RAD Strikes! Help Me Narrow My Options.

[Goblin]

To understand... you're looking for appearance or substance or the latest news

Really, the latest news, in case there were options out there I am not familiar with (a couple have indeed been mentioned so it was worth asking the question).

I was also keen to see if any folks who usually like things with a bit more oomph are enjoying the Overlander.

I think we have eliminated the Timeless and the Aylesworths, so the field is narrowing!

 

[Guido75]

Stando Mokosz is available in brass and European. I believe Stando makes more brass razors. Haven’t shaves with those by the way.

And Fatip

I have also read that the Bayonetta shaves very similar to the Overlander.

 

[gdawg55]

Stando Mokosz is available in brass and European. I believe Stando makes more brass razors. Haven’t shaves with those by the way.

And Fatip

I have also read that the Bayonetta shaves very similar to the Overlander.

Good suggestion here. I have the Mokosz and it’s a very good razor. The Chors is also very nice.

 

[Guido75]

Good suggestion here. I have the Mokosz and it’s a very good razor. The Chors is also very nice.

Hmm…knowing your preferences I might need to consider one myself too!

 

[Guido75]

Yeah I know Lee @Teutonblade, I am still awake! I promise to close my eyes now!

 

[Teutonblade]

Yeah I know Lee @Teutonblade, I am still awake! I promise to close my eyes now!

And dream of gleaming Standos. Sweet dreams!

 

[thombrogan]

Fatip

He’s got that itch scratched a little bit.

 

[No1Up]

If you don’t have a bird yet, you should have one... I’m a big fan.

I do want to own the Yates 921 one day. But in titanium.

 

[Goblin]

Good suggestion here. I have the Mokosz and it’s a very good razor. The Chors is also very nice.

I planned a Stando acquisition for a while, but now it's crunch time I can't decide on a model. I think the stock levels are a bit low right now so the selection is limited. They do have a brass Leszy in stock, and a Morana. I feel like something that sits in between these two in terms of aggression would be ideal - that's probably the Chors that you are all recommending! All that said, I could persuade myself to take a chance on that brass Leszy.

I have been on their site a few times over the past few days and noticed they just added an SS OC Leszy. Not what I am after right now really, but definitely looks very nice!

 

[gdawg55]

I planned a Stando acquisition for a while, but now it's crunch time I can't decide on a model. I think the stock levels are a bit low right now so the selection is limited. They do have a brass Leszy in stock, and a Morana. I feel like something that sits in between these two in terms of aggression would be ideal - that's probably the Chors that you are all recommending! All that said, I could persuade myself to take a chance on that brass Leszy.

I have been on their site a few times over the past few days and noticed they just added an SS OC Leszy. Not what I am after right now really, but definitely looks very nice!

View attachment 1934109

For me personally I prefer the Chors and Mokosv over the Leszy as they are a bit more comfortable.

 

[Goblin]

For me personally I prefer the Chors and Mokosv over the Leszy as they are a bit more comfortable.

I have actually been reading some of yours and other folks' discussions about the Mokosv. My interest is piqued. Maybe a Stando is on the cards after all. What exactly is going on with the baseplate? I can't find a picture of the plate without the cap, but it looks like there are three "columns" in between the lather channels that are supporting the blade separately from the central part of the plate - is that what actually happens? It strikes me that could be less rigid that supporting the blade along it's whole length. I guess it must work in practice though, as you guys seem to rate the shave!

 

[gdawg55]

I have actually been reading some of yours and other folks' discussions about the Mokosv. My interest is piqued. Maybe a Stando is on the cards after all. What exactly is going on with the baseplate? I can't find a picture of the plate without the cap, but it looks like there are three "columns" in between the lather channels that are supporting the blade separately from the central part of the plate - is that what actually happens? It strikes me that could be less rigid that supporting the blade along it's whole length. I guess it must work in practice though, as you guys seem to rate the shave!

Here is a picture of the Mokosz and Chors base plates. Mokosz is on the left and Chors on the right. They are different but both have 3 supports across the length of the plate.

 

[Quaznoid]

Don’t. $250 is way too much to spend on a razor.

 

[SaguaroSmart]

Bayonetta.

Honestly, this is an excellent answer. It matches everything OP is looking for other than the OC extension option.

@Goblin I have many of the razors you mention. May I ask a few questions to best tailor my recommendation ?

1) What other razors do you currently enjoy as a baseline ?
2) How do you shave ? Do you shave everyday ? Do you go ATG everyday ? or do you expect a razor to be efficient without going ATG ?
3) What is your beard like ? Is it really coarse and difficult to get BBS or average ?

These questions should help. The reason I'm asking is that efficient is very relative to a persons beard type and the way they shave.

For example, the Karve Overlander, in my opinion, is an excellent razor that I enjoy very much and it is true that it is quite efficient considering how mild and comfortable it is but in the grand scheme of things, with my beard type it's a 3 pass razor. It's a great one at that due to being very comfortable ATG but without the ATG pass I don't get that close a shave.

The Apex SS 99mm on the other hand is efficient enough to get me in DFS+ / BBS- territory with only a WTG + XTG pass and it is still quite comfortable ATG but a bit less than the Overlander.

 

[Goblin]

@gdawg55 thank you for the images. That is really interesting. There may be other differences we can't see (i.e. height) but it looks like the Mokosz plate is basicaly the Chors plate with some of the blade bed milled out. Slightly odd decision but I am guessing it doesn't have any negative effects you have noticed.

@SaguaroSmart thanks for your input. To answer your questions.

1) My favourites are my Fatips and Tatara Nodachi.
2) I shave every 48hrs. With the above razors, that involves 2 passes WTG, XTG / ATG and then additional ATG touch ups (some might say it was another half pass). I don't go ATG on the cheeks or moustache, but have to do it around the jawline and neckline to get an acceptable result. How much depends on the razor.
3) Not that densely patterned, but thick and wiry salt n' pepper hairs (more salt than pepper these days). I can get BBS with most razors provided that they are fitted with the right blade and I do enough passes, but I do tend to favour stuff of medium aggression and upwards. My GC 0.84 and Lupo 0.72 get used for 48hr shaves, but anything milder is reserved for the odd 24hr shave.

I should say that I think I have pretty much decided what I am going to do, assuming all goes well with the fundraising endeavour over the next couple of weeks. However, I still appreciate any additional input folks might feel inclined to provide.

 

[gdawg55]

@gdawg55 thank you for the images. That is really interesting. There may be other differences we can't see (i.e. height) but it looks like the Mokosz plate is basicaly the Chors plate with some of the blade bed milled out. Slightly odd decision but I am guessing it doesn't have any negative effects you have noticed.

@SaguaroSmart thanks for your input. To answer your questions.

1) My favourites are my Fatips and Tatara Nodachi.
2) I shave every 48hrs. With the above razors, that involves 2 passes WTG, XTG / ATG and then additional ATG touch ups (some might say it was another half pass). I don't go ATG on the cheeks or moustache, but have to do it around the jawline and neckline to get an acceptable result. How much depends on the razor.
3) Not that densely patterned, but thick and wiry salt n' pepper hairs (more salt than pepper these days). I can get BBS with most razors provided that they are fitted with the right blade and I do enough passes, but I do tend to favour stuff of medium aggression and upwards. My GC 0.84 and Lupo 0.72 get used for 48hr shaves, but anything milder is reserved for the odd 24hr shave.

I should say that I think I have pretty much decided what I am going to do, assuming all goes well with the fundraising endeavour over the next couple of weeks. However, I still appreciate any additional input folks might feel inclined to provide.

The blade gap is lower on the Mokosz and while shaving the blade feels like it’s being held slightly tighter. I find the Mokosz a little more comfortable while the Chors shaves a bit closer.

 

[SaguaroSmart]

@gdawg55 thank you for the images. That is really interesting. There may be other differences we can't see (i.e. height) but it looks like the Mokosz plate is basicaly the Chors plate with some of the blade bed milled out. Slightly odd decision but I am guessing it doesn't have any negative effects you have noticed.

@SaguaroSmart thanks for your input. To answer your questions.

1) My favourites are my Fatips and Tatara Nodachi.
2) I shave every 48hrs. With the above razors, that involves 2 passes WTG, XTG / ATG and then additional ATG touch ups (some might say it was another half pass). I don't go ATG on the cheeks or moustache, but have to do it around the jawline and neckline to get an acceptable result. How much depends on the razor.
3) Not that densely patterned, but thick and wiry salt n' pepper hairs (more salt than pepper these days). I can get BBS with most razors provided that they are fitted with the right blade and I do enough passes, but I do tend to favour stuff of medium aggression and upwards. My GC 0.84 and Lupo 0.72 get used for 48hr shaves, but anything milder is reserved for the odd 24hr shave.

I should say that I think I have pretty much decided what I am going to do, assuming all goes well with the fundraising endeavour over the next couple of weeks. However, I still appreciate any additional input folks might feel inclined to provide.

Based on your answers I think out of your original list the Aylsworth Apex with the Plus plate (99mm gap + 0.125 exposure) is the best fit and you will be more likely to enjoy both the shave and the results.

Not on your list is the Lambda Athena, which is probably my favorite razor. It comes in several metals but most importantly it does come in marine bronze (worth mentioning since you like brass). In my opinion it is such an outstanding design that it bests both the Apex and the Overlander. It's basically closer to the Apex in efficiency and to the Overlander in blade feel. It's so versatile, you can easily get a very close shave with 2 passes without ATG on the cheeks but you can easily go ATG on the cheeks without any discomfort. It is such an amazing piece, I'm thinking of buying it in several different metals. Anyway, I need to stop complimenting it otherwise my wife might get jealous.

I cannot speak to the other razors mentioned like the Mokosv. Good luck with your hunt, it's definitely part of the enjoyment.

 

[helicopter]

The Blackland Batch 001 bronze blackbird seems like a good option. If I didn't have it, it would be my top choice.

 

[Iridian]

Here is a picture of the Mokosz and Chors base plates.

Very useful information, great photo. But what to make out of this information, that's another thing. I just wonder why the Mokosz got a "support post" type of support, while it seems to be more solidly pressing together blade and cap on the older Chors model.

Edit: @Goblin as you don't a Blackbird yet, which seems to be a minimum requirement to stay on the forum, everyone seems to have one by now, the Bronzebird seems to be a very likely choice, I am with @helicopter in this regard.

The Stando razors are extremely good and underrated, on the other hand, but I see no bronze/brass there. I would just buy something made of steel anyways, Crom approves, not sure about his stand on bronze. The Cimmerian tribes who used bronze weapons are no more, just saying!

 

[Mr Konrad Dundee]

The Stando razors are extremely good and underrated,

I totally agree, they are very underrated