First OC shave- The Tradere razor

**shaverjoe** · 06-29-2012, 05:39 PM

My Tradere razor arrived today and I had my first shave with it this evening. This marked my first shave with an OC razor. I usually shave with a Gillette SS or a Gillette Fatboy.

The razor is beautiful, though I really wish the markings were stamped into to metal like the vintage Gillettes. That being said, the razor is gorgeous and for any of you with reservations about the aesthetics of the razor with a polished head and matte finish handle- don't be- the razor is a thing of beauty.

To the shave:
QCS Lavender soap
Astra SP blade

The weight of the razor is phenomenal and unlike anything I have used before with the handle being significantly longer than anything I have used previously. The razor feels very well balanced. Though I occasionally use a straight, I was tentative about using the OC as I suspected it would be far more aggressive than the Fatboy (I usually use on 5-7). Surprisingly, this was not true. The shave was very comfortable. No nicks, weepers, or irritation, though I am not sure if the Astra will be the blade of choice for me in this razor. The shave was not significantly closer than what I achieve with the Fatboy or SS, however, it is my first shave with this razor, and I suspect with continued use, I will achieve superior results. I plan on loading a Feather tomorrow and see if the shave is different.

Thrilled I decided to purchase this razor. A fantastic SS OC razor made in the US. I look forward to purchasing the slant head for this razor as well once they are machined. Lastly, and I can't stress this enough, if you are holding off on purchasing this razor simply because of the polished head and matte handle- don't be- it looks great.

**Gam** · 06-29-2012, 07:50 PM

Gratz on the Tradere I like mine alot as well and I'm looking forward to the slant

**Triad** · 06-29-2012, 08:07 PM

Great write up on the tradere joe!! You make me want to break mineout again in the morning it is hefty and looks great!!

**Gone Gray** · 06-29-2012, 09:23 PM

Mine also arrived today and I could not resist and had a quick shave...it was more aggresive than I'm used to, but a comfortable shave. A VERY nice design and I'm sure I'll grow to love this razor.

**Yuritau** · 06-29-2012, 09:24 PM

Welcome to the Tradere club! It's definitely my new favorite razor, and like Gam I'm also eagerly awaiting the chance to buy a Slant head from Tradere!

**Cochese2323** · 06-29-2012, 09:37 PM

Great review, especially considering it was posted about 3 hours after I pulled the trigger on this razor after kicking around about the handle being a different finish.

Thank you for justifying my RAD

**shaverjoe** · 06-30-2012, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by Cochese2323

Great review, especially considering it was posted about 3 hours after I pulled the trigger on this razor after kicking around about the handle being a different finish.

Thank you for justifying my RAD

Cochese-
Believe it or not, I emphasized that particular point in this thread after reading your thread sharing concerns about the mismatch finish. I would enjoy hearing your feedback on the razor once you have it in hand. It really is gorgeous....and HEAVY!

**Cochese2323** · 06-30-2012, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by shaverjoe

Cochese-
Believe it or not, I emphasized that particular point in this thread after reading your thread sharing concerns about the mismatch finish. I would enjoy hearing your feedback on the razor once you have it in hand. It really is gorgeous....and HEAVY!

Should be here Monday. I will definitely report back, but I have a hunch my report will be a lot like yours

**Cap'n CutThroat** · 07-01-2012, 12:10 AM

I've got a thing for stainless razors - would the OC Tradere surpass the OC side of the iKon S3S?

**crfcom** · 07-01-2012, 02:12 PM

Congrats. My Tradere is becoming my favorite razor and with the news that there will be a solid bar by September and a slant by year's end, Tradere looks better and better for all types of wet shavers.
Everyone's experience is unique, but I've been having great results with 7 o'clock blacks. seem to be as sharp as the Feathers but smoother.

**shaverjoe** · 07-01-2012, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by crfcom

Congrats. My Tradere is becoming my favorite razor and with the news that there will be a solid bar by September and a slant by year's end, Tradere looks better and better for all types of wet shavers.
Everyone's experience is unique, but I've been having great results with 7 o'clock blacks. seem to be as sharp as the Feathers but smoother.

Funny, I just wrote you a PM about this razor. I agree. The Tradere is a wonderful razor and I can't wait to pick up the SB and slant heads once available.

**Ski-Patroller** · 07-01-2012, 02:38 PM

I got mine about 3 weeks ago, and used it every day, just to get the feel of it. I just went back to my Progress yesterday and my Futur today. My other razors are a Futur, LH Progress and a Feather AS-D1. I have also owned a Tech and Merkur HD. I mostly use Feather Blades but also like SIs and Personna Meds & Labs.

The Construction and finish are great. On par with a Feather AS, although different.

I find it gives a nice close shave, comparable to the Futur and Progress (on 3-4)

Maybe a slight amount more irritation, but not much. I use an alum block to kind of magnify the irritation.

I am more likely to get a weeper with the Tradere OC. These seem to happen only in places where there are wrinkles or a small bump on my face. I think this is a function of the O.C. I'm not sure I'm a fan of O.C. Razors at this point. If someone wants to give me some pointers on O.C. technique, I'm all ears.

I think the head is a little heavier than I like. I prefer the balance of the Futur or even the Progress LH or Feather.

I would love to see Tradere make a solid bar razor with a bottom guard that looked like a Progress. I really think that the Merkur Razors I own shave better than anything else I have used and I think most of the difference is the bottom design with the space behind the cutting edge.

**drocu** · 07-01-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ski-Patroller

I would love to see Tradere make a solid bar razor with a bottom guard that looked like a Progress. I really think that the Merkur Razors I own shave better than anything else I have used and I think most of the difference is the bottom design with the space behind the cutting edge.

That is actually going to be the next razor head that Tradere releases. Check the vendor thread for the announcement.

**Gone Gray** · 07-01-2012, 07:06 PM

I've shaved three times with the Tradere razor and it seems perfect. I especially like how easy it is to rinse because of the large gap between the comb and blade--I've never seen another design like it...can't wait for the slant version.