Advice/Thoughts on purchasing Fatboy Executive with some rust

Hello Gents,

I'm hoping to get your wisdom on a purchase I'm considering. Recently my wife and I went to an antique mall in a nearby town. I saw a lot of straight razors (many over priced imho) and a few DEs. The one that really caught my eye and that I have been on the look out for was a Gillette Fatboy. This one, however, was gold and in a box that said Milord on the back.

After playing around with it a bit it looked like there was some minor plate loss on the safety bar. What concerns me most though was that upon opening the razors butterfly doors I noticed the blade was still in the razor and that beneath it in the crack of the four bars that change the adjustment a fair amount of rust has formed. They had the razor priced at $36.00. The mechanism seemed to work fine as did the two, but what are your thoughts? I thought Gillette fat boys were all brass and thus did not rust. However, I have seen some photos online that seem to show a silver color under the gold plating. Thanks in advance!

 

Show them the rust and offer $20 for it.

 

Thanks for the information on the plating! Hopefully it is just surface rust then. I really liked the feel of the handle and was hoping the rust could be taken care of.

 

Actually offered them that exactly and was laughed at...so I guess not

 

The rust will clean up. Offer 30.00

 

I would have to see a pic, but if it is all functional (which is the most important) I think at $36 its a good deal...as others have said, try to offer less but ultimately if its worth it to YOU then grab it.

 

I was thinking of even being a complete nerd and asking if I could take it to the bathroom to see if it cleans up relatively well before deciding to purchase it

 

I'll post pics if I decide to get it. I have a slim that I picked up by aimlessly looking at an antique store, which is now my favorite. I'm hoping the shaving experience is similar with just a bit more weight to it.

 

You won't get a discount if you clean it for him

 

True that!

 

Well guys! I picked up the razor today. Unfortunately, all my bartering tactics were of no avail (sorry @mrchick, I tried) and I ended up paying $38.00 for this rusty filthy Gillette Fatboy Executive that I made the mistake of handling in the store yesterday. Here are some pics of the razor before I plopped it in a sink full of hot tap water and dawn dish soap. Thank you for your advice. I probably wouldn't have thought it was salvageable without your guidance. I will update you with more pics after cleaning it. Btw, any advice on how to adjust a slightly pushed in safety bar?

 

Great catch, and I believe it will clean up well! What is the date code?

Herm, take a look!

 

That will clean up very nicely. The hot water and Dawn soak works wonders 30 minutes works great for me. Make sure to cover it while it is steeping keep it hot. A good scrub with a toothbrush and you are set.

 

Here it is after a few hours of soaking and scrubbing with dawn dish soap. I'm surprised to be honest! I never would've thought it could look like this after seeing it before. Kinda philosophical

 

Super nice clean up. I like it.

 

Thanks Charlie! It is a D3 if I'm not mistaken.

 

Very nice find. I would have bought it if I came across it. So $36 became $38 huh? Tough dealer Nice cleaning job.

 

you did good on the purchase and clean up. it's a fine shaver and one of my personal favorites.

 

With tax I'll keep practicing!