I purchased an Occam's Razor original version that holds Feather Artist Club (AC) blades from Classic Shaving. It's priced today for the plain stainless version at $49 plus shipping. There also may be a 20% coupon available, which for me basically offset the shipping. So, call it $50 delivered to me in Arizona. There are some other finishes gold, rose gold, and black, but I tend to go for basic models, provided function is the same. This review is after two weeks of solid use of the razor; my take on it may change over time and if my opinion changes much, I'll be sure to post an update. I also had blades, so I didn't buy any blades. If you add a pack of blades, it's $15.50 for a pack of Feather Pros. With the 20% off that's not bad, but
The razor is at this link (checked 3/24/21): Occam’s Razor - Single Edge Safety Razor - https://www.classicshaving.com/collections/occams-razor/products/occams-razor. They do make an O.R.E.N. version that has a hollowed out handle and some difference in the depth of the safety guide. I haven't tried the O.R.E.N variation, so my comments relate only to the one in hand.
Basic description: This is a 316 stainless steel, machined razor, that has two basic parts: 1- a top piece and 2- a combination bottom piece and handle. The razor is held together by two small screws. The example I received had no cosmetic flaws. The razor came with three top pieces denoted with one, two or three dots for varying aggressiveness, a blade changing tool, and some paperwork. The two-dot mid-level top piece came installed on mine. To change the top piece the two little screws must be removed and then with the top piece chosen screwed in again. The blade is held in place by two little nubs that protrude from the top piece that fit inside the outer holes of the Feather AC blade. There is also a slot that is formed between the two parts of the razor when attached that the blade slides into.
Why did I purchase Occam's Razor? Simple curiosity- the sort of floating nature of how the blade is held IMO is both clever and intrigued me. Most DE and SE razors holders keep the blade pretty much firmly in place either through the use of pressure, a clamp, or spring of some sort. This razor only holds the blade in place with the two little nubs protruding down from the top piece and importantly within the slot formed by the two screwed together parts. This allows the blade a small amount of float, or travel, as you're shaving.
Also, I have a Cobra Classic razor, also for AC blades, designed by these folks, and it has given me wonderful service. Cobra Classic razors are far more expensive. My Cobra holds the blade in place with a spring pushing up into the bottom plate, so different than this razor. Plus, I figured spending $50 for a 316 stainless, machined razor, that has an unique blade holding system was worth a try.
Pros- Price for what you get is terrific- three top pieces to vary aggression, stainless steel, a tool for changing blades, a pair of extra screws, and in a nice box.
The biggest pro is the shave. I've had really great shaves with the Occam's razor, almost all of them 9s or 10s- out of 10. Smooth, close and mostly wonderful. I had an off shave with Tabac yesterday, but that may just have been me having an off day, or making a poor lather; that shave was still an 8/10. I find when using this razor the bit of float in the blade seems to help me get closer with my XTG and ATG passes with less effort than using the same blade in Feather AC straight holders. Auditory feedback is good. The razor is simple to clean and rinses clean easily under the tap. Overall, this is a really fine razor and gives a wonderful shave with one caveat that I'll discuss below under cons.
Cons- All of these are picky except for the last one- the razor is a little wider than other AC handled holders, but not wider than a straight razor; the blade changing tool has sat in the box and I haven't used it- my fingers work fine; the razor came with no blades, not even a sample blade to try; the top pieces have to be unscrewed and re-screwed to change. As I said, picky points and not important.
Here's the caveat- the only real con I found is that at least some AC blades may not work properly. Feather Pros work great. In fact, I have gotten some the best shaves ever with a Feather Pro using this razor. I think the guarded Feathers and Pro Supers will also work, as they are sold with the razor as options. The outside holes in the Feather Pro blade and the nubs on the razor line up perfectly. However, Schick Prolines P-30 AC blades did not fit properly in my razor. I tried the Proline blades on each of the three top pieces and they all were the same. The holes on the Proline cause the blade to not lay flat on the little nubs. Try as I might, and with a few different Proline blades, I couldn't get the Proline to sit flush- the blades bowed a bit. I had tried a Proline in the razor one of my early uses and it felt way off. So I swapped it to the Feather Pro and have stayed with those. It seems the nubs on the razor are designed and machined to fit Feather blades and the tolerances are such that only Feather blades fit. I have to say this is a bummer, as I generally find the Prolines the smoothest AC blades for many of my holders and was excited to get a Proline shave from this razor. I think maybe with some time and a bit of filing of the blade holes I'll get one to fit, but it's still a big con to me. I'm also not sure whether other AC blades, like Kai Titan Mild or the Protouch MG will fit.
I tried to get a photo of the issue, but with my mobile I just can't get close enough for it to show up well. Oh, here's a pic of the razor in the box with all the accoutrements including two packs of my Feather Pros.
I remember if there's no picture on B&B it doesn't count. Thanks for reading.
The razor is at this link (checked 3/24/21): Occam’s Razor - Single Edge Safety Razor - https://www.classicshaving.com/collections/occams-razor/products/occams-razor. They do make an O.R.E.N. version that has a hollowed out handle and some difference in the depth of the safety guide. I haven't tried the O.R.E.N variation, so my comments relate only to the one in hand.
Basic description: This is a 316 stainless steel, machined razor, that has two basic parts: 1- a top piece and 2- a combination bottom piece and handle. The razor is held together by two small screws. The example I received had no cosmetic flaws. The razor came with three top pieces denoted with one, two or three dots for varying aggressiveness, a blade changing tool, and some paperwork. The two-dot mid-level top piece came installed on mine. To change the top piece the two little screws must be removed and then with the top piece chosen screwed in again. The blade is held in place by two little nubs that protrude from the top piece that fit inside the outer holes of the Feather AC blade. There is also a slot that is formed between the two parts of the razor when attached that the blade slides into.
Why did I purchase Occam's Razor? Simple curiosity- the sort of floating nature of how the blade is held IMO is both clever and intrigued me. Most DE and SE razors holders keep the blade pretty much firmly in place either through the use of pressure, a clamp, or spring of some sort. This razor only holds the blade in place with the two little nubs protruding down from the top piece and importantly within the slot formed by the two screwed together parts. This allows the blade a small amount of float, or travel, as you're shaving.
Also, I have a Cobra Classic razor, also for AC blades, designed by these folks, and it has given me wonderful service. Cobra Classic razors are far more expensive. My Cobra holds the blade in place with a spring pushing up into the bottom plate, so different than this razor. Plus, I figured spending $50 for a 316 stainless, machined razor, that has an unique blade holding system was worth a try.
Pros- Price for what you get is terrific- three top pieces to vary aggression, stainless steel, a tool for changing blades, a pair of extra screws, and in a nice box.
The biggest pro is the shave. I've had really great shaves with the Occam's razor, almost all of them 9s or 10s- out of 10. Smooth, close and mostly wonderful. I had an off shave with Tabac yesterday, but that may just have been me having an off day, or making a poor lather; that shave was still an 8/10. I find when using this razor the bit of float in the blade seems to help me get closer with my XTG and ATG passes with less effort than using the same blade in Feather AC straight holders. Auditory feedback is good. The razor is simple to clean and rinses clean easily under the tap. Overall, this is a really fine razor and gives a wonderful shave with one caveat that I'll discuss below under cons.
Cons- All of these are picky except for the last one- the razor is a little wider than other AC handled holders, but not wider than a straight razor; the blade changing tool has sat in the box and I haven't used it- my fingers work fine; the razor came with no blades, not even a sample blade to try; the top pieces have to be unscrewed and re-screwed to change. As I said, picky points and not important.
Here's the caveat- the only real con I found is that at least some AC blades may not work properly. Feather Pros work great. In fact, I have gotten some the best shaves ever with a Feather Pro using this razor. I think the guarded Feathers and Pro Supers will also work, as they are sold with the razor as options. The outside holes in the Feather Pro blade and the nubs on the razor line up perfectly. However, Schick Prolines P-30 AC blades did not fit properly in my razor. I tried the Proline blades on each of the three top pieces and they all were the same. The holes on the Proline cause the blade to not lay flat on the little nubs. Try as I might, and with a few different Proline blades, I couldn't get the Proline to sit flush- the blades bowed a bit. I had tried a Proline in the razor one of my early uses and it felt way off. So I swapped it to the Feather Pro and have stayed with those. It seems the nubs on the razor are designed and machined to fit Feather blades and the tolerances are such that only Feather blades fit. I have to say this is a bummer, as I generally find the Prolines the smoothest AC blades for many of my holders and was excited to get a Proline shave from this razor. I think maybe with some time and a bit of filing of the blade holes I'll get one to fit, but it's still a big con to me. I'm also not sure whether other AC blades, like Kai Titan Mild or the Protouch MG will fit.
I tried to get a photo of the issue, but with my mobile I just can't get close enough for it to show up well. Oh, here's a pic of the razor in the box with all the accoutrements including two packs of my Feather Pros.
I remember if there's no picture on B&B it doesn't count. Thanks for reading.
. I've been pleasantly surprised.
. Thanks again for pointing out the Proline problem was with the blade not the razor itself.
