Gillette Fat Boy, the all in one razor

Somebody on another forum mentioned that they use their Fat Boy cranked up to 9 and that got me thinking which I don't do too often. I hadn't used my Fat Boy in a year or so and then it was set at 6 so I thought I'd give a 9 setting a go. Threw in a new blade and had at her. Heck of a good result after my normal 4 pass shave with very little sting from the alum block.

I think using a straight constantly for a few years has taught me enough about pressure to apply while shaving to make using the Fat Boy at 9 instead of 6 possible. It is about as aggressive at 9 as my Muhle R41 near as I can tell and gives the same hot damn shaves too.

So I'm thinking, even though that hurts to do so, that the Fat Boy is really an all in one razor. I mean dialed way down it is good for a beginner and as you skill progresses you can simply dial up the aggression to match your skill increase. As a bonus you don't have to keep trading up to different DEs if you don't want to.

Bob

That's interesting Bob, have a few adjustable DE's in my watch list for E-Bay right now, just haven't pulled the trigger on any of them for lack of a reason to get it other than, "neat-o!", something else to buy!

Thanks for some rationale behind the adjustable. I gather from what you wrote, that you could also use the adjustment's for different areas on your face?

I agree with the idea that adjustables are a great all-in-one tool. Are Fat Boys worth the prices they command? IMO, absolutely not but it is still a fine serviceable shaver without being fantastic.

No I don't use different settings for different parts of my face, I only use one setting.

What I meant was that when you start to learn to shave with a DE most people use way to much pressure and all the wrong angles so while learning you can set the adjustable to its mildest setting. As you learn not to be such a monkey with pressure and angle you can gradually adjust the setting up to increase the aggressiveness. You may or may not ever get to the most aggressive setting.

Start at a low aggressiveness setting and if that goes well for awhile dial it up a notch or two and so on till you find a setting that gives you weeper/cuts and razor burn then back off a step or two. Stay there for a good while before trying a more aggressive setting again. Sorta like how millwrights tighten bolts, tighten till the bolt snaps then back off half a turn.

Depending on how well you get go your technique down and how sensitive your skin is you may or may not get to the most aggressive setting. You will get the most aggressive setting your technique and skin will tolerate without the need to try progressively more aggressive razors. That could save you some coin.

Also if a new brand of blade is too aggressive at your old normal setting you may be able to tame it enough by dialing back on the razor settings. The settings on the razor control the amount of blade exposure, I think, so it goes someway to taming the blade.

A little long winded but what can I say. If you want a vintage adjustable you can't go far wrong with a Gillette Fat Boy in good condition.

Bob

Cool post, Bob.

I clicked the Slim from a perfect #5 to a slightly more exciting #6. After another few blades down the tubes I'll explore warp-factor 9.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Cool post, Bob.

I clicked the Slim from a perfect #5 to a slightly more exciting #6. After another few blades down the tubes I'll explore warp-factor 9.

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Thank you, yea slow and easy does it and good luck.

Bob

Had I known how wonderful a Gillette adjustable was going to be I might have said, "One is enough," and skipped the Merkur 1904. But when is one really enough of any good thing? :D

Yes they are commanding a big price nowadays, but they were made well enough to last this long, I recently replaced my fat boy that I had for 43 years. I had only shaved with another razor twice in my lifetime, it was still going , it got lost in the luggage that has not showed up since, Bobh they are a great razor to learn with and advance with , since I straight razor shave now I too have been able to dance with the 9 setting as opposed to the 6 or7 Tc

The Fat Boy is indeed a great little razor!
The only thing is that it is so small it feels like it was designed for them critters in the shire, not grown men;)

Ouch that almost hurt Birnardo!! Are you telling me I have Hobbitt hands? Lol it's the only thing I've used except for straights I never noticed. I just use a cheater bar with mine to make it bigger!!! Tc

I'm bidding on a nos fatboy right now. I'm prob gonna be outbid but............. I decided to get one for the days I don't have time to shave which isn't very often but still happens. At least that's my justification :3)

And here I was going to say the Fatboy was too big! I Actually prefer my Gillette fat Techs over my Fatboy. I love those little techs, they fit under my nose better (when I don't have a beard.)
But yes, I still do like using my Fatboy. It's a great razor and the adjustability of it is great. I will never sell it, thats for sure!

Wow a 9?! You are brave! I've always liked adjustable razors because it can grow with you as you get more experienced. Adjustables are a good investment

Using the 9 setting is something you ease up to in single digit increments as your improving technique allows. You will know when you have gone past the setting you should be using for your level of proficiency right quickly. Definitely not a setting for a novice DE shaver to use.

Bob

I've had one of those things laying around forever. Bought a pack of blades at CVS today. Hadn't shaved in 4 days and the missus was complaining so I decided to give it a try. Plopped one in it, lathered up and then tried to figure out what all those numbers did. Cranked it up to 9, decided that looked about right and went to town. Got a good quick smooth shave. It missed a few here and there and I only did pretty much one pass as she was yelling supper was on the table. No sting from the after shave.

I still prefer my straights but that was fun adventure. Last time I used something similar was in the late 60's I think. Then I started using those damn plastic POS's until a couple of years ago when I started shaving with a straight.

Straights are still more comfortable for me because I've got two screwed up wrists and it hurts to hold a "normal" razor because of the way you have to hold your wrist to make 'em work.

My first DE was a Merkur, after using disposables for 20 years it made shaving much more enjoyable and the DE led me to start learning about straight razors and moved into that area recently. A gateway drug/addiction comparison?
I use a Gillette slim now and went straight to 6 on the dial and get great shaves. Now when I use the Merkur as a comparison it feels very mild. I enjoy old things that stand the test of time and straights and some DE definately do.

It has been about 50 years since I first picked up an Adjustable. I just wish I had back all I've tossed, lost or gave away.

a "9" is definitely not a setting for a newb.

Dave

I think my adventure in DE shaving is done. May be my technique or lack thereof, but I was whiskery the next morning. 24 hours later my wife told me my whiskers were sharp, way sharper than normal. I could tell that by rubbing the back of my hand across my cheek. SO, I took a hot shower, and shaved with it a second time. Dialed it back to 5, then 7, then back to 9. 9 was the smoothest feeling for me, no tugging or rubbing, just made the whiskers go away. No burn from the aftershave either.

CVS's blades are made in Israel and they cut smooth as silk from what I can tell. Been 22 hours since I shaved and I'm right back where I was.

I will say it's faster than shaving with a straight, but not nearly as enjoyable for me. I'll keep it handy for the times when I want to mow 'em in a hurry, otherwise, I'll be using old Sheffield steel. ;)

I use a modified Merkur Progress (it's called the Mergress). It is the only new adjustable that I know of, but it is a great shaver. They can be purchased at "Lee's Razors".