I started many years ago on a fat handled Tech and I have liked that quite a bit. Recently I bought Merkur 34C but have not had a chance to use it. While I was thinking about it, I was thinking I would like to procure an Adjustable Fatboy. At one time I wanted to try it but life got in the way and I never pursued it. I generally like to shave every 3 days which will absolutely plug up a cartridge razor and that' show I ended up getting into safety razors. Any reason I should go with a Fatboy? Is ebay still the best place to find nice quality user grade specimens?
Looking for a Gillette Fatboy - I think
- Thread starter jed1154
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Ebay or place a want ad in the buy sell trade threads here, or another forum.
I think fatboy is popular for several reasons, but the relatively short production run, making it scarce is the most important. The aesthetic with proportions like a classic mid century piece is reason 2. Efficiency and aggressiveness at the max setting, and overall performance is last, and probably has more to do with reasons 1 and 2 than real objective differences.
I usually recommend the Slim as a vintage adjustable with the caveat that the Super might actually have a slight performance edge.
In use, I find the ergonomic And performance issues to be miniscule. The only real differences are how pretty they are and how expensive they are.
Slim is probably my favorite, and I respect when someone has the Super as a favorite. Fatboy has the proudest and most outspoken proponents.
They are all great, but Fatboy is not the clear leader that price and reputation might lead you to think it is.
Post an I want a FATBOY in Wanted For Sale Section.
The Slim will be easier to get in user condition, but fatboys can be had for good prices too. The thing I’ve noticed is that most of the old Gillettes can be fixed. If you’re after user grade, look for cheap with good pictures. Even bent teeth on a NI shave just fine.
Why not try the Merkur? You might find that works for you just fine. At the end of the day and adjustable razor is an advantage to the manufacturer, more than the user. The manufacturer gets to make one razor, and it can be adjusted to suit everybody. A lot easier than making several different razors. The end user just finds the setting that they like the best, then they leave it there forever.
If you have a non-adjustable razor that matches the setting that you would use on an adjustable, then you don't need the adjustable.
I‘ll second posted the WTB, someone probably has one laying around they don’t really need. My primary daily razor is a Fatboy. The thinner head on the slim is nicer is tight spaces, but it’s hard to beat the handle of a Fatboy. The Super adjustable feels better ergonomically to me than the slim and is usually easier to find cheaper.
The sad part is be prepared to pay a premium, but if it’s in good shape it’s worth it. Deals can be had, but you’re usually gambling with a diamond in the rough. I’ve done well and Backroadsgold has done an amazing job at fixing razors I have with issues.
However, if the tech works, you may be hard pressed to find the Fatboy to really be “better.” Custom handles, replating (back roads gold has rhodium again) can really make a razor more personal to the user. I like my Techs, but custom handles make my vintage Gillette use more enjoyable.
Or get an English flat bottom tech if you enjoy the American tech.
The sad part is be prepared to pay a premium, but if it’s in good shape it’s worth it. Deals can be had, but you’re usually gambling with a diamond in the rough. I’ve done well and Backroadsgold has done an amazing job at fixing razors I have with issues.
However, if the tech works, you may be hard pressed to find the Fatboy to really be “better.” Custom handles, replating (back roads gold has rhodium again) can really make a razor more personal to the user. I like my Techs, but custom handles make my vintage Gillette use more enjoyable.
Or get an English flat bottom tech if you enjoy the American tech.
I purchased both my "excellent" grade Slim from the seller DapperstudioCC and a "replated/tuned" Fatboy from Backroads Gold both on Etsy. Those two sellers I much prefer as DapperstudioCC is relatively consistent in the ratings and they tend to only get relatively nice ones. Backroads Gold you can get a replated and retuned razor ready that will be fantastic. Prices are to me perfectly acceptable as I'm not looking for an unrealistic "deal" for which ends up being unsatisfactory, only then to buy the good I should have purchased in the first place. In the end I'd end up spending more. Razors I like are long term investments.
An entrepreneurial [big werd] type feller should invent a Razor Rental, try before you buy. Rent a Flatboy and a tech or two try them, no germophobes need apply as the rentals may, or may not be sanitised. 
I saw a fatboy in the wild a few weeks back in an antique store for $75. No signs of wear, just not shiny. Even had a blade still in it - just lather and go! There was also a Gillette old type and a Tech in other cases if I remember correctly.
Unless you have sentimental reasons to get a Fatboy, you might be happier with a Super Adjustable (1st choice) or Slim (2nd choice). The Fatboy is OK, but not as nice to shave with. Fatboys also tend to cost more since there were not as many of those made.
FatBoy is a great choice, but as noted tend to be more expensive. I prefer it because it has a shorter handle and is heavier, but that's just personal preference. I have big hands, and find the Slim or Super handle to be too long for how I like to hold a razor. They all shave just fine.
All of them will give you good shaves, and the best part is you can adjust the razor to "fit" just about any blade on the market. For fixed razors, you have to find a blade that matches your razor and your shaving style instead.
All of them will give you good shaves, and the best part is you can adjust the razor to "fit" just about any blade on the market. For fixed razors, you have to find a blade that matches your razor and your shaving style instead.
Try the Merkur 34c first.
There's a reason why it's probably the most popular modern DE shaver ever.
There's a reason why it's probably the most popular modern DE shaver ever.
I forgot to mention, that was outside of Rochester.
+3! Yep! Sellers here generally have higher quality razors than sellers on other websites!
Fatboy, Slim, or Black adjustable all offer many settings.
Adjustable are good for that reason more then a single setting.
Adjustable are good for that reason more then a single setting.
- Thread starter
- #16
Thank you for the responses! I had not even considered a Super Adjustable. I will try my Merkur first. One thing is I have big hands and I got used to the heft of my Fat Handled Tech. It shaves OK, but not all that close without a lot of work. I just like the way it feels. It's beefy, so that's why I gravitated to that Fatboy, but maybe the Super Adjustable would be the way to go next if I need more. Thanks again, all. Many many many many moons ago, I bought my razor from this site and the transaction was super. If I opt to get something different, I'll give it a go here first. Ebay is fine, but I trust people here more on what they are selling.
It's not so much the thickness of the handle, but more the weight. The Fatboy is mostly brass, the Super and Slim are a bit lighter and more maneuverable. Also, the razor head on them is less thick and bulky than the Fatboy. The Supers have an aluminum handle. They are a design evolution. You may want to avoid the later years on the Super, though, where they went with a plastic material for the base plate. That might be carrying things too far!
There is a choice of two handle lengths on the Supers. The 84mm is similar to the traditional size, the 109mm is the longer size. Up to you which you prefer.
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I would second these observations. The Fatboy is an excellent razor but the Slim may be even better with a more maneuverable head. Particularly helpful under the nose. I have a couple of specimens and for 60yr old razors they have stood the test of time.
I prefer more aggressive razors. The Fatboy is 1 or 2 "clicks" more aggressive than the Slim and is possibly my favourite vintage Gillette. I also love the Old Type for the same reason. I have an example of most of the Techs and they are slightly too mild for me.
The FatBoy is my favorite adjustable that I've tried (Futur, Progress, CoonCat Progress, Slim, Super Adjustable).
I don't have any issues with the head size or notice any difference getting under the nose or maneuvering it etc. I prefer it to other Gillette adjustable razors for its handle length and size
They aren't worth 3-4 times or more than the price of a Slim or SA though. The difference isn't that great.
I don't have any issues with the head size or notice any difference getting under the nose or maneuvering it etc. I prefer it to other Gillette adjustable razors for its handle length and size
They aren't worth 3-4 times or more than the price of a Slim or SA though. The difference isn't that great.
