Blackland blackbird TI is on top of my which list
That sounds goodI have the Timeless .68 (not .95).
I will probably stick with the Wolfman .95 preorder (or whatever it’s called). I’m a daily shaver with sensitive skin, so I would rather err on the side of caution. I’m sure it’s going to be more efficient than the Timeless. Thanks for your help!
Don’t worry — the Hybrid Tech shaves ‘like buttah’ each and every shave. It’s not an efficiency monster, but nothing will be smoother.So hard to whittle down...
Gillette New SC - definitely way up there, smooth, efficient, elegant... Very hard to top.
Razorock Mamba 70 - smooth, efficient, I like the stainless... Probably the single razor I have the most shaves on, just works and works easily for me.
The new challenger may take it, time will tell...
Tech/New Hybrid - very rare, looks so elegant. Only one shave on it, but it was something special for that one shave, if it can keep that up it'll be taking the grail title easily.
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Don’t worry — the Hybrid Tech shaves ‘like buttah’ each and every shave. It’s not an efficiency monster, but nothing will be smoother.
I can find nothing not to like about the Timeless but somehow I kept looking.
I watched the Wolfman site daily for drops but always missed and then I purchased a Janus LE and waited many months through the production process. The Janus prototype seemed to give me everything from a very smooth comfortable shave all the way through to a very efficient shave that was said to be butter smooth, and it was designed as a stainless steel Toggle. Unfortunately the engineer/manufacturer listened to the wrong people and changed the highly rated prototype to a highly aggressive, rough shaver that I could not use and be happy with.
After returning the Janus I realized how important a 30 day trial period was before spending a large sum on a razor. Wolfman now had a waiting list but with no ability to speak to the producer, numerous gap choices and no ability for a manufacturer refund if I chose wrong, a Wolfman was no longer desired by me. No doubt if I chose the right gap I would have gotten a good razor but not necessarily a razor that was great for me.
Because the $500 refund from the Janus was burning a hole in my pocket, I called Shane at Blackland to discuss his razors and his soon to be released Tradere. After learning of how the Timeless was my favorite he recommended the Tradere and also mentioned a down the road (and now sold out twice Titanium Blackbird). Assured of the satisfaction guarantee I purchased the Tradere and waited for production to complete.
The Tradere is a different razor, first it holds the blade flat but securely, next it is heavy and it also has a fairly long handle. Finding the angle took me some time and I originally settled on a somewhat shallow angle but then migrated to a steep angle which I like even more. The next comments are for me and ymmv but the shave is more efficient than that of the Timeless at a cost of slightly more blade feel. The weight and tendency to choke up too far on the handle had to be overcome and because of that I would recommend 10 to 20 shaves to give it a fair test. For me at around the 12th shave I knew I had a new everyday razor.
My advice is to call Shane and get his thoughts after you tell him what you like and if it looks like a fit, buy it with the assurance that you can return it if it does not work out. Your only risk is the postage cost.
What's your holy grail? If you had yo pick ONE to live with, what is it and why?
Toggle. I've nearly tried them all and it gives me the best shave. Its cool design and history are added icing to the cake.
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This one is new to me. How does it perform?I agree. The Toggle has always taken the top spot on my list for comfort and style. I considered it as my grail razor for a long time. No other razor even came close. But then...