DE perfection: ATT Titan / Kronus R1

[bmilcs]

Another ATT Titan / Kronus R1 post. It's official. I have found my holy grail razor in the form of the most expensive DE I own to date. It's wonderfully crafted with the most ergonomic feel to it of any razor I've used. My hands aren't small but they aren't big either. My ring finger sits in the small bevel of the handle like a glove and the knurling is ideal. I thought the Weber and iKon Slant handles were as good as it gets but boy I was wrong. The balance is amazing as well.

Typically, I take short quick strokes with a DE, but the R1 allows you to glide over your scalp and face with effortless efficiency. Since you're able to take long strokes, I get BBS results every single shave even in my trouble spots.

I've tried over 40 vintage Gillettes, Gems, Ever Ready razors, Merkur / ikon slants, the Futur, 2011 R41, weber Bulldog, Cobra Classic and more. Nothing lays a finger on this masterfully crafted tool. I am in love and my collection is going to exponentially shrink.

Did I mention its pin system for holding blades in place? It is impossible for them to misalign.

Ahhhhhhh. The sounds of an extremely satisfied wetshaver. If you are thinking about picking up Above the Ties stainless Titan/Kronus R1, let me ease your stress and confirm that it is worth every penny and unlike any other razor I've used. Yes there is a substantial difference and yes I wholeheartedly admire it. Thank you Stan for your fantastic contribution to the traditional way of shaving and offering a 30 day money back guarantee. With that reassurance, I may have never gotten to try it.

Mind you, I'm all about variety. I love vintage razors and appreciate using them as generations before me did as well. However, when you handle this beast, your perspective shifts. You realize this is 2013 and there is a new sheriff in town: An evolved and improved version of past shavers that will suit your daily needs more so than anything else on the market.

PS: While beautiful, the Atlas handle is not my favorite and doesn't do this razor head justice. Trust me and get the longer, grippier Kronus.

End rant!

Edit: Pictures! Below

 

[bmilcs]

Nick Danger - thanks again for pushing me to buy it!

 

[bmilcs]

 

[OMEN]

They do look appealing. Over here I've seen them for £125. If I had the money I'd go for it but after owning four razors I always find myself back to my 34C so I'm not in a hurry.

 

[MaxP]

Congrats on finding "the" razor that suits you. I've used the R1. It is a superb razor.

 

[mistercitizen]

Just recieved one today.... with an R1 and M1 plate. Can't wait for tonight's shave! I'll be trying out the M1 plate first. I've used the R1 with my Atlas handle and it's plenty aggressive for me..... but I'm curious to see if the Kronos handle changes how the R1 plate shaves. Enjoy your's!!

Ben

 

[Kerrplunk]

View attachment 381960

If a razor was a girl. That would be one fine piece of stainless steel.

 

[dfoulk]

I've had the 5 piece Kronos kit for just over a week now and it is without a doubt the best razor I've used and has given the closest shaves I've ever gotten. I was hesitant to spend quite so much on a razor but after using it, it is truly worth the excessive amount I paid for it. Absolutely excellent.

 

[bmilcs]

I've had the 5 piece Kronos kit for just over a week now and it is without a doubt the best razor I've used and has given the closest shaves I've ever gotten. I was hesitant to spend quite so much on a razor but after using it, it is truly worth the excessive amount I paid for it. Absolutely excellent.

Right?!! I thought how great could it be? Paying for quality material but functionally speaking - how different could it be?

Get your credit cards ready!! The OC model is set for release in roughly 2 weeks. Fresh off the press - just talked to Stan!

 

[dfoulk]

Yeah, I wasn't sure it would be that much better. I figured if it wasn't a major improvement then I could use Stan's 30 day return policy. Well it is excellent and Stan's not getting this one back. It's reassuring for me that you like this better than the Cobra. I wanted to try one of those and didn't get the opportunity to do so before buying the ATT setup. I still want to try one but jumped on the Cobra tour shortly before it went missing.

 

[dfoulk]

Bmilcs, what's your favorite blade in the ATT? I've used a Med Prep and a GSB so far and both performed excellent.

 

[dogslife]

I really like my Kronos R1 as well. I have the Atlas in R1 too, and like you I prefer the Kronos handle. I like the look of the Atlas, but prefer the length of the Kronos. I have zero regrets in the purchase of either.

 

[bmilcs]

Bmilcs, what's your favorite blade in the ATT? I've used a Med Prep and a GSB so far and both performed excellent.

So far, I've tested Polsilver for 6 shaves and GSB for 1 tonight. Polsilver was incredible and lasted way longer than other razors I've used. 3 full head and face shaves. GSB was also great. I freakin love this razor!

Despite my very poor experience with my new Duke 3 in best and bad brush burn, I got a BBS head and face. Had anyone else had a bad experience with Simpson best hair? Ouch!

 

[bmilcs]

Yeah, I wasn't sure it would be that much better. I figured if it wasn't a major improvement then I could use Stan's 30 day return policy. Well it is excellent and Stan's not getting this one back. It's reassuring for me that you like this better than the Cobra. I wanted to try one of those and didn't get the opportunity to do so before buying the ATT setup. I still want to try one but jumped on the Cobra tour shortly before it went missing.

I tested my friends Cobra. The tour razor was actually on its way to my house and got stuck at the sorting facility in the senders town. Anyhow, it aggravated my skin more so than any DE or SE I've tried. Injector blades do not work well with my skin and you own the best razor available IMO. So I wouldn't worry about the lost opportunity.

 

[dfoulk]

So far, I've tested Polsilver for 6 shaves and GSB for 1 tonight. Polsilver was incredible and lasted way longer than other razors I've used. 3 full head and face shaves. GSB was also great. I freakin love this razor!

Despite my very poor experience with my new Duke 3 in best and bad brush burn, I got a BBS head and face. Had anyone else had a bad experience with Simpson best hair? Ouch!

Thanks, I have one Polsilver blade that I got from a passaround box to try in it and a couple Gillette Blacks. I'm going to pick up some Voskhov's as well soon and give them a go. Wow, that's a really long time for that Polsilver blade to last.

It's too bad that brush isn't agreeing with you. Those are really nice brushes. I haven't tried a Simpson yet but would like to give one a go some time in the future.

 

[bmilcs]

Thanks, I have one Polsilver blade that I got from a passaround box to try in it and a couple Gillette Blacks. I'm going to pick up some Voskhov's as well soon and give them a go. Wow, that's a really long time for that Polsilver blade to last.

It's too bad that brush isn't agreeing with you. Those are really nice brushes. I haven't tried a Simpson yet but would like to give one a go some time in the future.

SI's are my favorite blade. They're so smooth an sharp. Gillette Silver Blues are really nice. I recommend them as well.

 

[dfoulk]

I tested my friends Cobra. The tour razor was actually on its way to my house and got stuck at the sorting facility in the senders town. Anyhow, it aggravated my skin more so than any DE or SE I've tried. Injector blades do not work well with my skin and you own the best razor available IMO. So I wouldn't worry about the lost opportunity.

Yeah, I'm not worried about it at all. I jumped on the Cobra tour as well, but I'm a bit further down the list. If the razor gets replaced and the Cobra tour continues I'll have to give it a try, if not I won't pursue it any longer. The only reason it stuck with me is because I'd been looking at it before buying the ATT and just couldn't find one in stock. If the Cobra was in stock I might be using that razor now instead.

 

[5bassman]

I received my Atlas a few days ago and likewise I was "wowed" too. In the 3 months I've been wet shaving I've tried around 18 different razors, 3-4 high end and the rest vintage. So far this is my favorite. I have a Feather AS-D2 enroute but it's going to be hard to beat my Atlas. It's pushing me to sale a lot of my other razors.

 

[shawnsel]

I've tried over 40 vintage Gillettes, Gems, Ever Ready razors, Merkur / ikon slants, the Futur, 2011 R41, weber Bulldog, Cobra Classic and more. Nothing lays a finger on this masterfully crafted tool. I am in love and my collection is going to exponentially shrink.

Thank you for sharing this! It's validating of my own purchase to hear someone praise the ATT razors who has experience with so many other razors.

When my wife told me about the ring she wanted for her anniversary gift ... I wanted something nice for me that would also last forever ... and since I'm not a jewelry kind of guy, a razor seemed a good choice. I received my Above The Tie Atlas 5 about two weeks ago. My ATT isn't being returned to Stan either. I agree the ATT is a great razor, and worth its higher price. I'm happy that I found a really excellent razor (system) to call my "anniversary razor".

Ironically, I got into DE shaving primarily to save money over the Gillette Fusion cartridges that I felt were ripping me off. I originally scoffed at the idea of a $300 razor. It will now take an extra year or two for DE shaving to prove itself more frugal than cartridge shaving ... but I'm confident that my ATT will be usable and be used long enough to pay for itself many times over in this manner. Not to mention that I get much better and more enjoyable shaves....


Cheers!
shawnsel

 

[shawnsel]

Bmilcs, what's your favorite blade in the ATT? I've used a Med Prep and a GSB so far and both performed excellent.

Israeli Blues and US Personna Labs have both worked well for me in my ATT, but so far I think the Polisilver and Israeli Reds have been what really shine in my Atlas razor.