Weekly Razor Review

Thanks for the warning Errol, prefer confidence of knowing the blade is tightly clamped in place by good old fashioned screw thread and not going to move with pressure.
Definitely looks futuristic though. Maybe they could stick a battery pack in that handle and turn it into a vibrating heated DE razor :)
 
Mag T Delta OC



It’s strange, it’s futuristic, it’s modern, it’s bizarre, it’s unwieldy, it’s bright, it certainly stands out, it might be good; it might not be; and being cast in zinc did not deter me for one second from wanting to try it. It’s advertising literature is all about its strong in-built magnetic flux around the head maintaining a sharper and longer lasting blade edge. I’m a non-believer in that sort of hoo-ha so I’ll leave it to those who pursue those beliefs to find out and report. However, for some entertainment and to keep myself amused, I placed a Sputnik blade in a week before I was going to use it so that I could compared the shave to a Wizamet Polsilver blade.

Out of curiosity I asked Mag T Razors where the razor was made: “The Magnets are sourced from China, the metal work done in India & overall assembly & packaging in Canada”. Even with its Heinz 57 pedigree everything has comes together pretty well. There are only two pieces to the Mag T Delta, the cap and the body which incorporates the OC plate and the handle. It’s a weighty little beast with a chrome finish doing its best to project the image of quality, however, moulding irregularities on underside of the cap and the top of the plate tell a different story. Clamping of the cap to the body of the razor is all done by magnets, one piece in the cap and one in the plate. They are strong little buggers that take a bit of effort to separate.

Undoubtedly, it’s the flat, tapered, rectangular sectioned handle that attracts your attention when viewed. It sort of works, the handle feels downright awkward in some positions and the grip can be anything but confidence inspiring. This handle shape is never going to take over the razor community. Flying DE blades is not something that I ever imagined I would see; hold a blade anywhere near the bottom plate and it is snapped out of your fingers by the magnet; then simply manoeuvre the blade over the elongated blade posts. Loading could not be easier. Fitting the cap was just as simple; as soon as the cap is anywhere near the body of the razor it springs out of your fingers and into position. I placed the cap upside down on the table and bought the body of the razor down towards it; when the distance got down to about 30mm, the cap jumped up and fixed itself on the body. While magnets amaze me, their very presence in both the cap and body necessitate that those two parts are thicker to accommodate them. During the shave, however the thicker head measurements did not present any difficulties.

I was not at all confident of getting a good shave so I had the next review razor on standby; it was not used. Forget the handle, I’ve already presented my thoughts on it. The Mag T delivers a shave with an efficiency level around that of Karve CB level #D, the shave is surprisingly smooth and closeness also was not an issue. Cuts; yes, straight line cuts, were an unwelcome occurrence while I was using the Mag T; only happened on the point of the chin; I cannot see why but have a strong suspicion that the blade was somehow being forced off its magnetic clamp on the longer strokes down the jaw line; when the run stopped, the magnet sprung the blade back into position and this resulted in the cuts, I’m just not sure though. Maybe the warning ‘Never shave across the face/ shaving area’ should have been headed. Take away the ability to shave across the face and the capability of the razor is effectively halved. Dream on Mag T. Because the cap fully encloses the blade ends and being zamac it requires extra metal for strength, therefore, the head is visually wider than the standard 42mm blade length but again, no issue. Now the all-important question – did the magnets contribute to a Feather sharp Sputnik? Probably not, but the Sputnik felt to be not a lot less efficient than the Wizamet Polsilver blade. Maybe there is something, but I’d rate my experiment as inconclusive. I’ll finish off with more it’s: it’s original; it’s unique; it’s in need of a more conventionally styled handle; it requires a lot of refinement and it’s not recommended.

Blades Used – Sputnik and Wizamet Polsilver
Material – Zamac
Blade Tab – Enclosed
Weight – 144g
Head Width – 47.6mm
Handle Length – 98.18mm
Handle – Flat and tapered
Availability – Mag T Razors
Final Word – It’s a conversation piece only
Looks bloody heavy and feels very awkward to hold a T razor, also looks stupid :wtf:
 
I recall seeing this one mentioned in an overseas forum but never seen anybody post any SOTD posts using one.
Very detailed and informative review as always. Cheers @Errol (y)
 
Razorock SS Lupo 72 – HD Handle (Canada)



Razorock’s stainless steel Lupu 72 is said to be a step in efficiency to their earlier DLC Lupo. No longer is the deep grey Diamond Like Coating applied, this generation of the Lupo is all about a polished stainless steel presentation. Of course, it’s a machine polish; not bad, but given five minutes with a metal polish and a soft cloth the presentation could be improved 100%; the underside of the cap has not been polished. It’s well documented that the Lupo is Razorock’s rendition of a Wolfman so there should be similarities to the way the razors shave, however Razorock have made scuttle changes to make the design their own. Probably the biggest change is that the end of the head has been extended to fully cover the blade. While doing so, Razorock sculpted out the corners and this immediately changed the look of the head from the squared off Wolfman offering. Fitted with the stubby HD handle the Lupo was both manoeuvrable and easy to control.

Well – It may not look like a Wolfman but the Lupo 72 certainly delivered a near Wolfman experience. Its performance is similar to that of a WR1 fitted with .61 plate; Karve CB level #C efficiency and that same pleasing amount of blade feel. With the Razorock’s Lupo, I was impressed at both the smoothness of the shave and just how close a well performing razor can be. I rate the Lupo 72 highly and could quite happily continue using this razor for an extended period. This is one razor that should be sampled, its good.

Blades Used – Wizamet Polsilver and Gillette Silver Blue
Material –
316L Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 100g
Head Width – 43mm
Handle Length – 82mm
Handle Diameter – 12.85mm
Availability – Italian Barber
Final Word – Pleasing performance
 
Thanks again Mr guru for your wonderful reviews. Each week you continue to entertain us with the latest and sometimes greatest razors to hit the market. The Lupo 72 has been bookmarked ;)
 
Razorock SS Lupo 72 – HD Handle (Canada)



Razorock’s stainless steel Lupu 72 is said to be a step in efficiency to their earlier DLC Lupo. No longer is the deep grey Diamond Like Coating applied, this generation of the Lupo is all about a polished stainless steel presentation. Of course, it’s a machine polish; not bad, but given five minutes with a metal polish and a soft cloth the presentation could be improved 100%; the underside of the cap has not been polished. It’s well documented that the Lupo is Razorock’s rendition of a Wolfman so there should be similarities to the way the razors shave, however Razorock have made scuttle changes to make the design their own. Probably the biggest change is that the end of the head has been extended to fully cover the blade. While doing so, Razorock sculpted out the corners and this immediately changed the look of the head from the squared off Wolfman offering. Fitted with the stubby HD handle the Lupo was both manoeuvrable and easy to control.

Well – It may not look like a Wolfman but the Lupo 72 certainly delivered a near Wolfman experience. Its performance is similar to that of a WR1 fitted with .61 plate; Karve CB level #C efficiency and that same pleasing amount of blade feel. With the Razorock’s Lupo, I was impressed at both the smoothness of the shave and just how close a well performing razor can be. I rate the Lupo 72 highly and could quite happily continue using this razor for an extended period. This is one razor that should be sampled, its good.

Blades Used – Wizamet Polsilver and Gillette Silver Blue
Material –
316L Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 100g
Head Width – 43mm
Handle Length – 82mm
Handle Diameter – 12.85mm
Availability – Italian Barber
Final Word – Pleasing performance
The Lupo 72 is one step above the Merkur 34C and great for daily shaves, thinking about getting the Lupo 95 as I’m happy with the Lupo 72.
 
Muhle R41 on Windrose Trident Handle



Muhle’s R41 is one of those razors where there is no middle ground; you appreciate the efficiency of the R41 or you cannot tolerate it, and I’m about to find out which camp I’m in. Up until now I’ve not used an R41 so I put my hard earned cash down and purchased a head only. There have been variations to the R41 head during the last ten years, mine is the latest version. I’ve had a couple of Trident Titanium handles (limited edition machined by Windrose) sitting around for a while so decided to pair one up with the chrome plated zamac R41 head. Muhle’s R41 plate has an unusual scalloped profile with one long lather groove along either side. Blade clamping is achieved on extra wide flats at the outer extremity of the cap and corresponding flats on the blade. Fit and finish could not be better so I’ve ended up with a well balanced combination that’s bright, shiny and hopefully, I’m ready for what the R41 has to deliver.

Wow!!!!!! What a shave, what a razor! By now you’ve deduced which side of the fence I sits on in the R41 debate. However, as much as I appreciated the virtues of the R41, I can also understand the other side of the coin. Aggressive - certainly, but smooth and I always felt I was the one in control. This razor is up there with the most aggressive DE razors I’ve used but at the same time it’s not at the top of the aggressive razors list; that spot remains firmly secured by the Claymore Version 2 (SE). Also impressive was just how controlled the blade feel felt, it was present, but restrained; I’ve seen where others claim the blade feel to be excessive but I do not share that line of thought. 12 hours after the shave and I was feeling I wouldn’t require another shave for days, bit I did. Muhle have done a great job in presenting a controlled but aggressive razor in the R41. Bring on that stainless steel version.

Blades Used – Gillette Platinum and Wizamet Polsilver
Material –
Zamac head & Titanium handle
Blade Tab – Slight protrusion (very slight)
Weight – 100g
Head Width – 42.4mm
Handle Length –
87mm
Handle Diameter – 15.75mm
Availability – Everywhere
Final Word – Performance
 
You had me worried @Errol that their wasn't going to be a Weekly Review this week... :nailbiting:
A real classic and looking forward to your comparison to the SS version in a future post.
Safe travels Mr guru! (y)
 
I never realised you hadn't tried the humble and ubiquitous R41 before, @Errol, but it's never too late. :) I've always thought its reputation as a Beast is a bit overstated, it's an assertive razor to be sure, but approachable enough even for a beginner with a bit of care. I'll be interested to read your comparison with the SS version.
 
Executive Shaving Outlaw (Hong Kong)



This is not the razor I planned on reviewing this week. I had originally planned on an Alpha Outlaw but that all went pear shaped:
  • The Alpha Outlaw posted in about March has not progressed through Australian Customs and has been sitting there since early June.
  • There were no packages being mailed to Australia from Hong Kong so the replacement Alpha Outlaw razor was waiting for the shutters to open.
Outlaw’s design is collaboration between Alpha Shaving and Executive Shaving and the interesting thing is that both companies have chosen to advertise the Outlaw model under their own branding. This particular Outlaw was purchased from Executive Shaving but the Alpha Shaving Outlaw is exactly the same razor; you simply choose your preferred supplier; all that differs is the branding. It was a bright shiny finish razor that greeted me when I removed the Outlaw from the pouch, but it was the perfect thread engagement that stood out for me. Getting back to the finish and other than the machining marks under the cap, everything else has been machine polished to perfection. For whatever reason the plate does not clamp the blade at its outer extremity leaving the cap to apply unsupported pressure on the top of the blade.

In its advertising literature the Outlaw is likened to the R-41 so that made the ears prick. I’ve not used an R-41 but knowing the folk law surrounding its performance, I’m here to say the Outlaw is not an R-41 but a mid-efficiency razor that operates about the Karve CB Level #D efficiency. The shave was certainly close; I enjoyed the pleasant amount of positive blade exposure provided and the amazing fact was just how smooth the resultant shave was. This razor is gooood!! Whatever the Outlaw provider you choose, there is now a milder head available. I have one, but with the original Outlaw falling right in my ever so pleasing sweet spot, there is no rush to go to the milder alternative.

Blades Used – Gillette Platinum and Treet Platinum
Material –
316L Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 114g
Head Width – 43.57mm
Handle Length – 85mm
Handle Diameter – 13.6mm
Availability – Alpha Shaving and Executive Shaving
Final Word – Amazing

PS: Not one, but both Alpha Shaving Outlaws have arrived in the last few days.

Right now you could get 20% off Outlaw... - just sayin' :) - https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/shop/AlphaShavingWorks?coupon=SPRING20
 
I never realised you hadn't tried the humble and ubiquitous R41 before, @Errol, but it's never too late. :) I've always thought its reputation as a Beast is a bit overstated, it's an assertive razor to be sure, but approachable enough even for a beginner with a bit of care. I'll be interested to read your comparison with the SS version.
Agreed! That JAWS I bought off you is far more aggressive IMO
 
Agreed! That JAWS I bought off you is far more aggressive IMO
That's interesting, I always thought the JAWS to be just a tad less aggressive, which was why I bought it, in fact. :unsure: At the time, I felt my shaves could do with being dialed back a bit.

Are you finding it too much?
 
That's interesting, I always thought the JAWS to be just a tad less aggressive, which was why I bought it, in fact. :unsure: At the time, I felt my shaves could do with being dialed back a bit.

Are you finding it too much?

For me, blade feel is more noticeable on the JAWS, still an excellent shave and I have no issues with it whatsoever, it just makes the R41 seem a little tame as I found it's blade feel to be a bit less obvious. Both are fantastic (y)
 
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