DECember 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Good observations, Neal.

Differences are minor. The Toggle aides in rinsing between passes. Releasing the tension allows the doors to open partway. I never use that function. I've not had issues with them clogging, but I can see where that would be an idea worth exploring during design/testing. I like the additional weight but don't see it adding a whole lot to the shave, it just feels more substantial in the hand.

I consider the toggle itself a no-go grip area. So it does, in effect, have a short handle feel. I usually grab Toggles closer to the head as a result.

For me, Toggles just have that 2nd kind of coolness. I have 4 different combinations of the Toggle/FatBoy evolution. While I have my preferences, the performance differences are negligible.

 

Beautiful brush!

 

Wonderful photos and lineups Gentlemen. It's always nice to follow what others are using in their SOTD.

 

Good setup and photograph Jason.

 

So with the Fatboy and Toggles...the biggest part of what is special is that they are a Fatboy or Toggle? I mean they are not that different head wise then other razors of the era? Or are they ?

 

It is. I am looking forward to trying it out, but don’t think I will keep it long term. We will see though.

 

The simple answer is......you, sir, are correct. They aren't some revolutionary head design that we hadn't seen before. Gillette was making TTO razors long before these two came along, just without the ability to adjust. (See: Aristocrat, and others) So it comes down to their ability to adjust to different users, or different setups for users, and then whether or not it's a toggle mechanism to open the doors or a knob that turns. The Toggle gets its "super special" reputation, actually, because it failed. If consumers had preferred the toggle mechanism, Fatboys would be selling for $750 instead of the Toggle.

 

If you decide not to keep it I know of a good home where it would be loved and hugged and it would be called George!

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Beautiful picture, Charlie!

Nice picture, Brian! I really like the combination of colors.

Great perspective on your picture!

Great picture, Jason!

 

Thanks for the reply! They are still veddy cool I agree. I love reading your post about things.

 

DECember 18 SOTD:

PAA Atomic Rocket Brush
Stirling Glacial Wintergreen
Igor by @twhite
Stirling Unscented PSB
Osage Rub
Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender

My last shave with Igor, and he is going out with a bang. Two passes for a DFS. The Glacial Wintergreen was cold as was the Osage Rub. A little Chatillon Lux for some terrific face feel, and my day was off to a quick start.

I took the day off, but still went to the gym, dropped the kids off at school, and just got done helping my wife at the Christmas charity she runs in our area. Tomorrow, I get to go to work to get a little rest. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

I may have missed it but which blade did you use? SS or CS?

 

It's a good day down South.

 

Good stuff.

I think they are just marvelous mechanisms. It is fun, to me, to be able to see the differences/similarities in essentially the same design. In 1958, Gillette released a Red Dot Fatboy (D1), Standard Toggle (D1), and the final production FatBoy (D3). In 1960, they released the Chrome Toggle (F4) for Christmas. These 4 razors share 3 different adjustment approaches and 2 different tray access designs (TTO/Toggle). The Chrome Toggle adjustment tray is different than the D1 Fatboy/Toggle.

FWIW, CAP tells me the Chrome Toggle was the better design. I can't recall specifics but he preferred it.

In the span of 9 months in 1958 Gillette put out some pretty cool adjustable razor designs. The $1.95 FatBoy shaves darned near identically to the $10.00 Toggle. One is just a little more DEcadent, to my eye.

 

Another great explanation. Boys toys. I guess it never changes.

 

So basically the Gillette Toggle is the Ford Edsel of the razor world -- a decent design that flopped because it wasn't what the consumers wanted so it's rare today.

 

It's Monday. So it's time.

d

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25 pages to make it to this morning!

Awesome setup, John!

Great photo, Clint!

Fantastic photo Charlie! Love the B&W and the grain!

Very nice, Brian!

Amazing red dot!

Awesome shot, Jason!

I hope you get some rest tomorrow, Jim!

 

Yep. There you go.

 

It should be a slow day tomorrow, so I certainly won't have as much physical activity.