Gillette FatBoy, Revisited

When I started shaving with a double-edge razor,didn't even manage to secure a dusty corner in my
several years back, everyone on the wet-shavingbathroom cabinet. As it turns out, it actually was my
forums was singing praises to the old Gillette FatBoy.technique. Several months ago I decided to give
This is an adjustable, butterfly opening razor producedanother shot to my collection of old Gillette razors.
by Gillette in the late '50s, early '60s. The razor wasSince the first experiences with a Gillette British
well built, sturdy and with good heft. Consequently,Aristocrat #66 and a Red-Tip were encouraging, I took
Gillette stopped its production after a while and movedthe courage to try the Fat Boy this morning. I guess all
towards slimmer, lighter, crappier models with thethose wet-shavers were actually right, this is a great
plastic disposable being the frosting on that cake.razor; nice smooth shave and with almost no nicks and
You might think that I was a big fan of the model fromirritation at all that using a Feather (a blade so sharp
the get-go. Wrong, I actually didn't like it at the beginning.that is better suited for those who like auto-flagellation
The shave was rough and unpleasant. "Must be therather than those who enjoy a good shave). You can
razor and not my technique" I thought at the time and,still find a Fat Boy on Ebay these days, but expect to
disgusted, I relegated the almost mint Fat-Boy to acough up $100 or more for a model in good condition.
corner of my storage room. Yes, you heard it right, it