Fatboy - 1st outing.

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Having finally acquired a birthyear fatboy (correct quarter too ) it was given its first outing across my chops today. Thought it appropriate to go with a Gillette 7 o'clock blade. Started on level 4 but found it very tame and dialled up to a 6 mid first pass. . Perservered. Not a bad shave. Not brilliant so looking forward to trying some different combinations of levels and blades. Fun and somewhat nostalgic experience nevertheless.
 
Don't have a fat boy but i like my slim at about 6 or 7, must be something to do with the bigger heads on these razors.
My most used razor is a flat bottom tech. Quite mild.
 
I'm struggling with the Fatboy to be honest. I recently acquired one, and every time I shave I get the feeling that it's pulling the hairs instead of cutting them. I'm trying different angles and different settings, between 7 and 9. I'm used to medium aggressive razors (Timeless 0.95 and Wolfman 0.74 my favourites), but the Fatboy doesn't seem to be able to give me a nice BBS in 2 passes. The shave is never as deep. Struggling to understand why it's so popular...
 
Part of the attraction for me was having something that is ageless. I will be 59 later this year and this was made in the last quarter of 1959. Just had to be done. I did clock that the angle needed is slightly different to using my Rockwell but quickly adapted. I think a higher setting and a change of blades will see me through. The Rockwell will remain my go to I think but this is just fun as well. What a child!
 
Part of the attraction for me was having something that is ageless. I will be 59 later this year and this was made in the last quarter of 1959. Just had to be done. I did clock that the angle needed is slightly different to using my Rockwell but quickly adapted. I think a higher setting and a change of blades will see me through. The Rockwell will remain my go to I think but hyou is is just fun as well. What a child!

Yes I get that, it's an iconic razor, beautiful, functional, robust. That's why I got it, but I had the Rockwell 6S and I used to get great shaves on #6, a lot better than the FB
 
Yes I get that, it's an iconic razor, beautiful, functional, robust. That's why I got it, but I had the Rockwell 6S and I used to get great shaves on #6, a lot better than the FB
Getting nice shaves on 3/4 with the Rockwell but may need 7+ on the fat boy. We are all different I suppose.
 
I get a superb shave from Fatboys on #5,...I find the Slim is about one setting more aggressive, but I still stick to 5.
I get my best shave from my pre-war Canadian Tech.
 
Gave it another run today. Left the Gillette in and twisted up to a 7. OK. 2nd pass went up to 9 and , well, it has nothing on the Rockwell. Maybe the blade. Will persevere. This is a keeper because of what it is and the relevance to my own birth. Will run it over my face now and again for the shear hell but the Rockwell is my next concentration and will spend time with different blades.
 
I only got a great shave from the Fatboy if it were set to 9, they are a nicely engineered and look good but my 1940s Tech gives a nicer shave.
 
It was the first Gillette adj. razor and should be viewed as such. It was not made on state of the modern art MIM or CNC eqpmt. It is what it is. For its era it was a huge advance however. Think of it as the first mass produced automobile with an automatic transmission. Revolutionary, but not without flaws. Nontheless, making a modern adjustable has stumped modern makers it appears as they not only are priced in the stratosphere they are also not made as cleverly.

FWIW, I do not consider a modern razor with different baseplates in the same category as they are not a true adj. razor per se in the traditional sense.
 
It was the first Gillette adj. razor and should be viewed as such. It was not made on state of the modern art MIM or CNC eqpmt.
From usage I find moulded brass razors hold the blades as well as modern CNC steel razors.
I've just used a modern adjustable based on the Gibbs and the Fatboy, and the Gibbs wins hands down imo.
Nontheless, making a modern adjustable has stumped modern makers it appears as they not only are priced in the stratosphere they are also not made as cleverly.
On this we agree
 
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I have never seen a Gibbs on this side of the pond, but people sure rave about their performance. Having owned many Gillette adjustables, including many Fatboys, I am not a huge fan for daily usage. I do however swear by the Schick adjustable injector. Go figure.
 
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