Fatip Grande Razor: A Detailed Review of This Affordable Open Comb Shaver

The Fatip Grande, also known as Fatip Nichelato in Italy, is a double-edged (DE) safety razor from the Italian brand Fatip, which has been trading since the 1980s.

Fatip razors are noted for their affordability and low price tag. This review delves into its features, performance, and overall shaving experience, drawing on a three-week testing period.

Key Features and Design

The Fatip Grande is characterized by its open-comb design, meaning it lacks a safety bar and instead has teeth that allow hair to glide through easily for cutting.

This design is particularly effective for cutting through various beard lengths, especially thicker growth, more easily than a closed-comb type.

However, it may require some skill to use. As a double-edged razor, it provides two sides of a blade for shaving strokes.

The razor has a three-part construction, where the head comes apart in two pieces and the handle is separate, which is beneficial for thorough cleaning.

Blade replacement, however, is noted as being a little more difficult than with two-piece or butterfly-type razors, requiring care due to exposed blade edges.

• Materials and Finish: The Grande is available in multiple finishes, including nickel (Nichelato), chrome (Cromato), gold (Dorato), and gunmetal (Cromato Nero). While these finishes contribute to an attractive appearance, they are prone to discoloring or peeling over time, with nickel discoloring more easily than chrome.
• Handle: It features a short, stubby handle with an attractive Greek column design. The handle is knurled at the bottom, which aids in blade replacement, but the main section offers limited grip. This short handle may not suit all users, particularly those accustomed to longer or weightier razors.
• Aggressiveness: The Grande is described as a medium-aggressive razor, primarily due to its open-comb design. Its blade angle is quite curved, which reduces overall aggression, and there isn’t a large amount of blade overhang from the top cap. It is not considered to be on the same level of aggression as the Mühle R41, and users are advised to respect it but not fear it.
• Size and Weight: It weighs 66 grams (2.32 oz) and has a total length of 87 mm, with the handle being 78 mm. The head width is 42 mm. Its lightweight nature may be a preference for some users, though others prefer heavier razors. The lightweight design does not seem to negatively impact its performance, as open-comb razors may not require the same “push” as closed-comb types.
• Warranty: Fatip razors come with a one-year warranty.

Shaving Performance and Experience (8.3 out of 10 overall)

The Fatip Grande generally exceeded expectations during testing, delivering a surprisingly good shave.

First Impressions

Initial expectations were low, especially for a lower-priced razor, but the performance was a pleasant surprise.

Despite being light, the open comb design allowed it to move across the skin and cut whiskers effectively without extra weight. There was no skin adjustment period and zero irritation reported during the three-week test.

Performance on Thick Growth (3+ days)

The Grande excels at slicing through thick growth nicely, proving very useful and efficient for longer stubble. A great shave was achieved on the first round, and after two passes, the growth was nearly cleared. It offers an efficient first pass with minimal tugging.

Performance on Daily/Every 2 Days Growth

Shaving every couple of days was very good. However, it may not be best suited for daily shaving, as its ability to cut through dense growth isn’t fully utilized.

Blade Suitability

During initial testing, a Derby blade worked perfectly. It’s suggested that users start with milder blades like Derby or Astra to gauge aggressiveness. Stronger blades like Personna also performed well, and there was no perceived need to use very sharp blades like Feather, to avoid nicks.

Ease of Use in Tricky Areas

The chin area was shaved with ease. Under the nose and around the bottom lip required more attention, partly due to a few millimeters of razor head extending past the blade on both ends, which can make precise touch-ups trickier.

Overall Shaving Experience

While having the aggressiveness to remove heavier growth, the Fatip Grande does not feel overly aggressive, meaning caution is not constantly needed.

Its lightweight nature did not hinder performance. It works well from the start with milder blades and offers potential for an even closer cut with sharper blades.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Slices through thick growth nicely (2 – 3 + days).
• Good price.
• Short and stubby, appealing to those who prefer that handle style.
• Looks attractive with a chrome or nickel finish.
• Lightweight, which some users prefer.

Cons:

• Chrome or Nickel appearance is likely to discolor or peel over time.
• It might be too short for some users.
• The lightweight design may not be for all who prefer weighty razors.
• It may take effort to align the blade.

Specific Ratings

• Quality/Design: 8 out of 10
• Appearance: 8 out of 10
• Handle Grip: 7 out of 10
• Ease of Use: 8 out of 10
• Value for Money: 10 out of 10
• Shaving Experience: 9 out of 10
• Weight and Balance: 9 out of 10

Common Consumer Issues and Positive Reports

Some users have reported issues with nickel flaking off and difficulties with blade alignment, a common concern with many three-part safety razors.

However, blade alignment can often be resolved by holding the plates together before tightening the handle. On the positive side, many users appreciate its efficiency, especially on coarse beards, and consider it good value for money.

Value for Money

The Fatip Grande offers great value for money. The nickel-plated version is slightly cheaper than the chrome types. It is approximately priced between $23 – $29.99 USD, £15 – £24 GBP, and 22 € – 29 € EU.

Who is the Fatip Grande Best Suited For?

This razor is an excellent affordable open-comb safety razor that efficiently cuts through growth. While most open-comb razors are not recommended for beginners new to safety razors, the Grande makes a great first open-comb razor for those looking to try this style. It is particularly well-suited for individuals who:

• Frequently have 3 or more days of beard growth.
• Experience irritation and razor bumps from other types of razors, including closed combs, as the absence of a safety bar rubbing the skin can significantly reduce irritation for some users.
• Alternate between daily shaving and having a few days of growth, making it a suitable versatile option.

Alternative Razors

Mühle R41: This razor is more aggressive than the Fatip Grande, with less blade curve. It features a longer and thicker handle and offers quality finish and appearance. It is considered a “beast” for heavy growth and requires caution, especially with the right blade.

Merkur 15C: Comparable to the Grande with its open-comb and short handle design, the Merkur 15C is described as less aggressive than the Grande but still effective for heavier growth. It has a slimmer, knurled handle and a more solid feel with a good finish, though the Grande offers slightly more cutting power.