Well after waiting for months to get a fatboy (and getting scammed in the process) I picked one up in all place's my local S/hand shop for $7 so after a boil clean I loaded with a personna blade and before twisting tight shut I adjusted it to number 3 then twisted tight (someone posted about adjustments on this forum I think about adjusting before its fully closed) knocked up another great sticky lather (new formula Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet) in a bowl (coz thats how I do it:sick007 ) the applied to my neck first and shaved that all seemed to be going well no bleeders or anything, Washed my neck the applied lather to moist face and done maybe two passes, Again nice and even the hard to reach areas ie under nose and corner of the mouth where you get the odd little hair it was easy, I think this razor would suit most and new comers would find it a Joy because you don't have to be extra careful and it can be quite a quick shave a bit like my super speed which the wife has now nicked ( I have only been DE shaving for a couple of months myself so still a newbie), I how ever started with a merku Futur against a lot of NO NO advice I got one anyway and even though there a many scare stories out there (don't believe them try for yourself) it's fantastic and gives me a great shave every time I have that set on 2 again with Personna blades. Yes you have to take care with Futur because it will bite back its a joy to use and you feel like you have something thats well engineered in your hands. This is a great razor for a vintage piece and could be great in rotation with other razors but I don't feel its anything out of the ordinary and not sure what the hype is aboutbut each to there own
You're first impression is just for one blade and one setting, both mild. Meaning, it's a little early to make any conclusions. The Fatboy might not end up being a favorite razor, but you don't know that yet. I think you'll find most Fatboy users find a setting of 3 to be too mild and most pick something in the range of 4 to 6 (4 myself). You'll also need to try different blades and find a combination that works well for you. Remember the blade works well in one razor might not work well in another and visa versa and the other way around.
I know one blade does not suit all razors I was just posting on my first shave, Not knocking the Fatboy at all it seems to be a good vintage piece just the same as the Futur is good modern piece. And I look forward to using the fatboy again with a different blade one day and likewise trying my Futur with something different but at the moment I have around 4 packs of personna blades to use first
Cool. Glad to see you seem to like your fatboy! Maybe not your favorite, but it still produces a nice comfortable shave. For someone like me, that is what it's all about!
Well for fun today went back to the Fatboy but this time with the Merkur blade that came with my futur (as I also have a unboxed of 10) as I have not tried these yet, Set the fatboy to 4 knocked up another steller lather (thanks penhaligons) and went for it..... And well WE HAVE A GUSHER..... Oh sh*t for the first time I now have a nice little cut above the lip just to the left of my nose. so dumped the fatboy for the rest of the shave and done the quick once over with my (even if the wife thinks its hers because she has used it 4 times) 1954 Superspeed so all in all a sh*t shave... Now there could have been lots of different factors, it could have been the blade, or because it was set on 4, who knows but what I do know I will keep trying even if I have to have the blood bank on standby
Toss the merkur blade. They're slmost universally considered junk. I'd suggest one of the sharper blades (7OC, Feather, or some such).
It's one of the mysteries of the universe. It is also know the blades that come with the razors tend to be worse than those in the packs, so you might try the a blade from the package. Sorry you had a such a bad shave and good like finding a good match for the Fatboy. Personally, I find Astra SP, Gillette 7 O'Clock SE (yellow), and Red Pack Personnas to be great matches for a Fatboy (and most other razors).
Yikes! sorry to hear that. First time I fired up my progress w/ the blade that came with it, I sliced a big, I mean big, chunk of skin off under my nose. Still shows. Those blades must have problems...
I recognize I'm a minority but I really like Merkur blades. It could have been the blade, but more likely it was just one of those momentary slips that can just happen any time no matter what razor/blade/cream/prep. The major bleeds I've had from shaving have just been crazy slips. The one exception is when I shaved with the first Fatboy I got-it was stuck on 9 and I didn't realize it until much later. I keep it for display as it's otherwise in great shape, but the adjuster just doesn't adjust.
Gettin' Woozy I feel for you O5F... Gotta tell you, the worst "under the nose" bleeders I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing came at the hands of a cartridge shaver! Had my second shave with my new Red Tailed Little Dragon (was in a hurry btw), let him linger around the adams apple transition area and got bit slightly::kar. I just chalk it up to learning curve and being in a hurry (which is akin to a venal sin around here) Good thing is that cuts heal and tomorrow is a new day!
I am fairly new convert myself. I have been using my Fat Boy for about two weeks with an Astra blade. This blade and a setting of 4 is giving me BB shaves. Everyday I learn how to shave better. For instance unlike with a multi-blade I no longer need to shave against the grain. I personally find DE Wet Shaving to be the most luxurious shaves I ever I have had.
Just got an e3 Fatboy with case. I don't think it was ever used. I started on 4 and dialed up a notch as I went because I couldn't feel the blade. I've been using a Merkur DE for a year now. The fatboy with the same feather blades I use in the Merkur felt extremely tame. I ended with it on 7. I could hear the blade cutting but just never felt it. I'm starting with 8 next shave and see how it goes. I have to say I really like this razor. It was so different from what I am used to I'm wondering what other vintage razors are like now. I might even try the lady blue star I got my wife. Is there a place to post pics of our new toys around here. I'm really proud of this one. New Fatboy Fan
We have a thread called "The Haul". New one every week. The current one is here. I'd also add that you don't need to feel the blade for it to give a great, close shave. Once you feel the blade, try backing down one setting and see if it isn't an even better shave.
I just recently picked up a cased Fatboy, I haven't been able to try it yet though. Unfortunately my open comb single ring did too good of a job yesterday afternoon and I don't have enough stubble to warrant a shave yet =/ The Fatboy does its name justice though, after using a slim for the past two months it felt un-maneuverable in the hand. I guess I'll have to wait and see in an actual shave, seems like it would suit people with really big thick hands better, like a proportional move up from a slim adjustable.
Agree totally with your blade assessment. Astra SP, 7 O'Clock (yellow and black), and Red IPs rock best so far for me. I can use Derbys too, but the others mentioned are very forgiving and shave closer. The Merkurs butchered me in my Slim and Fatboy.
You were right and still bbs. Although the lady blue star with the feather blade felt like I pushing hard and I barely put any pressure. No feathers for that razor. I think I'm spoiled by the fatboy now.
