Nation Wide Campus New Shick Injector - Non adjustable...

[joel]

Fellas,
While I have not used this razor enough to give a FULL review (complete with ratings) I did want to share some additional pictures, and initial thoughts.

Firstly - the non-adjustable injector is ALL you need. The adjustable model feels MUCH cheaper, and is not built nearly as ridgid/solid, and most importantly the non-adjustable was able to give me no joke - just about the best shave of my life. The shave I experienced today with this injector and a fresh Shick Injector blade was just about the best I can remember... from any razor; straight, de or injector. What was most surprising about this expeirence however was the COMPLETE and total lack of irritation/inflammation or disturbance to my skin of ANY sort. Even when applying pressure and shaving MIGHTY fast and haphazardly, nary a nick, cut, weeper, or speck of irritation. After the shave, I splashed on some alcohol based aftershave (L'occitane CADE) which normally provides a burning sensation, nothing uncomfortable - but certainly a burn... this shave was so irritation free, it felt like I was slapping water on my face.

The aformentioned qualities coupled with the long/grippy handle (quite a bit longer than a Merkur Long handle - pics comparing them will be posted tomorrow) and the hefty, quality feel/construction, not to mention the sexy looks of this razor make it a hands down winner in my book. This razor has the finest grip/handle of ANY razor I have experienced bar-none. This razor makes a Merkur Vision look/feel frumpy and cheap.

While the adjustable is all fine and good - and a superb reproduction, it was not a "high quality" razor to begin with - meaning initally when released, and all of the original old versions I have used, work well, but feel cheap, plastiky, and the milling/tooling marks on them show quite a bit. When you heft this thing and shave with it, it feels dinky, unsubstantial, etc. Sure... it works outstanding - but with the adjustments, you basically end up putting it at a setting damn near identical to the fixed injector version, as if you open it any wider, you will chew yourself up and won't get a closer shave, and close it any further and you won't get close enough. The adjustable is a neat novelty, but due to the INCREDIBLY user friendly, SUPERIOR shaped head/handle of the fixed injector - it makes it way easier to use, and way easier to get a BETTER shave than the adjustable. I know everyone and their mother will purchase an adjustable... well because "adjustable is better than non-adjustable" and the fact that in the past they have been so elusive/expensive - but a sound piece of advice... don't. Do not buy the adjustable, as truth is... it is inferior in every respect to the much, MUCH nicer fixed version. Sure - it may be only $15 - but i'll assure you this... if you buy both of 'em - you'll use the adjustable a few times - then never again, as the fixed will get ALL of your attention/use.

This fixed headed version give a shave akin to a feather loaded slant bar.... albeit ZERO irritation, ZERO learning curve - and as easy to perform as a mach III shave. Seriously... with ZERO DE experience, only having used a Mach III, Fusion, Sensor, etc - I am confident you could stick this thing in your hand - perform a WORLD CLASS 4 pass shave (including against the grain) with nary a nick.

This my friends.... is the epitome of "shaving tools for dummies."

I am not kidding when I say this.... if I get similar results with this razor for 2 full boxes of injector blades, I will sell all but 1 or 2 of my DE's, my feather straight razor and blades, about 20 boxes of feather blades, and about 18 boxes of derby's and this very razor will become my sole daily shaver - save for special occasions when I am in the mood to throw a straight or a DE in the mix.

This razor is truly outstanding - and has the looks/performance to kill...

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2844

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2845

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2846

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2847

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2848

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2849

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2850

[jfm]

I can't wait for a full review. How many days until you feel a full review is in order? (Also, will those days be exclusively Injector shaving?) You're just building the anticipation!

[Dinder1]

Wow! its that good? and to think I just purchased 200 Derby blades!

[joel]

I can't wait for a full review. How many days until you feel a full review is in order? (Also, will those days be exclusively Injector shaving?) You're just building the anticipation!

I'd like to "wear" one blade out before a full-bore review is posted - as this is just my initial impression after the first - outstanding shave. If the razor can only provide 1-2 outstanding shaves per blade - then such outstanding qualities I spoke of initially would be somewhat moot, as it would make the razor quite expensive to feed effectively - as injector blades are quite a bit more expensive than DE blades. The GOOD news is however, usually I have found injector blades to last LONGER than DE blades, as they are much thicker/more robust. The aformentioned example was purely a "devil's advocate" example, as I would be most unhelpful to gush my love for the product, only to find days later a potential problem. Again - this is just my initial impression, and I will be exclusively shaving with the injectors until I have fully used a blade in each. I did not do a full shave with the adjustable, but just a few strokes and modfied the adjustments 6-7 times and immediatly was turned off (compared to the fixed head). I'll give the adjustable a full go right after I have worn a blade out with the fixed - but it is clear as glass the fixed head is the gem here.

[jfm]

Again, I can't wait for the results. Not that even a moderate stamp of approval would really keep me from buying one. - Justin

[cooncatbob]

Sweet; that would be coming full circle for me. My 1st razor was a Black handle type L non adjustable that I used till I switch to a Schick Ultrex.

[madmedic]

OK....that does it.....when can I order the B&B injector?

Brian

[KC_Dave]

I used Injectors exclusively between '89 and '99

Yeah, I'll take two please!

[SSLStudio]

That is awesome news Joel, I hope my swedish Spartan friend will now jump into wetshaving next month I adviced him to get a DE razor , I changed it to getting this injector the fixed one. perhaps we will see the revival of the Injector.
All we need is a place to buy the blades per 100 just as we do for DE and were set. I'll keep my collection as is it aint so big no Merkurs here I like my Gillette Aristocrat silver UK edition it sounds good I hope the blade holds up. the keypoint here for me is Time wise basically anyone can switch over now and dont need the steep learning curve of a DE

[cooncatbob]

Now it we could just get Feather to produce injector blades.

[roughrider]

I'm sold. I've always wanted to try an Injector.

[roughrider]

I've read somewhere before that people were using the Feather straight razor blades in their Injectors. Is this true?

[AACJ]

I've read somewhere before that people were using the Feather straight razor blades in their Injectors. Is this true?


Yep, I cut my Feather blades down occasionally and put them in my and my wifes injectors. Although my wife doesn't know it, she sometimes says what a great shave she gets on her legs, it's my little secret.

[AACJ]

I would also like to add that I too would love to see Feather produce and sell Injector blades for the Schicks as well.

[Phog Allen]

Great post Joel. I did notice over at ebay that the price for some adjustable injectors had not rocketed up to neary $100 like usual. I'll check back to see if they stay sane. I think this deal with Nationwide Campus is absolutely great. The scam-bay stuff with razors has hopefully run it's course but you never know. I hope all those speculators don't use up too many boxes of Kleenex when they can't get anywhere near what they payed for...a razor. A very usable one as you've plainly illustrated yet certainly not a slice of Americana like the 40s', 50's, and early 60's Gillette DE's. I'm old enough to remember these things at the drugstore for .99 or maybe a couple of bucks for the adjustable. They NEVER competed with the Gillette DE's on a serious level, not for sales anyway. I've always felt the plastic handled injector just didn't look as substantial as the old DE's. I will however buy a couple of these just for the heck of it. Likely one of each just to say I own them. I must say that finally getting to see the fixed blade model up close in those photos reveals it to be a fairly substantial piece for a plastic fantastic. I look forward to trying it. BTW, now that the injector won't be a "rare" collectible, do you think the scambayers will "discover" the old Gem single edge razors? Go ahead guys, get 'em while they're still $3 at the flea markets.

Regards, Todd

[joel]

Great post Joel. I did notice over at ebay that the price for some adjustable injectors had not rocketed up to neary $100 like usual. I'll check back to see if they stay sane. I think this deal with Nationwide Campus is absolutely great. The scam-bay stuff with razors has hopefully run it's course but you never know. I hope all those speculators don't use up too many boxes of Kleenex when they can't get anywhere near what they payed for...a razor. A very usable one as you've plainly illustrated yet certainly not a slice of Americana like the 40s', 50's, and early 60's Gillette DE's. I'm old enough to remember these things at the drugstore for .99 or maybe a couple of bucks for the adjustable. They NEVER competed with the Gillette DE's on a serious level, not for sales anyway. I've always felt the plastic handled injector just didn't look as substantial as the old DE's. I will however buy a couple of these just for the heck of it. Likely one of each just to say I own them. I must say that finally getting to see the fixed blade model up close in those photos reveals it to be a fairly substantial piece for a plastic fantastic. I look forward to trying it. BTW, now that the injector won't be a "rare" collectible, do you think the scambayers will "discover" the old Gem single edge razors? Go ahead guys, get 'em while they're still $3 at the flea markets.

Regards, Todd


Hearing your comments - I think you'll be MORE than pleased with the fixed headed injector as unlike other injectors it has a steel frame NOT a plastic frame. There is a rubber coating/grip on the razor, and a touch of blue plastic, but the razor has a decent amount of heft to it, even for it's size. This feels TOTALLY different from the hydromatics and such - I mean this is on a totally different level, and PERSONALLY, I think it feels nicer than a Gillette Adjustable DE, which for an injector is a BIG deal. :smile: Suffice to say.... I am happy with my purchase!

[Kyle]

Very interesting, Joel. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts after having used it for a while.

[joel]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2882

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2883

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=2884

[Cigar Dan]

Have you tried the teflon coated injector blades available from tedpella? If so, what did you think of them?

[joel]

Have you tried the teflon coated injector blades available from tedpella? If so, what did you think of them?

Don't know what tedpella is - so nope. :smile:

[letterk]

I think he's talking about this: http://www.tedpella.com/dissect_html/dissect.htm#anchor1623602

[Cigar Dan]

I think he's talking about this: http://www.tedpella.com/dissect_html/dissect.htm#anchor1623602

That's the one. Item number 121-4.

[roughrider]

20 Stainless Steel blades for $4.50 and 500 Carbon Steel for $70.

[jer]

That's the one. Item number 121-4.

As an Injector user, I have to ask: how are they?

[guenron]

As an Injector user, I have to ask: how are they?
Yeap Dan, how are they? As they are for a vibratome, will they perform for shaving without a vibrating moment arm?

[Cigar Dan]

I don't know. I have used their GEM blades and like them a lot. I was thinking about ordering some of the injector blades, and wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with them.

I guess I'll be the guinea pig. :001_smile

[mantic]

That's the one. Item number 121-4.
Item 121-95...a blade for cutting brain matrices?!? :eek:

--Mark

[Phog Allen]

Thanks Joel. I have to say, that non-adjustable looks like a stout enough razor. While I certainly have nothing against paying whatever you want for a certain "collectible" item, I don't think plastic razors quite make the meausre. A whole bunch of newbs and scambay specualators think these things are going to be worth tons of money. Well, a seller would be wise to dump these things now. This sort of fad item never holds any real long term value and they have likely seen their peak prices. I sure would like to see what the injector market is five years from now. They may never $5 at garage sales again but I'll be they don't hover around a C note either. I eagerly await the group buy.

Regards, Todd

[Kalypso]

I'm in for a razor and any bulk ourchase of the PTFE blades........

[javyn]

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead, but I have a specific question for ya Joel. How does the NWC adjustable compare to the actual Schick adjustable? Are they equal in their cruddiness, or is the NWC inferior to the Schick even? I'm just wondering if your dislike for the adjustable is limited to the NWC, or that model's quality overall. I'm trying to determine whether I'd be better off being dissapointed with a 15 dollar new adjustable injector, or a 100 dollar old adjustable injector :)

[moses]

And for me, I wanna know if Dan ever ordered those Dogs Bollocks injector blades, and if so, how they perform.

I just placed an order, so hopefully I can report back as well, soon.