I think I may have misunderstood what you meant by "magnetised", my apologies, so I double checked and a fridge magnet will stick to it lightly, so I'm not sure about the grade of steel, but by comparison the same fridge magnet stuck to my Sedef slightly more, and I don't think there are complaints about Sedefs rusting. Regardless of corrosion resistance, the steel they've used for the Kiepe is fairly thin and pretty soft and easily bent by hand, a Universal it ain't. I wasn't that happy about that when it arrived, I also bought two and one was unusably bent in the package and wouldn't hold a blade so I had to get a refund. I've seen vintage models of basically same design from a different brand that look like they're made from aluminium, so potentially that's what the design originally had in mind.Thank you very much, this is very important! It means that the razor is probably made of stainless alloy, which will not rust.)
For a shavette that is constantly in contact with water, this is very good!
Shavette And Barber Razor Enthusiast (SABRE) group
- Thread starter TheVez2
- Start date
Friday 20241129
Shavette And Barber Razor Enthusiast
Razor: Weck Sextoblade
Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (Shaves: 4, Passes: 8)
First shave with this Weck. Good balance. No blood or irritation.
Very good 2-Pass CCS
Please visit My Journal for shave notes.
Shavette And Barber Razor Enthusiast
Razor: Weck Sextoblade
Blade: Personna Hair Shaper (Shaves: 4, Passes: 8)
First shave with this Weck. Good balance. No blood or irritation.
Very good 2-Pass CCS
Please visit My Journal for shave notes.
DFS 2.5 passes
Usually I start with a rather pasty lather for the first pass and dilute it with every following but with the Shavette I guess I should start pretty runny right away.
AliE Shavette, Feather Proguard (5), Barbus Classic, Shavemac Beagle, Mennen Skin Bracer AS
Usually I start with a rather pasty lather for the first pass and dilute it with every following but with the Shavette I guess I should start pretty runny right away.
AliE Shavette, Feather Proguard (5), Barbus Classic, Shavemac Beagle, Mennen Skin Bracer AS
Sounds good, I might lather in a bowl for better control of the hydration.
Saturday 11/30 Shave
WECKvember Day 30
NOCvember - No Open Combs
My thoughts after 30 Days with Hair Shapers. Kismet is by far the sharpest blade in the arsenal. It has plagued my technique for three shaves with blood sacrifices. I will boldly carry on with it until I master it's powers.
Fromm Blades / Feather Special Cut (Corrugated) are my next sharpest picks. Very adequate for multiple shaves even for a newbie.
Personna Blades are a close third. The Annie Blades were definitely fourth but still highly usable.
The Chinese knockoffs were absolutely un-shaveable. Tugged and pulled and not smooth.
I just received some KAI Hair Shaper blades from the Netherlands and will try them in Decem-BOAR.
I thoroughly enjoyed all my WECKs - the ANNIE Razor was great. I liked the length of the Sextoblade razor over the short throw of some of the other Wecks. I have a VINCENT Hair Shaper with blades arriving this week so that will need to join the rotation.
WECKvember Day 30
NOCvember - No Open Combs
My thoughts after 30 Days with Hair Shapers. Kismet is by far the sharpest blade in the arsenal. It has plagued my technique for three shaves with blood sacrifices. I will boldly carry on with it until I master it's powers.
Fromm Blades / Feather Special Cut (Corrugated) are my next sharpest picks. Very adequate for multiple shaves even for a newbie.
Personna Blades are a close third. The Annie Blades were definitely fourth but still highly usable.
The Chinese knockoffs were absolutely un-shaveable. Tugged and pulled and not smooth.
I just received some KAI Hair Shaper blades from the Netherlands and will try them in Decem-BOAR.
I thoroughly enjoyed all my WECKs - the ANNIE Razor was great. I liked the length of the Sextoblade razor over the short throw of some of the other Wecks. I have a VINCENT Hair Shaper with blades arriving this week so that will need to join the rotation.
So I got the Personna hair shaper with Personna blades and I have used it for 4 shaves. I must say that I am amazed at how effective the blade is! At some spots I almost get complete BBS after the first pass, so thats very telling on how effective it is. Sadly that doesnt translate so much over to my neck, which has always been a challenge.
I dont really know if it is fair to say that the modern hair shapers are light in weight per say. To me at least, the Personna is perfectly balanced in weight. Its heavier than my Sedef, but lighter than my 6/8 straight for sure. The scales also sit on very tight, so I find it easier to switch grips. So far I use a combination of regular straight, kamisori and even DE grips and it works wonderfully.
Size wise its a bit shorter than the Sedef. So I can understand why some with for example bigger hands may struggle with using it. So right now I am very happy over the fact that I dont have big hands or very thick fingers.
The only downside to the holder is that it has a sharp corner on the tang and I wish that the scales themselves were more round on the corners. Due to the fact that my grip can get a bit painfull, when those unrounded corners make contact. So its clear that some quality improvements should be done with it.
I also like the "Personna" name stamped on the side of the scales.
As for my previous comment, I compared the spines of the hair shaper and GEM blades by Personna. The hair shaper has a thicker spine, so there goes my theory out the window.
I'll get myself a pack of Kismet and Diana blades at some point. The Personna blades are great, but they like to bite very easily. So far I have gotten at least one tiny nick at some point during the shave. So I am curious about how the other blades are by comparison. Either way, a fun razor to use.
I dont really know if it is fair to say that the modern hair shapers are light in weight per say. To me at least, the Personna is perfectly balanced in weight. Its heavier than my Sedef, but lighter than my 6/8 straight for sure. The scales also sit on very tight, so I find it easier to switch grips. So far I use a combination of regular straight, kamisori and even DE grips and it works wonderfully.
Size wise its a bit shorter than the Sedef. So I can understand why some with for example bigger hands may struggle with using it. So right now I am very happy over the fact that I dont have big hands or very thick fingers.
The only downside to the holder is that it has a sharp corner on the tang and I wish that the scales themselves were more round on the corners. Due to the fact that my grip can get a bit painfull, when those unrounded corners make contact. So its clear that some quality improvements should be done with it.
I also like the "Personna" name stamped on the side of the scales.
Sounds like the Kismet may follow the old "schematics" from the original, while Personna goes for their own thing? I mean, when it comes to GEM blades the modern ones are tinner than the original. And Personna makes them. So perhaps that may be why? Would be fun to compare their hair shaper blade with their GEM, in terms of spine thickness. Because if they are similar, then it may be due to production costs? Just a theory on my part, without anything to back it up. Makes me wonder what the spine of the Diane is like, if it is like the Kismet or the Personna.
As for my previous comment, I compared the spines of the hair shaper and GEM blades by Personna. The hair shaper has a thicker spine, so there goes my theory out the window.
I'll get myself a pack of Kismet and Diana blades at some point. The Personna blades are great, but they like to bite very easily. So far I have gotten at least one tiny nick at some point during the shave. So I am curious about how the other blades are by comparison. Either way, a fun razor to use.
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That's really cool!
While awaiting my first Weck I picked up an inexpensive stainless folding hair shaper -- I think it was a Fromm -- and some Personna hair shaper blades. When the Weck arrived I was pleased to see that the tang on the Weck is thicker and easier to hold than the Fromm. Also, the Weck as more room between the thumb notch and the blade and doesn't feel cramped.
I piffed the Fromm to another member whom I hope is enjoying it.
My initial take on the Personna blades was "yeah, pretty much like their Gem offering." Quite sharp on first use, then smoothing out for the next four uses and then tailing off rapidly; at least that's my experience. My local Sally also carries the Fromm blades, which are the "Edge Ahead" style but are only stamped that way on the spine, not on the box. The wrapper indicates the blades have also been cryogenically tempered.
The difference is considerable. The Fromms are also quite sharp on first use but after that it's pretty smooth. The edge seems to last longer. I have been getting six and seven head shaves with each one and it looks like eight or even nine may be possible.
I am slightly amused that now the hair shaper blades are the most expensive blades I use. I'm having better shaves with them than I ever got with AC blades, but I'm heading back to the Kasho Woody soon to play in AC-space a bit more with my newfound technique improvements. I'm also beginning to play with the idea of de-spining a Fromm and trying it in the Kasho.
I haven't located a Canadian source for Kismet blades, but I'm coming to understand they're maybe like the Schick Proline AC blades: a bit sharper than I need at this point. I'm good with the Fromm blades.
O.H.
This week's kit:
Sunday 20241208
Shavette And Barber Razor Enthusiasts
Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 9, Passes: 27)
Brush: Yaqi Dandelion Green 24mm Cashmere
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Stirling Electric Sheep
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's Green Freeze
Superb 3-Pass DFS++
Please visit My Journal for shave notes.
Sunday 20241208
Shavette And Barber Razor Enthusiasts
Razor: Kai Kasho Captain Woody Folding
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (Shaves: 9, Passes: 27)
Brush: Yaqi Dandelion Green 24mm Cashmere
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Stirling Electric Sheep
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Bootlegger's Green Freeze
Superb 3-Pass DFS++
Please visit My Journal for shave notes.
SOTD 10-12-24:
Asinerie de la vioune--nature (soap--unscented donkey milk);
VP Leonhardy boar-badger (brush);
Focus all-aluminum w/OK blade (razor);
Christian Lenart Eau micellaire (post-shave astringent).
Haven't posted here in a while, but suffice it to say that I have ONLY been shaving with this shavette since SABREtember ended. Mostly the same players as back then, so not very exciting if change is your thing.
Today's shave was very nice and close. The OK super stainless is from a large sampler of Egyptian blades that I received back in September. What can I say, it's OK and does the job without calling a lot of attention to itself. The VP Leonhardy boar-badger brush is the scritichiest brush I've ever used. I've had it for around 8-10 years and the tips of the boar hairs are only now starting to break in. That's because German manufacturers like to clip the tips of boar bristles for some reason. Definitely reserved for palm- or bowl-lathering. But I've recently discovered that it does one thing very well: it picks up the last remains of a soap puck and builds a full lather with it. Maybe a couple more shaves with this soap and then it's finally time to move on. Great stuff though.
Asinerie de la vioune--nature (soap--unscented donkey milk);
VP Leonhardy boar-badger (brush);
Focus all-aluminum w/OK blade (razor);
Christian Lenart Eau micellaire (post-shave astringent).
Haven't posted here in a while, but suffice it to say that I have ONLY been shaving with this shavette since SABREtember ended. Mostly the same players as back then, so not very exciting if change is your thing.
Today's shave was very nice and close. The OK super stainless is from a large sampler of Egyptian blades that I received back in September. What can I say, it's OK and does the job without calling a lot of attention to itself. The VP Leonhardy boar-badger brush is the scritichiest brush I've ever used. I've had it for around 8-10 years and the tips of the boar hairs are only now starting to break in. That's because German manufacturers like to clip the tips of boar bristles for some reason. Definitely reserved for palm- or bowl-lathering. But I've recently discovered that it does one thing very well: it picks up the last remains of a soap puck and builds a full lather with it. Maybe a couple more shaves with this soap and then it's finally time to move on. Great stuff though.
I wouldn't worry about posting the same thing most times it's always good to see what other people are using. I've been posting Weck shaves for quite a while now and nobody seems to be bored with it. Well at least nobody has mentioned it
.Still in - DFS
AliE Shavette, Kai Protouch MG (4), Barbus Classic, SOC Mistura, Mennen AS
AliE Shavette, Kai Protouch MG (4), Barbus Classic, SOC Mistura, Mennen AS
I picked up one of the AliE scalloped head clones a while back and find them to be quite good.
I can't compare it to others as it is my only one but paired with a guarded blade I see that every shave is faster than the last one so I guess I climbing the ladder steadilyI picked up one of the AliE scalloped head clones a while back and find them to be quite good.
You are definitely on the right path. Be patient and be persistent.I can't compare it to others as it is my only one but paired with a guarded blade I see that every shave is faster than the last one so I guess I climbing the ladder steadily
Every day should get a little easier and more familiar.
Doing a bit more research about the Nikky Platinum hair shaper blades, I went onto the old Nippon Riki Kogyo website via the Wayback Machine and they show some of the different brands they make blades for, you can see Fromm (old packaging) and Annies as well as some other brands which I can't make out. I know we've worked out that they where related or identical blades from other things, but cool to see it from the manufacturer.
In other research, it also seems they also make long shavette cabinet blades too which I think are Dovo insert compatible (judging from here), I only found out recently that Dovo stopped selling their own blades, and I wasn't aware of Japanese made versions until today. They sell them under the Nikky Double name (I can find German, French and Polish stores selling them). I would guess that NRK are the OEM for Miraki (from the UK) and Takai (from France) brand blades which look identical. A different manufacturer than the Japanese made Tondeo blades which are made by Feather according to MadMedic.
I haven't tried any of the Nikky blades yet (they only sell the hair shaper blades locally, and I don't have much interest in cabinet blades), but at least I hope this research is useful to others.
In other research, it also seems they also make long shavette cabinet blades too which I think are Dovo insert compatible (judging from here), I only found out recently that Dovo stopped selling their own blades, and I wasn't aware of Japanese made versions until today. They sell them under the Nikky Double name (I can find German, French and Polish stores selling them). I would guess that NRK are the OEM for Miraki (from the UK) and Takai (from France) brand blades which look identical. A different manufacturer than the Japanese made Tondeo blades which are made by Feather according to MadMedic.
I haven't tried any of the Nikky blades yet (they only sell the hair shaper blades locally, and I don't have much interest in cabinet blades), but at least I hope this research is useful to others.
Upon more research, it seems another of the brands in that first NRK picture is a brand called IN (Sibel?), I can't find a website for them though, seems to be sold in French language countries.
I'm also starting to suspect the Jaguar blades are also made by NRK, they say Made in Japan on the box, and have the same "platinum + fluor/carbon" and "easy to split in half" copy as the IN blades, althought they have subtly different hole patterns than NRK or Tondeo (Feather?). The picture on the Jaguar box lines up to the NRK, but the blade in the box differs (has four extra holes in the centre slot). Potentially the Jaguar DE blades are also made by NRK who do seem to sell their own Nikky branded blades in a dispenser.
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DFS
AliE Shavette, Kai Protouch MG (5), Vitos Tabacco, Omega Boar, Mennen Skin Bracer
AliE Shavette, Kai Protouch MG (5), Vitos Tabacco, Omega Boar, Mennen Skin Bracer
20241218
Razor: Feather Artist Club SS Straight Razor Kamisori (23)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (7)
Preshave: Hot shower; Proraso Pre-shave Sensitive Skin Cream
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush- 26mm
Lather: Proraso Shaving Soap in a bowl Sensitive
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Proraso Aloe and Vitamin E Alcohol Free Post Shave Balm
No nicks; No irritation; Close; Very Smooth; Post shave feel is excellent. Pleasant DFS+ above the jaw lines and DFS below the jaw lines.
Cheers!!!
Razor: Feather Artist Club SS Straight Razor Kamisori (23)
Blade: Kai Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (7)
Preshave: Hot shower; Proraso Pre-shave Sensitive Skin Cream
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush- 26mm
Lather: Proraso Shaving Soap in a bowl Sensitive
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Proraso Aloe and Vitamin E Alcohol Free Post Shave Balm
No nicks; No irritation; Close; Very Smooth; Post shave feel is excellent. Pleasant DFS+ above the jaw lines and DFS below the jaw lines.
Cheers!!!
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