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Stahly live blade owners/users: Do you side with Asylum Guido or with Cooncat Bob?

kingfisher

kingfisher

So here's the genesis of the question. When Asylum Guido profiled the Stahly live blade razor, he waxed rhapsodic about it. He believed that the big handle and the vibrating mechanism was part of the shaving prowess of the razor. He advised those with tough beards to try it; to go slowly and allow the vibrations to cut smoothly through their stubble.

No less a luminary than Cooncat Bob, though (may he rest in peace) said that the magic of the Stahly razor is all in the head. He actually said, on this very forum, that the Stahly head was the best safety-bar razor head ever produced. He thought the handle was actually a drawback. Buy one, remove the head, and put it on ANY other handle, and you'll unlock the beauty of the Stahly, he said.

So I ask: whose side are you on?
 
BBrad

BBrad

Two well-respected gentlemen with widely differing opinions. Both are correct.

Remember, with classic shaving, Your Mileage May Vary!!!
 
Chester

Chester

Hmmmmm. I'm on the CooncatBob side. The Stahly handle is unique, no question, and it does imply that there's some other action that it's providing (apart from something to hold on to). That said, I get perfectly good shaves from the Stahly head on my Parker 91R handle, and I don't get numb/tingly fingers when I'm done.
-- Chet
 
bakerbarber

bakerbarber

I agree with Bob.

I'll explain why.

While Guido is right that the shake was part of the experience and it probably had some impact on the shave, a Stahly only vibrates for two minutes - three max. In that time, you may finish one pass and either have to set down a still dancing razor, or rewind it with wet hands for the second pass.
All in all the shake doesn't make any more difference than a modern "power" version of a Mach 3 or Fusion. Negligible in my opinion.

To Bob's point, the head is where the magic lies. The safety bars are smooth and have parallel marks. They are rounded - but do not spin. They float on small tabs that are welded or soldered to the main body of the base plate. They don't go up and down or in and out. They will move slightly left to right. This feature combined with the unique guard bar combine to give a shave that feels like no other safety razor.

The best way I think for anyone to form their own opinion is try a Stahly on the original wind up handle. Then also try the original wind up handle with a Tech head and the Stahly head on another handle. You'll see, I believe, that any other head on a Stahly handle will be none too impressive, but a Stahly head on any other handle is - even the original handle.

I feel a Stahly handle shaves the same whether it's wound up or not. It's hefty and satisfying, but the joy is in the spring floated safety bars. That is what above all else gives an enjoyable shave. On any handle.
 
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kingfisher

kingfisher

I am also with Cooncat Bob. This morning I put the head on a DE89L handle and had a fantastic shave. I really think the Stahly head has some kind of magic voodoo or something. It's fantastic!
 
Samjax

Samjax

I think it's pretty good either way...although I currently have my Stahly head on an iKon OSS handle - it's just less hassle and my Stahly handle vibration is only good for around 90 seconds or so. In any event, the Stahly/OSS is a very impressive combination and if that was all I ever had to use - I would always have a DFS (at the very least) shave on a daily basis...and no weepers!
 
alex2363

alex2363

I am with Bob, The head is truly amazing. Its has a springy feel and is very forgiving on my face. I can use a Feather and the head just cuts away without any irritation. I use it on vibrate mode just for kicks but it wont matter. The big chunky handle do make a difference in shave vs a lightweight handle.
 
JimK

JimK

The Stahly is my main daily shaver. It's the best of the best for me. I do believe the spring loaded head is about the finest ever manufactured, and it certainly does a fine job without the vibrating motion of the stock handle...

However, with a well oiled Stahly handle properly wound, that single motion jewel of a floating head transforms a good blade into a wonderful shave, and a Feather into an unbelievably smooth, close, and comfortable shave. I wrapped my handle with velcro glue strips top and bottom, as it does require winding twice for a complete shave, but the Velcro surface makes gripping with wet hands a breeze.

I don't wait for the motor to wind down completely. I keep it running at or near peak speeds, and a two pass shave with Astra SP's is a quick, and satisfyingly smooth shave. With a Feather blade, it's the best shave ever on my face, but the Astras are close enough with the Stahly, and far cheaper... I save the Feathers for a special treat. In either case, the fine shaves are drama (and blood) free experiences most every time... Unfortunately, the same is not the case with my Merkur 38C or classic Gillettes...

The Stahly is simply fantastic, and worth spending the time to become comfortable with it's routine...
 
the beav

the beav

I had a really nice one a few years ago and shaved with it a few times before I sold it. I can't vouch for the attributes of the head, but I found the vibrating handle very annoying to use. Like others said, it has to be rewound during a shave, and doing this with wet hands is difficult and almost dangerous. I decided that it wasn't worth the effort so I sold mine.
 
R

Rob72

JimK said:
The Stahly is my main daily shaver. It's the best of the best for me. I do believe the spring loaded head is about the finest ever manufactured, and it certainly does a fine job without the vibrating motion of the stock handle...

However, with a well oiled Stahly handle properly wound, that single motion jewel of a floating head transforms a good blade into a wonderful shave, and a Feather into an unbelievably smooth, close, and comfortable shave. I wrapped my handle with velcro glue strips top and bottom, as it does require winding twice for a complete shave, but the Velcro surface makes gripping with wet hands a breeze.

I don't wait for the motor to wind down completely. I keep it running at or near peak speeds, and a two pass shave with Astra SP's is a quick, and satisfyingly smooth shave. With a Feather blade, it's the best shave ever on my face, but the Astras are close enough with the Stahly, and far cheaper... I save the Feathers for a special treat. In either case, the fine shaves are drama (and blood) free experiences most every time... Unfortunately, the same is not the case with my Merkur 38C or classic Gillettes...

The Stahly is simply fantastic, and worth spending the time to become comfortable with it's routine...
Click to expand...
I'm more in line with AG and Jim. A shaving towel, or washcloth, sink-side, makes winding a breeze. It takes a very light touch to get actual oscillation of the head/blade on the face, but such a hold is highly effective, and resulted in the only cut I've ever received with a mild-head. I do notice a difference between the vibe-head, and my other (Tradere) handle- the OEM handle cutting a bit closer. Vibe or weight? Can't say, but it is (subjectively) perceptibly better.
 
Samjax

Samjax

This combo is part of my upcoming rotation - Stahly head + BRW Bullmastiff.

It's a great all-around shaver.

$IMAG0482.jpg
 
alex2363

alex2363

JimK said:
The Stahly is my main daily shaver. It's the best of the best for me. I do believe the spring loaded head is about the finest ever manufactured, and it certainly does a fine job without the vibrating motion of the stock handle...

However, with a well oiled Stahly handle properly wound, that single motion jewel of a floating head transforms a good blade into a wonderful shave, and a Feather into an unbelievably smooth, close, and comfortable shave. I wrapped my handle with velcro glue strips top and bottom, as it does require winding twice for a complete shave, but the Velcro surface makes gripping with wet hands a breeze.

I don't wait for the motor to wind down completely. I keep it running at or near peak speeds, and a two pass shave with Astra SP's is a quick, and satisfyingly smooth shave. With a Feather blade, it's the best shave ever on my face, but the Astras are close enough with the Stahly, and far cheaper... I save the Feathers for a special treat. In either case, the fine shaves are drama (and blood) free experiences most every time... Unfortunately, the same is not the case with my Merkur 38C or classic Gillettes...

The Stahly is simply fantastic, and worth spending the time to become comfortable with it's routine...
Click to expand...

the beav said:
I had a really nice one a few years ago and shaved with it a few times before I sold it. I can't vouch for the attributes of the head, but I found the vibrating handle very annoying to use. Like others said, it has to be rewound during a shave, and doing this with wet hands is difficult and almost dangerous. I decided that it wasn't worth the effort so I sold mine.
Click to expand...
The Stahly do require a special attention if you going to use vibrate function. I just let it wind down and patiently rewind it. i was luck to get a very good almost not used Stahly and it works great. The wind up last 2 minutes plus. But I necver use the wind up. I love that springy cutting head as is with the bulky handle.
 
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