FBs on ebay go as high as $70. My FB is from the E3 series and is great.

I do my first pass at 4 but then increase it for the second and third passes. I keep it at 4 at all times for my neck.

As was said, the blades are a collector's item. Try some of the sample packs and let us know which blade works best for you.

I previously used a Crystal in mine - but now am using the Red Personnas.

 

[FrankC]

What you have done is start an obsession that is soon to spiral out of control until you have enough razors to use a different one everyday for a month

 

[DE Newbie]

What you have done is start an obsession that is soon to spiral out of control until you have enough razors to use a different one everyday for a month

Thanks alot!!! Just what I needed!!!lol

 

[Uncle Erik]

That's not too bad for a Fatboy! Take it easy and give yourself plenty of time with it. I started DE with a Fatboy and it is an excellent razor. You'll want to give yourself some time to acclimate and decide on the best setting for you. If you haven't ordered a blade sampler pack yet, this would be a good time.

 

[DE Newbie]

Update:
Well I finally got some blades! I decided to make my own sampler pack so I ordered Gillette
Super Silver(5 pac) blades from Classic Shaving(along with a steam towel).I also ordered Derby, Wilikinson Sword Classic, and Super Max Platinum blades all from Ems' place(all 5 pacs).
I read that Derbys are good for newbies, so I loaded the Fat Boy with one last night set it at 2 & started to shave slowly. I was a bit nervous at first. I did a WTG & XTG. I must say it was fairly decent for my first ever DE shave. I got a few small nicks, but nothing my septic pencil couldn't handle.
This morning I again used it with success. Not BBS but fairly good results IMHO.Working on my technique & I need to get used to the short handle compared to the Bic Comfort 3 Advance I was using. I'm looking forward to shaving tommrow & also using the other blades! Also, I've been using Cremo Cream & Kiss My Face unscented for a few months. Love em both!
Thanks for all your help & encouragement guys!!! Larry

 

[DavyRay]

Congratulations!

 

[Dharion]

Soon you'll get the hang of it. Then you'll be a Newbie just by name

 

[Lando]

Nice work!