This razor has been nicknamed the "Bottom Dial" to distinguish it from another razor Gillette called the "Gillette 195 Adjustable" razor - they also called the razor nicknamed the "Fatboy" the same thing. This razor is easily identified as different from the Standard Fatboy in that its adjustment dial is located below the handle; hence the nickname Bottom Dial. Some people call this razor the Bottom Dial Fatboy due to it being priced at $1.95 the same as the Standard Fatboy. This razor is relatively rare. It was offered for sale to the public but today it is extremely rare for one to become available on one of the auction sites with a warranty card, correct case and instruction sheet. The case is easily distinguished from the Standard Fatboy case in that the magnifying lens, in the transparent case lid, is located over the bottom end of the razor. instead of the top end. Also, the Bottom Dial case has the number "195" inscribed to the left of the word "Adjustable" on the white plastic insert. This razor was available for sale originally for $1.95. It was only manufactured in the fourth quarter of 1960 (F-4). It is not to be confused with its cousins the 5 Position Bottom Dials - this razor, with a F-4 date code has a maximum adjustment dial label of "9" - not "5". Also, its cousin the 5 Position Bottom Dial was a prototype never offered for sale to the public hence it has no date code stamped into it. This razor weighs 84 grams.
On April 1, 2021 a new cased 9 position Bottom Dial has surfaced. Joshua Moore was treasure hunting in an abandoned house in Jacksonville FL and found it in an old trunk. This apparently unused cased Bottom Dial included an instruction sheet and warranty card. Note that the warranty card is entitled "195 Adjustable". This is a way of distinguishing the Bottom Dial warranty card from that of the standard Fatboy or the Red Dot Fatboy. Also note how the warranty card requests the "Razor No.". Was Gillette planning to put serial numbers on the Bottom Dial, but changed their minds? Well in any case, Joshua found the motherlode; it sold for $5362.01 on eBay a few days later. Great finds are still possible (even if it's by hook or by crook)!
Significant Recent Sales
(eBay auction item number included if available)
