First Fat Boy

**Taz** · 02-24-2007, 09:31 AM

Any body no the first year the fat boy was made even better the first date code? Thanks

**Antique Hoosier** · 02-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Don, there is a potential B-1 Date Code for a Fat Boy or what was known as the $1.95 Adjustable.

From Krumholz's Book:
The $1.95 Gillette Adjustable ( **my words...NOW The whole 195 thing makes sense**) had test marketed in 1956, saw REGIONAL introduction in 1958, and NATIONAL introduction in 1959.

I have 2 D-4 Fatboys ( regional issues) and one D-3 earliest one I have.

**Taz** · 02-24-2007, 10:03 AM

Thanks Mike

**CJBianco** · 11-08-2007, 08:13 AM

I just snatched up a 1956 B3 Fat Boy online. I already own a minty fresh 1959 E1, so I don't really need the extra razor (B3). I don't even know if I'll keep it. I only purchased it so I could see it in person. (I can't wait for it to arrive.) I'll post a photo in a few days.

And at $19 shipped it was a good deal.

Christopher

**bahbah2e** · 11-08-2007, 08:27 AM

I generally assume when people are selling a C1 for instance that they really have a G1. Always thought '58 was the first year...

**paydepst** · 11-08-2007, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Antique Hoosier

Don, there is a potential B-1 Date Code for a Fat Boy or what was known as the $1.95 Adjustable.

From Krumholz's Book:
The $1.95 Gillette Adjustable ( **my words...NOW The whole 195 thing makes sense**) had test marketed in 1956, saw REGIONAL introduction in 1958, and NATIONAL introduction in 1959.

I have 2 D-4 Fatboys ( regional issues) and one D-3 earliest one I have.

Mike I thought the 195 Adjustable was THE 195 not the FatBoy. If I'm not mistaken the one cutaway diagram that Krumholz has in his book is of the 195. Did the Fat Boy and the 195 come in at the same price point? I was thinking the 195 predated the Fat Boy if only just so but I don't know. Having acquired one the razor becomes more and more of a puzzle trying to figure out its backgorund.

Not to hijack Don's thread but does anyone have any 195 tidbits they could send me?

**MTgrayling** · 11-08-2007, 10:10 AM

paydepst,

Take a look at your 195, the date code should be F-4, 1960.

**cutting_edge** · 11-08-2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by paydepst

Mike I thought the 195 Adjustable was THE 195 not the FatBoy. If I'm not mistaken the one cutaway diagram that Krumholz has in his book is of the 195. Did the Fat Boy and the 195 come in at the same price point? I was thinking the 195 predated the Fat Boy if only just so but I don't know. Having acquired one the razor becomes more and more of a puzzle trying to figure out its backgorund.

Not to hijack Don's thread but does anyone have any 195 tidbits they could send me?

The 195 and the Fatboy are really the same, at least Gillette marketed the Fatboys as 195's (eg, in several edition the instructions show "195" and the pictured razor has the dial at the top as the regular Fatboy, and I have a NOS of a Fatboy that has 195 on the outer shipper). What is totally a puzzle are the circumstances of the rare variant (dial at the bottom).

**mr-razor** · 11-08-2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by cutting_edge

The 195 and the Fatboy are really the same, at least Gillette marketed the Fatboys as 195's (eg, in several edition the instructions show "195" and the pictured razor has the dial at the top as the regular Fatboy, and I have a NOS of a Fatboy that has 195 on the outer shipper). What is totally a puzzle are the circumstances of the rare variant (dial at the bottom).

**paydepst** · 11-08-2007, 02:12 PM

So is the 195 (as we know it) an FB variant? Which came first? And does anyone have any information as to the years of production on the 195 and the extent of its distribution?

MTgrayling when did you sneak into my house and look at the bottom of my 195?

**duna** · 11-08-2007, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by cutting_edge

What is totally a puzzle are the circumstances of the rare variant (dial at the bottom).

I'm guessing they realized that one adjustable could make for all the different variants they made at the time, simplifying logistics and shipping a better product. I'm also guessing they modified their 'butterfly' design (the SuperSpeed) and the 195 was the result, the head is really similar (or identical, never had a 195) and the dial went close to the other moving part at the bottom, the knob. This makes for the quickest solution to the problem. Maybe also lesser modifications to an existing plant were involved.

Later they managed to simplify the design, less metal, smaller/shorter moving parts to lift the 4 metal bar in the head, and this called for a different handle with a dial closer to the head. The Fatboy was born.
Please be advised: those are only my personal conjectures, unsupported by actual measurable facts at the moment (I'm not going to saw a Fatboy to weigh the innards) , and must be considered only as suggestions.

**MTgrayling** · 11-08-2007, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by paydepst

MTgrayling when did you sneak into my house and look at the bottom of my 195?

Sorry I forgot to wipe up that pile of drool I left.

**paydepst** · 11-08-2007, 02:43 PM

Lucky for you I had some Bounty paper towels to hand!

**copperhead** · 11-12-2007, 11:12 PM

I have a D1. Pictures posted here.

**Aevum** · 11-13-2007, 03:41 AM

i have a L2, which i assume is a slim adujstable, right ?

**mr-razor** · 11-13-2007, 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by Aevum

i have a L2, which i assume is a slim adujstable, right ?

right. The Fat Boy goes to G (1961) and the Slim started at G

**LeGaulois** · 11-13-2007, 05:24 AM

I have a Fat Boy G1 (1961).

**Mr. Gillette** · 11-13-2007, 05:29 AM

I was born in 1957 to Mr. and Mrs. Gillette, Senior. I need to lose about 25-30 pounds. I would propose that I, Mr. Gillette, am a bonafide 1957 Gillette Fat Boy.

The razor I use is a 59, and I love it. It's been my daily driver since before some of you were born! Therefore, in the avatar attached there are TWO Gillette fatboys, one a 57, and one a 59. Pass the pancakes, dear.