Rule one: Set the razor adjustment correctly. My first DE shave

[Cicatero]

I hope not... They do not want to adjust with the blade doors locked tight. They will.... but you will get a more accurate change if you unlock the blade, adjust, then lock it back down

I bet it'll also increase the longevity of the razor by reducing stress on the mechanism!

[bluesbishop]

Funny, ain't it, how that adjustment can surprise, eh?
One suggestion on your lather...

For a week, use canned foam. During that week, every day, make yourself a bowl of lather. Rinse it down the drain. Learn the point at which it goes from good and slick to too wet and thin. If you prefer to face lather, practice lathering up the back of your non-brush hand (whichever it is). After a week, you should be pretty good at knowing when you've got enough soap in your brush and how much water you need. It takes practice, but you're doing this to make it second nature to produce good lather. The first few days might be inconsistent, but by the end of the week, you will likely be able to make a consistent, workable lather without having to think about it very much... you'll know how it's supposed to look, and you'll be able to spot the zone between too dry and too wet. The next week, put the can away and make brush-built lather your mainstay. You won't be done learning, but you'll have a foundation for making adjustments to your lather.

Hope it helps,
-- Chet

Some of the best advice I've ever seen on B&B!! Bravo!!

[Parallax]

My advice would be the inverse. Ditch the razor for a week or two, practice making and using foam, run the old cartridge with it, see how your shave improves. Then, when you feel confident with face prep and lather, bring on the DE.

[retturn2blades]

Great advice. Unfortunately, I already tossed the canned goo. I will do some daily "practice" lathering as I can see it's not as easy as it looks on the various vids. I do well with trial and error...so I'll just keep at it.

Thanks gents!

[alex2363]

Can you damage the razor by turning the adjustment ring with the doors closed?

you can, but it just functions and performs better if u loosen the doors.

[cxg231]

retturn2blades - I had my first shave with my new fatboy yesterday and I heard your "voice" in my head as I raised it to my cheek.

"...check the adjustment.."

So I lowered the razor and doubled checked it was on "3". Went on to have a very nice shave. I don't generally like TTO razors, I think because of the head geometry, but the fatboy is a keeper!

[retturn2blades]

retturn2blades - I had my first shave with my new fatboy yesterday and I heard your "voice" in my head as I raised it to my cheek.

"...check the adjustment.."

So I lowered the razor and doubled checked it was on "3". Went on to have a very nice shave. I don't generally like TTO razors, I think because of the head geometry, but the fatboy is a keeper!

Glad my "voice" called to you to double check. Congrats on the new FB and a great shave.

[Parallax]

Turned my Slim up to 9 yesterday to try to get a difficult spot on my neck. Big mistake! Major razor burn, but hey, if I hadn't tried, would have never known.

Now, I wonder what would happen if I jumped off this bridge . . .

[retturn2blades]

Turned my Slim up to 9 yesterday to try to get a difficult spot on my neck. Big mistake! Major razor burn, but hey, if I hadn't tried, would have never known.
.

Yep...you have to "trial & error" sometimes. Setting #9 is risky territory.

[DougieB]

My first ever DE shave was with a Fat Boy set on 9 as well. Great results, but it wasn't too comfortable. I didn't change the setting till my next shave. My progress has led me toward 3 piece razor's. TTO adjustables do a fine job, but I have just developed a preference for 3 piece shavers.
YMMV!!!

Congrats on the first shave