What is the Secret to the FatBoy Shave

**fighting69** · 08-03-2009, 10:58 PM

Hi all,

I have been using a Y-4 SuperSpeed for several months and getting good shaves. Generally two passes WTG and touch up on neck, chin and under nose. I am not seeking the BBS shave but a comfortable shave in under 30 minutes from lather to as balm.. I recently purchased a Fatboy via the BST and decided to try it out over the weekend. It was not a pleasant experience - tugging and irritation all around. I am using Poraso cream, a finest brush and American Personna blades.

Possible problems:
A) my technique is not good enough yet to use the FatBoy
B) American Personnas are not a good blade for the FatBoy
C) your sage advice here

Any advice on how to unlock the FatBoy shave would be appreciated.

Thanks
DC

**stroppy** · 08-03-2009, 11:27 PM

I'd suggest losing the Persona blades, for a start. There's no trick to using a Fatboy. It's like any other razor. Good prep, good technique and the right blade = a great shave. (Notice how "good" and "right" always triumph?)

Regards,

Les

**Left Coast DJ** · 08-03-2009, 11:35 PM

Watch Mantic's videos.

**RILEY** · 08-04-2009, 12:10 AM

What was it dialed at? Maybe it needs to be dialed at a different setting. I think 4 or 5 is the equivalent of the S/S as a guideline.
Or another thing to consider, maybe an asymetric safety bar might be causing blade gap mis-alignment.

**don.putnick** · 08-04-2009, 05:32 AM

First, try to duplicate the shave you get with your SS using the Personnas in the FB and your same prep routine. Wander on over to:

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...Aggressiveness.

Based only on blade gap, a SS is between 2 and 3 on the FB. For me, I can use Feathers at 3 but need to bump it up to 4 or 5 for 7 O'clock Yellows.

Second, have fun with a blade sampler pack. West Coast Shaving and BullGoose both offer a wide assortment in their packs. WCS has a suggested order to try the various blades. The only right answer is the blade you like the best.

The only region of your face that might require a different technique is against the nostrils. The FB can't get as close as the SS because of its thick head. I end up using the corner of the FB - VERY CAREFULLY!

Enjoy the FB. I learned to shave on a FB when they were in production, and I've come back to one as I came back to DE shaving.

**fighting69** · 08-04-2009, 07:01 AM

I had the FatBoy set very low since it was my first attempt.
Started at 3 on Saturday with poor results and switched to 1 on Sunday. Uncomfortable shaves both times. On Sunday, I went back to the SuperSpeed after the first pass.

The shaving experience bordered on unpleasant so I thought it must be an overclocked razor. The adjuster appears to work properly (at 1 the bars that move the blade are nearly flush with the blade tray) and I while there was tugging there were no nicks. I doubt it is misaligned but will need to make a closer inspection.

Will put a newly acquired Derby in the FatBoy this coming weekend and try a slower more precise shave and see how it goes. Definitely need to order a blade sampler pack in the near future.

Thanks for the advice.
DC