Fatip Testina Gentile

[mrdoug]

As I'm trying hard not to buy anything more, obviously I start looking for things I haven't tried but have thought about in the past. Lol.

One such razor is the Fatip Testina Gentile. I have considered this razor a few times, but stopped short of ordering one. I know it's going to be hard to come by if I decide to try one, with the Covid lockdown.

What gives me pause, I have had a Razorock Baby Smooth in the past. Unfortunately, the angle I could never figure out. I always got a good shave, most of the time a fantastic shave. However, I always got a lot of irritation. I worry the Gentile is too similar to the Baby Smooth and I'll be in the same boat.

Anyone have an opinion (or insight) on it? Thanks.

 

[GearNoir]

@DocHoliday0831?

 

[HMan]

I used a Gentile daily for about a year and a half before I started branching into other razors.

I personally found it very smooth and intuitive. I've given one to a friends as their first razor and they all report the same.

I don't have the Baby Smooth (I almost abbreviated it, but it didn't look good.) but just looking at the pic, I can tell you they are different animals so I wouldn't worry about that personally.

The downsides with Fatip are the high tolerances, so you'll have to eyeball the blade alignment every time. It's not a bid deal though. The other which may be an upside for others is how bulky it feels, I like thinner top caps, and Fatip's feel a bit clunky in my hands. Neither of those affect the actual performance of the razor at all though, it is as advertise, quite a mile shaver. Which became the final downside, it was too mild for me, but very smooth and intuitive.

In fact, I'm going to break mine out today, since I'm in a smooth and intuitive shave mood today.

 

[HMan]

Edit: I did shave with it today. I was wrong about the think top cap, I think it's just the chunky handle and balance being a little funny that makes it feel clunky. But I had a great shave and there are some great aspects to the razor, the way the safety bar is very round and smooth makes for outstanding buffing, which I need a lot of since this is so mild.

All in all IMO a great razor, I'm going to try to remember to use the Grande tomorrow to compare.

 

[mrdoug]

Awesome reply, thanks for the great information @HMan . You mentioned several times it was mild, which is the feel I prefer. However, you also mentioned buffing, leading me to believe it's not very efficient. Is this the case? I don't mind a bit of work to get to the BBS shave, but my GC 68 is about as much cleanup as I'm willing to play. If the Fatip is more inefficient, I have my answer.

Thanks again for the great review. I definitely appreciate the time you took to give me some details.

 

[HMan]

No problem! I've used it so much I feel I can speak to it.

There's a reason I moved on from it, and that's it's too mild for me, which could likely mean too inefficient for you!

The new versions of the Grande are still mild IMO, but are more efficient. I'll give it a go tomorrow, since it's been a long time, and let you know.

My feeling right now is, you'd prefer the Grande if you're thinking Fatip.

 

[mrdoug]

No problem! I've used it so much I feel I can speak to it.

There's a reason I moved on from it, and that's it's too mild for me, which could likely mean too inefficient for you!

The new versions of the Grande are still mild IMO, but are more efficient. I'll give it a go tomorrow, since it's been a long time, and let you know.

My feeling right now is, you'd prefer the Grande if you're thinking Fatip.

Thanks, I definitely look forward to that comparison.

Honestly, I really shouldn't be looking for anything. I'm happy with my Gamechanger. I also have a slim and a 6s which work for me. Still, I haven't bought a second face to shave, so I'm kinda going overboard on the tools. [emoji1787]

Nonetheless, the want for something new kicks in and off I go. Lol.

 

[gvw755]

I tried the Testina Gentile when it first came out a couple of years ago and did not like it very much. One reason was because I had to check the blade alignment because of the lack of tolerance that Fatip is famous for. The other thing, however is that it had a very narrow shaving angle When you got it right, it is very smooth and efficient, however a little off and either it feels like you're shaving with a hacksaw or you are just moving lather.

If you are inclined toward a Baby Smooth type razor, I would recommend the original Mamba .68 or the Merkur 45 (which I sold off a while back and just bought again.

 

[HMan]

Thanks, I definitely look forward to that comparison.

Honestly, I really shouldn't be looking for anything. I'm happy with my Gamechanger. I also have a slim and a 6s which work for me. Still, I haven't bought a second face to shave, so I'm kinda going overboard on the tools. [emoji1787]

Nonetheless, the want for something new kicks in and off I go. Lol.

Hey, I hear you, none of us here NEED to buy anything.

You're just giving me a reason to break the Fatips out again, and the timing is perfect for me.

 

[mrdoug]

I tried the Testina Gentile when it first came out a couple of years ago and did not like it very much. One reason was because I had to check the blade alignment because of the lack of tolerance that Fatip is famous for. The other thing, however is that it had a very narrow shaving angle When you got it right, it is very smooth and efficient, however a little off and either it feels like you're shaving with a hacksaw or you are just moving lather.

If you are inclined toward a Baby Smooth type razor, I would recommend the original Mamba .68 or the Merkur 45 (which I sold off a while back and just bought again.

Yikes, that is all too familiar sounding.

I am actually not inclined towards the baby smooth. I managed a great shave, but the irritation I couldn't abate.

I have tried the original mamba 50. I couldn't get a great shave from it. I have the Gamechanger 68... That I like. Also the 84 plate for the GC (which is awesome, too). I never tried the Merkur 45, which appears to be similar to the GC and Testina. I've seen rave reviews, with the huge caveat that they screwed up on the connection... No metal, all plastic. Still could be worth a shot someday. Thanks. [emoji846]

Hey, I hear you, none of us here NEED to buy anything.

You're just giving me a reason to break the Fatips out again, and the timing is perfect for me.

Lol! Glad I could help.

I'll probably end up passing on actually ordering one for now. As I said, I don't really need another razor and I probably needed to hear something like "It's one of the best razors I've ever used" .

Still, after several bouts of consideration, it's nice to get some good opinions and some solid reviews. Thanks everyone! [emoji106]

 

[HMan]

I'll probably end up passing on actually ordering one for now. As I said, I don't really need another razor and I probably needed to hear something like "It's one of the best razors I've ever used" .

It's absolutely not that! So rest easy my friend.

(Of course there's a Brotherhood on another board that will gladly tell you otherwise. )

 

[mrdoug]

It's absolutely not that! So rest easy my friend.

(Of course there's a Brotherhood on another board that will gladly tell you otherwise. )

I know what you're talking about, however, I wouldn't be so sure. For all of the chatter for Fatip (even there), most of it is OC related. Browsing around I've come to the conclusion that the Testina Gentile seems like the red-headed stepchild of the Fatip lineup. [emoji1787]

 

[HMan]

I finally got around to shaving with the Grande today. Without a doubt a more efficient shave, but still mild. If you are ever interested in this family, I’d steer you towards it or the Piccolo over the Gentile just because of that. I rate the Gentile a step over an R89 in efficiency, but far smoother. So the modern grande one step more efficient.

The unique point for me is how well the rounded Ess. Of the head and the non-existent blade gap make buffing. I got some place, like corners of my mouth, very comfortably.

I’m glad you brought this up @mrdoug I’ll be bringing the Grande back in by rotation. The only thing that was putting me off is the handle length and balance, making me wonder if my tase has changed over the years and now I’d be happier with a Piccolo.

 

[mrdoug]

I finally got around to shaving with the Grande today. Without a doubt a more efficient shave, but still mild. If you are ever interested in this family, I’d steer you towards it or the Piccolo over the Gentile just because of that. I rate the Gentile a step over an R89 in efficiency, but far smoother. So the modern grande one step more efficient.

The unique point for me is how well the rounded Ess. Of the head and the non-existent blade gap make buffing. I got some place, like corners of my mouth, very comfortably.

I’m glad you brought this up @mrdoug I’ll be bringing the Grande back in by rotation. The only thing that was putting me off is the handle length and balance, making me wonder if my tase has changed over the years and now I’d be happier with a Piccolo.

Me and open combs don't get along all that well. That's why I was eyeing the gentile. Still, I don't have a a real need for another razor, and finding a gentile is going to be a hunt during the COVID era in the States (and Italy / Europe). Thus I'm putting it back on the 'back burner' for now. As is usually the flavor of this hobby, I'll probably get the itch again and reconsider. Lol.

I am curious... Is the grand like the classic and piccolo... Same head, different handle?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[HMan]

@mrdoug , yes they are exactly the same other than the handle.

I hear you on the OC thing, it took a while for me to get comfortable, but tbh I think it was the psychological, due to the reputation. Now I don't really even notice, unless the teeth are sharp, which I don't like much either.