The Bayonetta curves the blade much more than many other razors, including the ones that you've measured. As the blade is bent and curved, the width of the blade's slot cutout is reduced and that's why the Bayonetta's top cap has thinner projections. They're needed to enable the blade to be so curved within the razor. If the blade is placed into the top cap and curved against the top cap before the bottom plate is inserted, the blade alignment works out. At least it does on my example.
Goodfellas Smile Bayonetta
- Thread starter Guido75
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The Bayonetta curves the blade much more than many other razors, including the ones that you've measured. As the blade is bent and curved, the width of the blade's slot cutout is reduced and that's why the Bayonetta's top cap has thinner projections. They're needed to enable the blade to be so curved within the razor. If the blade is placed into the top cap and curved against the top cap before the bottom plate is inserted, the blade alignment works out. At least it does on my example.
Thank your for your advice. Yes, I have tried that and it ends up kind of working, but unfortunately this razor was intended as a gift and I prefer something less fussy. I might end up keeping it to channel my inner McGyver and make some lateral indentations.
That is a very good point, and I have to admit I had already given some thought to it. However, at the moment, my conclusion would be the opposite, that is, when you bend a blade in the way a razor does, the slot cutout width would increase. Hmm, it seems more science is needed on my part, and a pair of cut resistant gloves.
Completely understandable. I would feel the same.
Maybe I just got lucky. I do always lay the razor cap on a towel, center the blade, push the base plate down with my fingers... then screw in the handle. I haven't seen any alignment issues at all. Nor did I notice any blade movement during the shave. I've used it quite a few times and had stellar shaves each time. As I said... Maybe I was just fortunate.
I measured my Bayonetta top cap in the same manner as you. Mine measures 1.80mm - so yours seems to be in the normal tolerance. I install the blade as alreay mentioned - hold the blade in place with a bow in the blade, insert plate and handle. No issues that I've noted.
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
I had my first shave with Bayonetta using a Feather blade two days ago. I was sufficiently impressed with how smooth and efficient the shave was especially given the rather low cost ($58) of the razor by today's standards for CNC machined razors. I prefer mild razors but I also value razors that are efficient and don't require me to shave again the following day. Bayonetta delivered on both counts. It was very pleasant to use and gave me a super smooth shave that lasted 24 hours. No nicks, cuts, or weepers and very little blade feel.
But there is some truth in what @lecaront is saying. And even though I normally do the same maneuver that @rudygu recommended, I wasn't able to rectify the issue. So, I decided to investigate a bit more, which is why you see four different razor blades in the picture above:
1) Feather New Hi-Stainless (Japan)
2) Astra Super Platinum (Russia)
3) Gillette Super Silver (UK)
4) Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland)
The asymmetry observed by @lecaront was evident in every combination. I loaded each blade carefully by making sure it conforms to the top cap curvature and base plate can be attached with no resistance. When I observed asymmetry, I disassembled the razor and loaded the blade again. Then I flipped the blade to make sure the issue persisted, which it did in every case except it presented itself as a mirror image of the original asymmetry. I use a nylon washer, and, in each case, I tightened the handle all the way.
Here are some pictures:
Feather New Hi-Stainless (Japan) - you can just barely make it that the blade is rotated slightly clockwise.
Astra Super Platinum (Russia) - easy to see that the blade is rotated clockwise.
Gillette Super Silver (UK) - no issue as far as I can tell.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) - worst fit and most pronounced rotation.
Therefore, I concluded that my copy of Bayonetta can give me good repeatable shaves especially if I pay attention to which blade I am using. Based on my experience, Feather and Gillette Super Silver should be just fine. If the blade doesn't fit correctly, there wasn't much I was able to do to make it align properly. For example, pressing the blade into the curved top cap and holding the tabs with my fingers prior to attaching the base plate, didn't make a difference. Neither did reassembling the razor or flipping the blade.
Just to check what happens with other razors I had handy during the experiment, below are two more pictures demonstrating that Tatara Masamune and Karve Bison didn't have any issues holding the worst performing blade (Schick Ultra Platinum) in perfect symmetry.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) with Tatara Masamune - perfect fit, no issues.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) and Karve Bison Glacier - you can barely make the edge of the blade but it's perfectly symmetrical.
In summary, I recommend the Bayonetta but also wanted to acknowledge that I encountered the same issue as some other forum members mentioned in this thread.
But there is some truth in what @lecaront is saying. And even though I normally do the same maneuver that @rudygu recommended, I wasn't able to rectify the issue. So, I decided to investigate a bit more, which is why you see four different razor blades in the picture above:
1) Feather New Hi-Stainless (Japan)
2) Astra Super Platinum (Russia)
3) Gillette Super Silver (UK)
4) Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland)
The asymmetry observed by @lecaront was evident in every combination. I loaded each blade carefully by making sure it conforms to the top cap curvature and base plate can be attached with no resistance. When I observed asymmetry, I disassembled the razor and loaded the blade again. Then I flipped the blade to make sure the issue persisted, which it did in every case except it presented itself as a mirror image of the original asymmetry. I use a nylon washer, and, in each case, I tightened the handle all the way.
Here are some pictures:
Feather New Hi-Stainless (Japan) - you can just barely make it that the blade is rotated slightly clockwise.
Astra Super Platinum (Russia) - easy to see that the blade is rotated clockwise.
Gillette Super Silver (UK) - no issue as far as I can tell.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) - worst fit and most pronounced rotation.
Therefore, I concluded that my copy of Bayonetta can give me good repeatable shaves especially if I pay attention to which blade I am using. Based on my experience, Feather and Gillette Super Silver should be just fine. If the blade doesn't fit correctly, there wasn't much I was able to do to make it align properly. For example, pressing the blade into the curved top cap and holding the tabs with my fingers prior to attaching the base plate, didn't make a difference. Neither did reassembling the razor or flipping the blade.
Just to check what happens with other razors I had handy during the experiment, below are two more pictures demonstrating that Tatara Masamune and Karve Bison didn't have any issues holding the worst performing blade (Schick Ultra Platinum) in perfect symmetry.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) with Tatara Masamune - perfect fit, no issues.
Schick Ultra Platinum (Holland) and Karve Bison Glacier - you can barely make the edge of the blade but it's perfectly symmetrical.
In summary, I recommend the Bayonetta but also wanted to acknowledge that I encountered the same issue as some other forum members mentioned in this thread.
I’ve only used mine with Perma-Sharps and have had perfect alignment every time, which is fortunate as I have more Perma-Sharp blades than any other.
I either got lucky with blade choice or the razor itself.
I either got lucky with blade choice or the razor itself.
Try this experiment. Take a sheet of paper and draw equally spaced parallel lines on it. Now bend the paper to form a "U" shape at the center point between the parallel lines. Do the lines get closer together?
The misalignment can have two reasons:
1.) the razor is simply misaligned, be it cap or plate.
2.) blade play. The thin posts have been mentioned.
The second can be corrected by carefully placing the blade, the first not.
1.) the razor is simply misaligned, be it cap or plate.
2.) blade play. The thin posts have been mentioned.
The second can be corrected by carefully placing the blade, the first not.
Were it not for this thread, and you kind contributors, I'd already own a Bayonetta.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Well, I like mine enough that I'm going to have Chris Spencer @ Back Roads Gold re-plate it in his 24K hardened gold.... to make it even more bright and shiny than it is now after a couple hand polishes with Simichrome. <eg>
Glad you got a problem-free example. Chris is a magician!
I'm just a finnicky, conservative old fart with enough issue-free DEs to be risk averse.
Fiddling with blade alignment is not my favorite thing to do either. An occasional dud is one thing, but there are now two people with this problem? Definitely NOT an optical illusion (for both of you)?
There have been no issues with my Bayonetta during a month of using Feather, various Treets, a German Personna, Dorco, and a couple PPI blades. I stopped looking closely after the first couple uses though, despite being plenty gunshy coming from Fatip. Nothing has ever felt "off," but I will pay attention and post back if anything surfaces.
The general fitment & use has been excellent so far.
There have been no issues with my Bayonetta during a month of using Feather, various Treets, a German Personna, Dorco, and a couple PPI blades. I stopped looking closely after the first couple uses though, despite being plenty gunshy coming from Fatip. Nothing has ever felt "off," but I will pay attention and post back if anything surfaces.
The general fitment & use has been excellent so far.
I checked my Bayonetta today for misalignment. Every time I loaded blade (BiC) my usual way ( cap with blade laying on board and screwing handle on) alignment was perfect.
Then I tried to force misalignment . It is possible, but hard. If head is not tightened there is some room for play and it is possible to force diagonal movement of blade. By tightening it almost every time aligned itself. But some times was it possible to force misalignment.
My conclusion: checking alignment never hurts !
Then I tried to force misalignment . It is possible, but hard. If head is not tightened there is some room for play and it is possible to force diagonal movement of blade. By tightening it almost every time aligned itself. But some times was it possible to force misalignment.
My conclusion: checking alignment never hurts !
Good reminder for people to check and inspect their razors right after opening the package. And asking for a refund/sending it back if necessary. Always a bit problematic with international orders, I know.
Local vendors carry the Bayonetta in the US and within Europe sending back should be no problem either.
Local vendors carry the Bayonetta in the US and within Europe sending back should be no problem either.
No alignment issues whatsoever. Once the blade is pushed upon the pins the baseplate attaches snug fit.
Beautiful shave.
Cheers!
Beautiful shave.
Cheers!
I make it a habit to check the alignment every time I load any razor. It’s part of my routine. I’ve never had an issue with the Bayonetta. It could be that all my blades are fine with it.
I think it’s more of a tolerance thing than actual misalignment issues with the posts. My Blackland Era has similar style posts and exhibits the same behavior. If I make sure the blade is centered and hold it there while I place the base plate it works every time. It’s not self-centering like my Henson or Above the Tie razors. I totally understand why some guys don’t want to deal with that, but for me it’s not a big deal considering the quality of the shave.
