Which Mamba plate are you using, the original, or the new .70?
The World Shave Off Showdown
- Thread starter User 306
- Start date
OMG I'm just confused 
with the number of razors especially in these odd number brackets of 5, 15 & 9. I am use to sports brackets like 4, 8, 16. Even a single elimination competition will be challenging. It seems more balanced with the vintages vs moderns at this point.
FWIW have all adjustables anything goes from the shaver's standpoint and if you are not familiar with that razor let the owner tell you what works best for them regarding smoothness. I'd same the same thing for what blade you use as in use the blade you are most familiar with to achieve a smooth result or get the owner's views - just make sure we know the whys which I am sure you will.
I guess out March Madness
starts in February 
Best of luck AJ
with the number of razors especially in these odd number brackets of 5, 15 & 9. I am use to sports brackets like 4, 8, 16. Even a single elimination competition will be challenging. It seems more balanced with the vintages vs moderns at this point.FWIW have all adjustables anything goes from the shaver's standpoint and if you are not familiar with that razor let the owner tell you what works best for them regarding smoothness. I'd same the same thing for what blade you use as in use the blade you are most familiar with to achieve a smooth result or get the owner's views - just make sure we know the whys which I am sure you will.
I guess out March Madness
starts in February Best of luck AJ
Original.
As typical of mild razors of this configuration maximizing efficiency requires more attention to angle and pressure than razors with more gap and/or exposure. I find this is even more the case with the Mamba than most.
- Thread starter
- #2,025
UPDATE:
So I've separated the razors into 3 categories.
I'm planning on starting the Shave Off this coming weekend so I want to make sure all is in place for the 1st rounds. I thought to make it more interesting I'd start with either the category 1 which I'm calling " Adjustables " or the 2nd category which I'm referring to as the "Contenders " and do a Shave Off with the 2 razors we pick out for the first Shave Off. Then move to the to the other category and do a Shave Off with 2 of those razors and then back again to the other category and keep going that way until we finish the 2 categories. Eventually as the razors get eliminated we will be left with 2 razors from each category and then those 4 razors will be added to the what I'm calling the " Favorites " category which are the razors both modern and Vintage that have the reputation for being super smooth and that category will go last.
I'd like to put together the matchups before I start the Shave off this weekend. I'd like to hear some feedback and suggestions as to what category and which 2 razors go with for 1st round so let me know what your pick. If you believe that some of the razors should be in different categories lets hear your thoughts and we can discuss it. I've done my best to put these razors in the proper categories based on either my own personal experiences shaving with them ( some from memory since it's been a while ) or from members who have sent them to me for this Shave Off and have given me their opinions.
So Gentlemen I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this set up I've put together.
Category 1 - Adjustables:
1.Gillette F4 Toggle
2.Gillette Fatboy
3.Gillette Slim
4. Mergress adjustable.
5. Gibbs adjustable
Category 2 - Contenders:
1. Gillette New SC
2. Gillette New Deluxe Big Boy
3. Gillette RFB
4. Fatip Grande
3. Gillette Red Tip
5. Gillette 46/47 Aristocrat
6. Gillette 1st Gen 15 OC Aristocrat
7. Gillette 2nd Gen SB Aristocrat
8. Charcoal Goods Level 2
9. RR Gamechanger with both baseplates.
10. Edwin Jagger DE89
11. Merkur 34C
12. RazoRock SLOC
13. RazoRock Mamba
14. Blackbird SB
15. Ikon New Deluxe
Category 3 - Favorites:
1.Gillette President
2.Gillette 1934 Aristocrat
3.Gillette 48/50 Aristocrat
4.Paradigm 17 4
5. Raw Shaving RS 10 Mild plate
6. Wolfman WR2 .95 SB
7. Timeless .95 SB Titanium ( .68 plate will be used if we can get one )
8. Stahly
8. Karve with a variety of baseplates which I will use the milder E, C or D plate.
9. Gillette Fat handled Tech
At this point I'm not proud I STILL NEED a Timeless .68 baseplate....Titanium if possible.
Thanks all!
DB
So I've separated the razors into 3 categories.
I'm planning on starting the Shave Off this coming weekend so I want to make sure all is in place for the 1st rounds. I thought to make it more interesting I'd start with either the category 1 which I'm calling " Adjustables " or the 2nd category which I'm referring to as the "Contenders " and do a Shave Off with the 2 razors we pick out for the first Shave Off. Then move to the to the other category and do a Shave Off with 2 of those razors and then back again to the other category and keep going that way until we finish the 2 categories. Eventually as the razors get eliminated we will be left with 2 razors from each category and then those 4 razors will be added to the what I'm calling the " Favorites " category which are the razors both modern and Vintage that have the reputation for being super smooth and that category will go last.
I'd like to put together the matchups before I start the Shave off this weekend. I'd like to hear some feedback and suggestions as to what category and which 2 razors go with for 1st round so let me know what your pick. If you believe that some of the razors should be in different categories lets hear your thoughts and we can discuss it. I've done my best to put these razors in the proper categories based on either my own personal experiences shaving with them ( some from memory since it's been a while ) or from members who have sent them to me for this Shave Off and have given me their opinions.
So Gentlemen I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this set up I've put together.
Category 1 - Adjustables:
1.Gillette F4 Toggle
2.Gillette Fatboy
3.Gillette Slim
4. Mergress adjustable.
5. Gibbs adjustable
Category 2 - Contenders:
1. Gillette New SC
2. Gillette New Deluxe Big Boy
3. Gillette RFB
4. Fatip Grande
3. Gillette Red Tip
5. Gillette 46/47 Aristocrat
6. Gillette 1st Gen 15 OC Aristocrat
7. Gillette 2nd Gen SB Aristocrat
8. Charcoal Goods Level 2
9. RR Gamechanger with both baseplates.
10. Edwin Jagger DE89
11. Merkur 34C
12. RazoRock SLOC
13. RazoRock Mamba
14. Blackbird SB
15. Ikon New Deluxe
Category 3 - Favorites:
1.Gillette President
2.Gillette 1934 Aristocrat
3.Gillette 48/50 Aristocrat
4.Paradigm 17 4
5. Raw Shaving RS 10 Mild plate
6. Wolfman WR2 .95 SB
7. Timeless .95 SB Titanium ( .68 plate will be used if we can get one )
8. Stahly
8. Karve with a variety of baseplates which I will use the milder E, C or D plate.
9. Gillette Fat handled Tech
At this point I'm not proud I STILL NEED a Timeless .68 baseplate....Titanium if possible.
Thanks all!
DB
I support however you want to categorize, Frank. All I know is that, based on my den, the 17-4 is going to win this war. I used it again this morning, and given the efficiency:smoothness ratio, it wins every time. I might have a few more efficient razors, but none that are as efficient and smooth, both.
I look forward to reading this monumental undertaking!
I look forward to reading this monumental undertaking!
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Wow. Epic shave-off, Frank. What a list. Can’t wait to follow it.
Very well thought out!! Wow, this is gonna be great!
I like the three categories you made. I look forward to seeing how it all shakes out.
Happy shaves
Jason
Happy shaves
Jason
I like your categories, Frank. And luckily, I either already had or purchased a few razors because of your previous Shaveoffs. So this Shaveoff will not be costing me a lot of money!
I think your first option would give a truer sense of razor smoothness. I think the blade that makes a given razor the smoothest it can be, compared to other razors with their smoothest blades, will better determine which razor can, under optimal circumstances and setup, give the smoothest shave. Which is what I would hope all your efforts will uncover.
- Thread starter
- #2,033
Thanks for your input my friend and I'm going to give it the best I can. As far as the razors in the Shave Off that are coming from my den I've pretty much tried most of the blades with them so I'm very confident I'll choose the right ones to use in the Shave Off. With the razors that I'm very familiar with that I've had and sold that are now coming back to me from members again I'm fairly sure I know what blade to use but I'm also listening to the owners about what their favorite is. With the razors that are being sent to me that I have no experience with I'm going by what the owners are telling me works best. I may however if I find it's not to my liking change the blade after a few strokes during a Shave Off and see it that makes any difference in my evaluation of how smooth the razor is or isn't on my face.
Good post!
Man I'm going to have to put this baby up against the Stahly in my own smoothness smackdown. 1937 Liebel.
I think your methodolgy is spot on. In the end this is your test, your experience, and we all know YMMV.Thanks for your input my friend and I'm going to give it the best I can. As far as the razors in the Shave Off that are coming from my den I've pretty much tried most of the blades with them so I'm very confident I'll choose the right ones to use in the Shave Off. With the razors that I'm very familiar with that I've had and sold that are now coming back to me from members again I'm fairly sure I know what blade to use but I'm also listening to the owners about what their favorite is. With the razors that are being sent to me that I have no experience with I'm going by what the owners are telling me works best. I may however if I find it's not to my liking change the blade after a few strokes during a Shave Off and see it that makes any difference in my evaluation of how smooth the razor is or isn't on my face.
Good post!
Famous last words!
We are dealing with one of B&B's greatest RAD enablers (along with Gus aka Glazedboker)!Man I'm going to have to put this baby up against the Stahly in my own smoothness smackdown. 1937 Liebel.
Whoa, nice soap! (Cool razor too!)
Hehe yes to both [emoji41]
