What's so special about the 1959 Gillette Fat Boy?

[RichardS]

I've looked high and low on the internet and I can't seem to figure out why the '59 model is so highly desired. I've seen other people ask this same question, but it's never really answered. Most people go on to reply that the general Fat Boy is amazingly designed and that the lifespan of the 195 was short-lived, making the model less common than other models. But, no answers that specify the popularity of the '59 model.

If I've missed this answer, I apologize, but I've tried for months to find the answer.

OK, go!

 

[Rob W]

I've looked high and low on the internet and I can't seem to figure out why the '59 model is so highly desired. I've seen other people ask this same question, but it's never really answered. Most people go on to reply that the general Fat Boy is amazingly designed and that the lifespan of the 195 was short-lived, making the model less common than other models. But, no answers that specify the popularity of the '59 model.

If I've missed this answer, I apologize, but I've tried for months to find the answer.

OK, go!

It could be that it is a popular birth year razor, other than that I know of no reason.

 

[RichardS]

You mean to tell me I paid all that money for somebody else's birthday?!!!

Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of odd that there's a bit of sensational hype around the razor, yet nobody really seems to know why that is? It's a pretty coveted razor that comes with a pretty hefty price that people are willing to pay. Is it just internet hype, like an urban myth, or is there true merit to this particular year? Dunno.

 

[redisland]

Not sure about the '59, but I love my 1960 Fatboy.

 

[whittjt3]

I don't know either. In fact, I've never heard of any particular desire for the '59 model. Personally, I prefer the '58, which is my birth-year model.

I think, but I'm not certain, that the D1 Red Dot is different from all of the other Fatboys because it used the Toggle head design. I'm not sure how long the Red Dot was made but I don't think the production for this version ran for long; maybe for only the D1 quarter. I'm still trying to figure this out.

 

[Copierguy]

I don't know either. In fact, I've never heard of any particular desire for the '59 model. Personally, I prefer the '58, which is my birth-year model.

I think, but I'm not certain, that the D1 Red Dot is different from all of the other Fatboys because it used the Toggle head design. I'm not sure how long the Red Dot was made but I don't think the production for this version ran for long; maybe for only the D1 quarter. I'm still trying to figure this out.

I have never heard anything special about the '59 either.

The Fat Boy in general is sought after because it is a great razor that is fun to use and yields a wonderful shave. Feels good in the hand and on the face.
Yes the Red Dot head is like the Toggle from the same years and quarters with examples being found from 1958 (D-1) and 1960 (F-4).

 

[ERVARGASNY]

I think i heard something mentioned a while back. I think that was the first year of the true Fat boy as we know it. All the other D Fat Boy razors were either Red Dot 's or Executive Gold Fatboys, But i think E "1959" Fatboy was the one they settled on manufacturing aside from Red Dot, Bottom Dial, or Executive which were D models? Not 100% sure on this.

 

[whittjt3]

I've seen plenty of the D model Fat Boys for the third and forth quarters that are not Red Dots or Executives, and are otherwise identical to the 1959 model. The case for the D model Fat Boys is identical to the later models; this is based on my "1958 Gillette Fat Boy" search on Ebay. The Red Dot had a slightly taller and rounder case but is otherwise identical to the later models. The Executives, from what I've seen, came with a standup box-shaped case. The Bottom Dial was made only in 1960. I simply haven't yet come across anything suggesting that the 1959 is in anyway unique or different from the typical production run. If you find out differently I'd be interested in knowing. You have my curiosity piqued.

Unfortunately, the mr-razor website doesn't show a 1959 Fat Boy and the ShaveWiki doesn't suggest anything different about them that I've noted.

 

[Copierguy]

Standard Fat Boys with date codes of D-4 are not hard to find.

 

[BDF]

I believe the first appearance of the typical Fat Boy was third quarter, 1958. Like all other adjustable Gillettes that followed, they adjust by bending the edges of the razor up.

The first production adjustable were the toggle (first quarter 1958, fourth quarter 1960) and what looks like a Fat Boy but in reality is the same head adjustment mechanism as the toggles and they were only made for one year as far as I know- 1958. These razors do not bend the blade but instead lift and lower the guide bars on the razor, leaving the blade and cap alone and in the same position and relative angles. It is easy to tell any of these type razors apart from any other because they have a Red Dot rather than a lever that indicates the adjustment- many later Fat Boys are incorrectly listed as 'Red Dot' razors in places like Ebay but they are the later types.

If the OP thinks the '59 Fat Boys are expensive, try to hunt down a '58 in nice shape. :-( The only thing more expensive that I know of are the bottom dial adjustable (1960 I think but am not sure) and the 1956 toggle prototypes (no date code but a serial number instead).

Brian

I don't know either. In fact, I've never heard of any particular desire for the '59 model. Personally, I prefer the '58, which is my birth-year model.

I think, but I'm not certain, that the D1 Red Dot is different from all of the other Fatboys because it used the Toggle head design. I'm not sure how long the Red Dot was made but I don't think the production for this version ran for long; maybe for only the D1 quarter. I'm still trying to figure this out.

 

[BDF]

I do not think that is quite right- the fourth quarter '58 Fat Boys were just like all the later Fat Boys but the first quarter '58 Fat Boys are an entirely different head and adjustment mechanism. Fairly rare razors (D1 Fat Boys).

Brian

I've seen plenty of the D model Fat Boys for the third and forth quarters that are not Red Dots or Executives, and are otherwise identical to the 1959 model. The case for the D model Fat Boys is identical to the later models; this is based on my "1958 Gillette Fat Boy" search on Ebay. The Red Dot had a slightly taller and rounder case but is otherwise identical to the later models. The Executives, from what I've seen, came with a standup box-shaped case. The Bottom Dial was made only in 1960. I simply haven't yet come across anything suggesting that the 1959 is in anyway unique or different from the typical production run. If you find out differently I'd be interested in knowing. You have my curiosity piqued.

Unfortunately, the mr-razor website doesn't show a 1959 Fat Boy and the ShaveWiki doesn't suggest anything different about them that I've noted.

 

[Garyark]

My birth year, other than that, nothing special

 

[ross0133]

a fatboy is a fatboy regardless of the year

 

[Copierguy]

The first production adjustable were the toggle (first quarter 1958, fourth quarter 1960) and what looks like a Fat Boy but in reality is the same head adjustment mechanism as the toggles and they were only made for one year as far as I know- 1958.

I do not know how many were made, but here is a 1960 Red Dot.

 

[Bluelon]

I have a few 1960's just because it is my birth year. I would take any of the other years as well if the price was right. I actually heard that 60's were harder to find simply because it was the beginning of a new decade. Who knows why Corporate Gillette did anything?

 

[Alejandro Salemandro]

it's adjustable

 

[RichardS]

In all honesty, I didn't pay a lot of money (relatively speaking $30 isn't bad nowadays for us newcomers) for my '59 or my '61. I did pay a lot of money ($65) for my '58 Executive, but it's beautiful and I have no regrets.

I've just read a few posts about how everybody wants a '59 model, and most videos that features Fatboys are mainly E models. I've even seen sellers note the '59 as the choice, collectible year.

I did learn that only the D3, D4, E1 and E2 models have double rings under the dial.

 

[Copierguy]

I wonder if some of what you heard was about how the earlier Fat Boys could be taken apart easier because of the threaded and notched retainer.

 

[nuclearblast]

I wonder if some of what you heard was about how the earlier Fat Boys could be taken apart easier because of the threaded and notched retainer.

I thought later Fatboys were like that, not the earlier ones ...

 

[tfinch]

Might just be availability at a particular time. Or some might just feel that the older the better, 1950s nostalgia and the like.