Nice post, and glad I found it. RAD has reared its ugly head and I was leaning Masamune. This post is bringing me back from the edge.While I was all like masamune it's so pretty obviously it wins. Nope.
Nice post, and glad I found it. RAD has reared its ugly head and I was leaning Masamune. This post is bringing me back from the edge.While I was all like masamune it's so pretty obviously it wins. Nope.
Concur. The looks, for me, are a big part of the attraction. That plus I tend to prefer razors on the mild side.But it ain't the looker that Tatara is!
One thought that just occurred to me is that we are comparing really top notch razors against one another. In most cases one will have to give up one feature/strength in order to gain another whether it styling, a grippy handle, mildness, effectiveness, etc.I ordered one from Maggard (Tatara Masamune) and it should get here next week. While I will obviously compare it to my AS-D2, I just finally gave in to the design of the Tatara and suspect it'll work fine for me.
Other than the fact that the Masamune and AS-D2 are in the same ballpark pricewise and are both considered to be milder than aggressive razors, the seem to be very much unalike. The AS-D2 is said to be a marine grade MIM stainless steel with pretty traditional styling. The Masamune is said to be CNC solid 316 (?) stainless steel and as modern a look as can be. People love to do shootouts, comparos, etc. I think it's more fun to compare a razor to itself. In other words, let it stand on its own merits. That's me though and I'm probably in the minority here. I see topics like "______ beats everything in my den!", "The ______ is the razor to rule them all!!", and similar, what I consider to be, nonsense.One thought that just occurred to me is that we are comparing really top notch razors against one another. In most cases one will have to give up one feature/strength in order to gain another whether it styling, a grippy handle, mildness, effectiveness, etc.
Looking forward to your review.
I liked them both, but the AS-D2 has a much narrower effective angle.I ordered one from Maggard (Tatara Masamune) and it should get here next week. While I will obviously compare it to my AS-D2, I just finally gave in to the design of the Tatara and suspect it'll work fine for me.
No they are not. The Masume has more blade feel and need a bit more respect. I found the Masmune to be the equal of my Blackbird in efficiency, with a milder feel.Oops, it arrived today and I used it today. I posted a shave of the day in the General Shaving discussion sub-forum which gives my initial impressions. Bottom line, it gives an equally good shave as the AS-D2 but they are nothing alike in design and feel. I'm in love with both!
Inaugural Masamune shave
OK. Not my experience but this is B&B...I liked them both, but the AS-D2 has a much narrower effective angle.
No they are not. The Masume has more blade feel and need a bit more respect. I found the Masmune to be the equal of my Blackbird in efficiency, with a milder feel.
Now, with the second shave done, I think I agree with you after all. Never used a Blackbird but I have used the AS-D2 for 7 years. Today's Masamune shave was great but I tried to think about the shave itself a bit more and I believe you stated it correctly - the Masamune does have a bit more blade feel and you need to exercise a little more caution vs. flying around with the AS-D2. End result is the same - no irritation, very close shave (Feather blade #2 today). But they really operate very differently even though they get you to the same result - an irritation free BBS shave (my standard as a daily shaver). I am loving the Masamune. While I should never say never, I doubt I'll buy additional plates, stands, handles from Tatara. The basic Masamune does exactly what I'd hoped. If anything, the AS-D2 and Masamune are complimentary to each other. I now have two desert island razors with Feather blades being the choice for each.I liked them both, but the AS-D2 has a much narrower effective angle.
No they are not. The Masume has more blade feel and need a bit more respect. I found the Masmune to be the equal of my Blackbird in efficiency, with a milder feel.
Very true. Two people can experience widely different results. We all have skin that has different tolerances to what it puts up with and whiskers that grow at different angles and are softer or harder, etc.OK. Not my experience but this is B&B...
Had not seen this reply before my last, but your last was correct. There is a large YMMV effect at work. That you agree with my now probably says we have similar skin and beards more than I am right. I'm perfectly OK with that. I want folks to get THEIR best shave.Now, with the second shave done, I think I agree with you after all. Never used a Blackbird but I have used the AS-D2 for 7 years. Today's Masamune shave was great but I tried to think about the shave itself a bit more and I believe you stated it correctly - the Masamune does have a bit more blade feel and you need to exercise a little more caution vs. flying around with the AS-D2. End result is the same - no irritation, very close shave (Feather blade #2 today). But they really operate very differently even though they get you to the same result - an irritation free BBS shave (my standard as a daily shaver). I am loving the Masamune. While I should never say never, I doubt I'll buy additional plates, stands, handles from Tatara. The basic Masamune does exactly what I'd hoped. If anything, the AS-D2 and Masamune are complimentary to each other. I now have two desert island razors with Feather blades being the choice for each.
You must get the matching stands and bowl and brush and cork thing. Omg I wish Feather made those. My spouse is like omg with the stuff.Now, with the second shave done, I think I agree with you after all. Never used a Blackbird but I have used the AS-D2 for 7 years. Today's Masamune shave was great but I tried to think about the shave itself a bit more and I believe you stated it correctly - the Masamune does have a bit more blade feel and you need to exercise a little more caution vs. flying around with the AS-D2. End result is the same - no irritation, very close shave (Feather blade #2 today). But they really operate very differently even though they get you to the same result - an irritation free BBS shave (my standard as a daily shaver). I am loving the Masamune. While I should never say never, I doubt I'll buy additional plates, stands, handles from Tatara. The basic Masamune does exactly what I'd hoped. If anything, the AS-D2 and Masamune are complimentary to each other. I now have two desert island razors with Feather blades being the choice for each.
I appreciate your enthusiasm! For me though, the stand, bowl, brush, etc. would be pretty pointless as I don't use single razor stands, have a bowl I like already, and the brush would be (talking about the knot) a near duplicate of the Semogue boar I already own (SOC Taj).You must get the matching stands and bowl and brush and cork thing. Omg I wish Feather made those. My spouse is like omg with the stuff.
I understand. I am totally collecting this hobby differently. YMMV. These two razors with their stants are art. I also love the accessories and I don't already own a fancy brush and didn't have a bowl. I think I picked the perfect two razors.I appreciate your enthusiasm! For me though, the stand, bowl, brush, etc. would be pretty pointless as I don't use single razor stands, have a bowl I like already, and the brush would be (talking about the knot) a near duplicate of the Semogue boar I already own (SOC Taj).
I certainly agree with you that both of these razors are nearly perfect. Enjoy!I understand. I am totally collecting this hobby differently. YMMV. These two razors with their stants are art. I also live the accessories. I think I picked the perfect two razors.
I think I picked the perfect two razors.
And just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!I certainly agree with you that both of these razors are nearly perfect.
I hear ya. My brass Yates w/H plate really cooled my RAD…for a minute. Now I’m looking at the Tatara w/Nodachi baseplate, the RazoRock Hawk SS, and a couple of others from Blackland.And just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!