I own 2-double open comb razors now, a PAA Copper Ascension Twist, and a Yaqi Mellon Head. I thought it would be fun to do a comparison post, to go over some of the differences.
Just visually looking at both razors, we can see quite a difference here, even though, they look quite similar. Have you figured out which is which yet? OK, the razor on the left side, is the Yaqi Mellon Head, and the razor on the right side, is the PAA Copper Ascension Twist. We can see a substantial difference between the two, in regards to the razor heads. The Yaqi has a much thinner head, and doesn't have an aggressive arch to it. The Yaqi will also have a little bit of blade overhang as well, which I am not a fan of. The head on the PAA Copper Ascension, is much thicker, and has a more aggressive arch to it, and doesn't suffer from exposed blade overhang.
You can tell that the handle on the Yaqi Mellon Head, is slightly thinner, but the handle is inferior, because it doesn't have a quality knurling, and is far too smooth, which allows fingers to slip when soapy. The handle on the PAA Copper Ascension, is slightly thicker, and has a much better quality knurling, which provides superior grip, plus the styling of the handle is much better too.
The Yaqi Mellon Head razor is a 3-piece design, made out of Zinc Alloy for the head, Brass for the handle, and is 95mm long. Rose gold finish.
The PAA Copper Ascension is also a 3-piece design, made out of tellurium copper, with a rose gold electroplate coating, polished finish, and is also 95mm long.
It is clear that we have already established, that PAA's Copper Ascension, is the superior razor in regards to material makeup. You can buy a Yaqi Mellon Head razor for around $30.00 US dollars. Where as the PAA Copper Ascension will cost you $110.00 US dollars. So its clear that the cheaper razor in cost, is also the Yaqi Mellon Head, and would be far easier for most folks to acquire one. So the next question you might have is, so why would I pay a heck of a lot more for the PAA razor?
First, you might want a higher quality built razor, something that will last an entire lifetime, perhaps more, so you can pass the razor down to your kids perhaps? Well, if you want something that lasts, better go with the PAA razor. Another factor, is the technology built into the PAA razor. Notice how the razor has much more of an arch to it, in regards to the head design? Do you know why? This was made to put extra tension force on the blade, to act as a tension spring. Why would they do that you ask?
The full name of the razor is PAA Copper Ascension Twist Adjustable. Key word is on the "adjustable." Because of the extra tension applied to the razor blade, due to the arch design, it effectively allows you to alter the blade gap aggression, by loosening the handle, to make the razor more aggressive, without causing blade chatter. The razor is adjustable between 1/8 turn out, to a whole 1/2 turn out. But you don't want to exceed 1/2 turn out for safety.
The Yaqi Mellon Head, does not have the extreme arch in the head, required to apply proper tension on the blade, to allow for loosening up the handle for adjustment. To do so on the Yaqi, would invite blade chatter, which will cause severe irritation to your skin, and or cause razor cuts, and possible weepers, so please don't do it!
I have shaved with both of these razors, here are my findings. The Yaqi Mellon head was fairly easy to use, loading up a blade, no different then any other 3-piece razor. I wasn't a fan of the blade overhang though, but I've seen worse. While the razor appeared to glide relatively smooth on my skin, it was extremely mild! With no way to adjust it, I was forced to shave with this mild razor, until the shave was done. I am somebody who likes to have BBS shaves, and this razor took an eternity to get there. By the time the shave was done, I had a couple of nicks, and I also had irritation.
Please note, that the Yaqi Mellon head razor's extreme mildness, might work for somebody who has thin soft whiskers, so don't count it completely out quite yet. But, if you have course thick whiskers like I do, your going to want something more aggressive.
The PAA Copper Ascension, is a fine piece of engineering IMO. I just had my first shave with it today, and I pinned it up against 7-day whisker growth, and this razor didn't even flinch! Loading the blade is the same process for any 3-piece razor. Unlike the Yaqi, this razor has no blade overhang, which is a major plus in my book. This razor's adjustabillity, allowed me to make the razor more aggressive, with the handle loosened to 1/2 turned out from fully seated, which took down the 7-day whiskers in the WTG passes. I tightened the handle to only 1/4 out from fully seated, when I did my XTG passes. Then I fully had the handle seated for the most mild shave, when I did my ATG passes.
Final result?
The PAA Copper Ascension Twist Adjustable razor, provided me literally the best shave that I ever had, in my entire life! It provided the most efficient, and the most smoothest worry free shave. I had 0-nicks, 0-weepers, and 0-irritation. I achieved a complete 100% BBS shave, and my face thanked me for finally removing the 7-day whiskers I was building up for razor testing. In my experience, the Yaqi Mellon Head wasn't able to give me a comfortable smooth shave. It technically got the job done yes, but it was inefficient, missing whiskers consistently, causing nicks and irritation. Is the Yaqi $30 dollar razor worth it to me? Nope! Would I love to sell it? YEP! Is the PAA $110 worth it to me? YEP! Would I ever sell it? NOPE!
What about you folks? Have any of you used both of these razors, and if so, what conclusions did you come up with?
PAA Copper Ascension Twist VS Yaqi Mellon Head - Lets Go!!!
Can you tell which one is which?
Can you tell which one is which?
Just visually looking at both razors, we can see quite a difference here, even though, they look quite similar. Have you figured out which is which yet? OK, the razor on the left side, is the Yaqi Mellon Head, and the razor on the right side, is the PAA Copper Ascension Twist. We can see a substantial difference between the two, in regards to the razor heads. The Yaqi has a much thinner head, and doesn't have an aggressive arch to it. The Yaqi will also have a little bit of blade overhang as well, which I am not a fan of. The head on the PAA Copper Ascension, is much thicker, and has a more aggressive arch to it, and doesn't suffer from exposed blade overhang.
You can tell that the handle on the Yaqi Mellon Head, is slightly thinner, but the handle is inferior, because it doesn't have a quality knurling, and is far too smooth, which allows fingers to slip when soapy. The handle on the PAA Copper Ascension, is slightly thicker, and has a much better quality knurling, which provides superior grip, plus the styling of the handle is much better too.
The Yaqi Mellon Head razor is a 3-piece design, made out of Zinc Alloy for the head, Brass for the handle, and is 95mm long. Rose gold finish.
The PAA Copper Ascension is also a 3-piece design, made out of tellurium copper, with a rose gold electroplate coating, polished finish, and is also 95mm long.
It is clear that we have already established, that PAA's Copper Ascension, is the superior razor in regards to material makeup. You can buy a Yaqi Mellon Head razor for around $30.00 US dollars. Where as the PAA Copper Ascension will cost you $110.00 US dollars. So its clear that the cheaper razor in cost, is also the Yaqi Mellon Head, and would be far easier for most folks to acquire one. So the next question you might have is, so why would I pay a heck of a lot more for the PAA razor?
First, you might want a higher quality built razor, something that will last an entire lifetime, perhaps more, so you can pass the razor down to your kids perhaps? Well, if you want something that lasts, better go with the PAA razor. Another factor, is the technology built into the PAA razor. Notice how the razor has much more of an arch to it, in regards to the head design? Do you know why? This was made to put extra tension force on the blade, to act as a tension spring. Why would they do that you ask?
The full name of the razor is PAA Copper Ascension Twist Adjustable. Key word is on the "adjustable." Because of the extra tension applied to the razor blade, due to the arch design, it effectively allows you to alter the blade gap aggression, by loosening the handle, to make the razor more aggressive, without causing blade chatter. The razor is adjustable between 1/8 turn out, to a whole 1/2 turn out. But you don't want to exceed 1/2 turn out for safety.
The Yaqi Mellon Head, does not have the extreme arch in the head, required to apply proper tension on the blade, to allow for loosening up the handle for adjustment. To do so on the Yaqi, would invite blade chatter, which will cause severe irritation to your skin, and or cause razor cuts, and possible weepers, so please don't do it!
I have shaved with both of these razors, here are my findings. The Yaqi Mellon head was fairly easy to use, loading up a blade, no different then any other 3-piece razor. I wasn't a fan of the blade overhang though, but I've seen worse. While the razor appeared to glide relatively smooth on my skin, it was extremely mild! With no way to adjust it, I was forced to shave with this mild razor, until the shave was done. I am somebody who likes to have BBS shaves, and this razor took an eternity to get there. By the time the shave was done, I had a couple of nicks, and I also had irritation.
Please note, that the Yaqi Mellon head razor's extreme mildness, might work for somebody who has thin soft whiskers, so don't count it completely out quite yet. But, if you have course thick whiskers like I do, your going to want something more aggressive.
The PAA Copper Ascension, is a fine piece of engineering IMO. I just had my first shave with it today, and I pinned it up against 7-day whisker growth, and this razor didn't even flinch! Loading the blade is the same process for any 3-piece razor. Unlike the Yaqi, this razor has no blade overhang, which is a major plus in my book. This razor's adjustabillity, allowed me to make the razor more aggressive, with the handle loosened to 1/2 turned out from fully seated, which took down the 7-day whiskers in the WTG passes. I tightened the handle to only 1/4 out from fully seated, when I did my XTG passes. Then I fully had the handle seated for the most mild shave, when I did my ATG passes.
Final result?
The PAA Copper Ascension Twist Adjustable razor, provided me literally the best shave that I ever had, in my entire life! It provided the most efficient, and the most smoothest worry free shave. I had 0-nicks, 0-weepers, and 0-irritation. I achieved a complete 100% BBS shave, and my face thanked me for finally removing the 7-day whiskers I was building up for razor testing. In my experience, the Yaqi Mellon Head wasn't able to give me a comfortable smooth shave. It technically got the job done yes, but it was inefficient, missing whiskers consistently, causing nicks and irritation. Is the Yaqi $30 dollar razor worth it to me? Nope! Would I love to sell it? YEP! Is the PAA $110 worth it to me? YEP! Would I ever sell it? NOPE!
What about you folks? Have any of you used both of these razors, and if so, what conclusions did you come up with?