Fatip Grande Review – How Well Does This Open Comb Razor Shave?
Fatip Grande Safety Razor
The Fatip Grande is a small handled double-edged safety razor that is open comb (no safety bar). An open-combed razor like the Grande will offer plenty of blade to cut through various beard lengths somewhat easier than a closed comb type.
Pros
Slices through thick growth nicely (2 – 3 + days)
Good price
Short and stubby if that's your preference
Looks attractive with a chrome or nickel finish
Lightweight for those that prefer light
Cons
Chrome or Nickel appearance is likely to discolor or peel over time
It might be too short for some users
The lightweight may not be for all gents that prefer weighty razors
It may take effort to align the blade
The Fatip Grande that’s also known in Italy as Fatip Nichelato (and other finishes) is the next safety razor here up for testing and a detailed review of how well it shaves.
In this shave-down review we take a close look at the Fatip Grande that’s made by the Italian brand (Fatip) which is a very affordable razor. All of their razors have quite a low price tag.
I will explain the features, highlight any pros and cons, share the all important shaving experience and then finish off with who the Grande is best suited for.
I had been eyeing up the Fatip safety razors for some time and was really pleased that they had within their lineup they had opened combed razors that are great to put to the test to mow down a few days growth.
The Brand – The Italian company Fatip has been trading since the 1980’s when Ilario Fazzini , a skilled artisan of Preman launched the brand. The first Fatip razor in production was during the 1950’s (not named Fatip back then). The company offers a range of safety razors that are affordable
Fatip Grande Description & Features
Let’s take a look at the all important features and highlight the need-to-know aspects when choosing a razor.
- Materials and Finish – You might see the Fatip Grande named Nichelato Grande with the word Nichelato meaning nickel plated. The grande is available in chrome (Cromato), nickel (Nichelato ), gold color (Dorato), and gunmetal (Cromato Nero), which are all the same razor with the only difference being the finish. After time these types of finishes can discolor and wear, and nickel can also peel with nickel discoloring much easier than chrome.
- Open Comb – An open comb has the ability to cut through hair much easier than a closed comb and can require some skill to use. Unlike a closed comb with a safety bar at the bottom of the head, 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 head comes apart in two pieces, and with the handle –that’s three parts. Three-part razors are better for cleaning well.
- Blade replacement – Blade replacement is a little more difficult than a two-piece or butterfly-type razor. Users have to be a bit careful with their fingers as well when removing and replacing the blade for obvious reasons.
- Handle – The handle is a short stubby kind with an attractive Greek column design.
- Aggressiveness – The aggressiveness of the Fatip Grande is found in its open comb design more so than the blade gap. The blade angle is quite curved, reducing aggressiveness, and there is not a large amount of overhang from the top cap. I would say the Grande is a medium-aggressive razor.
- Size and Weight – Weight: 66 g / Total Length – 87 mm / Handle Length – 78 mm / Head Width- 42 mm
- Warranty –There is a one-year warranty offered on Fatip razors.
How Well Does The Fatip Grande Perform And Shave?
I was unsure what to expect and had quite low expectations on how well the Grande would shave. Lower-priced razors always allow me to keep expectations on the low side.
I must admit before I go into detail that I was pleasantly surprised.
First impressions – As mentioned, expectations was quite low and it wasn’t so long ago I used and reviewed the Merkur 15C which is a comparable razor really (open comb and short handle). This gave me a recent experiential idea of how the Grande could shave.
The grande felt a bit light and is light compared to many others. This will be favorable for some users and not for others that like some weight on their razors. I can see though how an open comb can still move across the skin and cut through the whiskers without that extra weight, so I guess the weight in this case could be more about preference than performance.
It’s a nice-looking razor like many shiny chrome and nickel-plated types.
I did my usual test and used the Fatip Grande for three weeks. However, there was no skin adjustment period at all and zero irritation!
How did the Fatip Grande shave with 3+ days of growth? Three days are my limit, most of the time, and a perfect amount of growth is available to test a razor. I got a really great shave on the first round and once again have seen how open-comb razors are so useful and efficient when the growth is there. After 2 passes it was all nearly cleared up and then my usual cleaning up bits after had to be done.
The best part is how efficient that first pass is, and there is not a lot of tugging at all.
How did the Grande shave daily or every 2 days? Shaving every couple of days was very good, although the feeling I get from getting rid of three days of growth is pretty good. I am not sure this type of razor is best suited for daily shaving; although it does the job –it just doesn’t seem like the ability to cut through dense growth is getting used.
What blades were best suited? On the first test round of shaving I uses a Derby blade that worked perfectly, and there did not seem any need to change. A user might be best suited to using something like a Derby or Astra blade at first to test out the aggressiveness because they are not too sharp. I moved to Personna and loved it as usual and had no need or desire to move up to a Feather (risk of nicks when it was not necessary….no thanks!).
Is it easy to use shaving under the nose and chin area? The chin area was shaved with ease and under the nose needed a bit of attention. I did find at first that I missed quite a bit of the bottom lip area which I improved after a few times of using the razor.
It’s worth keeping in mind this razor has a good few millimeters at the edge of both ends of the head. This does make it trickier to use under the nose, touching up and it’s maybe why I found the lips area a bit tricky (just my observations that may have little value).
How about blade overhang? There is a little but nothing to shout home about. It’s insignificant and does not affect the shave experience.
What was the overall shaving experience like?
As mentioned, the Fatip Grande exceeded my expectations and while it has the aggressiveness required for removing heavier growth and stubble, it does not feel like an aggressive razor that I had to be cautious with.
While I prefer heavier safety razors the lightweight had no bearing on the performance. I believe open comb types just don’t need that push behind them as a closed comb does.
It was good to see this razor work well from the start with a mildish type of razor blade like the Derby, and the fact that there is more room for a closer cut with other blades like a Feather should appeal to some guys.
Nothing negative I can say about the shave apart from if I was a daily shaver I would not need this type of open comb razor. Something milder would be fine. If you alternate from daily shaving to having a few days of growth though, then this razor is a suitable option, and you would be able to use it for its intended purpose.
Look & Design – 8/10
The Grande is a typical nice looking chrome or nickel type looking razor. The three-part design is a bit more tricky when replacing the blade compared to others like a two-part razor.
Looking at the finish I can see it is not going to last a lifetime. I don’t expect it to, either.
The chrome finish should last longer than the nickel.
Handle and Grip 7/10
If you get on well with short and stubby handle razors then the Grande is your type of razor, and it is not too slim. The handle is knurled at the bottom, which helps with blade replacement, but the main section does not offer a lot of grip.
I often battle between style and grip. A good example is this razor that has a lovely shiny Greek column design that’s not best for grip (I can’t say I lose grip or slip, though) compared to heavily or even lightly knurled types.
Weight and Balance – 9/10
I’ve mentioned the Grande is lightweight and weighs in at 66 g (2.32 oz) which seems to have no effect on its ability to cut through hair and stubble. It does require a bit more of a push compared to heavier razors on the second pass or short stubble; however, with the right blade there should be no issues with nicks, cuts, or irritation.
Ease of Use – 8/10
As mentioned, the shave experience was spot on and better than expected.
The only issue I could see another user having is with the shorter handle –if they have never used a short-handled type before. A bit of a learning curve also for those that haven’t used three-piece razors.
Value for Money – 10/10
Great value for money, with the nickel plated being slightly cheaper than the chrome types.
Approx. $23 – $29.99 USD, £15 – £24 GBP, 22 € – 29 € EU. The Special Edition 42121 model may cost more in your country (check availability and cost).
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints or Positive Reports?
As expected, there have been some reports of the nickel flaking off, and the other common mention from users is an issue with blade alignment. Blade alignment can be an issue with many safety razors, especially three-part types, and without playing down other people’s experience with the Fatip Grande they all can usually be aligned with the right technique of holding the plates together first before tightening the handle.
On the positive side of things, many guys love the efficiency, especially on coarse beards, and found this razor well worth the money.
There is some chatter about aggressiveness, and the main takeaway from what’s said is to be cautious or respect the razor but do not fear it. I agree it is not on the same level as the Mühle R41, and there’s no reason to fear it.
Final Thoughts – and who is the Fatip Grande best suited for?
Excellent affordable open comb safety razor that cuts through growth efficiently are my first thoughts about the Grande after testing and using it for 3 weeks. I have come to enjoy an open comb shave more and more though over time and this may sway my preferences at this moment in time!
Most open comb razors are not a beginner razor for those new to shaving with safety razors; however, the Grande makes a great first open comb for those trying out this style of razor.
Have growth of 3 or so days frequently? Worth checking the Grande out, then.
Those who get a lot of irritation and razor bumps from all kinds of razors, including closed combs, could try this razor out. The safety bar not rubbing the skin can massively help some guys reduce irritation.
See you on the next shave down!
Related: Fatip Grande vs. Piccolo – Here’s The Differences & Similarities –and– FaTip Piccolo Special Edition Review
Alternative Razors You Might Like
There is no doubt about it; the Fatip Grande is a great medium in aggression closed comb razor. However, there are alternative razors that might be worth comparing and considering while you’re on your online search mission for a razor. I won’t add a lot of options though, as this just makes for confusion.
Mühle R41
The Mühle R41 can be a bit of a beast of a razor for some guys. It has more aggression than the Fatip Grande and the blade curves less between the two top caps which adds to the aggression.
You’ll find the handle on the R41 is longer and thicker which may suit some gents, and the finish and appearance is quality. It’s certainly a beast of a razor on heavy growth and requires some caution on the first few uses and of course, the right blade.
See Review: Mühle R41
Merkur 15C
The Merkur 15C is quite a unique safety razor with an interesting mixture of a small and slim handle that’s open combed. The handle is slimmer than the Grande and it’s a few grams lighter.
When using the 15C, I found it to be less aggressive than the Grande; however, it still does a great job like other closed comb razors at cutting through heavier growth.
The handle is knurled, and the 15C just seems to be a bit more solid and has a good finish. The Grande has that extra bit of cutting power, though.
See Review: Merkur 15C
