I'm considering picking up either one of the Ghost 90 or the Vostok 90. I have read the previous discussions on these two razors - mostly good stuff. I'd like to get opinions on how these two razors compare against each other - in terms of efficiency, aggressiveness, clamping, chatter (ymmv, of course). FYI, I use the GC-84 as my daily driver and am fairly happy with it.
Yaqi: Ghost vs Vostok
- Thread starter sandstorm99
- Start date
lasta
Blade Biter
No experience with the 90, but the ghost 70 is a very very mild razor. Even less than the GC68.
The 90 has a bigger gap, but the same exposure. Anecdotal comments suggest that even that one is very mild.
The 90 has a bigger gap, but the same exposure. Anecdotal comments suggest that even that one is very mild.
I found the same as @lasta, but with the Ghost 90 - it is very mild. Much more mild than your GC 84. I thought the Ghost 90 was similar to the GC 68. If you are looking for very mild, it is a great choice, but if you want something close to your GC 84, look elsewhere.
Just used mine Ghost 0.90 today.
Yes it is very mild. I feel like I can't cut myself with it even if I wanted to. But I get great, close shaves from it and I think it's a looker!
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks.
Yeah, I have decided to give the Ghost and the Vostok a miss. Although there is Vostok 105, I will not pull the plug on it.
I am quite impressed with the DSCosmetic S9-T (not surprising, as it's a GC84 clone). I am looking into the V95 brass (I don't own a brass razor yet) and the AX 1.55-T (I believe it's only available via the second-hand market). I am assuming that the AX1.55 is closer to the GC84 than the AX1.35 (based on a mega-thread a couple of months on the AX review)
Really appreciate the candid feedback and advice here!
Yeah, I have decided to give the Ghost and the Vostok a miss. Although there is Vostok 105, I will not pull the plug on it.
I am quite impressed with the DSCosmetic S9-T (not surprising, as it's a GC84 clone). I am looking into the V95 brass (I don't own a brass razor yet) and the AX 1.55-T (I believe it's only available via the second-hand market). I am assuming that the AX1.55 is closer to the GC84 than the AX1.35 (based on a mega-thread a couple of months on the AX review)
Really appreciate the candid feedback and advice here!
I have the Vostok Duo 1.05 DC (SB/OC), the DSC V92 brass, and the AX 1.55 Ti. I can't say anything about the Ghost or the GC84.
I have shaved only a couple of times with the Vostok 1.05, but I can say that the SB side is more aggressive than the OC side. It's a good shaver, but needs to be matched with a good blade and it requires focus and patience. Weepers are easy to come by with even the slightest lapse of concentration. I still haven't really gotten the hang of the Vostok; how much can one really say after only three shaves? But it has given me quite good shaves.
I bought the V92 in a set including the scalloped cap and parallel cap. As I understand the shaving characteristics aren't much different between the V92 and V95, so I'd go for the V95. The scalloped cap is better than the parallel cap. The strokes feel smoother with the scalloped cap and somehow the shaves are also better, probably has something to do with the geometry. The parallel cap is difficult to maintain and develops water spots quite easily. You'll save some money by just purchasing the V95 with a scalloped cap. I shaved quite a few times with the V92, my last shave with it was today. I'm blown away how good this razor is even with blades that don't work as well in other razors for me. Be prepared that this is a heavy razor.
I purchased the AX 1.55 Ti a while ago and have shaved with it quite a few times. Luckily, I didn't have any problem with sticking blades, but I read that a couple of guys had this issue. The blade is completely covered by the cap and is held in place in the four corners. There is no blade chatter whatsoever. Because it is so tight, blades with copious amount of wax glue can get stuck. I usually put a razor with a new blade in warm water before a shave, and that usually melts the wax off the blade - except Astra SP's only sulphuric acid can burn those wax dots off.
The AX Ti is very efficient, but at the same time quite mild. Again it requires concentration and a strong focus on not exerting any pressure. The Ti is so light that you don't feel the weight and it's easy to get carried away and put pressure on. That lightness has an advantage though, the shave feels like you driving a hypercar. Where the V95 will feel like a Monstertruck, the AX will feel like Bugatti. I was initially concerned about the high blade gap, but it actually doesn't translate into high aggressiveness. You might need to be careful with the chin area as skin could get trapped between the Safety bar and the blade. Other than that, it's an amazing razor.
DSC is currently trying to find a better machinist for their titanium razors, so at the moment only the current stock is sold. They have cited quality concerns with their current titanium heads and have said that they'll bring out new stock soon. That was a couple of months ago. I bought mine from their "old" stock and I can't identify any quality issues whatsoever. In any case, it might be worth to wait until they find the right manufacturing partner and release a new version. Note that this only concerns their titanium razors and not their stainless steel or brass razors.
I would go with the DSC V95 with scalloped cap for now, and hold off the DSC AX Ti 1.55. If available and the AX interests you, get the AX 3-piece zamak version (i.e. all three AX blade gaps) for a try-out before you commit to the Ti version.
I have shaved only a couple of times with the Vostok 1.05, but I can say that the SB side is more aggressive than the OC side. It's a good shaver, but needs to be matched with a good blade and it requires focus and patience. Weepers are easy to come by with even the slightest lapse of concentration. I still haven't really gotten the hang of the Vostok; how much can one really say after only three shaves? But it has given me quite good shaves.
I bought the V92 in a set including the scalloped cap and parallel cap. As I understand the shaving characteristics aren't much different between the V92 and V95, so I'd go for the V95. The scalloped cap is better than the parallel cap. The strokes feel smoother with the scalloped cap and somehow the shaves are also better, probably has something to do with the geometry. The parallel cap is difficult to maintain and develops water spots quite easily. You'll save some money by just purchasing the V95 with a scalloped cap. I shaved quite a few times with the V92, my last shave with it was today. I'm blown away how good this razor is even with blades that don't work as well in other razors for me. Be prepared that this is a heavy razor.
I purchased the AX 1.55 Ti a while ago and have shaved with it quite a few times. Luckily, I didn't have any problem with sticking blades, but I read that a couple of guys had this issue. The blade is completely covered by the cap and is held in place in the four corners. There is no blade chatter whatsoever. Because it is so tight, blades with copious amount of wax glue can get stuck. I usually put a razor with a new blade in warm water before a shave, and that usually melts the wax off the blade - except Astra SP's only sulphuric acid can burn those wax dots off.
The AX Ti is very efficient, but at the same time quite mild. Again it requires concentration and a strong focus on not exerting any pressure. The Ti is so light that you don't feel the weight and it's easy to get carried away and put pressure on. That lightness has an advantage though, the shave feels like you driving a hypercar. Where the V95 will feel like a Monstertruck, the AX will feel like Bugatti. I was initially concerned about the high blade gap, but it actually doesn't translate into high aggressiveness. You might need to be careful with the chin area as skin could get trapped between the Safety bar and the blade. Other than that, it's an amazing razor.
DSC is currently trying to find a better machinist for their titanium razors, so at the moment only the current stock is sold. They have cited quality concerns with their current titanium heads and have said that they'll bring out new stock soon. That was a couple of months ago. I bought mine from their "old" stock and I can't identify any quality issues whatsoever. In any case, it might be worth to wait until they find the right manufacturing partner and release a new version. Note that this only concerns their titanium razors and not their stainless steel or brass razors.
I would go with the DSC V95 with scalloped cap for now, and hold off the DSC AX Ti 1.55. If available and the AX interests you, get the AX 3-piece zamak version (i.e. all three AX blade gaps) for a try-out before you commit to the Ti version.
Last edited:
The DSC AX 1.55 titanium head is available on aliexpress. Just search for "DS-Poleaxe". The result for the stainless AX will show up but after you click it and go to stock, only the 1.55 Ti is available in stock. Mine shipped out yesterday.
I have the Vostok Duo 1.05 DC (SB/OC), the DSC V92 brass, and the AX 1.55 Ti. I can't say anything about the Ghost or the GC84.
I have shaved only a couple of times with the Vostok 1.05, but I can say that the SB side is more aggressive than the OC side. It's a good shaver, but needs to be matched with a good blade and it requires focus and patience. Weepers are easy to come by with even the slightest lapse of concentration. I still haven't really gotten the hang of the Vostok; how much can one really say after only three shaves? But it has given me quite good shaves.
I bought the V92 in a set including the scalloped cap and parallel cap. As I understand the shaving characteristics aren't much different between the V92 and V95, so I'd go for the V95. The scalloped cap is better than the parallel cap. The strokes feel smoother with the scalloped cap and somehow the shaves are also better, probably has something to do with the geometry. The parallel cap is difficult to maintain and develops water spots quite easily. You'll save some money by just purchasing the V95 with a scalloped cap. I shaved quite a few times with the V92, my last shave with it was today. I'm blown away how good this razor is even with blades that don't work as well in other razors for me. Be prepared that this is a heavy razor.
I purchased the AX 1.55 Ti a while ago and have shaved with it quite a few times. Luckily, I didn't have any problem with sticking blades, but I read that a couple of guys had this issue. The blade is completely covered by the cap and is held in place in the four corners. There is no blade chatter whatsoever. Because it is so tight, blades with copious amount of wax glue can get stuck. I usually put a razor with a new blade in warm water before a shave, and that usually melts the wax off the blade - except Astra SP's only sulphuric acid can burn those wax dots off.
The AX Ti is very efficient, but at the same time quite mild. Again it requires concentration and a strong focus on not exerting any pressure. The Ti is so light that you don't feel the weight and it's easy to get carried away and put pressure on. That lightness has an advantage though, the shave feels like you driving a hypercar. Where the V95 will feel like a Monstertruck, the AX will feel like Bugatti. I was initially concerned about the high blade gap, but it actually doesn't translate into high aggressiveness. You might need to be careful with the chin area as skin could get trapped between the Safety bar and the blade. Other than that, it's an amazing razor.
DSC is currently trying to find a better machinist for their titanium razors, so at the moment only the current stock is sold. They have cited quality concerns with their current titanium heads and have said that they'll bring out new stock soon. That was a couple of months ago. I bought mine from their "old" stock and I can't identify any quality issues whatsoever. In any case, it might be worth to wait until they find the right manufacturing partner and release a new version. Note that this only concerns their titanium razors and not their stainless steel or brass razors.
I would go with the DSC V95 with scalloped cap for now, and hold off the DSC AX Ti 1.55. If available and the AX interests you, get the AX 3-piece zamak version (i.e. all three AX blade gaps) for a try-out before you commit to the Ti version.
I thought the tight blade issue was the stainless version of the AX. I read every thread I could find but found no complaints regarding the Ti head. Perhaps I missed something?
That is probably the case. I never had an issue with my Ti head and blades getting stuck in it.
Good to know. Hopefully I'll get a good one. That V95 seems to be well reviewed also but would likely be redundant with my present arsenal.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for the detailed and clear responses! Much appreciated. It reaffirms my plan to get the AX 1.55-T and the V95.
Thanks for the intel. I was chatting with them on Taobao and they are out of Ti razorheads for the mainland except D8 and ZO stocks being cleared, and the handles. They couldn't give a fixed date on when these will become available.
Thanks for the tip. I am not keen on Zamak; I have used Zamak razors previously, and I am currently enjoying my shaves with SS and Ti. I will most likely pick the AX Ti on Xianyu at a reasonable price instead. I bought the scalloped S9-T second hand at a good price and I am impressed (my first DSC).
Yea I saw that too. I am currently in China and won't be able to get it delivered here. I could get it shipped to US or SEA but it's a hassle; will get it second-hand here instead. Thanks!The DSC AX 1.55 titanium head is available on aliexpress. Just search for "DS-Poleaxe". The result for the stainless AX will show up but after you click it and go to stock, only the 1.55 Ti is available in stock. Mine shipped out yesterday.
Hi, I'm in China too. I'm currently waiting on the ZO Ti to become available on Taobao again, i.e. the new version. On Xianyu, I only purchased ten tucks of the London Bridge blades and a Yaqi Caramel Cat Whiskers brush. In both cases I had good experiences with delivery and quality of goods. We have a couple of members based in China @lasta is in Shanghai, @WhiskerLess is in Hong Kong and I live in Shenzhen. Where are you located?
Feel free to send me a message if you need any tips on where to get shaving supplies.
- Thread starter
- #13
Thanks! Great to connect with fellow shavers in China. 
I am in Shanghai; however, I am relocating end of the month after 15 years here.
I am in Shanghai; however, I am relocating end of the month after 15 years here.
Ny Vostok 1.05 SB is relatively mild. So I can imagine the 0.90 is pretty mild. They chose a rather small exposure. Close to neutral.
