Can anybody tell me the year or years The Fat Boy was made as a red dot. The red dot when you open up The Doors has teeth like the Gillette toggle it's not solid bars like most fat boys that we see.
The adjustment is different than the FB, that charges the blade gap and angle. It's like the Toggle that only adjusts the blade gap. That being said, I shave with my FB and Toggle on 5, and I really can't tell any difference.
On the left is a D-1 (1958-1st quarter) "Red Dot" Fatboy. On the right is a F-2 Fatboy (1960-2nd quarter). As you can see, the Red Dot has a slightly longer handle, a different adjustment collar, different head, different blade tray/adjustment tabs and, of course, different adjustment setting indicator. As far as I know, the 1st quarter of 1958 was the only period these were made. All Fatboys I've seen with D-2 or later date codes have been of the type pictured on the right. The 1958 - 1960 dates mentioned above could be referring to the Toggle as these were the only years for production Toggles which shared the adjustment mechanics with the Red Dot. I imagine the change was made because the newer Fatboys were cheaper to manufacture. Remember, Gillette was selling this razor for$1.95 and the gold plated Toggle was significantly higher. As far as shave quality goes, I can't tell any difference in the Red Dot and the later Fatboys although I do believe the Red Dot is better built. Then again, as both these razors are over 50 years old, how much better does it have to be built?
Thank you for this info. I just mananaged to pick one up the other week. Great razor yo shave with. I'd like to learn how to clean them though.
I wonder how many were actually made of the red. I know the bottom dial supposedly only six known to exist
The Gillette Bottom Dial razors were given out to regional managers to test if I remember correctly. Presumably they were also handed out like lollipops at the corporate office. Only one known example of a Gillette Adjustable Injector razor is known to exist. Chase those unicorns, baby! Here's another Gillette rarity. Ever heard of the Gillette Contra razor? http://theshaveden.com/forums/threa...own-unseen-gillette-injector-prototype.28832/
Liquid dish soap & a soft toothbrush woks well if its just dirt & soap scum buildup on the exterior. Just soak in a hot water bath with dish soap for a while & then scrub it down with your toothbrush. Scrubbing Bubbles (or equivalent) & your toothbrush works well on heavier build up. Just make sure you purchase the kind WITHOUT bleach. The bleach will do a number on certain finishes, painted numbers & indicators. If the adjuster or TTO is gummed up, several rounds of hot soapy water soaks & rinses are in order. If that doesn't work, an ultrasonic cleaner works well but you will have to repaint any numbers as the ultrasonic cleaner will strip the paint. Buff with a soft dry cloth & see if the razor is acceptable to you. If not, touchup with a very mild metal polish (I use Flitz but there are others) sparingly. Remember, the plating on these vintage razors is very thin.
If all else fails soak it in Dawn overnite. That should help loosen up a few decades of crud on the inside.
ALERT HELP QUICK. GUYS...Take a look at this photo. I can buy this whole lot of razors for $325.00. There is a real RED DOT FAT BOY in the photo 2nd from the left...another fat boy a slim and all the rest that I don't know anything about. I'm counting on you guys to say go. I have to convince my wife. Is this worth it. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP. if I get it I'm going to give you guys first Crack at all the other stuff plus a bunch of PIFS. I'm so excited let me know. Greg
That averages to $18 per razor? Considering FB's ebay for fifty and up... Conservately doing the quick math; 325.00 cost 150.00 (minimum value of three adjustable) --------- 175.00 ( cost of the other 15) /15 --------- 11.67 (cost per each of other razor) So if you think you will keep the three adjustable and eat that value, you'd need sell the others for not much more than twelve bucks to recover your investment. Assuming all function well the Red Dot is valued higher, as is the other FB, the slim maybe lower. This is like going to the casino - don't bet the rent money.
