Advice on handles needed

[bosseb]

I might have found my Holy Grail razor!

For the last 18 months I have slowly and steadily gravitated towards using only the Feather stainless AS-D1. I have built a razor system by adding Ikon OSS and OC baseplates. This combo blows away my former favorites, the BRW old, NEWS and Tech and my Gillette adjustables. Because of my long time usage of vintage razors I have developed a liking of handles that are exactly 3 inches (75 mm). This has been the only glitch with the Feather; the original handle is too long for my taste.
On a whim I some time ago ordered a Weber Bulldog handle and immediately found it very much more agreeable than the original Feather handle. The knurling is more pronounced and the design is a direct reference to the Gillette Bulldog old type but still very modern. The length is 3 inches and it’s 10% heavier than the Feather. I am undecided on the balance with the head as I have only used it a few weeks. My other option is more straightforward; I could use my favorite Cooncatbob handle, the BM de Luxe in solid bronze with the flared knob. It is perfectly balanced for my hand (it’s made for my hand!!) and it is a nod to a true legend in DE shaving. It would however mean that I split my BRW collection.
Both combos would need a replating, the colors are off on both of them.

So what do the honorable members of this board think? Weber or BRW?

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Sorry for the color balance problem in the pictures! More pictures are at my gallery:
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/browseimages.php?do=member&imageuser=30982 .

PS. The name Ilmarinen in the pictures is a reference to the Eternal Hammerer, blacksmith and inventor in Finnish pre-Christian mythology. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmarinen . I was born and raised in Finland.

 

[Mick]

My feeling is.....

A custom razor is a custom razor, whether it started out as a custom or the user ended up mixing and matching parts to built their own razor that fits their shaving needs using stock parts or custom parts or a combination of stock and custom parts.

The finishing touch would be to plate all of the parts to match.

As much as I enjoy using the custom razors Bob created I think he would understand if you gave his custom creation a new life as a "for me only" custom.

 

[ironfist]

I have a copy of the BRW, called Sabi T1, aka Matador i think.
Anyway its a nice and sturdy handle

 

[taco8slo]

I have a copy of the BRW, called Sabi T1, aka Matador i think.
Anyway its a nice and sturdy handle

That's true, the Sabi T2 and Matador handles very much so resemble the BRW deluxe handles with flare tip, the quality is obviously not on par but the price is definitely right, they are chrome plated brass I believe? Might be another option to get that handle and replate it.

 

[taco8slo]

Here is a comparison shot: Sabi T2 on the left and BRW Bull Mastiff Deluxe (Flare tip) right. The knurling is more pronounced on the Sabi but it isn't the barber pole style like the BRW. Both feel great in the hand.

 

[bosseb]

Thanks for a fast response and thorough investigation. I had no idea of the Sabi handle!
My problem is however more about the feeling and the balance of the razor in my hand. I (with the help of Cooncatbob) have switched to the flare tip from another tip because of the tactile feeling for the razor's balance in my hands. As the handle is made of solid bronze there is no way a copy (or original brass/nickel BRW) would feel and balance the same for me. I really think my choices are limited to the Weber or my BRW! In fact I might decide I don't like the feeling of the Weber and because of that go with the BRW. As has been mentioned in the thread I am convinced that Bob would not mind at all to a replate and use in another context; on the contrary Bob didn't see himself as an evangelist but more like a solution provider. I had the pleasure of working with him on six projects on my behalf. I have besides four razors also two brushes!

 

[taco8slo]

Thanks for a fast response and thorough investigation. I had no idea of the Sabi handle!
My problem is however more about the feeling and the balance of the razor in my hand. I (with the help of Cooncatbob) have switched to the flare tip from another tip because of the tactile feeling for the razor's balance in my hands. As the handle is made of solid bronze there is no way a copy (or original brass/nickel BRW) would feel and balance the same for me. I really think my choices are limited to the Weber or my BRW! In fact I might decide I don't like the feeling of the Weber and because of that go with the BRW. As has been mentioned in the thread I am convinced that Bob would not mind at all to a replate and use in another context; on the contrary Bob didn't see himself as an evangelist but more like a solution provider. I had the pleasure of working with him on six projects on my behalf. I have besides four razors also two brushes!

When you replate, are you going to replate the heads as well, and what metal will you be going to, nickel?

 

[bosseb]

When you replate, are you going to replate the heads as well, and what metal will you be going to, nickel?

I will be going for a full replate. Handle, all three baseplates and the top cap. The color is off between the baseplates (Ikon) and the top cap (Feather) as well as obviously the handles. The Ikon baseplates need a little buffing also, the work is not on par with the Feather parts.
The plating and adjustment of the parts will be carried out by Dave at www.restoredrazors.com . He is the best plater I know of, and he is on my side of the pond in the UK!
I am undecided about the plating, but I think if I go with the Weber it might be in black chrome, the plating if I go with the BRW might be rhodium... might decide to have gold on the flare tip, it is detachable!

 

[taco8slo]

I will be going for a full replate. Handle, all three baseplates and the top cap. The color is off between the baseplates (Ikon) and the top cap (Feather) as well as obviously the handles. The Ikon baseplates need a little buffing also, the work is not on par with the Feather parts.
The plating and adjustment of the parts will be carried out by Dave at www.restoredrazors.com . He is the best plater I know of, and he is on my side of the pond in the UK!
I am undecided about the plating, but I think if I go with the Weber it might be in black chrome, the plating if I go with the BRW might be rhodium... might decide to have gold on the flare tip, it is detachable!

Should come out nice whatever you choose, looking forward to seeing the final results!

 

[taco8slo]

To answer your first question: Weber or BRW?

I would choose the Weber, I feel the Weber makes a better match appearance-wise. Based on your photos, the Weber handle looks great with the Feather/Ikon plates. The BRW always had a more elegant look to me, and looks best with vintage or curvier heads.

 

[Feek]

I must stop coming in here, I want a Weber Bulldog handle on my DE89 head now. Are there any European sellers?

 

[bosseb]

I must stop coming in here, I want a Weber Bulldog handle on my DE89 head now. Are there any European sellers?

Not that I know of, I bought from Weber in the US!

http://weberrazor.hostedbyamazon.com/Weber-Razor-Stainless-Bulldog-Handle/dp/B007OUK5LI

 

[Mick]

Thanks for a fast response and thorough investigation. I had no idea of the Sabi handle!

There are 2 lengths of the Sabi T-1 and shorter T-2

They are priced so low that you could get one of each just to try before you plate and if you find one or the other satisfactory you would then be able to keep your BTW as purchased

My T-1 (If you have a Tabac shave stick you can get an idea of the length)

 

[targa88]

Here is a comparison shot: Sabi T2 on the left and BRW Bull Mastiff Deluxe (Flare tip) right. The knurling is more pronounced on the Sabi but it isn't the barber pole style like the BRW. Both feel great in the hand.

View attachment 323154

Although I like the shape of the Sabi handle (BRW is longer available...unfortunately)..I debate the quality of the plating..do you replate a $20 handle...

 

[Teppanyaki]

I was considering replating mine (Toro Mastiff, same as Sabi), except that it didn't fit my New baseplate . . . now that I can see that BRW has less "sharp" knurling ot looks better to my eye and presumably feels less sharp to the hand.