Rumor: competition for the R41?

[Codfish]

I've heard a rumor that there's a DE razor now on the market that's in the R41's class of aggressiveness/effectiveness. It possibly even pushes the envelope, I've heard.

It's hard to believe: (1) that it's true, or (2) that anyone would want it if it is.

I should have it in my hands tomorrow for testing. My favorite setup and a fresh Perma-Sharp blade are ready.

Wish me luck. Look for first impressions shortly.

[celestino]

Wow, you are a brave soul! Let us know what happens.

[Icebear]

Keep the styptic pen ready and maybe a dry towel in reach. If that fails there's always ductape .

[Codfish]

I'll have a nurse and a tourniquet, too.

[redrako]

Jim, I love how you dangle this carrot in front of us, just enough to pique our interest.

I realize that the most current R41 is not for everyone, but it's a fine razor. I use it perhaps once a week, sometimes twice. When I received it as a Christmas gift, I used it more frequently. When I went back to the Merkur 34, I couldn't feel it on my face. I'll say that R41 'encourages me to focus on technique'

I'm not sure that I could imagine owning a second razor that is that aggressive. I would imagine that it would have to be a pretty special razor or a particular niche to find a base of customers. (Foot Note: I have been wrong on almost 100% of coming social trends starting with 8-Tracks and Beta-Max).

I look forward to your review of your experiences with the new razor.

[Sledgehammer39]

Pretty gutsy, what's the name of the razor?

[alex2363]

Wait Wut?....more agressive than r41, it must be pit bull then.

[turtle]

[Jacob Robertson]

I just burst out laughing. Well played, my good sir.

[El Dingo Satanico]

That made my night.

[Azarius]

So is this razor is a current DE that is on the market or is it a new model being introduced?

[Go Forth]

I think this is another "I'm going to tell you something tomorrow..." thread.

[Stubblefield]

Interesting.

[VladTepes]

i reckon codfish has been visiting the dark world of straight razors...

[Azarius]

Bumping this thread to see if Jim comes back to tell us about his mysterious new DE.

[Codfish]

I received my NYSC Mariner LH less than an hour ago. Frankly, I was prepared to be disappointed by it in some way, and to have to struggle to find nice things to say. But that isn't the case.

The Mariner LH handle is quite long and solid feeling. It has a pleasant heft and nice balance. The chrome finish is nicely done and the texturing makes for an excellent grip.

How does it shave? Very well. The razor has a solid feel to it, and it gives very good audible feedback. I used my standard prep and usual Perma-Sharp blade, and shaved at normal speed. I got a BBS shave in four passes (the usual) with a slight amount of irritation but no nicks, cuts or scrapes.

Blade exposure is significant but not alarming. From an end view, the blade is held relatively flat with a less-pronounced arch.

The blades's positioning relative to the safety bar tells why it has developed a growing reputation as aggressive--it appears that the blade extends past the plane between top-cap and safety bar, like the chisel of a carpenter's plane extends below its face.

Is this razor aggressive? Yes. How aggressive? It will take more than one hurried shave to tell.

I wanted to post something quickly. I will add pictures, measurements and other details in an few hours.

Update: I attached two pictures. I find that I am associating this razor with two, solid metal-handled Ever-Ready razors from my collection. They are 100 years old and still have steampunk appeal about them. The Mariner shares their industrial era charm.

[insomniac]

This the razor in question?

[Azarius]

I received my NYSC Mariner LH less than an hour ago. Frankly, I was prepared to be disappointed by it in some way, and to have to struggle to find nice things to say. But that isn't the case.

The Mariner LH handle is quite long and solid feeling. It has a pleasant heft and nice balance. The chrome finish is nicely done and the texturing makes for an excellent grip.

How does it shave? Very well. The razor has a solid feel to it, and it gives very good audible feedback. I used my standard prep and usual Perma-Sharp blade, and shaved at normal speed. I got a BBS shave in four passes (the usual) with a slight amount of irritation but no nicks, cuts or scrapes.

Blade exposure is significant but not alarming. From an end view, the blade is held relatively flat with a less-pronounced arch.

The blades's positioning relative to the safety bar tells why it has developed a growing reputation as aggressive--it appears that the blade extends past the plane between top-cap and safety bar, like the chisel of a carpenter's plane extends below its face.

Is this razor aggressive? Yes. How aggressive? It will take more than one hurried shave to tell.

I wanted to post something quickly. I will add pictures, measurements and other details in an few hours.

Thanks for the quick review and update. Looking forward to pics and more details.

[bluesbishop]

A few weeks ago Viseguy mentioned the same razor in the R41 combined thread here. It looks like an interesting razor...he calls it "the claw"....price is very fair, I'm curious who makes it for them...

[Icebear]

This the razor in question?

The head geometry looks very much like the Weber, just w/o the DLC coating.
Also the slim handle looks similar, see pic#31

http://www.weberrazor.com/portfolio/sample-photos