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Wolfman Wednesday

15-9-2021

Wolfman Guerrilla


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Salut!


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When I read @3oclockShadow & @Leverspro with their 1.65 and 1.45 gaps several things happen within my mind as it fumbles with the upcoming decision of which Wolfman to acquire next.
  1. Am I being a wimp when I think anything above 1.15 might have too much blade feel, or be "too aggressive," or keep me from remaining in the land of comfortable daily shaves?
  2. Since I certainly don't have a 3 o'clock shadow, do I need and would I benefit from a high gap WR2?
  3. What planet are these gentlemen from? (Which takes me back to #1.)
  4. It surely would be nice to know more about everyone's whiskers and skin.
  5. I wish there were an easier and less expensive way to figure out "the right" WR2, but reality rears its ugly head and/or we'll all insane hobbyist shavers who don't need any of this high end kit to get a good enough shave.
  6. OTOH, the WR2 sure is smooth at 1.15. Would it be just as great for me at 1.55 or 1.35?
  7. Is this a fun thread or what! Great razor porn.
Bet I'm not the only one.

Happy shaves,

Jim
Jim,

I don’t use super aggressive razors normally (Karve OC-D and Rockwell 6S plate 5/6) and went with the WR2 DC 1.35.

At first I thought I made a mistake going so aggressive as the first 2 shaves were brutal. Once I lightened up the pressure and watched my angle, it was like I had a different razor. I can now use the 1.35 (SB side) for daily shaves with no irritation at all. If I did it again, I would likely go 1.25, but 1.35 is surprisingly forgiving and gives great shaves.

In any case, going from a Feather AS-D2 or mild Henson directly to a 1.35+ might cause a bloodbath, but for most of us that use a variety of medium to aggressive razors, 1.35 would likely fit the bill. I am not brave enough go 1.45-1.65, but my 1.35 OC side is nice as well.

I likely didn’t help do anything but confuse you, but it might be worth mentioning that a 1.35 is a safe resale as well if you don’t like it. Not sure the 1.55 would be as desirable. But as usual, I could be totally wrong on that. 🤪
 

Hannah's Dad

I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Jim,

I don’t use super aggressive razors normally (Karve OC-D and Rockwell 6S plate 5/6) and went with the WR2 DC 1.35.

At first I thought I made a mistake going so aggressive as the first 2 shaves were brutal. Once I lightened up the pressure and watched my angle, it was like I had a different razor. I can now use the 1.35 (SB side) for daily shaves with no irritation at all. If I did it again, I would likely go 1.25, but 1.35 is surprisingly forgiving and gives great shaves.

In any case, going from a Feather AS-D2 or mild Henson directly to a 1.35+ might cause a bloodbath, but for most of us that use a variety of medium to aggressive razors, 1.35 would likely fit the bill. I am not brave enough go 1.45-1.65, but my 1.35 OC side is nice as well.

I likely didn’t help do anything but confuse you, but it might be worth mentioning that a 1.35 is a safe resale as well if you don’t like it. Not sure the 1.55 would be as desirable. But as usual, I could be totally wrong on that. 🤪
I submit that there’s a willing buyer for every single Wolfman, regardless of gap.
 
When I read @3oclockShadow & @Leverspro with their 1.65 and 1.45 gaps several things happen within my mind as it fumbles with the upcoming decision of which Wolfman to acquire next.

  1. Am I being a wimp when I think anything above 1.15 might have too much blade feel, or be "too aggressive," or keep me from remaining in the land of comfortable daily shaves?
  2. Since I certainly don't have a 3 o'clock shadow, do I need and would I benefit from a high gap WR2?
  3. What planet are these gentlemen from? (Which takes me back to #1.)
  4. It surely would be nice to know more about everyone's whiskers and skin.
  5. I wish there were an easier and less expensive way to figure out "the right" WR2, but reality rears its ugly head and/or we'll all insane hobbyist shavers who don't need any of this high end kit to get a good enough shave.
  6. OTOH, the WR2 sure is smooth at 1.15. Would it be just as great for me at 1.55 or 1.35?
  7. Is this a fun thread or what! Great razor porn.
Bet I'm not the only one.

Happy shaves,

Jim
It is a difficult choice, particularly considering the price, although as others mentioned, there are willing buyers if you decide you chose the wrong model. I too kept going back and forth on which head and gap to order. I like aggressive razors to minimize the number of passes I need to do, and don't find 1.65 all that aggressive. Maybe it is in the design of the head. I don't have enough shaves with mine to make too many comparisons. It is a very smooth shaver.

Also of interest to me - with the different gaps - is the top cap just smaller or are there more design changes to it? It would be fun to have a bunch of different Wolfman razors in one place to compare.



 

Chan Eil Whiskers

Fumbling about.
Jim,

I don’t use super aggressive razors normally (Karve OC-D and Rockwell 6S plate 5/6) and went with the WR2 DC 1.35.

At first I thought I made a mistake going so aggressive as the first 2 shaves were brutal. Once I lightened up the pressure and watched my angle, it was like I had a different razor. I can now use the 1.35 (SB side) for daily shaves with no irritation at all. If I did it again, I would likely go 1.25, but 1.35 is surprisingly forgiving and gives great shaves.

In any case, going from a Feather AS-D2 or mild Henson directly to a 1.35+ might cause a bloodbath, but for most of us that use a variety of medium to aggressive razors, 1.35 would likely fit the bill. I am not brave enough go 1.45-1.65, but my 1.35 OC side is nice as well.

I likely didn’t help do anything but confuse you, but it might be worth mentioning that a 1.35 is a safe resale as well if you don’t like it. Not sure the 1.55 would be as desirable. But as usual, I could be totally wrong on that. 🤪


Very extremely helpful.

Much appreciated information. Especially appreciated is all the context.

Would you mind talking some about your skin and whiskers?

I have somewhat dry skin, perhaps kinda average albeit perhaps a tad more subject to irritation than some, and old man whiskers. My beard is average I think. My beard map is all over the place. A very very difficult soul patch.

I'm not in love with nor do I crave blade feel but I notice some blade feel is much less bothersome than other blade feel.

The Karve D SB is really easy for me to use. I can use the F OC or the G, too, and find them reasonably smooth, but not quite as easy as the D. I have no experience with any Rockwell.

Oh, what angle are you using with the 1.35?

Happy shaves,

Jim
 

Hannah's Dad

I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
It is a difficult choice, particularly considering the price, although as others mentioned, there are willing buyers if you decide you chose the wrong model. I too kept going back and forth on which head and gap to order. I like aggressive razors to minimize the number of passes I need to do, and don't find 1.65 all that aggressive. Maybe it is in the design of the head. I don't have enough shaves with mine to make too many comparisons. It is a very smooth shaver.

Also of interest to me - with the different gaps - is the top cap just smaller or are there more design changes to it? It would be fun to have a bunch of different Wolfman razors in one place to compare.



The top caps are identical from WR2 .95 thru 1.65. It’s the baseplate that varies.
 
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Very extremely helpful.

Much appreciated information. Especially appreciated is all the context.

Would you mind talking some about your skin and whiskers?

I have somewhat dry skin, perhaps kinda average albeit perhaps a tad more subject to irritation than some, and old man whiskers. My beard is average I think. My beard map is all over the place. A very very difficult soul patch.

I'm not in love with nor do I crave blade feel but I notice some blade feel is much less bothersome than other blade feel.

The Karve D SB is really easy for me to use. I can use the F OC or the G, too, and find them reasonably smooth, but not quite as easy as the D. I have no experience with any Rockwell.

Oh, what angle are you using with the 1.35?

Happy shaves,

Jim
Not sure what angle I use as it is all feel. Not riding the cap in any case.

My whiskers are fairly thick and my skin isn’t dry (or overly oily). My beard pretty much grows down and against the grain is “up”. beyond that I have a few weird spots under my chin, but I would say my whiskers and skin is normal for someone in their early 50s…

P.s. If you use the Karve G and OC-F, I wouldn’t worry about the WM 1.35 being too aggressive. Not substantially more aggressive than the F-SB IME.
 
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Chan Eil Whiskers

Fumbling about.
It is a difficult choice, particularly considering the price, although as others mentioned, there are willing buyers if you decide you chose the wrong model. I too kept going back and forth on which head and gap to order. I like aggressive razors to minimize the number of passes I need to do, and don't find 1.65 all that aggressive. Maybe it is in the design of the head. I don't have enough shaves with mine to make too many comparisons. It is a very smooth shaver.


Also of interest to me - with the different gaps - is the top cap just smaller or are there more design changes to it? It would be fun to have a bunch of different Wolfman razors in one place to compare.




Interesting question about the top caps. I'd guess the difference from one gap to the other is unrelated to the top cap and related only to the amount cut out of the baseplate. However that's a half educated WAG. Someone who knows will hopefully educate us.

Exactly what "aggressive" means to anybody but me is another guess. To me aggressive means rough, or prone to biting me, or damaging to my skin. I'm pretty sure you're saying the 1.65 doesn't seem that way to you; it's not all that aggressive and it's very smooth. Very cool to hear that. Also very amazing!

To me efficient means it shaves close without doing a ton of work. More efficient = less work. I like that.

I think a razor can be quite efficient and also comfortable, and smooth feeling during use, and not damaging. That, to me, defines an effective razor.

An effective razor, according to me, allows me to do enough work to get a close, long lasting shave (whether it's one pass or a bunch of buffing) without hurting my skin or creating discomfort during or after the shave. In theory at least, for me, fewer passes is good.

(In truth, it's easy for me to get a great shave on my cheeks. My neck is more difficult, but the real challenges are my soul patch, chin, and upper lip. Especially the SP.

It's not necessary of course for anyone to agree with me about anything including terms and definitions but I occasionally become confused particularly with the term "aggressive."

I don't see how a razor can be both smooth and aggressive. Not that you were saying the 1.65 is aggressive. To the contrary, as you said it's not all that aggressive. (Again, just to be clear.)

Your post is hugely helpful to me. Can I ask a few questions?

Could I ask what your angle is (like steep/guard riding or shallow/cap riding or what)? What is your beard like? I'd guess from your username your beard is very heavy? Your whiskers are tough or what? Skin easily irritated?

[I have somewhat dry skin, perhaps kinda average dry skin albeit perhaps a tad more subject to irritation than some. (Don't want to pretend I have snowflake skin.) I have old man tough white whiskers. My beard is average I think. My beard map is all over the place. A very very difficult soul patch.]

[I'm not in love with nor do I crave blade feel but I notice some blade feel is much less bothersome than other blade feel.]

The more I use it the more I think the 1.15 is a very effective razor, but I'd still like more efficiency if I can get it without hurting myself.

Thanks so much.

Happy shaves,

Jim
 

Chan Eil Whiskers

Fumbling about.
Not sure what angle I use as it is all feel. Not riding the cap in any case.

My whiskers are fairly thick and my skin isn’t dry (or overly oily). My beard pretty much grows down and against the grain is “up”. beyond that I have a few weird spots under my chin, but I would say my growth and skin is normal for someone in their early 50s…

P.s. If you use the Karve G and OC-F, I wouldn’t worry about the WM 1.35.


Super helpful. Thanks so much.

I really don't much use the Karve, but I can for sure. No real idea why I don't use the Karve more other than I have a lot of options.

Happy shaves,

Jim
 
- Brush: Simpson M7 Manchurian
- Razor: Wolfman WR2 1.35SB
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock SharpEdge (Yellow)
- Soap: Noble Otter Orbit
- Aftershave: Noble Otter Orbit
- Post Shave: Thayers Rose, Hyaluronic Acid


Perfect shave today. My first Gillette SharpEdge and it is an excellent blade paired with my WR2 (one shave in anyways).

I am enjoying the dual comb 1.35. I only use the SB side for daily shaving and the OC side for 2 or more days of growth. So glad I went with the DC. 👍

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Am I being a wimp when I think anything above 1.15 might have too much blade feel
I don't like blade feel. But, the Wolfman delivers such a pleasant shave experience, I 'feel' the pull of wanting to experience a more efficient shave. For me, I did not like a Karve D shave because of blade feel. Will I dislike a WR2 1.25, 1.35, 1.45+ (and in between, like 1.3 or 1.4)? To me, this is what makes the Wolfman such a lovely and seductive razor. It encourages me to test a limit. Test with my dollars of course, but not necessarily with the Wolfman itself. Just my take.
 


When I read @3oclockShadow & @Leverspro with their 1.65 and 1.45 gaps several things happen within my mind as it fumbles with the upcoming decision of which Wolfman to acquire next.
  1. Am I being a wimp when I think anything above 1.15 might have too much blade feel, or be "too aggressive," or keep me from remaining in the land of comfortable daily shaves?
  2. Since I certainly don't have a 3 o'clock shadow, do I need and would I benefit from a high gap WR2?
  3. What planet are these gentlemen from? (Which takes me back to #1.)
  4. It surely would be nice to know more about everyone's whiskers and skin.
  5. I wish there were an easier and less expensive way to figure out "the right" WR2, but reality rears its ugly head and/or we'll all insane hobbyist shavers who don't need any of this high end kit to get a good enough shave.
  6. OTOH, the WR2 sure is smooth at 1.15. Would it be just as great for me at 1.55 or 1.35?
  7. Is this a fun thread or what! Great razor porn.
Bet I'm not the only one.

Happy shaves,

Jim
You are pr overthinking this. The smoothness of the WR2 makes one question if a more aggressive blade gap might serve better. This way leads to madness and depleted bank accounts. Enjoy your shaves!
 
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