a good AC beats a great DE all day. all the AC razor needs to do is to just clamp on the blade well and you have a razor with almost zero chatter resulting in a smooth and predictable beard mower.
REVIEW | Amakuni ~ X1 Slant ~ Vector
- Thread starter RRGGMM
- Start date
Proof of concept. 
Shaved with the Feather SoftGuard blade: mild, extremely comfortable, bottom of the pile for aggressive - I'd peg it at "1" or less on most of my adjustables, somewhere in AS-D2 territory. A Good Witch and a Bad Witch - very easy to use, no/little chance of cutting yourself, irritation-free. OTOH, less efficient, more passes to smooth. It does alter the shave significantly, demonstrating the idea that blades in an AC razor really are similar or equivalent to using an adjustable (with plates), more (or much more) than an equivalent blade swap in a DE, with the possible exception of Kai. On to Pro and Super! 
Shaved with the Feather SoftGuard blade: mild, extremely comfortable, bottom of the pile for aggressive - I'd peg it at "1" or less on most of my adjustables, somewhere in AS-D2 territory. A Good Witch and a Bad Witch - very easy to use, no/little chance of cutting yourself, irritation-free. OTOH, less efficient, more passes to smooth. It does alter the shave significantly, demonstrating the idea that blades in an AC razor really are similar or equivalent to using an adjustable (with plates), more (or much more) than an equivalent blade swap in a DE, with the possible exception of Kai. On to Pro and Super! Loving the reviews on the Amakuni, are there any local vendors in the US that carry or just order from overseas? I saw the ATG forum has a "pass around" of this razor in Europe...France to Memphis overnight! Due in Monday, so anxious to start blade trials. Interesting the difference in Feather AC and DE blades - makes the Amakuni almost an adjustable!
AFAIK ordering is limited right now to Portugal, although closer to home Maggards sells most of Tatara's line (except for the Amakuni right now - but chances are it's coming). My razor got here pretty timely from Portugal (about a week), and the Tatara team is great to work with. And all the blades are available on Amazon.
- Thread starter
- #25
I have continued with the Feather Super in the Amakuni and have five shaves with it, maybe six. The efficiency is superior, and the blade feel is nice. I can nic myself if I am not careful, but I don't need to be overly cautious. With a regular Feather Professional, I can shave and hardly pay attention! I am enjoying the razor, the versatility, and the feel in my hand. It is the only razor I have used since it arrived, except for a couple of test runs with my stainless Muhle R41.
This is really helpful, or bad if I was trying not to spend money! I almost bought the Amakuni right when it was first available, but was sceptical of the magnetic closure, it turns out I shouldn't have been. Anyway, I got the most aggressive Shield AC razor recently and it's working great for me, I wanted to see how one of these slim style razors would work. The only thing I don't like so far is that I really can't use a Pro Super with it, completely out of the question(huge blade exposure). The Amakuni still calls to me because I know it will be mild enough to use with a Super primarily, but not as mild as my beloved Colonial General(neutral exposure unfortunately). I really like the design of this razor and I like my Tatara razor already! Oh the R41 GS, yeah better not derail this thread... best surprise of '25 so far.
Another surprise of note - for me - is blade longevity. With a DE razor I'm a one and done guy. I know some people get 101 shaves with a blade. A DE blade for me is kaput after one shave, tugging and nick-enabled. But they're cheap, so in the bin. AC blades can be a buck apiece, so I tried a second shave. No difference! I might go to 3 or 4, but at least a cartridge will last a month of shaves or more, so another win here! 
- Thread starter
- #28
Typically, I get 2-4 shaves max with a DE blade. My routine for a long time was two shaves with a Feather DE blade, and I was finished with it. With AC blades, I typically get 10-12 shaves.Another surprise of note - for me - is blade longevity. With a DE razor I'm a one and done guy. I know some people get 101 shaves with a blade. A DE blade for me is kaput after one shave, tugging and nick-enabled. But they're cheap, so in the bin. AC blades can be a buck apiece, so I tried a second shave. No difference! I might go to 3 or 4, but at least a cartridge will last a month of shaves or more, so another win here!
I can only get one great shave from any of my DE blades, but I easily get 3 from an AC blade... I used to push them to 6, but I could start seeing some difference on shave 4... So,... three and done for AC blades...Another surprise of note - for me - is blade longevity. With a DE razor I'm a one and done guy. I know some people get 101 shaves with a blade. A DE blade for me is kaput after one shave, tugging and nick-enabled. But they're cheap, so in the bin. AC blades can be a buck apiece, so I tried a second shave. No difference! I might go to 3 or 4, but at least a cartridge will last a month of shaves or more, so another win here!
They accepted my order, hopefully they still fulfill the order, and I get to shave next week!
This is great! Feather Pro - blade feel slightly less than my BB, which is about where I want to be. This razor has somehow moved to the top of my rotation....
- Thread starter
- #32
I was also skeptical of the magnetic closure, but the razor intrigued me enough I decided to give it a try. To say I am impressed is an understatement! Of course, a typical threaded closure system is not a problem, and there is a level of security there that is comforting. But the shave with the Amakuni is up there with the best I have used, and the closure system is a joy. Other than a couple of shaves with my GS R41, the Amakuni is the only razor I have used since it arrived. I should note that it is typical for me to go all in on a razor and blade type for weeks at a time before I dive into something else. However, this in no way detracts from my enjoyment of the Amakuni, which is a wonderful razor. I do rotate through brushes and soap quite often. I may use the same brush for a couple of shaves but try not to use the same soap two shaves in a row.
When I have finished with the Feather Professional and Professional Super blades currently in use with the Amakuni, I will go a stretch with the Vector again with different blades, followed by the X1. Maybe after GRUYERE, I will add another AC razor to the mix to round out the comparison for anyone considering a single-edge artist club razor to their collection. For the remainder of 2025, these are the three AC razors I will use.
You probably have your 2026 AC razor picked out... I'm sure Atelier Durdan's La Faulx is on your radar. I have two of them.. one in premium polish bronze which was worth the upgrade and a basic polish SS La Faulx head combined with a Timeless Ti Crown handle.... both with their respective stands.
The one that will be out there by 2026 is Lambda's new AC offering... Theo has designed such wonderful razors, I'm confident his AC offering will be worth a close examination..... I'll be shocked if I don't buy one, though I have some other financial commitments until late fall. I had to replace my CD player for my main two channel stereo system....
Here are some AC razors that could come out later.
ATT's SE1, SE2, X1 renewed by BlackLand
Shield's Slant AC
- I asked Shield's Mike via IG DM if he'd like to make a Slant AC, and I think it'll be released in the first half of 2025.
Lamda
Ascender
ATT's SE1, SE2, X1 renewed by BlackLandShield's Slant AC- I asked Shield's Mike via IG DM if he'd like to make a Slant AC, and I think it'll be released in the first half of 2025.
LamdaAscender- Thread starter
- #35
Those are some interesting potential additions to the AC razor market! Being that Above the Tie was my first foray back into wet shaving with a purchase in 2013, I will always have a soft spot for the company, and their creations. Whether the Blackland versions are enticing remains to be seen, but I do very much enjoy my Vector.Here are some AC razors that could come out later.
- I asked Shield's Mike via IG DM if he'd like to make a Slant AC, and I think it'll be released in the first half of 2025.
My selection of vintage Gillette razors is vast, and I do love them very much. I enjoy the shaves and have zero regrets about purchasing any of them. However, I could easily pick two or three razors to use for life and be content. And two of thse three would absolutely be AC razors. In actuality, I would probably keep all of my modern stainless steel razors of both DE and AC formats, along with a couple of choice vintage Gillettes. Thankfully, I do not need to pare down my selection, so the all will stay in rotation!
Soaps and brushes are similar, as I could easily pick two or three of each and be happy. But using different soaps for nearly every shave, and rotating through brushes is fun. I may add a soap or two in 2026, but my brush selection makes me happy, and I do not feel a need to expand further. I know a lot of members are having fun with the new crop of synthetic brushes. I am away from home at the moment and using my synthetic Simpsons, which is not a particularly well-regarded brush. I find it adequate, but feel no desire to try different synthetics. My one-and-only synthetic is where I will stay, and I like it as a travel brush so I am not worried about it. But the performance is so substandard compared to badger or boar that it detracts considerably from my enjoyment of shaving.
Interested in the AC lineup as well - I'm hooked! Not sure how often Shane updates, but the Ti Vector is calling me! OTOH, there will be an Athena - what to do, what to do?....
Same here with synthetics (and I have more than a few, tried and garaged in the quest for better). There's just nothing that competes with a 3-band badger - for me - and I actually use a Simpson "Major" for travel and just let it sit out.....
Same here with synthetics (and I have more than a few, tried and garaged in the quest for better). There's just nothing that competes with a 3-band badger - for me - and I actually use a Simpson "Major" for travel and just let it sit out.....
UPDATE! Crazy Fast Shipping!!! The Shipped out Monday I received Noon Thursday in East TN!! I purchased a razor from NC (Buy/sell/trade forum), It shipped Monday, I'll receive it today also. Cant wait to give it a shave!
So I purchased the Amakuni because I loved the shave with my Shield AC. Also have an Alpha Spirit coming in soon..Love the Single Edge GEM and AC razors so far.Interested in the AC lineup as well - I'm hooked! Not sure how often Shane updates, but the Ti Vector is calling me! OTOH, there will be an Athena - what to do, what to do?....
Same here with synthetics (and I have more than a few, tried and garaged in the quest for better). There's just nothing that competes with a 3-band badger - for me - and I actually use a Simpson "Major" for travel and just let it sit out.....
View attachment 1985947
View attachment 1985948
very helpful thanks
Would love your input regarding the Amakuni and the Spirit. If possible, using the Feather Pros or P30 blades.
