I was a bit worried it might be too light, but I shouldn't have. It is in my goldilocks zone for weight: Light enough to be nimble and encourage light pressure, but heavy enough so you feel exactly where the razor is and what it's doing. Felt right at home from the first stroke.
What are you currently eyeballing?
- Thread starter AshleyC
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Bought a Muhle R41 after an ATT and Timless. Really liked them but love the R41. Looked for a new handle after all the posts convinced me to hate the handle that came with it . Now I use the original handle as it doesn’t add pressure and I have much more control. That and a Nacet blade have given me the finest shave ever without nicks.
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Well now I cant wait for mine!!! Tracking puts it in the mail box on Friday!!
II have a feeling you like it.
it! Truly, this was not what I expected. I expected a little improvement and it looks really nice. After reading the thread linked by @Esox about blade flex, I already noticed that this razor really holds the blade near the edge, so I wondered if that would improve the shave on this razor... it does!Thanks for all the info and support @naughtilus... it really made the wait more fun
Ai, 2 more days of nail-biting! If it works as well for you as it does for me, you are in for one hell of a treat!!!
Let us know how your first shave went when you get it
Congratulations, It is My Best Razor as well! I really like the Titanium feel. Shaves effortlessly.
The new barista at Starbucks
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Thanks for all the info and support @naughtilus... it really made the wait more fun
Rigidity makes a difference. Timeless razors are among the most rigid designs there are.
Timeless.
Wolfman WR1.
The general design may vary between the two but how and where they clamp the blade is much the same.
Its my belief, as well as a few others, that razors should clamp the blade equally from above and below, like a vise, as close to the edge as possible.
Chris Kirchen, the designer and maker of the Karve razor thinks much the same.
Theres much to read around the forum on rigidity.
Thank you @Calm_Shaver. Yeah, the titanium feels great, especially the weight. And polished it is just jaw-dropping gorgeous! I also like the head-size. With the lather-channels I thought it would be bulkier than it actually is... it is really easy to reach everywhere, even under my nose.
Definitively will be one of the key aspects for me in razors from now on! The improvement in the shave could not be precision-milling alone. Clearly the design of how the blade is held plays a big role here (and the precision-milling for how well the blade is held in place). Listening to my first WTG pass I could hear the difference. And I could feel it in how consistent the resistance was in the stroke. So much smoother because of it. Also, no irritation in my shave: I can imagine that a fluttering blade will pick off some skin here and there.
DE razor holding a blade perfectly static is essentially a straight razor with a replaceable edge. That was Gillette's original idea which can be seen in early 3 piece razors that clamp the blade at the very edge.
Interesting. If I can ever try one out, I'll have to check that out
Why did manufacturers ever leave this concept? I can imagine the manufacturing tolerances need to be more precise for this or nickel/chrome plating gets in the way, but at least for me, this was just so much better.
Interesting. If I can ever try one out, I'll have to check that out
I've found that the more rigidly held the blade is, the narrower the selection of 'best' blades for me.
When the blade is held in a static position, theres no spring pressure stored in it so you'll feel exactly how difficult to cut your stubble really is. Thats where finding the best blade coatings for me came in. My best blades cut the hairs and I feel nothing. Others tug as they cut and because theres no flex in the blade, feeling that tugging is far more pronounced.
That makes a lot of sense. I went to a fresh Gillette PermaSharp as I knew it performed amazingly for me in the R41. The blades didn't seem to last well after shave-3 though, but those first 2 shaves were just amazing. It didn't disappoint in the Timeless... didn't disappoint at all!
What blades do you prefer in a rigid razor @Esox?
Interesting. If I can ever try one out, I'll have to check that out
DE blades used to be much thicker and less flexing/chatter occurred. Merkurs more popular designs only support the blade on top (to allow for lather channels at the bottom) and rely on blade arching to provide sufficient stiffness. Blades were like springs and Gillette even advertised its 3 piece razors as adjustable. Blades had a lot of resistance so unwinding a quarter turn adjusted blade exposure yet kept the blade stiff.
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I understand: No real need for such clamping with more spring-action in the blade. So the blades changed over the years, but, in general, the razors did not. A bit like the frog in cold water on the stove then.
It might have imagined this (was pretty new at DE shaving), but are Merkur blades more springy than others? I got that feeling when I shaved with one a long time ago.
My first shave with any new to me razor has always been Derby Extra. In my R41 however it was a horribly tuggy and uncomfortable shave. From that use I can understand why so many dislike Derby Extra so much. In my Grande however, its wonderful. In my Gillette NEW SC its also a favorite and may be my top blade, tied with Polsilver. Smooth and comfortable. With a steep angle in that razor it also gave me a 10 hour BBS.
Derby Extra is in my top 3 DE blade picks along with Polsilver and Gillette Yellow. Perma-Sharp Super and Feather rounding out my top 5 with an honorable mention to Gillette Black.
DE blades are the main reason I've gone to SE. DE blades are, generally, .004" thick. They're very thin and very flexible. SE blades on the other hand are more than twice as thick. The GEM SE blades are .009" thick and AC blades are as thick as .013" or even thicker.
The added rigidity of the thicker SE blades gives me a superior shave to my best DE shave. DE blades are arguably as comfortable in use but the angle I need to maintain to not impart any flex to the edge, even in my Grande, is very small. I can use an SE blade at any angle from extremely steep to extremely shallow and not experience any flex in the edge. The result of that is improved skin condition, long term.
If you look in my profile for threads started by me, you'll find several DE blade reviews. All were done with a Gillette NEW SC and Stirling soaps. In my journal thread here, you'll find my Fatip Grande. That threads covers a lot, but it also includes my testing of around 30 different blade types in that razor along with my quest for the best shave I can have in one pass ATG. That starts on page 5. My 7th use of that razor with a Feather blade. I've been shaving the same way since then only now with an SE.
Thanks @Esox. I'll give them a read... sounds very interesting. I have not looked at SE before and wasn't aware of the thickness... quite interesting!
I keep hearing great stories about the Fatip (and Gillette NEW SC); a pity the finish on the Fatips is so poor, but I will probably get one for my brother to get him into DE
(the SB version then)
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Never tried one. I doubt they are thick enough to matter. The designs just stuck with time. With a negative blade exposure blade stiffness isn't so much an issue. Open comb designs don't need lather channels so positive blade exposure works well even with modern blades due to better clamping. That's why OCs are generally more efficient yet smooth. Obviously you can make them mild too, it's a design decision.
Muhle R41 - terrible blade clamping, almost no blade arching, huge positive blade exposure, open comb. No lather channels yet no stiffness. Design by a brush making company.
Fatip Piccolo - great blade clamping, huge positive blade exposure, open comb. Gillette Old Type clone. It was done right the first time.
a pity the finish on the Fatips is so poor, but I will probably get one for my brother to get him into DE
They cost $25, all brass, made in Italy. A better finished Fatip is called Plisson/Jorris. Price tag x10.
10x? ... Well, ehm... Did I mention the great finish on that normal Fatip?... will be a great starter for my brother
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