I've started a new thread to post my first shave experience around the Pearl Flexi which has received a lot of negative and positive attention since it started reaching customers. I would like to post my thoughts and observations on my first shave with the Pearl Flexi all brass CNC milled adjustable razor inspired by the vintage Gibbs adjustable razor.
I had a first shave with the Pearl Flexi today. I decided to dare and use the Free Glatz blade which came with it. I used the Razorock unlabeled project soap.
Going by my experience with the Rex Ambassador, and other reports of blade canting videos, I eye balled the razor on settings 2 and 2.5 as well as on its fully open position. I also took close up photos to ensure that my copy doesn't have issues.
First pass on 2.5, the Shave was smooth but I think the blade has a roughness Factor to its but nothing to irritate my face. The blade is User grade to my face.
First pass was uneventful and as expected.
Second pass on 3, I upped it to a 3 and went for that second pass. Again a bit rough like I experience with some other blades but not harsh. However the razor moved easily and gave a great BBS shave.
Weight and balance The most Impressive part of the shave is the razor weight. It's amazing for a close shave and possibly the heaviest razor in my collection. However it's well balanced and is easily manoeuvred in all directions.
Handle grip The Rex ambassador has the most grippy handle of all razors I own. The flexi has softer knurling on the handle and going by the weight of the razor, I was apprehensive if it had good grip with shave soap on it. Surprisingly it is pretty good grip and no way that the heavy razor will slip from the hand due to imbalance.
Overall shave The razor is a great shave tool if you have got the spring issue sorted out. It just goes to say that the weak link in adjustable razors which are CNC milled with extremely tight tolerances unfortunately is a 1 dollar spring.
With my experience of the shave with Flexi today, I think this is my new favorite adjustable razor.
Going by advice in another thread I also managed to considerably resolve the Rex Ambassador canting issue, which had rendered my RA useless with the very same issues highlighted for the Pearl Flexi. I have an N2 series.
Apparently all the disassembly videos put out there to show a bad design are unfortunate negative propaganda to downplay a fine value for money razor.
Pearl needs to send out informative emails to customers and on YouTube for breaking in.the spring and also replacing the spring for future versions.
Like the initial versions of Rockwell 6S and the Rex Ambassador which had severe challenges of blade alignment, the Pearl Flexi is just a week or two in the end consumer hands. They seem to be responding well to customer complaints and correcting them. A good design and a listening responsive vendor is a great recipe for a value for money product with initial go to market teething issues sorted out.
Thank You for taking time to read my review.
I had a first shave with the Pearl Flexi today. I decided to dare and use the Free Glatz blade which came with it. I used the Razorock unlabeled project soap.
Going by my experience with the Rex Ambassador, and other reports of blade canting videos, I eye balled the razor on settings 2 and 2.5 as well as on its fully open position. I also took close up photos to ensure that my copy doesn't have issues.
First pass on 2.5, the Shave was smooth but I think the blade has a roughness Factor to its but nothing to irritate my face. The blade is User grade to my face.
First pass was uneventful and as expected.
Second pass on 3, I upped it to a 3 and went for that second pass. Again a bit rough like I experience with some other blades but not harsh. However the razor moved easily and gave a great BBS shave.
Weight and balance The most Impressive part of the shave is the razor weight. It's amazing for a close shave and possibly the heaviest razor in my collection. However it's well balanced and is easily manoeuvred in all directions.
Handle grip The Rex ambassador has the most grippy handle of all razors I own. The flexi has softer knurling on the handle and going by the weight of the razor, I was apprehensive if it had good grip with shave soap on it. Surprisingly it is pretty good grip and no way that the heavy razor will slip from the hand due to imbalance.
Overall shave The razor is a great shave tool if you have got the spring issue sorted out. It just goes to say that the weak link in adjustable razors which are CNC milled with extremely tight tolerances unfortunately is a 1 dollar spring.
With my experience of the shave with Flexi today, I think this is my new favorite adjustable razor.
Going by advice in another thread I also managed to considerably resolve the Rex Ambassador canting issue, which had rendered my RA useless with the very same issues highlighted for the Pearl Flexi. I have an N2 series.
Apparently all the disassembly videos put out there to show a bad design are unfortunate negative propaganda to downplay a fine value for money razor.
Pearl needs to send out informative emails to customers and on YouTube for breaking in.the spring and also replacing the spring for future versions.
Like the initial versions of Rockwell 6S and the Rex Ambassador which had severe challenges of blade alignment, the Pearl Flexi is just a week or two in the end consumer hands. They seem to be responding well to customer complaints and correcting them. A good design and a listening responsive vendor is a great recipe for a value for money product with initial go to market teething issues sorted out.
Thank You for taking time to read my review.
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