Since most reviews on Fatip are taking about the Grande, I wanted to review the Retro. I have a military set open comb razor that I used last Veterans Day. It started me thinking about getting an open comb razor for every day use. I have read several reviews of the Fatip Grande, so I started looking at their razors. I settled on the Retro as I like the looks. My understanding is the Fatip heads are all the same, but the handles are different. This one is a bit thinner than other razors I have seen and has a ball end. I received the razor today and loaded it with a Nacet blade. I chose Tobac for the first shave as it is easy to lather and produces an explosion of lather. The Fatip has a reputation for being aggressive, but I found it easy to get the angle and it shaved effortly through two days growth. It was an incredibly comfortable, irritation free shave. I am highly impressed. This will likely be used just as often as my Fatboy, which is currently my daily shaver. Sent from my DROID Turbo using Tapatalk
To each their own. I just wanted to give my impression of the razor. Sent from my DROID Turbo using Tapatalk
I wondered how I would like the handle. Nice thing with the Fatip, and many other 3 piece razors, is that I can swap out the handle if I decide on something else. However, at this price point, I might be more tempted to add another Fatip instead. Sent from my DROID Turbo using Tapatalk
Except you can or at least should only swap another Fatip handle for the kooky one given the Fatip unique threading.
I had some brief moments of Grande Envy until I read that my Piccolo handle, though shorter, is heavier being solid. The Grande is hollow. After many shaves I'm fine with the one I enjoy. Hate it when manufacturers go all proprietary. After a little experimenting I found the cap and handle from a Muhle R89 Grande works with a Fatip OC base. I haven't tried any others since I found that combo.
That is the great thing about this site. One can find a wealth of information here. Sent from my DROID Turbo using Tapatalk
Enjoy the razor and thanks for the post, Chris. The important thing is finding the correct angle and you seem to have already done that.
No alignment issues with this one. I heard it was an issue with their older version of the razor head. Sent from my DROID Turbo using Tapatalk
That's wishful thinking, proogated by folks lucky to have won in the Fatip lottery . Plenty of complaints about mk2 also. A minority, maybe a very small minority, but it remains a roll.of the dice. My Schone is perfect.
as always, a cool review and discussion about a new /different product..i have learned a lot from these and based many of my test drives , or not from such reviews. i purchased my rr mamba based on reviews good and bad ,and am very happy with it.too mild for some etc/gamechangers better etc/ i even like my merkur 1904/6 oc. lots of mixed reviews on it as well..my point? oh crap...forgot again.. neat looking razor and hope it works for you..
Glad you like it. Great review. The handle looks too long for my likes; pretty skinny too. I have not added a Fatip to my den. I am still more of a fan of the vintage razors.
I'm with you there Jim. Mostly for the cost of modern stainless steel types. I'd say the zamak Fatip compares favorably to my Gillette NEW LC. Both fall into the aggressive column. A slight edge to the Gillette for raw brass and a bit smoother finish.
Typing off the top of my head. I'd prefer brass. From their website; "The Fatip safety razors are TOTALLY made in Italy. The metal used is brass, which is machined by the artisans of Premana, first in the form and then plated in the various finishings." Maybe I was thinking about the finish. It looks more chrome than nickle. (But I was wrong there, too. It is nickle!)