I'm assuming you purchased the closed comb Masamune. The OC is a wonderful razor but definitely more aggressive than the SB.
Very interested in this, I recently learned about negative & positive exposure and I am currently between Masamune and Henson mild, the ingrown hair issue is killing me and I have tried everything -- except getting a 'mild' razor. What is the consensus, which one is the mildest razor of them all?
Very interested in this, I recently learned about negative & positive exposure and I am currently between Masamune and Henson mild, the ingrown hair issue is killing me and I have tried everything -- except getting a 'mild' razor. What is the consensus, which one is the mildest razor of them all?
I tried the Henson moderate. Good razor for entry for cartridge folks. Nothing special though in comparison to the Vector… I gave the Henson to my 16-year old in exchange for his iKon X3 slant. I think he’ll be happier.
I’m about to purchase the Masamune. Will report back.
First outing with the Tatara Masamune and a fresh Feather blade.
The following review is based on my experience with the Blackland Vector SB as a daily driver and my brief experience with the Henson moderate, that was loaded with a BIC Chrome Platinum blade. Of note, I have a dense, coarse beard, so my experience with razor efficiency may not mimic yours. YMMV.
First, I was disappointed to see exposed blade edges on the sides of the Tatara. I was under the impression that exposed tabs were remnants of vintage razors, not modern ones. Given its tight tolerances, there’s not ever going to be an issue with blade misalignment, so perhaps Tatara opted for a smaller head to make the razor more nimble? That may be a fine decision, so long as maneuverability doesn’t come at the cost of cuts. Time will tell. On this point, the Henson beats the Tatara for safety.
In terms of maneuverability, both the Henson and Tatara fare equally, though both suffer under the nose: the Henson because of its narrow shave angle and the Tatara because of its exposed blade tab, making it difficult to cut XTG. Nothing beats the Vector in this regard.
The shave was the smoothest I’ve ever experienced. Unlike the Henson moderate, the Tatara had practically zero blade feel. Whether this smoothness was a function of the blade or the razor itself remains to be determined.
In terms if efficiency, the Henson and Tatara again fared equally, but both being less efficient than the Vector. A two-pass shave is usually enough to get BBS on my neck, but with both razors, a third pass was necessary, increasing the risk of irritation and aftershave sting (even though none occurred today).
All in all, a very good first impression with the Tatara, smoother than both Henson and the Vector, but less efficient (despite the Feather blade) than the Vector. That said, whenever there’s zero aftershave sting, there’s cause for celebration.
I’ll try stretching the skin a little more in the neck area to see if I can manage a BBS with just two strokes. If so, then the Vector may have found a legitimate competitor.
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Nice razor. If you want more efficient while still remaining smooth, get the Nodachi base plate and cap. I have all the SB combinations and while they all shave great, I find the Nodachi head on the Masamune handle to be an perfect combination. Very efficient and still smooth. The Nodachi base with Masamune cap is also a really good combination.
Thank you, sir, seriously, so many helpful people in here, it's humbling. Most of these steps I am aware, but I'll try adding all the rest (especially the peeling one) thanks again! (meant to PM you, really don't want to derail the thread further, but it would seem it's not possible for me -- or I'm missing something)-good face prep with a high quality face soap before shaving (well hydrated hairs cut more easily and are less likely to break off)
-exfoliating my skin at least once a week (either with a face wash scrub or with a face mask)
-using very slick soaps to reduce drag on my skin
-not going ATG until the ingrown hairs have resolved.
-not using high alcohol aftershaves unless I’m also using a moisturizing aftershave balm as well.
-swapping out blades more often so that my blade is very sharp as it encounters the whiskers (this way you slice the whiskers instead of breaking them off)
-shaving less frequently to give the hairs time to grow above the skin before then trying to shave them at skin level.
-beard mapping so you know what your true wtg, xtg and atg passes are. Try to only do wtg if possible for a week or more until they resolve.
You're not kidding! I used the "1" plate with an Astra blade today and it's even milder than my RazoRock Baby Smooth! My face feels like it's still got 1 day worth of growth. I'll just use a sharper blade and see what happens. Also, I'll be trying the "3" setting...
Interesting ranking. So Timeless is 3rd in your book?From my experience (I have both Tatara and Timeless razors) the Tatara is like a race car and the Timeless is more like a comfy sedan. If you get a Tatara with the Mesamune handle (any head combo) I believe you'll find it one of the best razors you've ever shaved with as far as comfort, closeness, and maneuverability. My Tatara Nodachi head/Mesamune handle is my best performing DE out of about 8 that stay in my top rotation.....the Henson Ti22 medium is second.
So which one won?I may end up keeping the Timeless and the V2 (or Vector)…we will see. I prefer to have only one razor but it may take me a while to decide. I like the AC blades but the Timeless (aka “Mindless”) is so easy to use without any danger ⚠ that it may be worthwhile keeping around just in case I’m half asleep or something
Interesting ranking. So Timeless is 3rd in your book?
Would appreciate if you can share your ranking of currently available mild razors.No....Timeless is last for me out of 8-9 razors that I keep in rotation. They are smooth shavers but fail in the efficiency dept for me. Don't get me wrong, Timeless, makes a great product, but I have other razors that work just a little better.
Would appreciate if you can share your ranking of currently available mild razors.
Finally an AS-D2 positive mention! When reading this thread I sometimes feel I’m using a mediocre razor and have a tendency to crave something else.A Personna Med Prep blade works very well for me with a Feather A2 D2 razor
I agree!The Feather AS-D2 would compete for the mildness crown, IMHO.
I shaved with one for a week and it gave me mediocre shaves. This is the kind of razor you have to pay attention to the angle and I feel it takes a couple of weeks to dial in the shave. A lot of shavers love this razor after almost giving up in the beginning.Finally an AS-D2 positive mention! When reading this thread I sometimes feel I’m using a mediocre razor and have a tendency to crave something else.
There are as many opinions about razors as there are about blades and soaps and fragrances. There are plenty of us who love this razor. It gives me a clean close shave and minimizes irritation. It took me some time to master the angle to get the best shave, but then it took me awhile as a kid to master bicycle riding, but once I did it was automatic. So it is with AS-D2.Finally an AS-D2 positive mention! When reading this thread I sometimes feel I’m using a mediocre razor and have a tendency to crave something else.
Here's my take on it and perhaps someone with experience that liked the AS-D2 and/or agrees with my assessment and now has found something better could help me.This is the kind of razor you have to pay attention to the angle and I feel it takes a couple of weeks to dial in the shave. A lot of shavers love this razor after almost giving up in the beginning.
Finally an AS-D2 positive mention! When reading this thread I sometimes feel I’m using a mediocre razor and have a tendency to crave something else.