I have what I think is a Fatboy. How do today's head designs differ? Is there a reason to get/use something like the Jagger DE89 rather than stick with my classic razor?
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I have what I think is a Fatboy. How do today's head designs differ? Is there a reason to get/use something like the Jagger DE89 rather than stick with my classic razor?
The Edwin Jagger DE89 does not have any blade adjustment on it, although in my opinion it gives a very nice shave. I am not sure if your Gillette has an adjustable head on it though. (I was hoping somebody with more knowledge on Gillettes would weigh in.)
My fat boy? does have an adjustable head. Does this give it an advantage over the E Jagger?
I have a fatboy myself, and I really like it.
It is every bit as good as the two others I have, which are both newly produced. They are a Feather Stainless and a Merkur Vision.
Now, the one I tend to use the most is the vision, but that is based purely on its size and weight.
I hear many good things about the EJ 89 as well, but I doubt you will feel it to be all that much better than the Fatboy.
Different, but not necessary better.
IMHO it is all about personal preference.
I used my Fatboy for some time before I got the EJ Chatsworth and thought the Fatboy was about the best out there. I was proved wrong. I could adjust the Fatboy from today to Sunday and the EJ just plain beats the pants off it. The same goes for the Feather Stainless it beats the Fatboy too. So in my opinion the new heads are just better.
I would also add that many vintage Gillettes used the TTO (twist-to-open) design, as opposed to the two or three piece design which is more common today. Correspondingly, TTO heads are heavier and bulkier than the slimed down new designs.
give these photos a look and tell me what you think.. on the left with have a 1959 gillette tech ballend... on the right is the feather all-stainless de.. there may be a $170 price difference.. but the shave is exactly the same for me..
sorry for the poor image quality.
tombuesing,
A great deal comes down to personal preference; one razor is not absolutely 'better' than another (if all are good quality !!) :)
Some people like the shave from vintage, some from new build - whatever works for you !
I have and use both new and vintage DE/SE razors, including the Muhle R109 (same head as EJ89) and I like it as much as I do the vintage.
The best shaving safety razor I have ever used is a 1930s Ever-Ready 1912 SE, but I still like shaving with my vintage Gillettes & my 'new' Muhle :)
Good shaving with yours :)
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
for me, vintage is where its at.. the EJ is suppsed to be great.. i never liked my merkur HD too much
im actually trying to look into a new option for hte DE shavers... but idk if i can make it happen.. if i can, it will be exciting... ;)
I have been very happy with my Merkur HD, although I rarely use it since moving on to straights. I have a Fat Boy in mint condition that I got for Christmas and have yet to use it.
When I shaved with DE my fav was the Merkur slant. With standard heads I preferred the Barbasol but also liked some of the Gillettes. Notably the Big Fellow, Red Tip Super Speed and some of the older non adjustable Aristocrats, both USA and British. Funny how slight nuances in blade exposure, head design can make subtle differences. All good though if they get the job done.
Ace,
Could ya try the fat Boy and give us a report?