Well I started this lifestyle change about a month ago with a EJ DE87. It shaves very nicely, and I am very pleased. The wife actually bought it for me as a gift from Duluth traders.Then I got the bug to find a Fat Boy. I found one on eBay in almost new condition. It cost me more that I wanted to spend, but hey you only live once, and all that right! The Fat Boy is great, and I am going to keep it in my arsenal. I have to say though that the E J shaves closer, IMHO, but is a little slippery to hold onto. I have already put out a few feelers a local Junk/ Treasure shops for more Gillette's. I really am starting to enjoy this new hobby, and am looking forward to mastering the Fat Boy. I am currently using it on #5 setting.
I have a '69 slim adj. and it shaves very well too, but I am borrowing my dad's Merkur Progress at the moment and it delivers a VERY good shave. I like the old Gilletes though, I have 3 of them
My favorite Gillettes are my Techs, Red Tip , Aristocrat and 40's Superspeed.I like using them but pair them to different blades. My Slim and Fatboy don't see much use , though I love how they look. The Fatboy mystique I have never figured out. Its either based on its look or the buzz of the shaving forums. I don't really find it that satisfying a shave. I myself had to see what the fuss was about and spent about $100 prerecession dollars for 2 Fats on ebay. Sold one and kept the better. Discovered what I already suspected, okay razor, nothing so special. IMHO
Congratulations on this first episode of fine Fatboy shaving :happy088 It should be possible to get the same close feeling with the Fatboy as with the EJ, but it probably will take practice and adjustment...... Stick to it and go with the flow....... You will enjoy it on the long haul
I finally got that BBS shave with the Fat Boy that I was looking for. I finally figured out that the angle I was holding the razor at when I shaved ATG was wrong. I adjusted my grip, and all is well. This is with a US Personna blade.
Hiya, Good deal........glad to see you got the technique down for that razor. The fatboy is my favorite razor by far, and I've used lots of various types in the past. I'll use maybe 5-6 razors in my small rotation, but a fatboy is the one I use for the best all around shave. Maybe some time down the road you might like to try some other blades in that.......just for the heck of it. Have fun sliding down the bottomless badger burrow, Martin
I couldn't agree more with you...especially about about the Slim-Adjustable... I do believe any well designed and well made razor with great blades will give great shaves...and that most of the adjustments we need are in our wrists and technique. But that being said, the perfect marriage of the right razor and blade for our face and beard, can certainly improve our quality of life and make getting that perfect shave so much easier...The EJ is great...but I agree with Rene, you should be able to duplicate the shave with the Fatboy. I think with time and practice you can duplicate any shave with the Fatboy or the Slim...the potential is there...Have fun with it. By the way...love the avatar Battle )
It's not so special if you already have a collection of non-adjustables that cover all the bases...ie: extra sharp blades, not as sharp but extra smooth, haven't shaved for a couple days (extra thick whiskers), taking off a moustace, haven't shaved on vacation (5 day growth), yesterdays razor burn from using old blade, etc. etc. True with great technique, lots of experiance, and concentration, coupled with a great non-adjustable that you are very familier with, no proplem, you can deal with all the variables. But a great old Gillette adjustable like the Fatboy or Slim, can level the battlefield, and make it sooo easy to deal with all the variables, with grace and style, and a simple adjustment. I generally leave my Slim on the same setting all of the time, and just appreciate the razor's superb balance and weight distribution (ditto for the Fatboy), but when I drop in a new Feather, or another variable raises its head, then I appreciate having the option of dropping a number, just to make things easier and more enjoyable... I believe its reasons like these, coupled with, its built like a tank, that add to the Fatboy's mystique.
I do like my 60's Fatboy. I started with a "3", and am now using a 4 for the first two passes, and a 6 ATG. I like being able to experiment with the setting and not have to buy more non-adjustables - which I seem to be doing anyway lately!
I have been a Fat Boy user for over 5yrs, but alternated with other Gillette non-adjustables. Since getting more serious into BBS wet shaving in the last year, the other non-adjustables mostly sit idle now. Fat Boy has been a great razor for getting technique down, and then keeping it down. I too started with a setting of 3, then moved to 4 with experience. #4 seems to be my ideal setting for most shaving situations. Boosting up to 6 or 7 for ATG works well too, reducing unnecessary touch-up strokes which can contribute to irritation. For touch up I put the setting back to #4. I am currently using Derbys with much success and plan to experiment with Astra, Feathers, and others.
Love me the fatboy adj wtg 3, xtg 5, atg 7.... Nice heavy and sturdy, feels great in my hands. Kicking myself for selling my entire collection 2yrs ago when i moved in with the EX. Now i'm having to start all over
Interesting setting scheme. I'll try your 3-5-7 approach. Getting more reduction in the XTG passes makes sense, and should make the ATG a lighter operation.
