Lambda Athena vs. Wolfman WR2 - The Winning Edge

[Teutonblade]

I did three shaves this week with my new Wolfman titanium SB WR2s.

Day 1: WR2 0.95/Wilkinson DE. BBS-
Day 2: WR2 1.25/Wizamet. DFS+
Day 3: WR2 0.95/Voskhod. BBS-

If I have one clear conclusion about the WR2, the Athena from @Lambda Razors is a better razor.

All three of the WR2 shaves left me with some irritation and the 0.95/Voskhod combo gave me 3 weepers. All of them required lots of buffing. Of note, I also have a SS WR2 1.15 SB and it performs similarly.

Today, I shaved with the Athena/Wilkonson DE. It was smooth as silk. No irritation, no weepers, pure enjoyment. It delivered a full BBS.

I’m sure there are a multitude of reasons as to why the Athena outperforms the WR2 but here’s my theory and it’s all about two things: Blade Reveal and Edge Clamping. Quite simply, the genius of the Athena is that it clamps the blade so very close to the edge of the blade. The result is that blade movement (a.k.a. wobble, wiggle, waver) is minimized, which makes for a smooth shave. Shane @Blackland Razors describes chatter as the blade skipping across the surface of your skin. With the Athena, it doesn’t happen, or if it does, not much.

@Mr. Shavington once described a feature of razors as “Blade Reveal”, which simply put is how much of the razor blade hangs out from the top cap. Take a look at this picture of the blade reveal of the Athena from the top and side. You can see that very little is revealed, and the blade is clamped very to close to the edge.

Now take a look at these pictures of the WR2. The blade almost looks as if it's hanging out in the breeze.

I like the Wolfman, but to be frank, I like it mainly for its visual design. In terms of performance, so far its clearly better than most mass market razors, but similarly a notch below other top tier artisan razors such as the Timeless 95, the Blackbird, the Overlander, and of the course the Athena. Why did I compare it to the Athena? Because like the Athena I would classify it as medium aggression, as compared to the Overlander which is mild, the Ti95 which is mid-high aggression, and the Blackbird which is high. I definitely need more time with the WR2 before making a final conclusion, and even then I’m sure it will change with time and practice. Today, I was simply surprised when I picked up the Athena at how much more sure-footed it was than the WR2, how mild yet efficient, and once again reminded what a remarkable razor it is.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

I did three shaves this week with my new Wolfman titanium SB WR2s.

Day 1: WR2 0.95/Wilkinson DE. BBS-
Day 2: WR2 1.25/Wizamet. DFS+
Day 3: WR2 0.95/Voskhod. BBS-

If I have one clear conclusion about the WR2, the Athena from @Lambda Razors is a better razor.

All three of the WR2 shaves left me with some irritation and the 0.95/Voskhod combo gave me 3 weepers. All of them required lots of buffing. Of note, I also have a SS WR2 1.15 SB and it performs similarly.

Today, I shaved with the Athena/Wilkonson DE. It was smooth as silk. No irritation, no weepers, pure enjoyment. It delivered a full BBS.

I’m sure there are a multitude of reasons as to why the Athena outperforms the WR2 but here’s my theory and it’s all about two things: Blade Reveal and Edge Clamping. Quite simply, the genius of the Athena is that it clamps the blade so very close to the edge of the blade. The result is that blade movement (a.k.a. wobble, wiggle, waver) is minimized, which makes for a smooth shave. Shane @Blackland Razors describes chatter as the blade skipping across the surface of your skin. With the Athena, it doesn’t happen, or if it does, not much.

@Mr. Shavington once described a feature of razors as “Blade Reveal”, which simply put is how much of the razor blade hangs out from the top cap. Take a look at this picture of the blade reveal of the Athena from the top and side. You can see that very little is revealed, and the blade is clamped very to close to the edge.

Now take a look at these pictures of the WR2. The blade almost looks as if it's hanging out in the breeze.

I like the Wolfman, but to be frank, I like it mainly for its visual design. In terms of performance, so far its clearly better than most mass market razors, but similarly a notch below other top tier artisan razors such as the Timeless 95, the Blackbird, the Overlander, and of the course the Athena. Why did I compare it to the Athena? Because like the Athena I would classify it as medium aggression, as compared to the Overlander which is mild, the Ti95 which is mid-high aggression, and the Blackbird which is high. I definitely need more time with the WR2 before making a final conclusion, and even then I’m sure it will change with time and practice. Today, I was simply surprised when I picked up the Athena at how much more sure-footed it was than the WR2, how mild yet efficient, and once again reminded what a remarkable razor it is.

Great comparison! I don’t personally agree with your conclusion; but as with most of these things subjectivity rules the day.

 

[corlay]

I couldnt bond well with the WR2 (1.15) either.

I do own the Athena, and like it -
but wouldnt rank it above some of my other razors:
Wolfman WR1 0.72, OC Stainless
Yates 921 H OC Brass
Blutt BR-1 1.05 Stainless
Blackbird SB Stainless

I like the WR1 a LOT better than the WR2

 

[DesertIguana]

Great comparison! I don’t personally agree with your conclusion; but as with most of these things subjectivity rules the day.

Plus the member who is post his findings, could or does not have the SAME BEARD QUALITY, BEART THICKNESS, WEIRD SWIRLS, ETC., as you, me, or many other people on B n B. We are all different.


I sort of am like the reporter trying to put a story together, when many people make the same statement as to what they know, what they saw, what they witnessed. If they are all interview separately, their is more possibility the information is fact, or has possibility of standing up, not made up.

 

[BigJ]

Excellent comparison!! Thanks.

From the photos (as I have not shaved with the Athena) my estimate is that the Wolfman WR1 would be closer to your ‘destination‘ razor. Certainly that’s the outcome in my case.

 

[DesertIguana]

Photo posted are wonderful, showing great close of of point of post being covered.

 

[horizon]

I tend to agree with the conclusions in the first post.
I have razors from most popular high-end manufacturers. I also have two Athenas, bronze and titanium. Definitely, I get the best shave from Athena. The combination of efficiency and comfort it gives me, I can't get it from any other shaver. I always look for and get BBS easily, but not at the expense of skin irritations.
It's a shame that I came across this brand too late, when I had already spent a good amount on other popular razors, but in my opinion, all below the level of Athena.

 

[musicman1951]

If I have one clear conclusion about the WR2, the Athena from @Lambda Razors is a better razor.

I would absolutely agree, but you forgot to add "for me" at the end of your sentence. To conclude it's better for most people would require the majority of shavers using both coming to the same conclusion.

But that hardly matters for you. Congratulations on finding a razor with a great fit for your face/beard and technique. Enjoy your shaves.

 

[DesertIguana]

I tend to agree with the conclusions in the first post.
I have razors from most popular high-end manufacturers. I also have two Athenas, bronze and titanium. Definitely, I get the best shave from Athena. The combination of efficiency and comfort it gives me, I can't get it from any other shaver. I always look for and get BBS easily, but not at the expense of skin irritations.
It's a shame that I came across this brand too late, when I had already spent a good amount on other popular razors, but in my opinion, all below the level of Athena.

Well everything is subjective, and then there is the human factor, many times a person has paid large amount of money for item, and finds it is not as super as the hype. It is very tough to MAN UP, and say your were duped. o\Or the Super Duper Shaver, Golf Club or Pool Shaft etc,., is not game changer.

Amature Sport playesr be it Billiard, Golf, Bowling, softball, etc are on the hunt for the NEXT GREAT Tool to make them play like Tiger, or Willie. The truth is those to GOATS in their games, are where they are because of practice, skill, and years of experience.

Any would still play their games better then 95% of world population because of Skill, not Tools.

 

[BigAlVista]

I did three shaves this week with my new Wolfman titanium SB WR2s.

Day 1: WR2 0.95/Wilkinson DE. BBS-
Day 2: WR2 1.25/Wizamet. DFS+
Day 3: WR2 0.95/Voskhod. BBS-

If I have one clear conclusion about the WR2, the Athena from @Lambda Razors is a better razor.

All three of the WR2 shaves left me with some irritation and the 0.95/Voskhod combo gave me 3 weepers. All of them required lots of buffing. Of note, I also have a SS WR2 1.15 SB and it performs similarly.

Today, I shaved with the Athena/Wilkonson DE. It was smooth as silk. No irritation, no weepers, pure enjoyment. It delivered a full BBS.

I’m sure there are a multitude of reasons as to why the Athena outperforms the WR2 but here’s my theory and it’s all about two things: Blade Reveal and Edge Clamping. Quite simply, the genius of the Athena is that it clamps the blade so very close to the edge of the blade. The result is that blade movement (a.k.a. wobble, wiggle, waver) is minimized, which makes for a smooth shave. Shane @Blackland Razors describes chatter as the blade skipping across the surface of your skin. With the Athena, it doesn’t happen, or if it does, not much.

@Mr. Shavington once described a feature of razors as “Blade Reveal”, which simply put is how much of the razor blade hangs out from the top cap. Take a look at this picture of the blade reveal of the Athena from the top and side. You can see that very little is revealed, and the blade is clamped very to close to the edge.

Now take a look at these pictures of the WR2. The blade almost looks as if it's hanging out in the breeze.

I like the Wolfman, but to be frank, I like it mainly for its visual design. In terms of performance, so far its clearly better than most mass market razors, but similarly a notch below other top tier artisan razors such as the Timeless 95, the Blackbird, the Overlander, and of the course the Athena. Why did I compare it to the Athena? Because like the Athena I would classify it as medium aggression, as compared to the Overlander which is mild, the Ti95 which is mid-high aggression, and the Blackbird which is high. I definitely need more time with the WR2 before making a final conclusion, and even then I’m sure it will change with time and practice. Today, I was simply surprised when I picked up the Athena at how much more sure-footed it was than the WR2, how mild yet efficient, and once again reminded what a remarkable razor it is.

Hey Lee, with this one post, you cured my RAD for a Wolfman. Thx!

 

[Teutonblade]

Hey Lee, with this one post, you cured my RAD for a Wolfman. Thx!

Hi Mark, that’s good. I sold my 1.15 which I purchased 2nd hand on the BST, but my number came up a month ago and I bought a new titanium .95 and 1.25. Very pretty, but underperforming my expectations. With the price hike I think could break even if I sell them. Still debating what to do. Maybe they will get better for me with practice.

 

[idjekyll]

Hi Mark, that’s good. I sold my 1.15 which I purchased 2nd hand on the BST, but my number came up a month ago and I bought a new titanium .95 and 1.25. Very pretty, but underperforming my expectations. With the price hike I think could break even if I sell them. Still debating what to do. Maybe they will get better for me with practice.

I'm curious. We're your expectations based on the costs or reviews ?

 

[DesertIguana]

Hi Mark, that’s good. I sold my 1.15 which I purchased 2nd hand on the BST, but my number came up a month ago and I bought a new titanium .95 and 1.25. Very pretty, but underperforming my expectations. With the price hike I think could break even if I sell them. Still debating what to do. Maybe they will get better for me with practice.

What expectations did not your new Wolf's achieve? I hope you care to share why you were disappointed in your Wolf's to the point of say failed expectations.