I was hesitant about this review, my first shave with the 6S was crazy perfect in all the ways a wet shaver might appreciate. I thought 'I have to use this a couple dozen times to really qualify my opinion.' This is my normal practice with all aspects of wet shaving. I also felt maybe things would reach a different normal after a while. My literal first shave was such a pleasure I feared it might never happen again quite so good. That first day, I kept discussing it with my wife over lunch until her eyes glazed over. I feared I had hit my highpoint for a lifetime in terms of the best personal shave. My fear was completely unfounded.
I have used a Rockwell 6C (gunmetal) for a long time. I have been extremely pleased with it in all respects, I also loved it from the very first shave. So much so that the 6C has almost exclusively been the only razor I have used this year. I have debated off and on about getting a 6S. I have read and watched countless reviews of both razors. Recently Rockwell sold a gold-plated 6S. I splurged and bought it. I hope to one day leave it to someone I know will appreciate the razor itself and the personal memento. All this aside, I have been using the 6S for several weeks with the same blade I used 90% of the time with the 6C - Voskhod, which is my favorite. I now believe that the 6S is a clearly superior razor. I am aware that generally people feel the 6C and 6S are very similar in performance excepting some mild differences in drag or weight. Part of the reason I think I may get such a better shave and experience is the weight - while I of course mildly press, I do not firmly press the razor, most of the cutting is done of its own weight as I shave. I get no drag, it perfectly cuts my beard with no hesitation and near perfect efficiency. The actual heft of the razor combined with the handle and knurling is perfectly agreeable, easy to grip wet or dry. Great efficiency and performance and no irritation. I love the fit and finish of this 3-part razor, I find all the plates agreeable but honestly have only used 1 and 2 just to say I actually tried them. I am a daily #4 user with excursions as needed between 3-6. I also find the build very pleasing as it seems to be impervious to needing maintenance due to the simple, blast-proof approach to design. I like the overall look, too - as I do with the 6C - it strikes me as a combination of a bit industrial while somewhat elegant. (The gunmetal 6C strangely made me think of the stage the Stones used on the Steel Wheels tour in 1989.) I also believe with the 6S I have more instances where I stop at two passes with a DFS, more often than occurred with the 6C. I mastered an approach to shaving under my nose long ago with the 6C that works nick-free just as well with the 6S, happy on this point too. All who know the 6S I think would agree it is aggressive but not overly even with #6 plate and certainly not at the sacrifice of a comfortable, irritation free shave.
As another mildly interesting aspect, my blades seem to last longer. I am going to informally track this for a while but I think I am right. I am of the opinion that with the 6C I was changing blades sooner due to the differences I now note between the two razors. Possibly the weightier razor does not tug as early as the lighter razor? Not sure, I do not require a definitive answer as I am just pleased.
Packaging upon receipt ? I could care less. I am sure another review of the 6S covers that.
I do feel the feedback may be a bit but insignificantly louder. I am not certain on this point. If I ever use the 6C again I'll get back to this point. Either way I enjoy it and find it another pleasant aspect of the shave.
I often use a bracing, alcohol aftershave. I like the feel and it gives me a good measure on how well the shave went by the actual burn it returns. Clearly I am getting the irritation free shave I am reporting now - the AS is the proof in the pudding. Several hours later, I run my hand over my face and it leaves me with a satisfied feeling as I know it's just great.
A thought that occurred to me and seemed important - whenever I use a new razor I am always considering 'I'd like this a little different' or 'if it were just a better balance' or 'what if they made a change to...' After a couple weeks I realized I was not thinking about my 6S in this respect. I kept just considering my technique while I shave, wanting to replicate what has already been occuring.
So, I gave it a last and final test. I used a Feather blade for the first time on the 6S this morning. I do not care for the Feathers, all of my initial experience with them was poor and I thought they might be overrated even. Of course I still have a couple tucks, I dusted a blade off and used it. It seems impossible to me but I may have improved on what I was already confident was near perfection.
I have no affiliation with Rockwell in any respect other than owning their razors.
I have used a Rockwell 6C (gunmetal) for a long time. I have been extremely pleased with it in all respects, I also loved it from the very first shave. So much so that the 6C has almost exclusively been the only razor I have used this year. I have debated off and on about getting a 6S. I have read and watched countless reviews of both razors. Recently Rockwell sold a gold-plated 6S. I splurged and bought it. I hope to one day leave it to someone I know will appreciate the razor itself and the personal memento. All this aside, I have been using the 6S for several weeks with the same blade I used 90% of the time with the 6C - Voskhod, which is my favorite. I now believe that the 6S is a clearly superior razor. I am aware that generally people feel the 6C and 6S are very similar in performance excepting some mild differences in drag or weight. Part of the reason I think I may get such a better shave and experience is the weight - while I of course mildly press, I do not firmly press the razor, most of the cutting is done of its own weight as I shave. I get no drag, it perfectly cuts my beard with no hesitation and near perfect efficiency. The actual heft of the razor combined with the handle and knurling is perfectly agreeable, easy to grip wet or dry. Great efficiency and performance and no irritation. I love the fit and finish of this 3-part razor, I find all the plates agreeable but honestly have only used 1 and 2 just to say I actually tried them. I am a daily #4 user with excursions as needed between 3-6. I also find the build very pleasing as it seems to be impervious to needing maintenance due to the simple, blast-proof approach to design. I like the overall look, too - as I do with the 6C - it strikes me as a combination of a bit industrial while somewhat elegant. (The gunmetal 6C strangely made me think of the stage the Stones used on the Steel Wheels tour in 1989.) I also believe with the 6S I have more instances where I stop at two passes with a DFS, more often than occurred with the 6C. I mastered an approach to shaving under my nose long ago with the 6C that works nick-free just as well with the 6S, happy on this point too. All who know the 6S I think would agree it is aggressive but not overly even with #6 plate and certainly not at the sacrifice of a comfortable, irritation free shave.
As another mildly interesting aspect, my blades seem to last longer. I am going to informally track this for a while but I think I am right. I am of the opinion that with the 6C I was changing blades sooner due to the differences I now note between the two razors. Possibly the weightier razor does not tug as early as the lighter razor? Not sure, I do not require a definitive answer as I am just pleased.
Packaging upon receipt ? I could care less. I am sure another review of the 6S covers that.
I do feel the feedback may be a bit but insignificantly louder. I am not certain on this point. If I ever use the 6C again I'll get back to this point. Either way I enjoy it and find it another pleasant aspect of the shave.
I often use a bracing, alcohol aftershave. I like the feel and it gives me a good measure on how well the shave went by the actual burn it returns. Clearly I am getting the irritation free shave I am reporting now - the AS is the proof in the pudding. Several hours later, I run my hand over my face and it leaves me with a satisfied feeling as I know it's just great.
A thought that occurred to me and seemed important - whenever I use a new razor I am always considering 'I'd like this a little different' or 'if it were just a better balance' or 'what if they made a change to...' After a couple weeks I realized I was not thinking about my 6S in this respect. I kept just considering my technique while I shave, wanting to replicate what has already been occuring.
So, I gave it a last and final test. I used a Feather blade for the first time on the 6S this morning. I do not care for the Feathers, all of my initial experience with them was poor and I thought they might be overrated even. Of course I still have a couple tucks, I dusted a blade off and used it. It seems impossible to me but I may have improved on what I was already confident was near perfection.
I have no affiliation with Rockwell in any respect other than owning their razors.
