FaTip Piccolo Special Edition Review – A Great Open & Closed Combo
FaTip Piccolo Special Edition Razor
The FaTip Piccolo Special Edition is certainly unique in its design with its open and closed comb combination. Users get the option of a mild closed comb shave and a more aggressive closed comb experience.
Pros
The option to change from an open to closed comb razor is great!
Its small length makes it easy to maneuver around tricky areas
It has an attractive appearance
A good brand that offers affordable razors
Cons
Some users have complained about the plating peeling
Blade alignment seems to need a lot of attention
The handle might be too slim or too short for some gents
It wasn’t that long ago that I used and reviewed the Fatip Lo Storto Original Razor. That was an interesting slant and open comb combination razor.
Like the Lo Storto, the Fatip Piccolo Special Edition Razor is an interesting razor combo as it offers two bottom plates —an open comb and a closed comb safety plate.
In previous reviews, I shared I was a fan of the Fatip Grande and Piccolo open-comb razors. These are efficient and affordable razors, so I was looking forward to testing out and using this Piccolo Special Edition combo.
There are a lot of men this razor can suit because of its ability to be mild and more aggressive with the open comb. I found it ticked a few boxes, and I got some pretty good shaves from day one.
The Brand – Fatip, an Italian firm, has been engaged in commerce since the 1980s when Ilario Fazzini, a talented craftsman from Preman, introduced the brand. The initial razor produced by Fatip dates back to the 1950s, although it didn’t carry the Fatip name at that time.
Fatip Piccolo Special Edition Description & Features
This razor is like having two razors. You have a mild closed comb for daily shaving or shaving every other day and an open comb for slightly heavier growth.
- Materials and Finish – A common brass-made razor with chrome plating. A gold-colored chrome-plated model is also available.
- Open & Closed Comb – The razor kit comes with two bottom caps (Open & Closed). The open comb provides more razor blade exposure, while the closed comb has a safety bar.
- Double-edged – DE razors are the most popular type of safety razors, affording users the convenience of alternating between shaving strokes using the two sides of a single blade.
- Three parts – The razor comprises a trio of components – a handle and two detachable pieces – creating a three-part design that facilitates improved cleaning.
- Blade replacement – Caution is required when dismantling and putting the razor together to prevent getting a nasty cut.
- Handle – The handle is short, and the grip design is an engraved lined type with grooves.
- Aggressiveness – This is a mild razor when used with the open comb and more aggressive with the closed comb (not very aggressive, though). The blade angle design is curved, which reduces aggressiveness.
- Size and Weight – Weight: 70 g / Total length – 80 mm / Length Handle – 71 mm / Width head – 42 mm.
- Warranty –There is a one-year warranty offered on Fatip razors.
How Well Does The Piccolo Special Edition Perform And Shave?
I had no idea what to expect from this razor, and after not having a great experience with the Fatip Lo Storto Original Slant, a combo-type shaving tool, I was a little weary.
The weariness subsided on my first shave, and I was impressed.
I tried a few methods with this razor. Two first passes with the open comb and one last pass with the closed comb, then one first pass with the open comb and two last passes with the closed comb. I also tested out using the razor only with the closed comb and then only with the open comb.
I found doing the first pass with the open comb and two following passes with the closed a really great combo. My skin and I loved it!
How Was it On Heavier Growth?
Using the open comb first, this was an ideal razor for three days of stubble. Anything over three days or not trimmed first (with an electric trimmer without a comb) will make the razor pull on hair somewhat, but this issue is more about having the beard trimmed down to begin with.
How Was It On Light Stubble and Daily Shaving?
While I am not a daily shaving guy, I tested the razor out shaving for a couple of consecutive days. The closed comb is mild enough and shaves lighter stubble with ease.
Was It Easy to Use Shaving Under The Nose and Chin Area?
Because the Piccolo Special Edition has a small handle, it shaves great under the nose and around the chin area.
No issues at all!
Which Blades Was Best Suited?
As usual, I first pulled out a mild blade, a Derby. Because the Derby was ideal, I just stuck with it over the month of testing out the razor. However, I could have stepped up with something sharper and even a Feather Blade, but I just kept going with a Derby.
I would always suggest going with your usual blade or something mild like an Astra or Derby, then step up in sharpness if needed.
What Was The Overall Shaving Experience Like?
I enjoyed trying out both the plates and found the razor pretty mild and easy on the face while being easy to use. While an open comb can be quite aggressive when used correctly, this one is mild.
As men’s grooming is my hobby, a tool like this is great to test out and use because it is different. The great thing is it didn’t fail to impress me on the shaves.
More About Features
Let’s take a closer look at some features like the handle, weight, and design.
Handle and Grip 6.5/10
The handle on the Fatip is very short and slim. It’s not going to suit everyone.
I like the short length for maneuverability around tricky areas, but I don’t get on too well with the slimness. I would prefer a much thicker, bulkier handle design.
I found that the razor had enough grip. However, it did need to be rinsed throughout the shave, as I could feel it became more slippy when the lather ran along it.
Thicker and knurled would be better for me.
Weight and Balance – 7/10
While it is not a weighty razor, I found it had enough weight for a small shaving tool.
The top and handle balance out nicely while shaving.
Design, Quality & Look – 6.5/10
The FaTip Piccolo Special Edition has a nice look to it with its gunmetal handle and top cap –and a gold chrome base plate.
As mentioned, I am not a big fan of the slim and engraved lined handle. In addition, something that might concern some gents is lining up the blade.
Lining up the blade within the head requires more attention than it should. This is an issue I have picked up on with Fatip razors, and it’s not good, as it is easy to miss a millimeter or so and end up with a milder shave on one side than the other.
One thing that Fatip does not always do well is the finish. However, on this model, the finish looks fine, but I have picked up on some complaints from others.
The blade overhang is quite mininal on thsi razor.
Value for Money
This is where the Fatip razors shine; they are very affordable compared to some of the higher-priced competitors’ razors.
Cost: Approx. $34 USD, £30 GBP, €32 EU
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?
I always check out what others say about razors and dug around the net to see what they have to say about this razor combo.
Most comments and reviews are positive, to be fair, but the poor finish is mentioned more than a couple of times. One customer even had the finish peeling on the second shave.
The small size gets positive comments, and the option to have a mild or more aggressive shave with the two changeable combs.
The biggest issue reported is the finish peeling.
Final Thoughts – Who is the FaTip Piccolo Special Edition Best Suited For?
As mentioned, there are some issues like blade alignment, peeling finish mentioned by others, and my dislike of slim handles. However, what a great shave, and it’s excellent to have the open and closed comb combination.
Anyone could go with this razor, even someone new to wet shaving with safety razors. While most think the open comb would be too aggressive, I don’t agree 100% unless they have super sensitive skin.
If a newbie tries this Fatip and the open comb is too aggressive, they have the closed bomb to use, so they cannot lose.
Another good candidate for this razor is someone wishing to test out using an open comb, as the mild closed comb bottom cap can still be used if all does not go well.
It’s a great razor combo that could be better designed, but still great!
