Rex razor not quite up to what my expectations were so far…

[NEPA507]

The title might be a bit click bait but I received a Rex Sentry after being excited to try a Rex for awhile and got one in on trade.

After feeling it and looking at at, I’m a bit disappointed in the fit and finish and overall design choices. First of all there are burrs everywhere that I would think are easily fixed with a quick once over or slight adjustment on the CNC machine. The sides of the baseplate have a burr large enough to catch my fingernail and seems like it’s from the last pass on the mill that doesn‘t get smoothed over. Also, the deeper corners are sharp and also have a noticeable burr.

Lastly, and this seems intentional based on other reviews I see, the top cap creates uneven ”reveal” along the blade edge. And then I won’t even mention how the alignment tabs are too short and you have to wiggle on the top cap as you squeeze it together so it aligns the blade properly, and then double check the sides and make sure there’s no gap.

I’ll be shaving with it for the first time tomorrow morning and chose an Astra SP just in case since that’s less likely to bite. But, unless this thing is literally the best shave I’ve ever had, it will be hard to make the decision to hang on to it vs my Razorocks which are literally 1/3 the price and have none of the above problems.

Were my expectations just too high?

 

[Wombat ESQ]

Who is the person behind Rex?

 

[Invicta]

Who is the person behind Rex?

Razor Emporium (Rex Supply Co).

 

[Invicta]

Were my expectations just too high?

This razor may have had blemishes when originally sold (scratch and dent) so would have been discounted as such. Your expectations may be too high.

 

[Southbound1]

The title might be a bit click bait but I received a Rex Sentry after being excited to try a Rex for awhile and got one in on trade.

After feeling it and looking at at, I’m a bit disappointed in the fit and finish and overall design choices. First of all there are burrs everywhere that I would think are easily fixed with a quick once over or slight adjustment on the CNC machine. The sides of the baseplate have a burr large enough to catch my fingernail and seems like it’s from the last pass on the mill that doesn‘t get smoothed over. Also, the deeper corners are sharp and also have a noticeable burr.

Lastly, and this seems intentional based on other reviews I see, the top cap creates uneven ”reveal” along the blade edge. And then I won’t even mention how the alignment tabs are too short and you have to wiggle on the top cap as you squeeze it together so it aligns the blade properly, and then double check the sides and make sure there’s no gap.

I’ll be shaving with it for the first time tomorrow morning and chose an Astra SP just in case since that’s less likely to bite. But, unless this thing is literally the best shave I’ve ever had, it will be hard to make the decision to hang on to it vs my Razorocks which are literally 1/3 the price and have none of the above problems.

Were my expectations just too high?



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No your expectations are not too high! Still supposed to be premium razor, it doesn't show anything 'premium' just the opposite. I don't buy from RE!!

 

[Iridian]

There are numerous threads about business practices by Razor Emporium/Rex and the ways the owners, particularly Matt, do business. Best to search for them to gain some insights.

I didn't like the way my Rex Envoy shaves and well, for the rest make up your mind, I am definitely not a fan of that either.

The only thing I still like from Rex is the massive razor pin stand for the Envoy. No joke, that's true. Their adjustable slant, the Consul, is also quite beloved by some users here. So personally I do not consider purchasing anymore Rex razors and think you fell for Rex being overrated. They were among the first to offer fully stainless razors together with Rockwell and some love the Ambassador. I like the Chinese copy a bit more, based on the same Gibbs design, the Yaqi Final Cut/Ultima, but it is still far away from being a favorite of mine.

YMMV, as usual, but I think there are definitely way better options out there.

 

[faroll2]

That doesn't look normal at all, not even by scratch and dent standards.

Shoot them an email with those pics and let's hope they'll get back to you.

 

[BigDrew]

If you got it second hand, who knows how it was handled before you received it. I have a Konsul and it is flawless. Maybe it was scratch and dent? Maybe reach out to them? I’ve had great experiences with Razor Emporium.

 

[Rob72]

RE is about sales, period. I note that they were touting Rhodium plating during the last economic downturn, when it was running around $40K/ounce and did so before & after with no notable change in price. Given that plating is a non-renewing investment, with significant waste-loss, something is/was...off. (I would suspect "Plati-rho-nium," but who can say.)

Most of their specialty work is outsourced (definitely machining; plating used to be, although I believe they now say, "in-house").

QC is painfully hit or miss and they have been very consistent in that, at least

I have an Ambassador (excellent) and second-hand gold-plated Konsul (plating is bad on the stand and just inside the handle, indicating poor prep). I knew I was taking a chance and had modest expectations.

Many people, including myself, have had good purchase experiences, and I in no way discount those; however, it would appear that perhaps 10% have very negative/unexpected outcomes, which is simply too high for a luxury "durable good."

Edit to add: if you don't get your money back, I would use some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and gently work that edge off.

 

[NEPA507]

This razor may have had blemishes when originally sold (scratch and dent) so would have been discounted as such. Your expectations may be too high.

I have the box and everything so can confirm it's not scratch and dent

 

[NEPA507]

There are numerous threads about business practices by Razor Emporium/Rex and the ways the owners, particularly Matt, do business. Best to search for them to gain some insights.

I didn't like the way my Rex Envoy shaves and well, for the rest make up your mind, I am definitely not a fan of that either.

The only thing I still like from Rex is the massive razor pin stand for the Envoy. No joke, that's true. Their adjustable slant, the Consul, is also quite beloved by some users here. So personally I do not consider purchasing anymore Rex razors and think you fell for Rex being overrated. They were among the first to offer fully stainless razors together with Rockwell and some love the Ambassador. I like the Chinese copy a bit more, based on the same Gibbs design, the Yaqi Final Cut/Ultima, but it is still far away from being a favorite of mine.

YMMV, as usual, but I think there are definitely way better options out there.

Oh yeah i have the Yaqi Ultima slant and it's massively better. Heck, even my Tile is better fit and finish.

 

[NEPA507]

If you got it second hand, who knows how it was handled before you received it. I have a Konsul and it is flawless. Maybe it was scratch and dent? Maybe reach out to them? I’ve had great experiences with Razor Emporium.

I can't see how abuse would cause a perfect machining burr. If anything it would have chips along the burr so to speak but I'm not even sure the previous owner actually used this razor to be fair. Plus i know them and they are the kind of person you want to buy from because you know it'll be cared for. Otherwise I'd completely agree with your point

 

[BigDrew]

Wow! I've been in this new shaving world for around two or so years (maybe three?). I really credit Matt/RE site, service and Youtube videos as significant in helping my journey as a newbie. I had no idea that there was a lot of negativity around them. I've had great service, etc. Interesting!

 

[Phoenixkh]

Since you got it on a trade.... You can't get anything from Rex, unfortunately.... I agree with @Rob72 and would carefully sand off the burrs with 600 or higher grit wet/dry sand paper.... I would do that, and hit it with my jewelry polishing/buffing machine.... but that won't fix the shave, if you don't care for the way it shaves....

I noticed in your other thread, you are still looking for a razor with just a bit better fit for you than your GameChanger 0.68... I was wondering if you've tried an Athena yet.... I haven't used a GameChanger, but I have used a couple Lupo variants and wasn't overly impressed.. I did like the cut aways on the base plate, however... The Athena is right at the top of my DE razors...hence the question....

 

[Westbrook]

I can't see how abuse would cause a perfect machining burr. If anything it would have chips along the burr so to speak but I'm not even sure the previous owner actually used this razor to be fair. Plus i know them and they are the kind of person you want to buy from because you know it'll be cared for. Otherwise I'd completely agree with your point

I would present your concerns to Matt P. He should be interested/concerned about what is being shipped from his store. I have only been in this a little over a year now and have had nothing but good dealing with RE/Rex. Any issue has been handled quickly & hassle free.

I have a Sentry and it has been a great razor for me, do worry about the odd blade exposure it is harmless ... gives an easier shave than my super speed.

I also have a scratch & dent Ambassador that I'm still trying to see why it was in the S & D pile....

 

[jesseix]

I can't see how abuse would cause a perfect machining burr. If anything it would have chips along the burr so to speak but I'm not even sure the previous owner actually used this razor to be fair. Plus i know them and they are the kind of person you want to buy from because you know it'll be cared for. Otherwise I'd completely agree with your point

At the same time though, I’m assuming that you didn’t get a sense of those imperfections before you got the razor right? Ideally the person you got it from would have given you good enough pictures and videos to show those issues, and/or disclosed them while you guys were negotiating the trade. Regardless of whatever reputation RE/Rex might have (in all transparency I’ve never bought any of their products), when I look at that situation from an outside perspective I find it hard to put all the responsibility on the vendor because there’s been at least one other person that owned it before you received it. It could still be a scratch & dent item even if it includes the box, so it sounds like your trade partner didn’t share at least some info with you whether it is S&D or not. Which is a bummer.
Hopefully RE will work something out with you, it seems like the type of situation where the vendor could charge a nominal fee to touch up the finishing and keep both sides happy. I hope it works out.

 

[Blackland Razors]

Uneven blade reveal is part of the slant design. The burrs are a machining artifact. RE will probably replace it, but we can walk you through manual burr removal if they don't. Easy to do.

 

[helicopter]

Wow! I've been in this new shaving world for around two or so years (maybe three?). I really credit Matt/RE site, service and Youtube videos as significant in helping my journey as a newbie. I had no idea that there was a lot of negativity around them. I've had great service, etc. Interesting!

They have good YouTube videos, great websites, and a lot of good products. They also have bad and overpriced products. Do to the excellent marketing, a lot of people start off with them, buying the good products, and the bad and overpriced products.

I would recommend the PAA Fakelite razors. (But be careful not to crack the cap.) They also have good soaps. I find their splashes sticky.

Their private label blades are way overpriced for what they are, Tatra Platinums and a Chinese blade that is probably from Xirui. They do a really good job with blade sample packs, which is a great thing for new shavers who choose them over sellers on Amazon.

Their restored vintage razors are pretty neat, but the Backroads Gold Etsy stores have better restoration work at lower prices.

I bought all four Rex razors when I was first starting with CNC stuff, and was happy with them originally. However, my razors (all in deluxe gold) and my stand all rusted pretty quickly due to bad plating prep and bad design. They all shave uncomfortably compared to other razors. They all have the threads glued into the top caps to save on assembly, material, and machine costs, and they all rust at that interface.

For the same reason, smaller and cheaper bar stock, they all have short alignment pins. The pins on the slants are so short they don't begin to engage the blade until you bend the blade down onto them with your fingers. This is a lazy and dangerous design.

There are better razors available for $70, and at the price point, you can get a Blackbird or an Osprey. It is kind of mind blowing that a polished Osprey Ti with matching stand is cheaper than a badly plated Konsul XL with stand.

 

[Westbrook]

At the same time though, I’m assuming that you didn’t get a sense of those imperfections before you got the razor right? Ideally the person you got it from would have given you good enough pictures and videos to show those issues, and/or disclosed them while you guys were negotiating the trade. Regardless of whatever reputation RE/Rex might have (in all transparency I’ve never bought any of their products), when I look at that situation from an outside perspective I find it hard to put all the responsibility on the vendor because there’s been at least one other person that owned it before you received it. It could still be a scratch & dent item even if it includes the box, so it sounds like your trade partner didn’t share at least some info with you whether it is S&D or not. Which is a bummer.
Hopefully RE will work something out with you, it seems like the type of situation where the vendor could charge a nominal fee to touch up the finishing and keep both sides happy. I hope it works out.

You dont get a box with a S & D razor .... you can purchase a box for it...it wont come with an inspection card or have the red stamped model number on the brown slip cover......

 

[gdawg55]

You’re braver than I am to shave with that thing. Good luck.