I have certainly spent a few bucks on new razors over the last couple months. I thought I might share a few thoughts, observations, anecdotes, and opinions on what I have experienced over the last several weeks.
Merkur 23c - I can't remember who it was, but someone told me the 23c and my lost 34c had the same head. Actually, I don't think that's true. According to a blade gap rating here on the forum, there is a .07mm difference between the two, with the 34c being the more aggressive. My first impression of the 23c is that I didn't like the longer handle. It could be that my muscle memory from my old razor was causing bad technique on my part, but my first few shaves with the 23c were brutal. I added an EDC HD handle and performance improved a surprising amount. My "Frankenrazor" is now my go-to secondary if I can't get into the groove on the first pass with a different razor.
Merkur Futur - this was my first real purchase out of my comfort zone and this razor terrified me once i got my hands on it. The blade gap alone... I mean, you could peel potatoes with this thing!! However, after a few super cautious shaves, I started getting the hang of it and now, I wonder what I was afraid of in the first place. I get a near BBS shave after 2 passes on setting 3 pretty consistently with it. I like it a lot.
Timeless Bronze - This razor is superb. It's like shaving with a little bronze pillow. The mild blade gap coupled with the shape and configuration of the bar and cap geometry and just the weight of the thing make it very comfortable on the face and forgiving if you get your angle wrong.
Rockwell 6c - This is an interesting concept and I like it a lot. This razor will likely be my travel razor because versatility and comfort, and the fact you can buy a cool little Altoids tin container for it on one of those shopping apps. I had to send my first 6c back because I had issues with the threading. but, no problems there. the replacement on/off action is smooth and easy. the R1 plate is pretty much useless for me. R3 is as comfy as my Mercur and R4 is very efficient without being overly aggressive. I haven't used R5 and R6 yet.
Fatip Grande - This razor... I was a bit apprehensive with the Fatip. It's the first OC razor I've used and i've heard it compared with the Futur on setting 1. Seeing as how the Futur intimidated the heck out of me, I went it as light as light can be for my first pass. I could hardly tell I was touching a razor to my face. It's a very light razor. I played with the angle of attack a bit and could tell immediately when I was getting it wrong. The Fatip, for me, was very argumentative whenever I wasn't giving it the angle it wanted.
RR Game Changer - I know a lot of folks are going to disagree with my assessment here, but IMHO, the GC is pretty over hyped. I absolutely, positively do not like how the blade is loaded. I like to know my blade is secure before i tighten everything down, and the way the blade is loaded in this razor, there is no way to tell. I have found nothing notable about it's performance whatsoever. I'll likely be giving mine away in a PIF at some point. Just not impressed.
As always, YMMV. Happy Shaving!
Merkur 23c - I can't remember who it was, but someone told me the 23c and my lost 34c had the same head. Actually, I don't think that's true. According to a blade gap rating here on the forum, there is a .07mm difference between the two, with the 34c being the more aggressive. My first impression of the 23c is that I didn't like the longer handle. It could be that my muscle memory from my old razor was causing bad technique on my part, but my first few shaves with the 23c were brutal. I added an EDC HD handle and performance improved a surprising amount. My "Frankenrazor" is now my go-to secondary if I can't get into the groove on the first pass with a different razor.
Merkur Futur - this was my first real purchase out of my comfort zone and this razor terrified me once i got my hands on it. The blade gap alone... I mean, you could peel potatoes with this thing!! However, after a few super cautious shaves, I started getting the hang of it and now, I wonder what I was afraid of in the first place. I get a near BBS shave after 2 passes on setting 3 pretty consistently with it. I like it a lot.
Timeless Bronze - This razor is superb. It's like shaving with a little bronze pillow. The mild blade gap coupled with the shape and configuration of the bar and cap geometry and just the weight of the thing make it very comfortable on the face and forgiving if you get your angle wrong.
Rockwell 6c - This is an interesting concept and I like it a lot. This razor will likely be my travel razor because versatility and comfort, and the fact you can buy a cool little Altoids tin container for it on one of those shopping apps. I had to send my first 6c back because I had issues with the threading. but, no problems there. the replacement on/off action is smooth and easy. the R1 plate is pretty much useless for me. R3 is as comfy as my Mercur and R4 is very efficient without being overly aggressive. I haven't used R5 and R6 yet.
Fatip Grande - This razor... I was a bit apprehensive with the Fatip. It's the first OC razor I've used and i've heard it compared with the Futur on setting 1. Seeing as how the Futur intimidated the heck out of me, I went it as light as light can be for my first pass. I could hardly tell I was touching a razor to my face. It's a very light razor. I played with the angle of attack a bit and could tell immediately when I was getting it wrong. The Fatip, for me, was very argumentative whenever I wasn't giving it the angle it wanted.
RR Game Changer - I know a lot of folks are going to disagree with my assessment here, but IMHO, the GC is pretty over hyped. I absolutely, positively do not like how the blade is loaded. I like to know my blade is secure before i tighten everything down, and the way the blade is loaded in this razor, there is no way to tell. I have found nothing notable about it's performance whatsoever. I'll likely be giving mine away in a PIF at some point. Just not impressed.
As always, YMMV. Happy Shaving!
