A second comparison shave off. This time between the NEW Raised Flat Bottom and the Matador Deluxe - open comb versus safety bar.
NEW Raised Flat Bottom
This razor had been on my list for some time since getting a number of other NEWs and I essentially wanted to complete my range (I know there are many more, but I focused on English ones). It is an open comb obviously (as I do not have the Hybrid). Mine is actually made for the French market and I recently discovered @BradWorld has the same one which helped me identify mine a little better as I thought it was pieced together. Fortunately the price was fair, because this is - for me - one (too) mild shaver. It gives great shaves and DFS+ is easily accomplished with a maximum amount of comfort, but I generally use more effective / aggressive razors. I think the #44 is the closest comparison I could find on mr razors website. Mine has a wrong handle and smaller blade bars, but other than that it is similar, so this razor comes in at 56.5 grams originally and is 82mm in length. I use mine with an aftermarket handle so that changes my specifications slightly. The angle is smaller in my experience and therefore requires more attention from me than usual.
Matador Deluxe
The enigmatic razor of the Nordics together with the Swing. Mainly found in the Nordics as well and harder to come by. There is not much known about them, but I recently found a great history video which I posted in @blethenstrom 's journal page. The Matador comes in different varietes (mainly the Deluxe and the Razette) and both as three piece and two piece types. Mine is a three-piece one. I only have the head, but I have fitted it with my ball-end Tech handle (the brass one) and it matches perfectly. The Matador is an extremely effective razor without ever being aggressive. I seriously think that with a fresh or sharp blade I could get to R41 levels of smoothness with a Tech or R89 feel during the shave. It is very easy to use and has great audio feedback which assists in getting the angle right - although that is rather easy to find in itself as well. The Matador cap covers the blade fully and therefore there is absolutely zero risk of getting nicked sideways.
Summary of results
Notes
The Matador easily knocks the NEW RFB out of the park. The RFB improves with a sharper blade and so I need to experiment more with other sharper blades to verify. The Matador on the other hand can use a variety of blades and still deliver great shaves. I have used the Matador during my summer holiday for a week straight and only had great shaves. The RFB tends to feel slightly smoother although I had the impression there was more blade feel when using a Feather. The Matador is just super easy to use, mostly autopilot I would even dare say - but the same actually goes for the RFB, mostly an autopilot razor.
Both razors are a great addition to anyones collection and I would give a nodd to the Matador if having to make a choice rather than the B7B answer (which it turned out to be in my own case). I think the RFB can be made to perform better with other blades. So need to check that out.
NEW Raised Flat Bottom
This razor had been on my list for some time since getting a number of other NEWs and I essentially wanted to complete my range (I know there are many more, but I focused on English ones). It is an open comb obviously (as I do not have the Hybrid). Mine is actually made for the French market and I recently discovered @BradWorld has the same one which helped me identify mine a little better as I thought it was pieced together. Fortunately the price was fair, because this is - for me - one (too) mild shaver. It gives great shaves and DFS+ is easily accomplished with a maximum amount of comfort, but I generally use more effective / aggressive razors. I think the #44 is the closest comparison I could find on mr razors website. Mine has a wrong handle and smaller blade bars, but other than that it is similar, so this razor comes in at 56.5 grams originally and is 82mm in length. I use mine with an aftermarket handle so that changes my specifications slightly. The angle is smaller in my experience and therefore requires more attention from me than usual.
Matador Deluxe
The enigmatic razor of the Nordics together with the Swing. Mainly found in the Nordics as well and harder to come by. There is not much known about them, but I recently found a great history video which I posted in @blethenstrom 's journal page. The Matador comes in different varietes (mainly the Deluxe and the Razette) and both as three piece and two piece types. Mine is a three-piece one. I only have the head, but I have fitted it with my ball-end Tech handle (the brass one) and it matches perfectly. The Matador is an extremely effective razor without ever being aggressive. I seriously think that with a fresh or sharp blade I could get to R41 levels of smoothness with a Tech or R89 feel during the shave. It is very easy to use and has great audio feedback which assists in getting the angle right - although that is rather easy to find in itself as well. The Matador cap covers the blade fully and therefore there is absolutely zero risk of getting nicked sideways.
Summary of results
| Date | Razor | Blade | Quality | Comfort | Effectiveness |
| 29.10.2023 | NEW RFB | PolSilver (17) | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| 30.10.2023 | NEW RFB | Feather (1) | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| 31.10.2023 | NEW RFB | Feather (2) | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| 01.11.2023 | Matador | PolSilver (18) | 10 | 10 | 8.75 |
| 02.11.2023 | Matador | PolSilver (19) | 10 | 10 | 8.75 |
| 03.11.2023 | Matador | PolSilver (20) | 10 | 10 | 8.75 |
| Summary | NEW RFB | 9.33 | 10 | 7.67 | |
| Summary | Matador | 10 | 10 | 8.75 |
Notes
The Matador easily knocks the NEW RFB out of the park. The RFB improves with a sharper blade and so I need to experiment more with other sharper blades to verify. The Matador on the other hand can use a variety of blades and still deliver great shaves. I have used the Matador during my summer holiday for a week straight and only had great shaves. The RFB tends to feel slightly smoother although I had the impression there was more blade feel when using a Feather. The Matador is just super easy to use, mostly autopilot I would even dare say - but the same actually goes for the RFB, mostly an autopilot razor.
Both razors are a great addition to anyones collection and I would give a nodd to the Matador if having to make a choice rather than the B7B answer (which it turned out to be in my own case). I think the RFB can be made to perform better with other blades. So need to check that out.
