Weekly Razor Review

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)
What blades are you using? I was happiest with Polsilvers for a while, but when I "discovered" the Gillette 7 O'C Yellow, it was like a revelation, it turned a great razor into a superb one.
 
What blades are you using? I was happiest with Polsilvers for a while, but when I "discovered" the Gillette 7 O'C Yellow, it was like a revelation, it turned a great razor into a superb one.
Polsilver Si, Polsilver Stainless, Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge (yellow), Super Max Blue Diamond, Bic Chrome Platinum. I found it works best with a sharper blade, especially against the grain. I've even had the opportunity to compare it against the .68 JAWS and found the .84 to be better
 
So...the Lupo .95 is only about a Karve D plate efficiency?
I use Karve F plate as my daily...so no use me buying a Lupo.
Phew...that just saved me some money.
Thanks guys.
Edit: Maybe that Pearl Flexi is starting to look better.

To me it's between Karve E-F depending on the razor blade used. It is noticeably more efficient than the D plate. I also shave regularly with the Karve F plate.
 
To me it's between Karve E-F depending on the razor blade used. It is noticeably more efficient than the D plate. I also shave regularly with the Karve F plate.
Certainly no quarrel with Rhodes96 efficiency assessment of the .95. It probably does lean closer IMO to the E plate than the D, but either way, at the price point it’s worth a go, Blackie. It’s a wonderfully smooth shave as Errol so well stated.
 
Dscosmetic ZO (China)



Advertising for the Dscosmetic ZO razor claims that it is a machined stainless steel clone of the Muhle R41 - those words were a contributing factor as to why the Muhle R41 was put into service last week. I had previously purchased both stainless steel and titanium handles from Dscosmetic and knew the quality of their product to be pretty good so I wasn’t concerned when it came to the purchase of the ZO. Unlike later releases of razors from Dscosmetic, the ZO came as a complete razor. DS have done little/ nothing to disguise where the design of the ZO originated; the head is visually identical to that of the Muhle product. So close that the plate of the ZO mated perfectly with the R41 cap but the other way round, no go.

Every part of the ZO has been polished to a very high standard, including the underside of the cap, however, get the light in the right spot and machining marks are visible but overall, I would defiantly give DS a high pass mark for the quality of the ZO. Both the blade clamping surfaces on the cap and plate match perfectly with no gaps to be seen. Nylon washers are becoming the norm for the protection of the mating surfaces on top shelf razors, DS have obviously seen this and supplied the flimsiest silicon washer for the ZO; it’s the thought that matters, but hey, I used it.

First stroke, this razor has far more blade feel than the Muhle R41 sampled last week. Around the same amount of aggression but that extra blade feel has changed the feel of delivered shave substantially. The ZO must be treated with respect and I can attest that any poor technique will result in a blood bath. This razor is certainly the most aggressive double edge razor I’ve used and it sits in the same ball park as the Claymore Version 2 single edge razor for aggressiveness. It’s not a razor to be played around with. Call it stupidity, but as a personal trial, I just had to try a Feather blade in the ZO. Score: ZO/ Feather blade combination – One; Errol – lacerated and bleeding. At this point, I raised the white flag. There will be those who will appreciate the aggression that the Dscosmetic ZO delivers but it was simply too much razor for me.

Blades Used – Gillette Platinum and Feather
Material –
316 Stainless Steel
Blade Tab – Covered
Weight – 124g
Head Width – 42.28mm
Handle Length – 89.93mm
Handle Diameter – 14.14mm
Availability – Aliexpress
Final Word – Aggression plus
 
Dscosmetic ZO (China)



Advertising for the Dscosmetic ZO razor claims that it is a machined stainless steel clone of the Muhle R41 - those words were a contributing factor as to why the Muhle R41 was put into service last week. I had previously purchased both stainless steel and titanium handles from Dscosmetic and knew the quality of their product to be pretty good so I wasn’t concerned when it came to the purchase of the ZO. Unlike later releases of razors from Dscosmetic, the ZO came as a complete razor. DS have done little/ nothing to disguise where the design of the ZO originated; the head is visually identical to that of the Muhle product. So close that the plate of the ZO mated perfectly with the R41 cap but the other way round, no go.

Every part of the ZO has been polished to a very high standard, including the underside of the cap, however, get the light in the right spot and machining marks are visible but overall, I would defiantly give DS a high pass mark for the quality of the ZO. Both the blade clamping surfaces on the cap and plate match perfectly with no gaps to be seen. Nylon washers are becoming the norm for the protection of the mating surfaces on top shelf razors, DS have obviously seen this and supplied the flimsiest silicon washer for the ZO; it’s the thought that matters, but hey, I used it.

First stroke, this razor has far more blade feel than the Muhle R41 sampled last week. Around the same amount of aggression but that extra blade feel has changed the feel of delivered shave substantially. The ZO must be treated with respect and I can attest that any poor technique will result in a blood bath. This razor is certainly the most aggressive double edge razor I’ve used and it sits in the same ball park as the Claymore Version 2 single edge razor for aggressiveness. It’s not a razor to be played around with. Call it stupidity, but as a personal trial, I just had to try a Feather blade in the ZO. Score: ZO/ Feather blade combination – One; Errol – lacerated and bleeding. At this point, I raised the white flag. There will be those who will appreciate the aggression that the Dscosmetic ZO delivers but it was simply too much razor for me.

Blades Used – Gillette Platinum and Feather
Material –
316 Stainless Steel
Blade Tab – Covered
Weight – 124g
Head Width – 42.28mm
Handle Length – 89.93mm
Handle Diameter – 14.14mm
Availability – Aliexpress
Final Word – Aggression plus

Cheers @Errol and looking forward to the R41GS seeing as @SpeedyPC is reluctant to post a proper review. :LOL:
 
@SpeedyPC is reluctant to post a proper review. :LOL:

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Razorock SS Lupo 95 – Bulldog Handle (Canada)



I’m was sitting there studying the Lupo and knowing full well that the Lupo is RazoRock’s interpretation of a Wolfman, it just did not register. I could have named 20 different razors that this Lupo looked like before I got to the bottom of the barrel and suggested that it looked like a Wolfman. Extended head length covering the blade tab, rounded out sections on the corners, handle design and quality of the finish have all contributed to well and truly disguise any Wolfman credentials. This Lupo 95 is a totally different razor to the Lupo 72 reviewed previously. Details remain the same except it is fitted with the more efficient 95 plate and a Bulldog handle. My appreciation of well formed and smooth engaging threads is well catered for by the Lupo. Even before the drop of rod oil, the thread was a pleasure to use.

Just about any razor is going to feel tame after the ZO I used last week, however the Lupo 95 was a lot tamer than expected. Estimation – Wolfman WR1 0.67mm gap. I would position the efficiency of the Lupo 95 to be under that of a Karve CB level #D which is not significantly more than that delivered by the Lupo 72; still very usable and certainly a razor that I could also continue using for extended periods. It was a smooth shave and there was no more blade feel than with the Lupo 72. Razorock’s Lupo 95 is well made and delivers a smooth and comfortable shave without any nasty habits. Get your hands on one and give it a try.

Blades Used – Gillette Platinum and Willy’s
Material –
316L Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 99g
Head Width – 42.97mm
Handle Length – 90.65mm
Handle Diameter – 12.75mm
Availability – Italian Barber
Final Word – Smooth performer
 
Fine Accoutrements - Marvel (China)



It’s a little nugget; cast out of zinc and looking as solid as a brick out house. What really stood out was the heavy-duty plate with one long lather channel on either side and heavy tear shaped protrusions forming the edge of the plate. Matching the heavyweight image of the plate, the handle is short and a stout. In contrast, the cap looks quite light and with blade clamping achieved on flats at its very edge, the blade is clamped very rigid. A drop of rod oil on the thread of the cap put a stop to the chatter being experienced while fitting the handle initially. There were no issues with grip when using the handle even though it was presented in sparkling chrome plate like the rest of the Marvel.

It’s been advised on this very forum that “The Fine Marvel could be the world’s most under-rated razor”. High praise, so while ordering the two stainless steel Lupos reviewed recently, I included the Fine Accruements Marvel in the acquisition. Now to put that strong recommendation to the test. Smooth, by Hell that was a smooth shave, however the efficiency was on the lower side of Karve CB Level #C. Blade feel was all most non-existent, so even though the shave was initially close, it did not feel that way six hours later. It was overlooked during the razor inspection, but during the shave it became evident that the sides of the cap and the plate combine to form a large face contact area – not a big issue after the first shave, but it was an annoyance while adjusting the shave angle. Touch the face straight after running the head under the hot tap and it is immediately notable that the large head retains heat; I compensated by adjusting the temperature of the water accordingly. After using the Marvel, I don’t necessarily agree fully with the comment about the Marvel being the world’s most under-rated razor, however if your preference is for a milder razor, the Marvel may well fit the bill.

Blades Used – Gillette Super Stainless and Gillette Rubie
Material –
Moulded Zinc
Blade Tab - Exposed
Weight – 96g
Head Width – 40.65mm
Handle Length – 81.38mm
Handle Diameter – 14mm
Availability – Italian Barber plus
Final Word – Usable
 
Fine Accoutrements - Marvel (China)



It’s a little nugget; cast out of zinc and looking as solid as a brick out house. What really stood out was the heavy-duty plate with one long lather channel on either side and heavy tear shaped protrusions forming the edge of the plate. Matching the heavyweight image of the plate, the handle is short and a stout. In contrast, the cap looks quite light and with blade clamping achieved on flats at its very edge, the blade is clamped very rigid. A drop of rod oil on the thread of the cap put a stop to the chatter being experienced while fitting the handle initially. There were no issues with grip when using the handle even though it was presented in sparkling chrome plate like the rest of the Marvel.

It’s been advised on this very forum that “The Fine Marvel could be the world’s most under-rated razor”. High praise, so while ordering the two stainless steel Lupos reviewed recently, I included the Fine Accruements Marvel in the acquisition. Now to put that strong recommendation to the test. Smooth, by Hell that was a smooth shave, however the efficiency was on the lower side of Karve CB Level #C. Blade feel was all most non-existent, so even though the shave was initially close, it did not feel that way six hours later. It was overlooked during the razor inspection, but during the shave it became evident that the sides of the cap and the plate combine to form a large face contact area – not a big issue after the first shave, but it was an annoyance while adjusting the shave angle. Touch the face straight after running the head under the hot tap and it is immediately notable that the large head retains heat; I compensated by adjusting the temperature of the water accordingly. After using the Marvel, I don’t necessarily agree fully with the comment about the Marvel being the world’s most under-rated razor, however if your preference is for a milder razor, the Marvel may well fit the bill.

Blades Used – Gillette Super Stainless and Gillette Rubie
Material –
Moulded Zinc
Blade Tab - Exposed
Weight – 96g
Head Width – 40.65mm
Handle Length – 81.38mm
Handle Diameter – 14mm
Availability – Italian Barber plus
Final Word – Usable
As always @Errol, your review is on the money. The Marvel is a nice, mild, well made razor, and well worth the $40 USD it cost me,

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Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements META-4 (China)



I’m not the one that the PAA’s MATA-4 is aimed at when they start beating their chest advising that it pays homage to the vintage Kirby Beard Co Razor by Lereche; Kirby razor, what’s that? – not even on my radar. When I look, and not too closely, at the finish on the META-4, it is pretty rough, machine marks are evident on all surfaces of the head; the cap has a scalloped surface with machining marks clearly visible. In an interesting twist from the accepted, the edges of the cap have a centre recess about 32mm long and 1.4mm deep. What this does is leave the working edge of the blade exposed and the protrusions on the cap cover the cut away corner of the blade; interesting. It’s a lightweight head with a very thin cap that supports the elongated blade positioning posts and of course the centre post. The plate is also very thin with one long lather channel down each side and full depth cut outs for the blade posts. Longitudinal grooves machined into the tapered handle end don’t line up with the longitudinal grooves along the shaft. There’s an answer for everything, I gave the end a twist and it screwed off allowing the end of the handle to have a different groove count because they don’t have to align.

Here is one very deceptive razor that in the end, produced outstanding shaves. With efficiency around that of the Karve CB Level #B, it had me thinking that I should just pack it away after the first couple of strokes, but I persevered and was rewarded with an extremely close shave that lasted all day. Being so mild, the shave was always going to be smooth and blade feel was at most, minimal – what a razor. Very early on I was thinking – bloody mild razors!!!!! I’ll use a Feather as the second blade; here again the META-4 proved its worth by taking the Feather in its stride and in the end, there was not a lot to choose between the blades. I did not know what to expect with the recessed top cap but even that faded into a non-event while shaving. It’s far from being the best finished razor but the PAA’s META-4 has single headedly redefined my thoughts on mild razors – exceptionally close, comfortable, safe, smooth and most importantly, affordable.

Emmm!!!!! I enjoyed that shave - Polished head????? - Matched handle?????? - I can feel a special META-4 coming on.

Blades Used – Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow and Feather
Material –
316L Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 107g
Head Width – 44.71mm
Handle Length – 89mm
Handle Diameter – 13.01mm
Availability – Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements
Final Word – Deceivingly good
 
You continue to surprise us with new razors and the attention to detail with your reviews is greatly appreciated. Keep up the awesome work guru @Errol (y)
 
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