Business trip - First time using a Fatboy

[JayM]

Not sure if this is a good thing or not - but... man a smoking shave and no blood...

So I have a 3 day business trip - my normal shave at home is to use a Straight and then clean up with a DE - still new to straights... on occasion I will do a full DE shave using a EJ mmm 48 I think...

Well I bought me a Fatboy and figured i'd take it on a trip - let her see the world a little more...

Well normal as can be prep... then got a funkie lather from the proraso cream (think they have a water softner here) - started to shave on setting 3 - tried to be safe... well did not seem to do anything at all for beard redux... so I crank it up to 5 ... then 7 ... then 9... finish a 2nd XTG, and ATG runs on 9. the angle on the head is way differnt from my EJ.
Any way followup with the proraso post shave cream - rubbin this in and realize - hey this is a DFS - had to run on 9 - but a DFS for certain

THis was with a Shark blade that was on shave #3
Where do you guys run the Fatboy?
Is 9 considered aggressive?
I do love the shave - and not a single weeper - no blood at all

[ackvil]

9 is aggressive. My first pass is usually on 6, second on 7, third and fourth on 8.

[JayM]

Ah - ao you make changes between passes....

It just felt like it was not doing much, must have been that lather - it was just off, and had a grey tinge to it... not the pure white like normal...
Well - will keep growing the stubble - so guess i will get another chance to see what it does...

[jrp316]

Nine is quite aggressive; of what little I use a Fatboy, I'm about too chicken to go up to 6. Last time I tried 6, I nicked myself like a madman. Don't know much about a water softener (around here, our water is hard enough that showers feel like getting shot with pellets), but you might try some bottled water next time and see if it helps.

[Wrangoleer]

I've settled on 7. We'll see where I end up.

[Bolder]

I start on 6 or 7, depending on blade. Then for 2nd pass etc. I actually dial DOWN to a 4. (I'm sure you know this but when you adjust the setting it's best to back off the head knob a half turn first -- it saves that little metal tab from stress, I believe). I've only used 9 for cheeks -- I guess fortune favors the bold!

[chuckman]

First pass on 3, second pass on 5.......guess I'm a whimp!

[whavens]

When I use my FB it is 9 all the way. They are certainly capable of a DFS.

[BTJepson]

I have four DE razors and have decided on using only my Fatboy for daily shaves, at home and traveling. I started out as a newbie to DE shaving on a 3, but have graduated to an 8 using an Israeli blue personna blade. I tried Feathers, Bics, Astras, Derby's, etc, but the Israeli is my one and only. I will get a small nick about every third shave on 8, but it usually stops by my third pass, so it's never a problem. I love my Fatboy and am thinking of having it rhodium plated to restore it's good looks. Mine's a 1960 model.

[Go West Young Man]

Brave man to try a new razor on a business trip! I always go back to the simplest routine and most trusted products when I'm away from home.

[Sledgehammer39]

Congrats!!

[Clutch Cargo]

I start on 6 or 7, depending on blade. Then for 2nd pass etc. I actually dial DOWN to a 4.

Interesting. I use both a Fat Boy and a Slim Adjustable, and I absolutely think both are phenomenal. I get the best shaves with them. Like you, I start on a higher number for the first pass, and then dial them DOWN (to a less aggressive number, like 4 or even 3) for subsequent passes.

I would be very interested to hear why some of the others dial it UP (to a more aggressive setting) after the first pass when some of the beard has already been properly "reduced" and the skin is then obviously more prone to irritation.

[Go West Young Man]

Interesting. I use both a Fat Boy and a Slim Adjustable, and I absolutely think both are phenomenal. I get the best shaves with them. Like you, I start on a higher number for the first pass, and then dial them DOWN (to a less aggressive number, like 4 or even 3) for subsequent passes.

I would be very interested to hear why some of the others dial it UP (to a more aggressive setting) after the first pass when some of the beard has already been properly "reduced" and the skin is then obviously more prone to irritation.


Theory 1 : aggressive on the first pass to mow down most of the beard, then lower settings on next passes to gently clean up what's left.

Theory 2 : mild on first pass to gently thin out the beard, then more aggressive on next passes to get progressively closer and closer.
Think "gradual reduction".

I've tried them both, and in the end settled on "set it and forget it" , my Fatboy lives on 5 and rarely moves.

[PaqDan]

I've got a Fatboy in the mail but have been using a Slim for a couple months now. I start off at 7 and then dial it down to 4 for subsequent passes.

[Clutch Cargo]

Very interesting theories, Go West Young Man. I see the value in both, and have so far subscribed to your Theory 1 of aggressive on the first pass and lower settings on the subsequent passes.

However, ackvil was kind enough to provide me with the following URL to Mantic59's theory on an adjustable razor's "Sweet Spot": http://sharpologist.com/2010/03/an-adjustable-razor-sweet-spot.html.

In his response, Mantic59 says, "I always keep my adjustable at a very mild setting for the first pass (about a “2″ on my Progress). That way the “bulk” of my beard is reduced very comfortably. I will then dial up slightly (usually about a “3″ on my Progress) for pass 2 and 3. I then dial back down for any touch-ups."

So, it seems like Mantic59 goes from mild to aggressive and then back to mild again!

[JayM]

I love this Fat Boy

2nd shave - #6 first pass - then onto 9 for pass 2 and 3 and a DFS again...
Now this lather is a mess... - still think it is the water - as I have not changed anything in my process...

[santamariasteve]

I would be leary of trying any new razor on a trip.

I would only take a razor I had experience with.

I'd save the experimentation for at home when I had time and no pressure.