A Compulsive Act

[JohnRV]

I had finished writing a post in here earlier and had a compulsive thought. I had mentioned remembering seeing my fathers old Gillette Fatboy DE at his sink. I had this urge to try one out. I have NEVER used a DE razor before, but I was compelled to do so. A sister of my wife gave me a bag bag of DE razors she had gotten somewhere and gave them to me thinking these were the razors I collected(at the time I only Collected Antique Straights) and since I discard nothing, I found them and found one like I remember seeing my dad owning. It was a Gillette, all steel, that you twist the bottom of the handle to open the head, then screw it back down after dropping a blade in it. Anyway, I don't ever buy modern double edge blades, never had a reason to, but I remembered I gotten a handful of vintage blades when buying some razors and stuff in a lot, off of ebay. I found a couple boxes of Blades and opened the one box that was a little tattered, the perfect untattered box of 5 I left alone. The Blades were New Old Stock Shapleigh Hardware Co. -Diamond Edge- No Stropping-No Honing Dble Edge blades. I figured I'd give one a try even though a fellow member here said if I ever decided to try DE shaving I should use the best blades around so not to have a bad first experience, but I couldn't help it I had to try it NOW. I grabbed the shaver out of the bag took an old toothbrush and under super hot water cleaned it up the best I could, opened her up, dropped the prestine Shapleigh blade into the head cranked it down til I couldn't crank it down no more, set the dial on 1, having no idea, and still don't, what that means, slapped some foam from a can on my hot water rinsed face and went to town. IT WAS GREAT! I gotta say It was one of the smoothest shaves I have experienced in a long while!! I liked it so much I rinsed the head of the razor under the hot water and dry shaved the sides of my scalp and back of my neck of my Mohocked head! and not a single, NOT A SINGLE DING!! I didn't even get to use the alum block I shared about in my earlier post. COOL HUH?!! I thought so!!

[AFDavis11]

That is cool. I bet you enjoyed using a razor just like Dad's. I bet he never shaved the sides of his mohock though . . .

[Hawkeye5]

The #1 setting on Gillette adjustables is the mildest setting. As you progress up, the setting becomes more aggressive to the max setting #9.

I tried a fatboy when I was in my DE phase but didn't think it was anything special. Many shavers really like them though.

You really need some newer blades. The older all steel blades are subject to edge deteriation over time.

[JimmyHAD]

+1 on the current production blades. Gillette Swedes if you can still get them. Feather is the next best IMO. At least that was the way it was a couple of years ago. Not sure what the pecking order is now.

When I used a Gillette Adjustable I set it on like 5. One would do nothing for me and I could never understand how guys could shave at 9. I began shaving with those things. Got my very first nick with one when I was maybe 15 and I still remember how shocked I was.

[radaddict]

Well, if you're going to use a DE, a Fatboy ain't a bad choice. If you're using a vintage steel blade, take it out and dry it off - it will rust very quickly. Also, with this or any Gillette adjustable, loosen the twist to open know before you turn the adjuster ring. Once you get it where you want, tighten it up.

One last note: I too can generally get a great shave with a DE, but where's the fun in that!?!?!?!

[JohnRV]

Thanks to all! I truly appreciate the feedback. I was told the Personna Isreali DE blades were a good blade. I have yet to purchase a package of this era. I will soon tho. I am switching between my Straights and DE gillette. I have recently received my nagura stones in the mail to use with my 4 thru 12k stones, I also own some DE stroppers and stones from the days of yesteryear that I plan on trying out now that I have one of those oldie but goodie blades in my razor, I might as well, I can't sing or dance, and it's too windy to hall rocks! I'm trying out the green chromium oxide powder on one of my older strops to see how it works. I really like the way my new king nagura works tho, really helps bring that edge back, I then rinse off the slurry and finish the polishing of my edge with water alone, oh I'm testing the 12k Natural Chinese waterstone, I really think I am gonna love this one.

[omegapd]

as a DE shaver 90% of the time, the Fatboy is a good one. Just a word of advice, though- it's not steel. So, if you ever try to polish it up with some type of metal polish, make sure whatever you use can be used on aluminum or brass (I think the Fatboy is brass that has been nickle plated but not sure).

Dunking the razor's head in a bucket of alcohol (after the shave and hot water rinse) will help dissipate the water and dry the blade faster, too. This especially helps with carbon steel blades and rusting.

Have fun!

[Otto]

My first choice for blades for the DE are Wilkinson Sword.
You can get them at:
http://westcoastshaving.com

Westcoast shaving also has sample packs of blades that might be a good idea since all faces are different.