Gillette Fatboy Adjustable Safety Razor

A very special shave with a Vintage Gillette Fatboy adjustable razor! And a heartfelt thanks to viewer Jim from Northfield for an incredibly generous gift!
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AMACK4shaving can also be contacted via Facebook PM...Anthony Mackenzie Jr.:)
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[@nydieselinfl]

Congratulations on joining the Fatboy community!!! I have 4 of them, and I'll tell you, they are arguably the best adjustable shaving vintage razor out there, hands down, hence why they pull such a premium on various websites. I, like you, stay in the mid ranges, and when I use my Fatboy, tend to 3 pass at 6,5,4, and clean up at 2 if needed. You choose a perfect blade to compliment the Fatboy too! The Fatboys ran from 1958-1961, date codes D through G. The more you use it, the more you'll appreciate it! Cheers!!!!

[@MarkSzorady]

Thank you and thanks for all this wonderful information!:) I have a Gillette Slim and it's a fine razor.:) I think, in some ways, the Slim's shave is close the the Fatboy. But there was DEFINITELY a WOW factor the first time I used the Fatboy!:) No doubt. There may not not be a big difference between the two (and I've already shot a video which I'll be editing and posting next week) But there is absolutely something about the Fatboy that just edges out the Slim. I now understand why they are so prized among wet shavers.:)

[@nydieselinfl]

@@MarkSzorady oh yes, most definitely!!!! To me, I think it's the added heft of the razor that make it so desirable. Same with the Gillette Super Speeds and Aristocrats. In its earlier years, the Super Speeds and Aristocrats shared the same head, but had different handles and knurling patterns, but anyone who has shaved with both will say the Aristocrat shaves way smoother, and arguably a bit more aggressively, including this guy. And it's because of the heft. Same thing here I believe. The only oddball adjustable is the "Black Beauty" or Super Adjustable. That one is lighter than both of them, and can shave more aggressively than either of them when cranked up to the max. But enjoy the Fatboy and all of its fantastic shaves it'll give you. This one is hard to look past once you shave with it.😀

[@MarkSzorady]

@@nydieselinfl "This one is hard to look past once you shave with it." Definitely agree!:) The added heft has a lot to do with it.:) It's cachet, history, and shave all combine to make for a wonderful shaving experience.:)

[@GilaMonster971]

Love my 195 it’s the nicest shaving razor I have used. I have a gold ‘61 that I have been using occasionally but bought a ‘59 to use daily.

[@MarkSzorady]

Nice! Agree, these are great razors.:) Amazing hat they are stull in use 60 plus years later.:)

[@robbruno6713]

I use my Fatboy everyday.... Razor Emporium does excellent work on restoration

[@MarkSzorady]

I'm loving this razor.:) Very glad that Razor Emporium is out there. Great reputation and I hear they do great work.:) I'm just not sure I can endure the withdrawal of being without the razor for an extended period of time.:)

[@timwittkopp3054]

I have a Fat Boy. It’s the pride of my collection.

[@MarkSzorady]

I well understand why.:)

[@Colt-ii4qn]

I’ve tried to explain the absolute fun it is to use all the different razors and razor blades as well as different soaps because they all have different personalities it’s just amazing how much fun this is.Thank you and congratulations for another great video Mark you really are special buddy 👍👍 P.S. enjoy that razor 😂😂😂

[@MarkSzorady]

Thank you very much!:) And I heartily agree!:) the variety of soaps, blades, razors, etc. make for a wonderful morning routine.:)

[@mikeh9701]

Hi Mark- Great shave and vintage razor review; thank you! Late viewing on my part for this video. I was working this past Sunday and it took me this long to catch-up! I’m sure you will have many, many more years of enjoyable shaves to come with the Fatboy. Best regards, as always!

[@MarkSzorady]

Thanks, Mike.:) The Fatboy is AMAZING! I do a comparison video tomorrow morning!:) Slim and Fatboy.:)

[@Gotobecrazy]

@@MarkSzorady Cool I will keep posted! My bad didn't realize I responded to and old comment about your comparison video lol 😅. I've always wanted to grab a Fatboy to add to my collection. Say Mark how would you compare a 40s superspeed to a regular flair tip superspeed?

[@brianb.2894]

Hi Mark. Lets hear it for the Fatso. He got the job done. You`ll enjoy that one for years to come Mark. Thank you.👍

[@magnoliamike]

When I took my first stroke with my 1964 Gillette Slim Adjustable, I was in awe of how smooth it was!!! 💈😁👌💈 After that I was hooked , and later on got the Gillette Adjustable Trinity. (FatBoy, Slim, BlackBeauty Long-Handle). But a few months ago I sold my BlackBeauty and want to replace it with the “Super 84” witch is the short handle one

[@TheCrash212]

Great shave, Mark. I have my Dad's Fat Boy (E-4) and use it regularly. It's a joy to shave with, not only due to performance, but also the memories. I learned to shave with his Fat Boy, and then moved into his Schicks. I also have a Gillette Executive razor (F-2), aka Gold Fat Boy. . The Executive differs from the Fat Boy in two respects, the gold plating and the handle knurling (Toggle style), it's also a pleasure to shave with.

[@MarkSzorady]

Claude, I agree, there is real connection to the past, boyhood, dad's, etc. All simply through a razor.:) Great memories.:) Now, that gold Fatboy is REALLY a beautiful razor. I've just gone up to Ebay to get a look and it is simply gorgeous!:)

[@magnoliamike]

Hey Marc as you probably already know I have the “Gillette Adjustable Holy Trinity “. FatBoy, Slim, & BlackBeauty. But I just sold my 1969 Black beauty long handle for $50 and I think I bought it for under $30. I re-painted the numbers and polished it . Put it in better condition than when I received it. I plan on getting the 84 ( short handle) I also plan on throwing my 1959 FatBoy in my rotation this week! Great shave pal! I no I always complement people in their savings but this one is exceptionally manly! 💪😡 💈😁✌️💈

[@bobflora4890]

Small correction to your dating. I have a 1962 Fatboy H1 I apparently bought new that has largely been rattling around since in a drawer, used occasionally, but never regularly. i have used a series of Norelco triple headers for all the years since. After watching a number of KZbin shaving videos I bought a set with a badger brush a cup and a cake of soap. Ordered a holder and blades, not yet arrived. Saw the Three shave method in several videos and tried it with a few blades I have Two shaves worked quite well. interesting change and got the smoothest shave I have ever had.

[@MarkSzorady]

Bob, it sounds like your wet shaving journey is a bit similar to mine.:) I moved away form an electric razor, came ovr to the traditional wt shave and never looked back. If you have a Fatboy, WOW! You are ahead of the curve in terms of shaving gear.:) You may want to upgrade your brush and soap. Check out the synthetic brushes form PAA and some of their CK-6 shave soap. It'll really boost your results.:) (Affiliate links) Phoenix Shaving shaving brushes: bit.ly/2WMewik Pnoenix Shaving shave soaps: bit.ly/2zaRPwc

[@bobflora4890]

@@MarkSzorady Was very surprised to discover that my old safety razor was a 1962 Fatboy H1 classic -on one of several shaving videos here on KZbin. The brush I just received is a natural hair brush I have so far used only once, as is the soap. Remains to be seen how they perform as I continue shaving. In time I will investigate others. Still waiting on the brush/razor stand, the Astra blades and the aloe stick I saw on your show. I'll report more here as I gain some experience.

[@MarkSzorady]

@@bobflora4890 Yes, please keep us updated.:)

[@bobflora4890]

@@MarkSzorady Inspected the Fatboy carefully after getting fairly rough shaves over the years. One side had noticeably more blade reveal than the other. How fix? Watched a repair video and learned that the lift plate has to move freely. Opened the razor, set it at 9 and carefully scrubbed the whole razor with Dawn, being careful to scrub *under* the lift plate. After washing it the razor now has the same blade reveal on both sides, at any setting. A note for others. A shave with GVS blade, Badger brush and cup, and Fatboy at 2, shaved three times and got a BBS. First time in my life! Should have used a more open setting for the first shave as it hardly moved any of the three day beard. Next time.

[@MarkSzorady]

@@bobflora4890 Wonderful to hear!:) Awesome!:) Also amazing that youre getting such a great shave with a razor that is upwards of 60 years old!:) Thanks for the update!

[@ronr3623]

Mat over at Razor Emporium mentioned that the slim and Fatboy mimics the Blue Flare tip 1-3 Regular, silver flare tip 4-6 and Red flare tip 7-9 all in one razor is his conclusion and I like the fatboy over the slim a little more IMO (smoother like you mentioned). Great video and duplication of modern adjustable razors try to get as close or might even exceed the Gillette adjustable standards from the 1950's. Some modern adjustable s have CNC advantage over the punch and folded metal type razor of by gone days but you $pay a premium for that precision. Gillette did a good job to mass produce a razor that was very affordable for the middle class folks of the world and accurate with the dial aggression and lock system. QC was very good and strict IMO. Have some great shaves!

[@HD-J.R.]

👍👍👍 nice gift, nice razor and great shave!

[@viningscircle]

After use, when cleaned and dried, I apply with a eye dropper a minute amount of mineral oil on my Fatboy's dial and door mechanism, which keeps it operating smoothly. I think a comparison shave with the Fatboy and Vikings Blade Meiji adjustable would be an interesting video.

[@magnoliamike]

Spence1000 * every time ? Isn’t that over kill? I mean when I get done shaving I rinse my razor and dry it with a towel... I only used mineral oil on my safety razors once, all at one time, and they all are smooth. Don’t get me wrong I will do this about every six months. Same thing with repainting the Adjuster Numbers and polishing

[@viningscircle]

No Mike, I do not think it is "overkill". As described, it is a VERY little amount applied. I do not use the razors very often, and so I simply prefer to keep the mechanism moving freely. No harm in that.

[@magnoliamike]

Spence1000 * gotcha! I thought you said every time you use it

[@viningscircle]

I find that the oil helps to stop that jangle sound when opening and closing the doors for both the vintage and new TTOs.

[@magnoliamike]

Spence1000 * is there a specific brand that you recommend? Can it be found at a Walgreens or CVS? I want one that comes with like a dropper

[@airdbreck]

Wow Year I was born Now you got a real razor

[@RickyBush]

Lucky you! I really want one and the slime 😳

[@thomasbeaton5467]

That is fantastic! I'm so happy for you Mark. I remember you saying in an earlier MMMB that you stopped looking for a fatboy because you got the VB emperor. How do they compare? And is it worth having both?

[@MarkSzorady]

Thanks, Thomas.:) I'm in the process of comparing the Fatboy with the Emperor. The Emperor razor towers over the Fatboy in size, no doubt. So, due to size difference, the direct comparison is a bit difficult. However, the Emperor Meiji edition is probably the closest to the Fatboy in size. The Meiji is definitely heavier. The Fatboy has that quarter turn to lock things down which is something the Emperor razor does not have. However, the Emperor is continuously adjustable.:) So, it has that advantage to make minute adjustments. I can only adjust the Fatboy one notch at a time (from 5 to 6, 6 to 7, etc.) But with the Emperor, I can adjust it from 5 to 5.2 or to 5.5 or to 5.75 orto 6, etc.:) You get more nuance. Yes, it's DEFINITELY worth having both!:) And get the Slim, too!:)

[@thomasbeaton5467]

I had a feeling you would recommend that! Mainly because I was thinking the same thing. Eventually I'll have them all!

[@thomasbeaton5467]

Well Mark, I did it. I got my VB Emperor frosted chrome last week. Been using it every day since to get used to it. That is a whole lot of razor! Great to shave with as well. Rather than my fatboy, I would compare it to my black beauty... but on STEROIDS... The head profile is very similar to the black beauty and they are almost the same length. I imagine the meiji would be pretty similar to the fatboy (besides the head profile).

[@MarkSzorady]

@@thomasbeaton5467 So very, very happy the razor is giving you great shaves!:) Yes, it is a hefty razor.:) Probably the heaviest razor in my collection.:) I think your comparison makes sense. Yes, the Meiji is probably closer to the Fatboy. But the Meiji, I think, still has more heft.:) I need to weigh them side by side to verify.:) Again, great to heat the great report on the Emperor!:)

[@michaskiba7784]

I am haunting this razor, but boy it has become pricey!😥 You were lucky👍

[@nicetna2010]

When it comes to adjustables, the Fat Boy and Slim are still the best imo. Excellent range with unequalled balance. I still prefer my Slim and Fat Boy over all the other razors in my collection. I think we're in for a real treat when the new Fat Boy Tribute razor debuts.

[@MarkSzorady]

The Fatboy certainty has the WOW factor.:) Some great information at: gilletteadjustable.com/fatboy/

[@Shaverboy516]

Congratulations Mark, the fat boy is beautiful:) and a smooth shaver, your right, Gillette should have kept making these, they fetch a premium on eBay. Matt from razor emporium has a video on how he fixes the lazy doors, he will take care of it.

[@MarkSzorady]

Thanks, I'll check out that video for sure!:) Excellent!:)

[@jonathan19947]

I have a Fatboy but it's a bit dirty. Gives a great shave though. I'm going to clean it up sooner or later

[@MarkSzorady]

These Fatboy razors really do shave GREAT!:)

[@Dave_Outside]

geez some of these KZbin shaving guys absolutely kill their nice brushes. Folks you don't need to smoosh the brush that hard into the soap and then crush it on your face. You just don't need to do that to work up a lather, or to apply it to your face. That rough treatment is what causes them to eventually start shedding hairs and become all splayed out. Be gentle with it, if its real badger that is. If its synthetic then of course you can be as rough as you like. But no synthetic made can compare to real badger hair.

[@vintagelife5195]

Im a wimp. My settings are 4 or 5. lol.