Fatip Lo Storto Original Review – An Open Comb Slant Experience
Fatip Lo Storto Original Razor
And then, we find ourselves with a hybrid razor from Fatip (Fatip Lo Storto Original) to test and review. This razor combines the best of two worlds – a slant and an open comb, but does that combo work?
Pros
The Slant and Open-Comb design provides efficiency while shaving
Nice attractive chrome plated design
A nice fit if you prefer slightly shorter handles
Shaves well around tricky areas like under the nose and around the chin
A good brand that offers affordable razors
Cons
It will be too aggressive for some gents and may cause irritation
It has less grip than a knurled-designed handle
Some Fatip razors have chrome plating issues, but they can be returned and exchanged
The Fatip Lo Storto Original is somewhat of a unique safety razor that I wanted to test out.
The uniqueness is the slant and open comb design mix. We have a number of slant razors on the market and a lot of open combs, but an open comb slant –that’s something rarer.
In previous reviews, I shared I was a fan of the Fatip Grande and Piccolo open-comb razors. Efficient and affordable razors!
Unfortunately, the Fatip Lo Storto Original open-comb slant combo was not my best razor and won’t be right for everyone. It offers great efficiency, but something is over the top and too much –which you’ll see further on.
The Brand – The Italian company Fatip has been trading since the 1980s when Ilario Fazzini , a skilled artisan of Preman launched the brand. The first Fatip razor in production was during the 1950s (not named Fatip back then). The company offers affordable handmade safety razors, and the Storta (meaning slanted) line first came on the market in 2020.
Fatip Lo Storto Original Description & Features
The Fatip Lo Storto range has two types: an open comb slant (Original) and a closed comb slant (Gentle). The razor I have used and reviewed here is the Original, which is more aggressive than the Gentle because of the open comb rather than the safety bar.
- Materials and Finish – A common brass-made razor with chrome plating. A gold-colored chrome-plated model is also available.
- Open Comb – An open comb can cut through hair much easier than a closed comb and requires some skill. Unlike a closed comb with a safety bar at the bottom of the top piece, it has teeth that allow hair to glide through easily for cutting.
- Double-edged – DE razors are the most commonly used safety razors. They provide a user with two sides of a blade to alternate between shaving strokes.
- Three parts – The razor consists of two detachable pieces plus the handle, making it a three-part razor, which allows for better cleaning.
- Blade replacement – Replacing the blade is trickier than two-piece or butterfly-type razors. Users must be cautious with their fingers due to the blade’s sharpness.
- Handle – The handle is short, and the grip design is an oblique lined type with deep grooves.
- Aggressiveness – This razor hits near the top of the aggressive charts or at least above medium. This is due to the open comb design and then being a slant.
- Size and Weight – Weight: 67 g / Total length – 85 mm / Length Handle – 75 mm / Width head – 42 mm.
- Warranty –There is a one-year warranty offered on Fatip razors.
How Well Does The Fatip Lo Storto Perform And Shave?
As I was aware of the Storto being an open comb and slant, I would only tackle three or more days of growth with it on the first shave and two days of growth minimum after that.
I had to have a good few shaves to get acquainted with this razor, unlike the other Fatip open combs I have used.
The efficiency was great, and I could get one pass done and then spend a little time clearing up. The reason I reduced the shave to one pass and clearing up is on the first pass –this razor got rid of enough growth, and I learned I had to use it less to prevent irritation.
Any Skin Irritation?
As stated, the Storta was extremely efficient. However, on every shave, I got a big neck flare-up.
I still am not quite sure why I get such a flare-up with this razor, and I decided the slant and open comb is just not right for my skin to keep it simple. No blade change or pre-shave routine changed this irritation.
Three shaves should have been enough to get familiar with this razor and become friends. Unfortunately, that did not happen!
Which Blades Did You Use?
As usual, I went with something mild; on this occasion, it was a Derby. I also switched to a Perma-Sharp and a Personna. The blade changing did not reduce the irritation, and all blades were fine to use, but there was no way I was sticking a Feather blade in.
I suggest going mild or trying out your usual blade you use first.
Shaving Under The Nose and Chin Area
The Storta is a great tool for shaving the tricky areas under the nose and around the chin. Its small handle makes this possible.
What Was The Overall Shaving Experience Like?
As you can read above, the shave experience was great and super efficient. I loved it!
It was post-shave that was the issue. I just could not reduce the skin flare-ups afterward, even when using alum block and an aloe-based cream (of course, they soothed it, but the appearance stayed).
I don’t give up that easily and may come back to it. We will see!
Handle and Grip 6.8/10
The handle on the Storto is slightly shorter than a standard handle, which is a good size for shaving those trick areas like under the nose. I have always found an open comb is best used with shorter strokes while shaving, and this razor and its handle fit that requirement.
The slanting design of the handle looks attractive, but it does not offer the grip that a knurled type will. Just keep the razor and hand rinsed while using it to prevent any slipping, then all should be well.
The bottom of the razor handle does offer some vertical lined extra grip. This section looks like the section you’ll find on a two-part razor that twists to dismantle the two parts, but it obviously does not twist.
Weight and Balance – 7/10
While this razor is quite light compared to quite a few others of this size, it does not seem to be lacking while using it and balances the weight well. I usually prefer a heavier razor, but this seems to matter less when using an open comb.
Look & Design – 8/10
The chrome design is a nice modern and traditional combo look. While chrome is attractive, the coating will wear in time, so we’re not getting a lifetime out of this razor.
While I was originally looking forward to trying out an open-comb slant hybrid and love the concept, I was disappointed because of the irritation.
You’ll find the razor has significant blade overhang, but this does not affect the shave.
While I found this razor aggressive, compared to the Muhle R41 razor, the blade curves much more, while the R41 is straighter, like a straight razor, so it adds to the mystery of why I got the irritation.
Value for Money – 9/10
One thing I can always give Fatip a thumbs for is costs. They offer a good deal for the razor a buyer gets.
Of course, the real deal is within Europe and the UK, based on Fatip being an Italian brand.
Cost: Approx. $32 – $39.99 USD, £24 – £28 GBP, €26 – €30 EU
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?
Unfortunately, I was not having a good experience with the Storta, so I was eager to see how others got along with it.
To my surprise, many guys rave about this razor. BadgerandBlade had a Slantember (September) month of using the Storto OC, with many praising it.
Many guys are fond of Fatip razors and their affordable cost, including the Storto, as it’s well within the affordable range for a slant.
It is worth keeping in mind that any other users will have a decent amount of experience using safety razors before using the Storto. A beginner is going to be trying this out as a first razor.
Final Thoughts – Who is the Fatip Storto Slant (OC) Best Suited For?
It is a great unique shaving tool that is superbly efficient and removes heavy stubble. While I could not overcome the irritation, many others do not have the same struggle.
Guys who have tried various safety razors and wish to try something more aggressive and affordable might find the Storta a good option.
Guys with more hardy skin that are usually irritation-free and those that grow a three-plus day stubble are a good fit.
I’m still questioning why I get along so well with a slant and an aggressive open comb razor like the Muhle R41 open comb but not the Storta. It is what it is, as they say!
ASAP, I will be trying out the Fatip Storta Gentile, which is this razor but has a closed comb.
