Dollars Tree DE - Tech clone?

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

That looks terrible. Either it's a weird blade or that safety bar is warped. It wavers down the entire length, both sides, but especially the right. Is the blade clamped wavy? Scary.

Looks to be stamped crudely out of soft metal. Pass.

I'll stick with my vintage Gillette Techs, most of which were almost that cheap.

I noticed this as well! At first I thought I was just seeing things, it couldn't be that bad! But then I kept looking at the pics, and I was like, nope, it really is like that. And look at that bad metal too, the top cap is not even smooth, there's burrs everywhere!

But its only what a 1.20 dollar razor, so you get what you pay for, and to be truly honest, its amazing what you do get for 1.20! But ya, I think I will stick with my more expensive razors. But I am glad that someone here took one for the team, so that way we all get to know.

 

[nemo]

But its only what a 1.20 dollar razor, so you get what you pay for, and to be truly honest, its amazing what you do get for 1.20!

True. If you know what you're doing it's possible to shave with one in a pinch.

My problem with this junk is that a prospective new DE shaver is trying one out as a remedy for all the high-priced multi-blade alternatives and says "Whoa, this stinks", gives up and never gets the chance to try one of our nice smooth units.

Oh, well. One can hope maybe that guy will google something and end up on B&B.

 

[NoahYoung860]

I've been in my Dollar Tree several times, never have I ever seen a DE razor for sale. But then again, the last time I was in a Dollar Tree was probably 3-years ago, so could be a new thing they are selling now. It will be interesting to hear people's reports on that dollar razor.

They kinda hide them in a basket. I thought they only sold the tech clone, but today I found the TTOs buried under the tech clones. The dollar stores run on the cheap -- I can just picture the stock person emptying a box of Assured razors into the basket like they were peanuts.

 

[NoahYoung860]

Here's my Rapira loaded with a blade. Can't believe I shaved with it.

 

[EspressoAndAftershave]

I'm looking forward to my weekend shave. I think I'll let my beard go until Sunday just to see what it does. Great shave!

 

[BigLeegr]

I picked up one a while ago "just for to see" and decided I didn't want to go with a cheap razor and a cheap blade for the first go so I put a Personna in it. Brand new blade. I'm not sure what happened but the razor seemed to totally negate any slickness from the lather and it felt like the razor was sticking to my face! A sort of rubbery friction. I got more nicks that one time using it than I have in over a year with other razors/blades combined. In case it was a faulty blade I put it in my Lord razor the next time and not a weeper in sight. I might try it again but currently it's been relegated to a curiosity rather than put into my rotation.

 

[EspressoAndAftershave]

I stopped back by DT and bought three more. I'll rotate them to test for consistency.

As a side note, it's lunch time, and my head is still smooth from last night's shave, lol.

 

[madmark]

Cool find, hope it works out for you. Thanks for sharing I am going to check my local stores.

 

[geneaut]

Like I said earlier it might be worth it for a cheap handle. I'll pick up a few when I see them at my DT.

 

[EspressoAndAftershave]

I'd still like to find one of the cheap tto's; I remember a few members liking them, and some that didn't., but they're gone in my area. As a shave nerd, it's just a fun diversion in the hobby.

 

[NoahYoung860]

So does the DT one look like my Rapira when loaded with a blade?
Regarding the TTO, did you dig in the basket? There may be one or two hiding there.

 

[EspressoAndAftershave]

So does the DT one look like my Rapira when loaded with a blade?
Regarding the TTO, did you dig in the basket? There may be one or two hiding there.

Looks slightly different to me. Yeah, I raked through the basket due to your earlier post, but didn't find one.

 

[NoahYoung860]

Looks slightly different to me. Yeah, I raked through the basket due to your earlier post, but didn't find one.

Hmmm, maybe I should splurge for $1.25 and get one. I'd never try the TTO, though. Too much can go wrong with all the moving parts (I know, it's only $1.25, but add in the cost of an emergency room visit when the razor falls apart during a shave...), whereas less can go wrong with a 3-piece.
Funny, I've seen people post that TTOs are simpler. Yea, maybe to load the blade. But otherwise, a 3-piece is the simplest.

So folks, who would actually shave with the Rapira I pictured? Is a Muhle R41 as bad as that?

 

[nemo]

So folks, who would actually shave with the Rapira I pictured?

Life's too short to use crummy razors like that.

 

[NoahYoung860]

Life's too short to use crummy razors like that.

Yes, but I had read about it here on B&B before I bought it, and many people liked it.

 

[Zig the Pirate]

I'd still like to find one of the cheap tto's; I remember a few members liking them, and some that didn't., but they're gone in my area. As a shave nerd, it's just a fun diversion in the hobby.

I have two left over, still sealed in that glorious packaging. DM me where to send one.

 

[LRod]

I think those razors are made by Yates for Dollar Tree, LOL!!

 

[EspressoAndAftershave]

I have two left over, still sealed in that glorious packaging. DM me where to send one.

Thank you for the awesome offer. I don't want to spend your money - even a couple of bucks. That's incredibly kind of you, though.

 

[Zig the Pirate]

Lady Zig got me three of these Tech style razors. She knew I was looking for Tech compatible parts. The cap, base plate, and handle are all Tech compatible (unless your Tech's cap has the "rib" along the underside, as there aren't cut-outs for it on the base plate).

The cap and base plate are stamped metal. The handle is black plastic with a metal top for the cap's threads, even though the package says METAL HANDLE. The handle is hollow, as I found out by cutting off 1/2" from the bottom.
Fit is just fine: everything tightens perfectly with no cross-threading. No parts are bent, warped, etc.
Finish is fine for the price. The metal parts all have uneven plating, but no Zamak is exposed. The plastic handle felt fine and didn't have any uncomfortable molding lines.

How's it shave? Compared to a Tech, it's pretty aggressive. Not enough to tear your face up, but you definitely won't need shims with this razor. The five included Assured brand DE blades are fine; I've used worse from Van Der Hägen, Matgicol, and Merkur.

 

[BigLeegr]

I'd still like to find one of the cheap tto's; I remember a few members liking them, and some that didn't., but they're gone in my area. As a shave nerd, it's just a fun diversion in the hobby.

Surprisingly in my area the 3 piece is gone and all they have are the TTO models.