I've been using a 1959 Fat Boy (E2) exclusively for quite some time. Recently however, I acquired a 1966 Slim (L1) that was part of a package of stuff. So I decided to do a "compare and contrast" by using them on alternating days.
For the comparison, I only used a single type of blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Green, which is my go to blade. I used my typical rotation of creams (in no particular order): TOBS Sandalwood, TOBS Eton College, T&H 1805, T&H Limes, and Trumper's Limes. For all shaves, I did my usual pre-shave routine, which was to apply Noxema to my face after getting out of the shower and washing it off before applying the lather. Lastly, both razors were set on the setting I have always used with my Fat Boy, which is "7".
Comparison of the razors, which you can see in the photos below:
Using my normal "ride the cap" technique, I got equally close shaves from both razors. The difference in the head sizes between the two razors didn't affect my technique at all, and I never really notices any difference of how the heads felt on my face.
I did find that I preferred the heft and diameter of the Fat Boy, but I preferred the additional length of the Slim. It would have been ideal if Gillette had made an adjustable that had the diameter and weight of the Fat Boy, but the length of the Slim.
Next up this week is to use them both with the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades that also came in the package deal with the Slim. I didn't like Wilkinsons before they became part of Gillette, but perhaps they've been improved. I hope not, because I have almost 200 of the 7 O'clock Greens, so I don't want to encounter a blade I like better just yet.
For the comparison, I only used a single type of blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Green, which is my go to blade. I used my typical rotation of creams (in no particular order): TOBS Sandalwood, TOBS Eton College, T&H 1805, T&H Limes, and Trumper's Limes. For all shaves, I did my usual pre-shave routine, which was to apply Noxema to my face after getting out of the shower and washing it off before applying the lather. Lastly, both razors were set on the setting I have always used with my Fat Boy, which is "7".
Comparison of the razors, which you can see in the photos below:
- While the Fat Boy has a larger diameter handle than the Slim (Duh!), the Slim is slightly longer.
- The Fat Boy weighs more than the Slim (another Duh!). I did not weigh them to get specifics.
- The thickness of the Fat Boy head is larger than the Slim.
- The width of the Fat Boy head is just a touch more than the Slim.
Using my normal "ride the cap" technique, I got equally close shaves from both razors. The difference in the head sizes between the two razors didn't affect my technique at all, and I never really notices any difference of how the heads felt on my face.
I did find that I preferred the heft and diameter of the Fat Boy, but I preferred the additional length of the Slim. It would have been ideal if Gillette had made an adjustable that had the diameter and weight of the Fat Boy, but the length of the Slim.
Next up this week is to use them both with the Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades that also came in the package deal with the Slim. I didn't like Wilkinsons before they became part of Gillette, but perhaps they've been improved. I hope not, because I have almost 200 of the 7 O'clock Greens, so I don't want to encounter a blade I like better just yet.