Some Rockwell 6S Love

[CalmAsHinduCows]

I’ve been out of the shaving game for close to two years, due to growing a beard and using a trimmer to keep it in line.

Started a new career semi-recently that requires me to be clean shaven five days a week, so I dived right back into my old hobby.

When I left, the Rockwell 6S was still highly regarded and was getting a ton of love on these forums. It is the only razor I have used in the last 4 years and it is by far my favorite DE of all time. Especially using the #3 plate. It’s perfect for my face and beard type. It’s my desert island razor for sure.

Now that I’m browsing the forums again, I’m seeing a few brands/makers that I’ve never heard of, but are getting a ton of hype and respect. It’s great seeing new DEs coming to the market and having so many people enjoying using them.

Me, I’m still smitten with my Rockwell 6S as it provides effortless BBS shaves with zero irritation. I love the weight and heft, the customizable gap settings, and the sturdy construction out of stainless steel.

Does anyone else still use their Rockwell regularly? How does it compare with the newer DEs that I keep seeing popping up?

 

[Captain Howdy]

I've tried some....I dunno...40+ razors? The Rockwell 6S still reigns supreme. I also prefer the #3 plate and would also consider it mi desert island razor.

Everything else is just competing for a distant second place.

 

[Alexland]

If it works for you that's great. Rockwell was my daily driver for maybe 3-6 months but I started using it less after upgrading from the chrome to stainless version which feels less agile but that was also at a time I had found several other razors that seemed to work better for me in particular the double sided plate is a bit big for under my nose. Still it's fine and I am not selling it and use it maybe once a month.

 

[flash75]

I totally agree with @Captain Howdy.
I have tried a lot and kept some razors. But to be honest most are at least a little bit similar to the 6s regarding the geometry (Merkur 34g, Mühle R89, Giesen und Forsthoff Timor cc). Some have more or less blade exposure or gap, but I would come along with the Rockwell 6s as a single razor very well. After rotating a little bit I always feel like coming home when grabbing the Rockwell.
The closest for me, preferring R3, is the Giesen und Forsthoff Timor, which offers slightly more blade exposure with a small blade gap. A great and cheap tool too. Rockwell 6s R3 and the Timor are autopilot shavers.

 

[Phil Dumont]

I have a 6C and sometimes use it (i use plate 4), its great but a bit boring for me.
Totally good razor but i now prefer open comb razors (Yaqi SLOC or Fatip Piccolo) because i get a bit closer shaves with them( i do mostly one ATG pass with touch ups.
And also the Yaqi Mercury razor shaves the same as the 6C for me but even more auto pilot for me.
Also my vintage Gillette aristocrat is easily just as good as the 6C for me.

I think u should try an open comb razor maybe or a slant, because the 6S is as good as it gets as far as i know.
I dont own any "expensive" razors like Tatara's or Karve or Blackland or Wolfman ...

 

[Alex Jr]

Yep. My number 1. Love everything about it.

 

[WhiskerLess]

Hard to beat 6S, still giving a very comfortable irritation free shave. It pairs nicely to almost any blade you put in. We’re still around, so should you.

 

[JL 52]

If it’s not broke, might not need to fix it. That said, I went from the 6C plate 4 to the Game Changer .84SB and it was an upgrade in every way. You could try the .76SB.

 

[sanookd]

When I don’t use a straight razor my Rockwell 6S is the DE i always turn to! i tried about 5 other DE razors but when i started using the Rockwell that is the one I selected and have never regretted it. However my straights get used more frequently.

 

[cakaguna]

I’ve bought and sold some other well regarded razors - and still have the Rockwell 6S. used it today, and got a great shave. I used it exclusively on a 10 month travel thing in 2022. Great razor.

 

[Hopalong]

I got one to see what all the fuss was about and because it was made in the USA. Wanted to love it for that reason.
Gave it away.

 

[Vitt]

I bought a 6S in January after using the Merkur 34C exclusively for a long time. Loved the smoothness and efficiency from the beginning. I like the flexibility of changing the plates for those days when I have a few days' growth so I can change the level of aggressiveness from 1st to 2nd pass (I only do a 3rd pass occasionally). The only thing I don't love about the 6S is that the head is a little too bulky. It's not my one and only favorite though. I rotate it regularly with a couple of other ones that I also really like. We're lucky there are so many choices out there.

 

[gms]

Many 6S/6C lovers I see. Rockwell did really good job with the marketing for a bulky head mild razor.

I started the traditional shaving with the 6C because I read so many great reviews. After one year I tried other mild razors and I found out that most mild razors shaves like the plate 3 and 4 of 6C/6S. In fact most users use the Rockwell with plate 4 or 3. Rest plates are usually useless: plate 5 is similar to plate 4, plates 1 and 2 are for marketing purpose and not for shave and plate 6 is for longer facial hair. The marketing of 6S/6C says you get a razor with 6 plates or 6 different razors to choose from. In reality you get a razor with bulk thick head and you use only the plate 3 or the plate 4. I think its the most bulkier razor of all.

For me RazoRock Game Changer 0.68-p is better. Thin head that covers the whole blade and shaves way better even under the nose. For someone that starts now the traditional shaving the Muhle R89 is also better razor than the 6C.

I don't want to start any flame with the 6S lovers and I am not trying to change anyone's mind. But if you never tried another mild razor do not consider that the 6S/6C is the best razor. Do yourself a favor and try and something else.

 

[Vitt]

Many 6S/6C lovers I see. Rockwell did really good job with the marketing for a bulky head mild razor.

I started the traditional shaving with the 6C because I read so many great reviews. After one year I tried other mild razors and I found out that most mild razors shaves like the plate 3 and 4 of 6C/6S. In fact most users use the Rockwell with plate 4 or 3. Rest plates are usually useless: plate 5 is similar to plate 4, plates 1 and 2 are for marketing purpose and not for shave and plate 6 is for longer facial hair. The marketing of 6S/6C says you get a razor with 6 plates or 6 different razors to choose from. In reality you get a razor with bulk thick head and you use only the plate 3 or the plate 4. I think its the most bulkier razor of all.

For me RazoRock Game Changer 0.68-p is better. Thin head that covers the whole blade and shaves way better even under the nose. For someone that starts now the traditional shaving the Muhle R89 is also better razor than the 6C.

I don't want to start any flame with the 6S lovers and I am not trying to change anyone's mind. But if you never tried another mild razor do not consider that the 6S/6C is the best razor. Do yourself a favor and try and something else.

I tried:
Gillette Tech: Too mild
Gillette SS: Too mild
Gillette Slim: Quite good on higher settings
Karve Bison: Excellent for a DD. It competes with the 6S for use

I use more than one plate on the 6S, especially if I don't shave for a couple days. 1st pass = plate 4 or 5; 2nd pass = plate 2 (they are not the same to me). Agree with you on the bulky head.

My next one will be a Razorock GC. Probably the .76-P

 

[dave1269]

When I don’t use a straight razor my Rockwell 6S is the DE i always turn to! i tried about 5 other DE razors but when i started using the Rockwell that is the one I selected and have never regretted it. However my straights get used more frequently.

Couldn’t agree more @sanookd!

 

[Alex Jr]

Rest plates are usually useless

No, they are not.

plate 5 is similar to plate 4

No, it isn’t.

plates 1 and 2 are for marketing purpose and not for shave

Really? Marketing? I use plate 2 with a sharp blade all the time. Dark and coarse whiskers.

Let me help you:

Many 6S/6C lovers I see. IN MY OPINION…

 

[gms]

Really? Marketing? I use plate 2 with a sharp blade all the time. Dark and coarse whiskers.

I have sensitive skin and normal to soft stubble and plate 2 don't do anything to me. I am using Feather and Bic Chrome blades. Even with ATG plate 2 don't do much and I have to push it and I earn irritations.
If you can shave your face with plate 2 you really don't need the plates 4 to 6. They will be too aggressive for you. Plate 1 is a joke (don't tell me you use it for shave). So you are using 6S with plate 2 or 3. You are stuck with this bulk head razor for plate 2? From what I read Feather AS-D2, Mamba 54, Henson maybe works better.

After a while, most people are using 6S/6C with only one plate (usually the 4) because changing plates when you are shaving isn't that convenient. If you are using 6S/6C with only one plate it will be better to find another razor. It will have thiner head for sure, it will shave you better under the nose and at chin area and if it covers the whole blade it will be safer. My opinion ofc after using for one year a bulk mediocre razor having the illusion that this razor was good. Well, it wasn't. If you want a mild razor 6S/6C has too bulk head. If you want an aggressive razor plate 6 isn't too aggressive. At both cases there are better alternatives....

 

[WhiskerLess]

I have sensitive skin and normal to soft stubble and plate 2 don't do anything to me. I am using Feather and Bic Chrome blades. Even with ATG plate 2 don't do much and I have to push it and I earn irritations.
If you can shave your face with plate 2 you really don't need the plates 4 to 6. They will be too aggressive for you. Plate 1 is a joke (don't tell me you use it for shave). So you are using 6S with plate 2 or 3. You are stuck with this bulk head razor for plate 2? From what I read Feather AS-D2, Mamba 54, Henson maybe works better.

After a while, most people are using 6S/6C with only one plate (usually the 4) because changing plates when you are shaving isn't that convenient. If you are using 6S/6C with only one plate it will be better to find another razor. It will have thiner head for sure, it will shave you better under the nose and at chin area and if it covers the whole blade it will be safer. My opinion ofc after using for one year a bulk mediocre razor having the illusion that this razor was good. Well, it wasn't. If you want a mild razor 6S/6C has too bulk head. If you want an aggressive razor plate 6 isn't too aggressive. At both cases there are better alternatives....

YMMV. Regret to hear that 6S/6C did not work for you. But that doesn’t mean Rockwell is mediocore at all.

Opinions vary from every person and may find your razor the same exact way you see Rockwell.

I myself shaves with different plates R4 & R2 for neck buffing. Can easily be done with a quick plate flip. Big head doesn’t really bother me even on the stache it fits nicely under my nose. You just need to do the proper facial stretching.

Anyways, glad that you find the razor that works for you. Different opinions makes this hobby very interesting. As always whatever works for you.

 

[Alex Jr]

I have sensitive skin and normal to soft stubble and plate 2 don't do anything to me. I am using Feather and Bic Chrome blades. Even with ATG plate 2 don't do much and I have to push it and I earn irritations.

If you have soft to normal stubble and find plate 2 with a BIC UNUSABLE, I’m sorry but I’d say it’s operator’s fault.

Not ultra efficient? Of course, I agree. But that is a long distance from “not doing anything even ATG”.

If you can shave your face with plate 2 you really don't need the plates 4 to 6. They will be too aggressive for you. Plate 1 is a joke (don't tell me you use it for shave). So you are using 6S with plate 2 or 3. You are stuck with this bulk head razor for plate 2? From what I read Feather AS-D2, Mamba 54, Henson maybe works better.

I have coarse stubble and I shave with them all.

I can shave with a slim on 1, with R1, with a blue tip and with every ultra mild setting or razor you can think of, and still have a great shave.

What I need or don’t need is a personal thing, wouldn’t you agree?

I have 20 something razors, from ultra mild to aggressive and they all work for me. Technique is more important than gear.

Don’t mix opinions with facts. If it doesn’t work for you it doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else.

Have a great Sunday sir.

 

[SaguaroSmart]

I do enjoy the Rockwell 6s quite a bit. It is not my top razor but it's still a very good performer that I use regularly.

My favorite plate for daily shaves is the R5. If I skip a day or more I go with the R6.

Now personally plates 1 to 3 are practically unusable for me (emphasis on for me, I realize plenty of people do use them successfully) even R4 is not easy to use for me, that being said I believe that is why the razor comes with 6 plates so everyone can have a setting that works for them and R5 and R6 are not only usable but very comfortable with great efficiency for me.

I have always struggled with very mild razors, I have extremely coarse and dense hair and plenty of other razors do struggle to give me good shaves (most mild razors force me to repeat way too many strokes and irritate me).

Overall I would say the Rockwell 6s or (6c) are excellent beginner razors, this way when one starts their journey and has no idea what efficiency will be needed for them, they are guaranteed to find a plate that will work and can set a baseline for what works for them. The design offers good blade clamping and practically no blade chatter for a comfortable shave even ATG.

I also think the argument against the big head is overplayed, sure there are designs that offer more ease under the nose but I have never experienced any issues to shave my upper lip with the proper technique.