The story of how I contracted the RAD... I had some extra time after work today so I stopped in over at this "indoor flea market" near my home. USUALLY, I would have no desire to visit the place, but as I drove pass - it hit me like Ike did Tina - there could be a razor in there, so I had to stop. The thoughts of finding a vintage razor filled my head as I parked the car. Before I knew it, I found myself strategically walking the room, as if on a misson. I looked in ever little case, box, bowl, bin, rack I could find. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for...but I was looking. I walked up onto a corner set-up, mostly tables filled with vintage cameras. Very cool. Then, out of the corner of my eye...I caught a faint flash of chrome. I was immediately drawn to the table and there, there it sat, a vintage Gillette Fat Boy Adjustable. My eyes grew wide and my palms sweaty. I had to touch it. I picked it up and admired it for a second, then my eyes scoured it from top to bottom. I could feel the weight of it in my hand, I wanted it! I cleared my throat, (ahem) and the owner of his wares looked in my direction, "How much?" I asked, trying to keep my cool - trying not to look too interested. He paused, looked at me through his glasses sitting on the tip of his nose, "...20 bucks". I set it back down on the table. "Ok" I replied, still showing no interest. I walked around to his other tables crammed with vintage cameras and knik-knaks pretending to browse; but in my head, I was arguing with myself to pull the trigger, Do I need it...no. I don't need it...but I want it...is inly $20. Is that too much? I gotta have it, buy it...BUY IT! (And yes, I was arguing with myself...silently I remained stoic as picked the razor back up. I flipped it over and looked at the date code, as if looking like I knew more about the razor than I actually do. I spun the knob at the bottom and the doors opened up smoothly. I turned the adjuster, 1 click at a time, watching the blade gap move up and down. I was sold, for $20, I couldn't go wrong - plus, it was my first razor find. Then the next thing you know, the dealer throws in, "I'll let it go for $15 and I'll throw in that vintage shaving brush." I looked down at the table at this old, rough looking boar brush. "So...want to do the deal?" he asked. I didn't want the brush, as I don't know how to restore it and in the condition it was in, I didn't want to even try. "I like the razor," I told him, "but the brush...not so much...got any other shaving items?" His eyes searched his table and he reached for an item behind an old camera, "buy that razor and I'll throw this one in for free." It was a vintage Gillette Ball End Tech. That was it, the pot couldn't get any sweeter. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my $20 and in handed it over. Oh...but wait, what is that I spy...? Another Gillette ball end tech sitting on another table. He goes, "Oh yeah, I forgot I had that guy...". I asked "how much for that one?" he goes,"$5 bucks". I say, "I'll take all 3, you can keep the brush." So, now I own a 3 new-old razors. I'm really excited about it because I've been eye-balling adjustables on Ebay. I'm looking forward to cleaning them up and shaving with them especially. Since I have 2 Techs, I was thinking about giving one to my little bro, if he's interested. If not, I'm sure I could find someone in TSD to give it a new home. Maybe I overpaid, I don't know. But I think I did okay. 3 vintage, working, razors for $20, I can live with that. Check them out!
You got the RAD for sure my friend and you got some good deals. Scrubbing Bubbles and that Fat Boy will look like new. Great Job! and welcome to the club.
to the ranks of the addicted...Well first off you "ABSOLUTELY DID NOT" over pay You made a Great score on your first "hunt"...That FatBoy will clean up really nice and you just can't have too many Techs... You should try and trade one of your new/old "Ball Ends" for a "Fat Handle" so you will have one of each...Good shaving and Good hunting...
Nice finds! Both are good razors for someone starting out. The Tech is a pretty ideal first razor IMO. And the Fatboy is a great shaver that works well with lots of different blades.
Hey guys, thanks for your comments! I was so stoked about my flea market finds that it's all I could think about last night. Anyway, after breakfast this morning I skipped out to Wally World to get some cleaning bubbles that scrub and some metal polish. Last night I had read a bunch of different ways to possibly clean the razors and I kind of did a hybrid mix of methods. First, I disassembled the 3pcs and opened up the TTO and throught them all in a strainer in the sink. Blasted them with some hott-ish water from the faucet and then transferred them to a bowl. I heated up about 2 cups of water in the micro and when it had heated up, I poured it over the razors and added a couple caps of vinegar. I let them steep for a few minutes while I rummaged for an old toothbrush. After about 5 mins, I dumped out the dirty water and gave them another rinse under the faucet. At this point, a lot of the lose surface grime had fallen off, but there was still lots of gunk, especially in all the nooks and crannies. Back in the bowl and then I gave them a generous spraying of scrubbing bubbles. Again, I let them sit and I waited. After about another 5 mins, I used an old toothbrush to give them a scrub. The scrubbing process was repeated one more time and on the third time, I again took the toothbrush to the razor/pieces under running water. I will join the choir and sing the praises of Scrubbing Bubbles, this stuff works great! Everything was transferred to a cloth to let dry. A half hour later I got a micr-fiber cloth and added Brasso to it. I slathered it over all the pieces except the handles. An old sock stepped in as a buffing cloth and I was impressed with the CLEAN shine. For the handles, since all 3 razors had knurling, I needed something that would get into the grooves. I didn't have a wire or other stiff brush, but I had a lightweight scour pad. So I again applied Brasso and worked each handle, careful not to "scrub" too hard or to scrub the smooth parts of the handle, avoiding scratches. Buffed them up with the sock and gave them a photo shoot that they are surely worthy of. Have a look and let me know what you think! A shot of all 3 razors. The 1st (left) one is a Gillette Super Adjustable "Fat Boy" and the other two are Gillette Ball End Techs. This shot is of "The Twins" as I have affectionately named them. Obviously the one on the left is in better condition, however both are cleaned up very well. Here's a side view. I was able to get pretty much get all of the gunk out of the handles for both of them. Next sequence of pics will be of the Fat Boy in all his Phat-ness!! Pic 1: shows a side view and Pic 2: shows a close up of the adjuster ring/dial. Inside of the TTO's head - which had an old, rusted blade in it when I purchased it. There was rust and scum all over the inside about 1hr before the pic was taken. Last pic, the Fat Boy standing tall and looking like a BOSS!! I really enjoyed the ENTIRE process of the acquisition. The hunt was fun, looking through all sorts of junk to find a diamond in the rough. Then the haggling part was fun too! The dealer didn't put up much of a fight, but still, I feel I walked away with some sweet vintage swagg! I really found great joy in cleaning the razors - carefully cleaning these antique razors OLDER than me! But my most favorite part of the process was after the polish was applied and buffed inside the sock, sticking my hand in and pulling out a beautiful shiny "new" razor was awesome! It was like Christmas, in August One question though, I've seen pictures of the Fat Boy that have black numbering (paint); however other pictures of restored razors showed the numbers without the black paint/enamel. Originally, did all the Fat Boys have black numbering? Or was there some differences in production for this model of razor?
All the Fat Boys had black numbers and red indicators. This is a picture of my most original factory painted Fat Boy. Nice Dug Out.
Sweet deal, well done! Now you'll find yourself looking for antique stores in every town you go to! Great job cleaning them up to. Now the funnest part...shaving with them! Let us know how it goes.
Thanks Weeper! Yes, I look forward to shaving with them. I'm doing a blade trial right now, so I'll have to hold off for a little bit. But you can guarantee I'll post my experiences!
Great restoration! Well done Kawika! I recently paid nearly $50 for a Fatboy that looks exactly the way yours does now. And by the way, I know what that wooden thing is you're using to prop up the razors . . .
It's difficult for me to visit the flea market. By no means am I too good, but this has intrigued me to take a gander and possibly steal a bargain.
