Item Description
When I first contacted Robert about making a custom razor, it was after seeing the giraffe bone razor that Joel reviewed. I knew instantly that I wanted one, but I wasn't sure about what I would like to see as a final result. Then, after the long waiting period, I got a call from Robert asking me if I was ready for him to start. Luckily, I had significantly more experience from which to draw, and I told him that I wanted him my preferences (giraffe bone scales in greens and blues, monkey tail, spine work, jimps, and either a spanish or french point - basically I told him to incorporate these features in whatever way he thought would be best in terms of function and aesthetics)
Before I get into the review proper, let me just say that I couldn't be happier with my interaction with Robert, the quality of the end result, or with the value represented here. Additionally, I am not a big fan of hyperbole. I rarely give really high marks for products, and I have had this a week before posting the review. I would have waited longer, but this has been so fantastic that I really wanted to share.
Here are a couple of pics to start:
These were both taken by Robert and posted on his site
Price: This razor cost my $495 including shipping, a case, and a wrench for the adjustable pin. Considering Robert forges his own steel with a proprietary recipe, I'd say that it's hard to imagine a better value. This is especially true when considering the cost of some of the production razors on the market today.
Craftsmanship: I love almost everything about this razor with one exception (which I'll get to in a moment).
- The blade: It came with a beautiful mirror finish without flaw, with fantastic spine work. The jimps are a bit uneven on the top in terms of spacing. The jimps on the bottom were perfect. After studying it, I have not been able to conclude whether the uneven spacing on top was by design or not. Here's why: I told him that I like geometric shapes, but I wanted everything to incorporate the natural elements found in nature. Since nothing is perfectly symmetrical in nature, I feel like he may have made the jimps like this by design. Either way, I gave a 9 out of 10 because of it. I feel like the overall look of it is stunning. The "Elite French" tip is easily my favorite tip now, and it took an edge perfectly.
Grind Symmetry
Beautiful Mirror Finish
Gorgeous Scales
Spine work
Here's some pics of the jimps for you to decide for yourself
I noticed that the jimps were hard to polish
- The scales: I absolutely love the giraffe bone scales. In fact, I think they may be my favorite scale material now. They feel great, and they took the dye wonderfully. Because of the nature of the bone, it's not possible to get the scales to take the dye the same way every time, which I think adds a really cool, organic look.
- The pins: Adjustable pins with a torx wrench supplied. I'm pleased, and the aesthetics are neither helped nor hurt by them, in my opinion.
Easy to sharpen: I'm taking Robert's word on this, but he said it was very easy to sharpen, and I can attest to the fact that it takes a wonderful edge. In fact, it came to me as easily my best shaver.
Lasting Edge: I've given this an N/A because I haven't had it long enough to give a fair judgment to it. However, Robert has assured me that his other customers have been giving him tremendous feedback specific to blade stability and a lasting edge.
Shaving Smoothness:
This was the most incredible part of the razor. I loved the aesthetics, but I was wondering what the shave would be like considering the size and heft. And to be quite honest, I was concerned about that Elite French Tip. This razor easily provided my smoothest shave to date. I had no trouble on any spot of my face, and there wasn't even a hint of sting or irritation. The blade is super sharp and super smooth. There is nothing negative to say about it.
A lot of this can be attributed to the fact that this 8/8 1/4 hollow Beast is perfectly balanced. I could not get over how nimbly I was able to maneuver the razor, and I found that the extended edge on this oblique tip allowed me to reach areas that had previously been more challenging. Even while stropping, the feel of this razor in my hand couldn't be better.
Easy to Maintain:
I am giving this a 10 because of the ease of stropping that I mentioned above as well as the fact that I've not noticed any drop off in edge performance to date. Additionally, I could be biased by my respect for Robert and his relaying the experience of his other customers to me specific to edge maintenance.
In conclusion: This has easily become my favorite razor, and I would recommend working with Robert to anyone who is inclined to commission a custom razor. In fact, I'm already back on the list
Please discuss this review Here
Before I get into the review proper, let me just say that I couldn't be happier with my interaction with Robert, the quality of the end result, or with the value represented here. Additionally, I am not a big fan of hyperbole. I rarely give really high marks for products, and I have had this a week before posting the review. I would have waited longer, but this has been so fantastic that I really wanted to share.
Here are a couple of pics to start:
These were both taken by Robert and posted on his site
Price: This razor cost my $495 including shipping, a case, and a wrench for the adjustable pin. Considering Robert forges his own steel with a proprietary recipe, I'd say that it's hard to imagine a better value. This is especially true when considering the cost of some of the production razors on the market today.
Craftsmanship: I love almost everything about this razor with one exception (which I'll get to in a moment).
- The blade: It came with a beautiful mirror finish without flaw, with fantastic spine work. The jimps are a bit uneven on the top in terms of spacing. The jimps on the bottom were perfect. After studying it, I have not been able to conclude whether the uneven spacing on top was by design or not. Here's why: I told him that I like geometric shapes, but I wanted everything to incorporate the natural elements found in nature. Since nothing is perfectly symmetrical in nature, I feel like he may have made the jimps like this by design. Either way, I gave a 9 out of 10 because of it. I feel like the overall look of it is stunning. The "Elite French" tip is easily my favorite tip now, and it took an edge perfectly.
Grind Symmetry
Beautiful Mirror Finish
Gorgeous Scales
Spine work
Here's some pics of the jimps for you to decide for yourself
I noticed that the jimps were hard to polish
- The scales: I absolutely love the giraffe bone scales. In fact, I think they may be my favorite scale material now. They feel great, and they took the dye wonderfully. Because of the nature of the bone, it's not possible to get the scales to take the dye the same way every time, which I think adds a really cool, organic look.
- The pins: Adjustable pins with a torx wrench supplied. I'm pleased, and the aesthetics are neither helped nor hurt by them, in my opinion.
Easy to sharpen: I'm taking Robert's word on this, but he said it was very easy to sharpen, and I can attest to the fact that it takes a wonderful edge. In fact, it came to me as easily my best shaver.
Lasting Edge: I've given this an N/A because I haven't had it long enough to give a fair judgment to it. However, Robert has assured me that his other customers have been giving him tremendous feedback specific to blade stability and a lasting edge.
Shaving Smoothness:
This was the most incredible part of the razor. I loved the aesthetics, but I was wondering what the shave would be like considering the size and heft. And to be quite honest, I was concerned about that Elite French Tip. This razor easily provided my smoothest shave to date. I had no trouble on any spot of my face, and there wasn't even a hint of sting or irritation. The blade is super sharp and super smooth. There is nothing negative to say about it.
A lot of this can be attributed to the fact that this 8/8 1/4 hollow Beast is perfectly balanced. I could not get over how nimbly I was able to maneuver the razor, and I found that the extended edge on this oblique tip allowed me to reach areas that had previously been more challenging. Even while stropping, the feel of this razor in my hand couldn't be better.
Easy to Maintain:
I am giving this a 10 because of the ease of stropping that I mentioned above as well as the fact that I've not noticed any drop off in edge performance to date. Additionally, I could be biased by my respect for Robert and his relaying the experience of his other customers to me specific to edge maintenance.
In conclusion: This has easily become my favorite razor, and I would recommend working with Robert to anyone who is inclined to commission a custom razor. In fact, I'm already back on the list
Please discuss this review Here
