ten dollar SE Katana plates

[kohalajohn]

Hello gents.

Today I learned that one can buy just the plates for the Yaqi SE Katana.

I bought the full Katana, handle and all. I immediately swapped out the thin handle. I like heavy stainless handles with deep knurling. And an additional benefit was the new handle could really screw down tight, and really clamped that SE blade tight. When I used the Katana with the skinny weak handle, it felt chattering to me. Didn't like it.

Putting on a heavy stainless handle that you can tighten without worrying about stripping aluminum, that improved the feel a lot.

Anywy. The point of this is that I ordered these Yaqi plates, just called Single Edge Chrome. Ten bucks. Why pay for handles when I usually just swap the out anyway. Let's see what I get for just ten bucks.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007216358891.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.4b0c1802woNjsJ

Well, surprise. These plates are the SE Katana plates. Nice surprise. I am really enjoying this razor.

And in fact, more than the Razorock Eco. I liked the Eco a lot, but it's a huge plate. Comparing it to the Katana, the thin katana is way more nimble under the nose.

And ten bucks. What the cartridge folk spend every two weeks.

 

[jesseix]

This gets you the full head right, the baseplate and the top cap? Your post was referencing just the plate (but if it was it seems you’d need to be buying the top cap separately…)

 

[kohalajohn]

This is for both plates. Bottom and Top.

And you can see that the pins are attached to the top plate, which is better. And they are round, a bit like a Fatip style

 

[m949]

I just ordered one. Apparently the Katana head works with injector blades. I ordered a pack of Schick B-20s by mistake, now I should be able to try them out before I take the plunge with a vintage Schick injector.

 

[kohalajohn]

Ah. I was wondering why someone would use injector blades in a SE three part razor. But if you need to use them up, then sure.

I just tried it out to see and yes, you can make it work. Just be aware that injector blades don't have those scalloped out backs that the snapped DE has. The pins in the plate are in the right spot to catch and hold the scallops, to stop the blade sliding left and right.

When I tried the injector blade it slid around at first, but you can get the hang of it.

I suppose injector blades could be used in any SE razor. Maybe better in a Leaf that has a magnet to hold it in place.

That would be good for the gents who like injector blades. I hear they may be thicker and stiffer than DE. Don't know. and this would open up the whole world of SE three part razors to those guys.

But for me, the joy of these razors is that you use a snapped DE. The whole world of DE is available to you. And unlike the Leaf you can use your own favorite handle. And unlike the Eco, the plate is narrow and agile.

Just had a shave this morning with this razor. Liked it a lot. It's efficient, and takes a light touch. If you press hard you'll exfoliate too much and get weepers. A fellow who is coming to this hobby with the muscle memory of pressing hard on a cartridge, he won't like this razor.

 

[kohalajohn]

btw, I know lots of fellas like the injectors. I must say, I don't really get it. I have them and have used them, but if you are going for a nice rigid pre made SE blade, the AC is the one. An AC blade in a three part razor is a wonderful shave.

 

[m949]

btw, I know lots of fellas like the injectors. I must say, I don't really get it. I have them and have used them, but if you are going for a nice rigid pre made SE blade, the AC is the one. An AC blade in a three part razor is a wonderful shave.

Agreed. I just shaved this morning with my Shield AC and it’s always a treat. Smooth, comfortable and very close shaves every time. Couldn’t be happier with this AC razor.

 

[kohalajohn]

M949. I hear good things about the Shield AC. Where do you buy that? Ali Express?