Gillette Fat Boy vs Slim versus Super Adjustable - a Poll!

**Sledgehammer39** · 05-27-2011, 02:42 PM

I like the Super Adjustable..

**mandoman** · 05-27-2011, 03:04 PM

Slim or Fatboy. Fatboy wins at least for me

**mgiah** · 05-27-2011, 04:34 PM

Slim, then Super, last Fat Boy (actually sold the FB). Ranking in that order due to the quality of the shaves I get from each. YMMV

**Dalejr** · 05-27-2011, 05:05 PM

I have a Super and the Fatboy. I like the look and feel of the Fatboy but find the Super is the better shaver for me...

**Longsword** · 05-27-2011, 05:10 PM

I liked the Fatboy but the Slim suits my skin type and technique better.
The Slim's flatter head is a bonus feature.
Sold the FB.
I recently bought an SA "birth razor" as a present for a friend and really liked the balance and the long handle, so I bought one for myself.
Haven't received/tested it yet...

**islamorada** · 05-27-2011, 07:08 PM

I like my slim best, then fatboy, then super. I have an early date code, all metal head SA and find its very much like the slim shaving, but just doesn't have the same feel. I've also noted a big difference in shave quality stepping up the settings to 9+ for the first WTG pass based on another thread here. Delivers a DFS like no bodies business.

The fatboy wins the hands down in pure animal magnetism column, though...

**JCinPA** · 05-27-2011, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by islamorada

The fatboy wins the hands down in pure animal magnetism column, though...

No doubt about that at all. I still have not shaved with mine, but I have played with it a lot. If you like tools, the FB appeal will be magnetic. I love the visible threads in the bottom of the handle when it's open as opposed to the internal threading on the Slim.

**Trenton** · 05-27-2011, 07:59 PM

I haven't used the FB enough to give a real opinion on it, but so far I like the slim best, SA is okay. Then again since I have been using feather blades I tend to like less aggressive razors, I find a knack or a tech with a feather blade just right.

**bassmanlarry** · 05-27-2011, 08:27 PM

When I shave with a SE, I use a Slim. After that, I like my 69 SA but haven't used my FB in a while. When I first started out, I got awesome shaves from the FB just because of the weight of the thing, but as my technique developed, I find I get better shaves from the Slim.

**Grumpy_Bottom** · 05-28-2011, 01:58 PM

Enough people were high enough on the S/A that I grabbed a long handle at the Antique Store today for a song, nice, no plate loss, all the black is there, boiling the dog out of it now to get the gunk out, but I'm eagerly anticipating giving it a whirl tomorrow. The S/A honestly wasn't on my list of future RAD acquisitions until this poll, so SWMBO thanks you from the bottom of her heart

**JCinPA** · 05-28-2011, 02:05 PM

I knew these were all very highly-rated razors. I am surprised the slim is leading the Fat Boy by better than a 2-to-1 ratio, however. I'm getting used to the slim now, had my 3rd shave on it today.

**GreekGuy** · 05-28-2011, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by JCinPA

I knew these were all very highly-rated razors. I am surprised the slim is leading the Fat Boy by better than a 2-to-1 ratio, however. I'm getting used to the slim now, had my 3rd shave on it today.

The slim is truly outstanding. The fatboy is just different. Some guys love it, others don't see what the fuss is about. It's certainly a YMMV thing. There are many many razors where I would say X is better than Y. But the slim doesn't fall in that category

**JCinPA** · 05-28-2011, 07:11 PM

Oh, no doubt about that GreekGuy! I knew these were two of the most highly rated razors when I started this. Both terrific products, not a "better" or "worse" thing at all.

I was just curious what preferences were and why. And I actually thought the heads were the same just on different handles. Shows you what I know.

This has been very interesting to this noob!

**GreekGuy** · 05-28-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by JCinPA

Oh, no doubt about that GreekGuy! I knew these were two of the most highly rated razors when I started this. Both terrific products, not a "better" or "worse" thing at all.

I was just curious what preferences were and why. And I actually thought the heads were the same just on different handles. Shows you what I know.

This has been very interesting to this noob!

John, if you are seriously considering taking the plunge on a Fatboy, I suggest you do it. It gets way too much hype, I'll admit that. it isn't the greatest shaving product known to mankind. But it IS a very good razor which deserves much of its praise. If you like the slim, but want to try something more hefty and aggressive, the fatboy will definitely fit the bill. If you're happy with your slim on settings 5-7 (or lower), I don't think its worth it. They are relatively pricey, and unless you want a real aggressive razor (beyond the slim's capabilities), the slim does the same job, and is much easier to get comfortable with.

At least once you try it you can find out what all the noise is about. I think if you're going to use a fatboy at setting 6 or lower, you are better off with the slim. And a very rough estimate of the fatboy settings is slim setting + 2

**polod** · 05-28-2011, 07:57 PM

I like the slim better for a number or reasons:

1) Lower head profile, longer handle.

2) More refined design, I find the Fatboy too "chunky" and the handle is too short.

3) The slim was in production longer than the Fatboy so finding one is easier and prices are lower.

4) I think the build quality is a bit better than the Fatboy. (I'm talking about the all brass/copper chrome plated slims made between 1962-1968, not the super adjustables with the black handle.

**fabchef** · 05-29-2011, 12:40 PM

WEll i just got a FB this week and will try it out...i do have and adjustable aristocrat and find it a bit too aggresive for me...I do, however have a gillette slim twist which has worked out super well for me so far...we'll see how the FB works out...ciao
fabs

**kirk 988** · 05-29-2011, 04:30 PM

ide rather the Slim. i think that the fatboys head is little to high but i enjoy the handle. but the slim is more comfortable near the nose

**Grumpy_Bottom** · 05-30-2011, 11:30 AM

I have to say I wasn't impressed by the SA this morning. Felt less aggressive than either the slim or FB, though some of that may have just been the lack of weight, could also have been the longer handle, but definitely not going to be my every day shaver.

**MacDaddy** · 05-30-2011, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Grumpy_Bottom

I have to say I wasn't impressed by the SA this morning. Felt less aggressive than either the slim or FB, though some of that may have just been the lack of weight, could also have been the longer handle, but definitely not going to be my every day shaver.

Yes, in addition to the lighter weight, the Super Adjustable's settings are more conservative than the Slim's and the Fatboy's. I bump up 1-2 stops from what I'd use on a Slim/Fatboy when I use my Super.

**Longsword** · 05-31-2011, 08:52 AM

Got my '69 SA yesterday and used it this morning.
I think I actually like it more than my Slim.
The balance is nice and the long handle (it's as long as a Lady Gillette) suits me too, as I have large hands with long fingers.
Sadly there's no SA birth razor for me, as I'm older than the SA's.

Aggressiveness seems pretty much the same as my '61 Slim.

Surprisingly the weights are slightly different from those in the wiki: 68 gr for the Slim, 72 gr for the SA, both loaded with feather blades.
Yes my Super is actually 4 gr heavier than my Slim.
I used a Pesola scale which is supposedly accurate (not verified).