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Fixed it for youIt's how your keep your RAD in cheques!
A newbie’s journey into DE shaving
- Thread starter Guido75
- Start date
I need advice. Jump to the last sentence to avoid my rambling if time is short. This is such an interesting conversation about RAD here in Guido Land (not surprising). I had a seriously disorderly RAD throughout 2022 and much of 2023, but focusing almost exclusively on vintage gear. I also obsessively studied restoration techniques stopping just shy of replating razors myself. The result is that I acquired a mini-museum collection of vintage Gillette, GEM SE, and injector razors. But, since about mid-2023, I have found it quite easy to resist buying any more razors. I've succeeded in remaining true to my GRUYERE promise throughout 2024.
Despite all my vintage gear (over 200 razors), I have "only" nine "modern" razors (an Athena, Rockwell 6S, Razorock Hawk, Fatip Lo Storto OC slant, Parker Variant, Parker Semi-slant, Muhle R89, Lord tech clone, Dollar Store TTO, and Merkur 34C). The mostly consistent theme among my "modern" razors is the relative value or downright cheapness of the purchases. The Dollar Store razor was $1.50 and came with five blades! The Athena is by far the most expensive of my modern razors, and I absolutely adore it.
HOWEVER, for some reason, I've become slightly fascinated by the Razorock DE razor variants. Perhaps, the glowing reviews across B&B coupled with the relatively inexpensive prices (at least in the USA) is why my interest is piqued. I tend to prefer solid bar razors on the milder side, but I also admire good efficiency.
If I could only purchase one Razorock DE razor, what should it be?
Despite all my vintage gear (over 200 razors), I have "only" nine "modern" razors (an Athena, Rockwell 6S, Razorock Hawk, Fatip Lo Storto OC slant, Parker Variant, Parker Semi-slant, Muhle R89, Lord tech clone, Dollar Store TTO, and Merkur 34C). The mostly consistent theme among my "modern" razors is the relative value or downright cheapness of the purchases. The Dollar Store razor was $1.50 and came with five blades! The Athena is by far the most expensive of my modern razors, and I absolutely adore it.
HOWEVER, for some reason, I've become slightly fascinated by the Razorock DE razor variants. Perhaps, the glowing reviews across B&B coupled with the relatively inexpensive prices (at least in the USA) is why my interest is piqued. I tend to prefer solid bar razors on the milder side, but I also admire good efficiency.
If I could only purchase one Razorock DE razor, what should it be?
Jay21
Collecting wife bonus parts
Lupo 72 for starters. Then consider other plates as your needs change, but the 72 is where I recommend people start. Ride the cap at first and go more aggressive as needed.
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- #4,445
If I was living in the US I would have all Razorock razors for sure! Even with BF discount at some sites, a Lupo is still close to $80. It's really weird that way. And getting them directly from IB is no good either, because it will be hit by taxes and import duties. Same basically for the Game Changer.
I haven't tried the Lupo myself and I do admit that if @Jay21 likes his, given his history with razor irritation et cetera that would be high praise.
I have the Game Changer .84 in SB and OC. I would think the SB would be up your alley. It does have a decent amount of positive blade exposure which is more uncommon in your collection if I remember correctly (although even a Tech has positive exposure).
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I’d tried a half dozen Razorock’s and sold them all. The Lupo definitely Razorocks best effort. I prefer efficient razors and the Lupo OC95 is my Grail Razor
The handle is a Chiseled Face Pineapple Twist Titanium Handle. My Lupo is a fine efficient razor with excellent balance. Cheers
Me thinks Santa may be putting a polished TI Vector and stand in my stocking. Either that or a big 'ole lump of coal (and not the highly compressed type that's sparkly, clear and very hard).You’ll have to wait and see
I recently acquired Lupo myself with all base plates in both SB and OC except for 127.
Drop by to my journal if you need further details.
I also have 6S, Gamechangers 68/76/84 SB, Henson mild and medium.
For me Lupo stands out among all my other razors.
Ingenuity in its design is truly amazing, simply engineering at its best.
- Very low profile
- Recess hole for thread
- Chamfered corners for those hard to access nooks.
- Nice lathering channel.
- Secure blade clamping
- Very grippy handles
- Inexpensive compared to others
For me Lupo 72SB is close to R4 maybe R4.5 due to being blade positive while 6S is neutral.
Despite the blade exposure, Lupo is still smooth but more efficient than 6S.
While Lupo 72OC is like R5.5 to R6.5 if such plate is to exist on 6S.
I don't want to muddy the water even more, but Lupo 95OC is even better than 72OC.
I could not figure it out yet but there are threads I came across saying exactly the same thing.
Anyways long story short, Lupo is the best acquisition I made so far till date.
The fact that Lupo is being even compared to high end Blackbird and Timeless is fascinating.
It sowed a seed of doubt on me whether to get BB Ti / Ti95OC this coming BF sale.
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- #4,449
Fantastic write up and information Dereck @WhiskerLess!! Thanks!
Cheers,
Guido
(looks like we are all getting a Lupo then?)
Cheers,
Guido
(looks like we are all getting a Lupo then?
)
lasta
Blade Biter
I'm gonna be the voice of reason and say that RazoRocks haven't really fared well with me.
I've owned the Lupo 72, GC84 (twice) and GC68. The only one I kept is the GC68 (gift from Balin), and even then, it doesn't get a lot of face time.
I do appreciate the simple sleek aesthetics, also fit and finish is better than razors costing 2-3x as much. But none of them offered any efficiency advantage over the lowly Tech yet nowhere near as smooth.
I've owned the Lupo 72, GC84 (twice) and GC68. The only one I kept is the GC68 (gift from Balin), and even then, it doesn't get a lot of face time.
I do appreciate the simple sleek aesthetics, also fit and finish is better than razors costing 2-3x as much. But none of them offered any efficiency advantage over the lowly Tech yet nowhere near as smooth.
Fantastic write up and information Dereck @WhiskerLess!! Thanks!
Cheers,
Guido
(looks like we are all getting a Lupo then?
Not being paid for marketing here but I forgot to include:
- No blade overhang.
- Precise blade alignment.
Lebin perhaps you will find the efficiency you’re looking for with Lupo 95OC.
I find it way better than 72 SB/OC.
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- #4,453
| Date | 03.11.2024 |
| 366 daily shaves | 308/366 |
| Razor (Daily Double) | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Athena | Comet Stainless (16) | Omega Pro 10098 |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash | Hampshire Wool Fat (25) | Cold splash Proraso Green A/S Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 8.50/10 (DFS+++) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Sunday asks for a special razor and the Athena from @Lambda Razors fits that bill perfectly. One of the best razors in my collection and I absolutely love its design. The pairing with the Comet was sufficient today. I have blades that perform better in the Athena, but overall the razor just slid over my face taking everything down in its way. The wonder pass with the Athena is usually ATG. My face is very happy.
This brush is breaking in nicely. It resembles the 400 brushes - for me at least. It looks nothing like a 400 to be honest, but I do like brushes that have that longer handle like the 400. Maybe I just love 400 brushes! Haha! Lather was wonderful today. I loaded for 15 counts because of the boar brush, but even then I barely had enough for my touch up pass. It’s just the way it is I guess.
Technique pretty much stable and consistent. The Athena is very nimble and manoeuvrable despite its obvious weight. It just gets everything smooth. ATG was lightly less effective than usual, especially on my right side today. But all in all great smoothness.
KCG Face Wash is about to go to the graveyard. I think tomorrow will be the last time which I already extended by adding a little water. I liked it very much. Nice scent. It will not be replaced however. Gillette reformulated its soap, so it’s not exactly the same anymore. I have stocked up on Mastro Miche preshave soap. It’s a potent orchid scent, which I actually was not expecting and it takes some getting used to. Will be a nice change of pace in my preparation.
Wishing you an enjoyable shave today!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Guido
That sounds like my love life at the moment.
Mine is almost gone too. It has served me well but I need a change. I will continue to use the Neutrogena Fragrance-free bar soap though. I may try the Neutrogena liquid soap that @Jay21 uses at some point.
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- #4,457
You too Mark! Enjoy your leisure time as well!
I agree...among my razors the Athena is my favourite mainly because of looks. The performance is right up there with any of my other razors as well. So it could be my "Grail" razor if I was allowed ONLY ONE razor. But because we can have any number of razors we want, it will remain simply as my favourite. Cheers!
Another hat in the ring for the Gamechanger 0.84. I prefer the gap / exposure ratios on the GCs to the Lupos. If you prefer something milder, honestly the 0.68 is very good and still has positive exposure. I always think it shaves like a stainless steel Tech. The recent 0.76 could well be the goldilocks option but I never tried it and probably won't.
I have seen these blades in your SOTD but I have never heard of them and Google shows nothing. Is it a vintage blade?
My wife's Dad used to frequently tell all 7 of his children they are his favorite.... That's how I feel about my razors....
I had been saying my La Faulx might be the best razor I've ever used..... but since then, I've had more time with my two Timeless 0.68OC hybrids, Athena and just recently my new Ares... And my Blutt BR-1 1.20 amazes me every time I use it.... I could go on.... They are all my favorites after I shave with them.... For looks???? The Athena, Ares and La Faulx win in that department.... Though the Timeless Ti Crown handles and my Wolfman bronze handles are works of art in their own right.
I had been saying my La Faulx might be the best razor I've ever used..... but since then, I've had more time with my two Timeless 0.68OC hybrids, Athena and just recently my new Ares... And my Blutt BR-1 1.20 amazes me every time I use it.... I could go on.... They are all my favorites after I shave with them.... For looks???? The Athena, Ares and La Faulx win in that department.... Though the Timeless Ti Crown handles and my Wolfman bronze handles are works of art in their own right.
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