3000S Adjustable Review

[THall]

I first saw glimpses of the 3000S last summer, but the talk died down until it became available in late January of 2019. To make a long story short, instead of getting it in a few weeks from Aliexpress, I ordered from a seller on eBay. Well, after a month, it never arrived, got my money back and got it today from Aliexpress (Under 2 weeks).

The fit and finish are surprising for a $10 razor. Very nice finish. This is the lowest cost razor I’ve ever purchased and never tried one of the Futur clones. Based on my observations, the silo doors, tto bar and handle are brass and the adjustment dial, blade tray and baseplate are Zamac. Zamac isn’t too much of a concern with me unless threads are involved. I think the finish on this razor is more than capable of lasting an extremely long time.

The adjustment is smooth and the numbers are etched. Blade alignment is perfect. The gap is straight all the way from setting 1 until setting 7. After 7, the one side of the baseplate begins to remain stationary as the other side goes down. While at setting 9, it gives the razor the appearance of a slant, more on this below.

For the shave, I didn’t want to cheat and use a sharp, wider blade like Kai so I opted for one of my finicky blades, the Lab Blue. The Lab Blue is perfect in some of my razors, not so much in others. I have mentioned in other threads that I can get a perfectly good, BBS shave using just handsoap when in a hurry. Of course, using my brush and one of my creams/soaps gives a more comfortable shave and overall better experience. So I opted for Softsoap handsoap, no brush.

So for my honest review, I prepared my face with a hot water splash, Softsoap handsoap and loaded a Lab Blue. I gave this thing every disadvantage I could. I decided I was going to start at 7 WTG and XTG then work my way down the dial ATG. I started on my neck and immediately noticed the smoothness of the experience, I also noticed that this razor sings, the audio feedback is terrific. No blade chatter at all.

As I was finishing my neck, I remembered that I intended on giving every disadvantage I could to this razor for the first shave. I dialed it up to setting 9 where the blade gap is uneven and finished WTG, then XTG. Still, it was smooth sailing across the board. I usually dial down ATG with all of my adjustables, especially on my upper lip. This thing was so smooth, even with that uneven gap, so I kept it at 9. My best razor on my upper lip ATG (Comfort) was my Old Type, followed by my my pre-war Tech. This razor is now my best upper lip razor. Although larger than the Old Type, it is small enough that it is very maneuverable under my nose. Easy 3 pass soft BBS.

As far as adjustables, I own a Super 84, Fatboy, Slim, Variant and Rex. My Super 84 is my best adjustable all around. YMMV, this razor would be tied with my Super 84 if it weren’t for the blade gap quirk and overall materials used in the manufacturing. The razor has a love it or hate it appearance. It is not a clone but borrows from the Red Dot (Dial and blade tray) and the Futur (Baseplate). The size of the head is more similar to a Gillette and it feels just a little heavier than my Slim.

Next shave, I’m going to keep it at 7 where the gap is still straight, throw in a Kai and use my brush and favorite cream. I want to see if I can get the results I got today in 2 passes. Nice razor for 10 bucks.

 

[ajkel64]

Thanks for the review. I was watching one of these razors on eBay but then all of a sudden the seller had sold out. They have gotten popular all of a sudden.

 

[Chadjaja]

Thank you. I've held off for now but had good results from other cheap razors like the qshave and baili 131 etc. Little risk apart from dodgey sellers.

I really don't need this but...

 

[THall]

I think I know what is causing the gap issue in settings 7 to 9. I took some more pictures. Just above the adjustment dial above the star in picture 1, you will see a small notch. This notch isn’t on the other side in picture 2. In the other pictures at setting 9, you can see that the notch stops the dial from moving further but on the other side, the adjustment still goes up, causing the gap difference. I think the notch was designed to make it stop at 9 but it is also affects the gap. The shave quality is still great even with the gap differences on one side with settings 7 to 9 but I think the gap would be even if I decided to file down that notch. I probably won’t, but that would probably even the gap at the most aggressive settings.

 

[THall]

I wanted to add that I found that it is best to loosen the tto when making adjustments. Also, this thing has a similar quarter turn to the vintage Gillettes, love that.

 

[Grundi]

Great review, observations, and pics, @THall. I'm with the others, been watching this razor and eating up any review that is posted, trying to decide to get one or not.

 

[BigJ]

Excellent review!! Thanks!

 

[THall]

Broke out the brush, Palmolive cream and Kai blade today. Set it and kept it at level 6. Another nice and smooth BBS. Really do think 6 is best for me and don’t have to go to 7 and beyond. Still a 3 pass shave, which is fine.

It is more angle dependent than my other adjustables. It is kind of like a vintage, if you don’t hit the right angle, it won’t work for you. The angle isn’t hard to find and when you do, everything is very smooth.

I wouldn’t recommend this to someone new to DE, I think it is more for people that don’t have trouble getting a great shave or BBS with most razors. I don’t think it is for those wanting the most aggressive razor out there either. It is very comfortable and fun to shave with. You’re not going to cut yourself up with this razor. It is also great on the upper lip and chin areas.

 

[dmshaver]

After reading your review, I may be ordering one. Thank you!

 

[cyberdog]

Could the razor be assembled 180 degrees off on the tray or adjustment knob? - There was another razor, maybe the 2000s, where the gaps were mixed up, and the fix was to take it apart and re-assemble it rotated 180 degrees. Just don't recall if it was the 2000s or the some other Chinese razor, maybe the Vic-Shaving Futur clone if not the MingShi.

Might explain the try assembly hitting that notch, and in one review a VERY mild shave until you got to 4-5 on the dial. Just a thought, if it's even possible to take apart.

 

[Ricksplace]

Nice review. Echos my experience with it. My razor has the same alignment issue at setting 8 and 9. On post #4, you mention the "teat" under the adjustment dial as causing the alignment issues at settings 8 and 9, so I removed it on mine. Et voila! The dial moves smoothly through past 9 until it stops at the star (where a number 10 would be), with no alignment issues. I used a dremel with a thin cutting disk. A thin needle file would work well too. I did not disassemble the razor.
I only used mine on 7 since I was uncomfortable with the alignment issues at 8 and 9. I still found it mild on 7. I'll have to give it another go at the higher settings.

 

[THall]

Nice review. Echos my experience with it. My razor has the same alignment issue at setting 8 and 9. On post #4, you mention the "teat" under the adjustment dial as causing the alignment issues at settings 8 and 9, so I removed it on mine. Et voila! The dial moves smoothly through past 9 until it stops at the star (where a number 10 would be), with no alignment issues. I used a dremel with a thin cutting disk. A thin needle file would work well too. I did not disassemble the razor.
I only used mine on 7 since I was uncomfortable with the alignment issues at 8 and 9. I still found it mild on 7. I'll have to give it another go at the higher settings.

Thanks for trying that! I had a feeling. I get why they did it but it just wasn’t executed well. I might give it a go, although 6 or 7 is good, I’m interested in seeing what the shave would be like opened up like that.

 

[THall]

For any gap issues, I fixed it easily. I figured out partial disassembly. Kind of neat actually and you can get a little more out of gap. Can also do for detailed clean if so inclined. See picks starting with step 2.

Step 1. Turn dial to 9.

Step 2. Open TTO all the way and press doors fully downward all the way. You will feel a slight tension in spring.

Step 3. While holding down doors, turn the middle of the handle and you will hear it click.

Step 4. Let go of doors and the whole TTO assembly completely comes up exposing the spring.

Step 5. You can turn the spring any number of ways, including with tweezers I suppose. I just used a mini craft brush and turned the head. Tweezers probably much easier. Turn the spring slightly. I can’t tell you how far, depends on your razor, you’ll have to do it a few times. If your gap is off like mine, you may have noticed one side of the baseplate is tighter than the other if you squeezed it against the blade tray with your fingers when assembled. It’s good when they are both equal.

Step 6. Reassembly. Keeping dial at 9, and with the blade tray and baseplate lined up, slowly tighten TTO and check the gap as it goes up. If the gap if slightly off, just squeeze one side of the baseplate with the blade tray as you go up, it clicks up and down, this straightens the spring on way up. Do this until the baseplate meets the blade tray and everything is tight and straight. Lastly, once TTO is tight, turn the middle handle portion back and it will click back. Done. Very straight.

I played with the dial also and it unscrewed all the way to bottom of the threads. I think that involves final disassembly. Don’t let my rambling fool you, it takes a minute to do. 10 dollar razor has perfect gap now.

Hope this helps!

 

[THall]

Pics. Pretty easy actually and the gap at 9 looks even bigger.

 

[Ricksplace]

Thank you for the pics and detailed instructions. I tried another shave after removing the notch, starting at 8 and dialing it up to 9 and 10 (or the little star on the dial). I finally settled on 8.5 that works for me, but it was still very smooth at 10. I find it a very mild and forgiving razor with a scary looking blade gap. The angle and the audio feedback remind me of its older sibling, the ming shi 2000. It's a keeper for me, but I probably won't use it as much as my vintage gear.

 

[THall]

Thank you for the pics and detailed instructions. I tried another shave after removing the notch, starting at 8 and dialing it up to 9 and 10 (or the little star on the dial). I finally settled on 8.5 that works for me, but it was still very smooth at 10. I find it a very mild and forgiving razor with a scary looking blade gap. The angle and the audio feedback remind me of its older sibling, the ming shi 2000. It's a keeper for me, but I probably won't use it as much as my vintage gear.

Did you put anything over the piece you removed (Zamac), like a nail polish? I’m getting some Protectaclear for a brass Old Type project and might wait for that before trying the removal.

 

[THall]

Shaved with it again this morning after the adjustment and it was terrific. Got a 2 pass BBS WTG and ATG. Still smooth. I think turning the spring opened it up a bit more also.

Final thoughts are that for the cost, it is more than worth it. As far as QC, I’ve heard similar gap issues exist with the clones that require spring adjustment. That is not forgiving them but I was able to correct that. The finish, as I already mentioned is more than adequate. Personally, if I was sitting at a table with them in China, I’d tell them to forget the chrome and go with a ceramic or gun kote type of finish. This thing would look amazing in black. The chrome is fine but the areas of Zamac versus brass are easily seen. I’d also dump the rings on the handle.

Proper QC with spring placement, a color like black, lose the handle rings and keep it under $20 and it would scare a lot of competition I think.

Happy shaves!

 

[yapyisoon]

I ordered mine some time ago and forgot all about it. Had a nice surprise when it arrived a few days ago. The finish was overall better than I expected. Thanks to this thread, I promptly removed (with a dremel) the notch since I noticed the gap was off. Adjusted the spring too but can't tell if it made any difference. Blade seems to sit fine with consistent exposure.

With a fresh Silver Star for a blade, my first shave was at 7-9, couldn't get a BBS and compensated with more pressure - not a good result.

Second shave with half a day's growth, usually a very bad idea for me. Set it all the way to max or "11" (after the mod, mine goes all the way past 9, the asterisk and back to "1" hahaha) and had one of the best BBS shaves ever. It was very smooth and comfortable but efficient. Feedback was excellent, I could feel it cutting every whisker via my fingers. Feels smoother than a Razorock Hawk, Baby Smooth and even a Superspeed but way more efficient. Best part is that there was no irritation and didn't feel like I needed aftershave balm. Surprising considering the closeness of the shave.

I'm a bit confused with this razor. Wasn't expecting this outcome. Superspeed comfort with the efficiency of a single edge. Will keep on using it and see. There's nothing special about it but the result was.

 

[THall]

I’ve been busy with a recent acquisition, but really have to take that notch off and give it a shot. I think my Lab Blue was a good blade to use for me with this razor. I was still able to get BBS with it without the notch removal though.

The thing is great on the upper lip and chin isn’t it? I mentioned this before but this 10 buck razor ties with my Old Type for the best upper lip shaver out of my whole rotation. The baseplate really helps keep things smooth. I hate saying a razor is smooth, this is usually attributable to blade choice, but this razor is very smooth.

My new acquisition, the Vikings Blade Emperor Augustus has a very similar adjustment but the build quality and materials are vastly superior with the VB. Still, the 3000S costs only 10 bucks.

 

[Flintlock]

Great job THall
I’m Digging this Razor

Anthony