Yaqi Changed the Telstar (Stainless Steel) Head

[ivan_101]

The Yaqi Telstar is only sold as a separate head. I mean the stainless steel version.

I bought one in November. A second one arrived 5-6 days ago. Both heads bought from the Yaqi official store. As usual I loaded a blade to see if everything is OK. Looking from under the guard I definitely saw the exposure is less than on the head I bought in 2023. My calipers told me I wasn't wrong, even though my eyesight is getting worse and worse. They only changed the bottom plate. 24.4mm on the old one, 24.8mm on the new one. The caps are the same. Their description still says 1.15 gap. But I would need to measure that as well.

This a thread to tell you that as many other companies Yaqi are now following the massive trend of making their razors milder in order to appeal to the masses.

Gents, this thread is about a change in the stainless steel Telstar, so please let's not discuss the ZAMAK version here.

 

[faroll2]

Does anyone have a sideview picture with a blade in it? I've only managed to have found a sideview without a blade. Thanks.

 

[ivan_101]

Does anyone have a sideview picture with a blade in it? I've only managed to have found a sideview without a blade. Thanks.
View attachment 1879870

DE pics with blade, interesting?

Aha! Mystery solved! So that's why the razor is scratchy! Actually zooming in, you can see that the top cap machining is sort of off. The area on the cap near the retaining pins is not fully flat. That leads to the bowing of the edge of the blade.

www.badgerandblade.com

This is the old more aggressive version.

 

[faroll2]

Thanks Ivan.

Interesting. How much milder is the blade feel compared to the older one?

Comparing the 2 photos, I also noticed that the SB/ baseplate of the new one is less angular and rounded off more.

 

[ivan_101]

I haven't shaved with the new milder one. The exposure has been reduced significantly, something like on Muhle Rocca probably. But the Rocca has a smaller gap and much less area of the blade clamped. So don't expect it to shave like a Rocca.

 

[ButterfaceX]

Interesting..
Then Yaqi's current listing ( or just this one) must be wrong on the width ( or they never bothered to update it) too.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803494271001.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt#nav-specification

Razor head material: 316 stainless steel
Color: raw color ( hmmm raw color)
Length:43.5mm
Width: 24.5mm
Weight: 41g
LOGO:With
Blade gap:1.15mm

We must know by now, Yaqi is usually very inconsistent with their listing, listed specs and descriptions, all over. Meaning brushes too...
Many times, blade exposure is never mentioned in there listings. Lots of important details are just dropped.
Plus if they actually list the blade exposure do, their norm is usually : Blade exposure: +0.05mm.
Now again seems seems to be pattern for a lot of their SS heads, again not all...but most! Correct me if I am off please.
Seems strange how important details or even just wrong info listed does not matter to them. So again most listing are inaccurate.
Makes you wonder about their overall consistency on tolerances and quality?
Consistency & Details matter....well for some companies they do...

Here is one where the Tile is listed as:
Material : 316 Stainless Steel / Zinc Alloy
Blade Exposure info was also just left out.

Anyways, good luck...
Happy Shaves...
BFX

 

[Iridian]

I have also seen one case of this being the other way round, with the stainless steel version becoming more aggressive.

The Yaqi Mellon in Zamac has also rounded posts, while the stainless steel version has them rectangular. It also is somewhat more aggressive, but the Mellon Zamac is a mild head to begin with.

And isn't the steel/titanium R41 also shaving slightly different to the Zamac version(s)?

I am a bit surprised that they didn't polish this head, they polish a lot of their other stainless steel offers now, after all.

Seems it isn't as easy to get the steel version exactly like the zamac version as I imagine it to be. In the case of the Telstar I rather suspect it is in response to feedback they got.

It's a tragedy, some of my more monstrous favorite razors would be neutered or simply no longer made, for sales going with the wishes of the majority is unfortunately trumping my sentiments.

 

[Iridian]

We must know by now, Yaqi is usually very inconsistent with their listing, listed specs and descriptions, all over. Meaning brushes too...

This is a common problem on Aliexpress but also other Chinese sites of similar kind. Even for complex and luxury items they often don't bother mentioning anything at all. They often have to include some specs on the packaging though if they want to export into the USA/Europe.

 

[ButterfaceX]

I have also seen one case of this being the other way round, with the stainless steel version becoming more aggressive.

The Yaqi Mellon in Zamac has also rounded posts, while the stainless steel version has them rectangular. It also is somewhat more aggressive, but the Mellon Zamac is a mild head to begin with.

And isn't the steel/titanium R41 also shaving slightly different to the Zamac version(s)?

I am a bit surprised that they didn't polish this head, they polish a lot of their other stainless steel offers now, after all.

Seems it isn't as easy to get the steel version exactly like the zamac version as I imagine it to be. In the case of the Telstar I rather suspect it is in response to feedback they got.

It's a tragedy, some of my more monstrous favorite razors would be neutered or simply no longer made, for sales going with the wishes of the majority is unfortunately trumping my sentiments.

yep, I believe the SS melon is definitely a different animal. No clue on blade exposure but I think the zamak has a blade gap of .25mm and the SS is like .40mm. Way to mild for this old mans stubble. But it can certainly be a fit for others..

BFX

 

[JAHE]

Thanks for the heads up @ivan_101. We really need your side by side shave with both heads...

 

[ivan_101]

Thanks for the heads up @ivan_101. We really need your side by side shave with both heads...

Yeah, I can tell you I probably will not like the new milder one. And to think I bought a second head because I liked so much the one I bought in November.

At least I got them very cheap with coins and coupons.

 

[Umma2gumma]

The Yaqi Telstar is only sold as a separate head. I mean the stainless steel version.

I bought one in November. A second one arrived 5-6 days ago. Both heads bought from the Yaqi official store. As usual I loaded a blade to see if everything is OK. Looking from under the guard I definitely saw the exposure is less than on the head I bought in 2023. My calipers told me I wasn't wrong, even though my eyesight is getting worse and worse. They only changed the bottom plate. 24.4mm on the old one, 24.8mm on the new one. The caps are the same. Their description still says 1.15 gap. But I would need to measure that as well.

This a thread to tell you that as many other companies Yaqi are now following the massive trend of making their razors milder in order to appeal to the masses.

Gents, this thread is about a change in the stainless steel Telstar, so please let's not discuss the ZAMAK version here.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

I recall that you liked aggressive razors.

How would you compare this latest version of Telstar vs 2019 R41 ?

 

[ivan_101]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread.

I recall that you liked aggressive razors.

How would you compare this latest version of Telstar vs 2019 R41 ?

The new Telstar SS will definitely be milder than the latest R41.

 

[Umma2gumma]

The new Telstar SS will definitely be milder than the latest R41.

In your experience, which SS head by Yaqi or DC is the most similar to the latest R41 or Maggard's V3A in performance ? Both the smoothness and efficiency.

 

[ivan_101]

In your experience, which SS head by Yaqi or DC is the most similar to the latest R41 or Maggard's V3A in performance ? Both the smoothness and efficiency.

Maggard V3A and R41 2019 are quite different razors. I haven't tried all Yaqi heads.
Don't know what DC is.

 

[megamac]

I have often read of the Yaqi Telstar being a Razor head that is still an enigma. While the theory that it as a copy of the Lupo was debunked in favor of the Vostok, I see a strong resemblance to the Pils Rasur 104NL head. For me, I decided personally to just take it as a Yaqi original design.

While I still love the Yaqi Sentinel 1.5 OC, the SS Mellon, The Harlequin and The Kinght Helmet, for me nothing compares to the Telstar and that may just be a personal opinion. The Smoothness and Efficiency of the Telstar always delivers a two pass BBS with no buffing required at all. Sharp blades seem to work best with it and the Wizamet Super Iridium, The German Wilkinson Sword and even the Feather perform beautifully with the Razor Head.

I have owned the Lupo .95 OC and the 127 SB in the past. While the .95 OC was just alright for me the 127 SB was superb, I landed up trading both and kept the Telstar. SS. It just shaved better and was terrific value.

Of Late, I have also found that polished heads are a problem when they get surface scratches etc. and I have started leaning on AS Machined tools more. They work the same for me, look great and are cheaper most often. I do love the look of the Telstar as is.

I had the 2023 Telstar in Zamak and SS and then picked up one in the sale two months back as well. My sibling grabbed my Zamak and previous SS head. I find the current version smoother but with the same efficiency as the earlier Telstar release. It is one of my top three shavers on par and even better than some of the big boy Razors I won. This is one Razor head that I won't part with.

If you lads haven't taken one for a spin, do so and you won't be disappointed.

 

[megamac]

In your experience, which SS head by Yaqi or DC is the most similar to the latest R41 or Maggard's V3A in performance ? Both the smoothness and efficiency.

I'm a huge fan of he R41 even though I have the tamest 2019 version. I prefer the Zamak to the SS as it is smoother for me by a hair's breadth. To answer your question mate, the R41 is a masterpiece by itself, German Quality and an amzingly original design. Nothing compares to it in terms of sililarity or performance. Razors like the Ikon Tek or the Rodter 1909 may be more aggressive but the R41 is just nicer.

@Iridian , @Ron R and many other members are Gurus with the Yaqi and DS Catalogues and much of my purchases from these two companies ahve been through their reviews and advice. So here are the Razors with Smoothness and efficiency through my experience

1. Yaqi Telstar - Smooth with High Efficiency
2.Yaqi Sentinel 1.5 OC - Failry smooth with high efficiency
3. Yaqi Harlequin - Not the smoothest but super efficient and an enjoyable razor
4. DSCosmetic S9 - Very smooth with the scalloped top, a touch ahead of the GC.84, bit over medium efficiency for me.
5. Yaqi Mellon - Smooth, Mid Efficiency , fun razor and the only one I can carelessly buff with.
6. The DS Cosmetic AX 1.55 SS or Ti - Smooth, High efficiency and needs a bit of caution if you're new to it. I love it and its on par with my Telstar.

Hope this helps mate.

 

[ivan_101]

Gentlemen, please stay on topic. The thread is not about discussing Maggard, Muhle, DS Cosmetics or the vast range of Yaqi heads. It is about the Telstar stainless steel head, that has changed and now has a milder and an older more aggressive version. It is not even about the ZAMAK Telstar.

 

[Ron R]

Does anyone have a sideview picture with a blade in it? I've only managed to have found a sideview without a blade. Thanks.
View attachment 1879870

(Archived photo when I first received mine years ago!)
It is not perfect picture but it is reasonable accurate IMO, it has some blade forward or has positive blade exposure. Zamack model shown!

Have some great shaves!

 

[megamac]

Gentlemen, please stay on topic. The thread is not about discussing Maggard, Muhle, DS Cosmetics or the vast range of Yaqi heads. It is about the Telstar stainless steel head, that has changed and now has a milder and an older more aggressive version. It is not even about the ZAMAK Telstar.

I find no difference in the new Telstar head as far as efficiency is concerned but I do find it a bit smoother if that helps. Apologies for hijacking the focus of your topic