Hi everyone, I know its been a long while but I just wanted to answer a few questions and share my experiences regarding the Model-T, Rockwell and the shipping.
I can also confirm that there has been no additional GST upon shipment of this razor or the 2nd one (more on that later) to N.S.W.
Just like a lot of the adjustable razors we are seeing a lot of revisions. The more moving parts and complex designs the more margin for error and I believe regarding the circumstances of Rockwell's build and assembly both to my vague recollections (it has been many years since I pledged for this razor) being carried out at different facilities, perhaps even continents apart even which may have added a little more complexity to the production and issues not to mention perhaps the materials used.
I'm a bit intrigued and concerned regarding
@Phil's experience regarding the razor.
Can we get a few pics of the top of the head of the razor from each side as I know the first one I received had some issues which resulted in me contacting Rockwell directly and explaining my issues.
My first razor arrived a fair while ago now but due to the issues I had faced I had little to share here regarding its performance as I did not even bother using it. (yep, imho it was that bad and needed to be addressed)
Thankfully Rockwell were very swift with their reply (a few hours) and also quick to remedy the situation. I attempted to follow instructions of taking out the t-bar and rotating it 180 degrees and then assembling it again and expected the characteristics/faults of the razor remained the same with that I exchanged a few more pictures to which I was told I would be queued up for another razor. The new razor arrived unexpectedly quick and without warning but I was very pleased to receive a replacement.
This razor appeared to be much better as the previous one failed to open correctly and evenly, the barn doors were overlapping slightly on one side (kinda twisted) and I felt that blade exposure was not even however the finish was flawless.
I am still testing out the razor but my initial shave was very smooth however I do want to stress that I had quite a lot of growth (clogging was an issue but the twist to open definitely shined here) and usually when I haven't shaved in so long my face is very well rested and primed for a shave usually resulting in a very nice shave and this was no exception.
I began my shave at the highest level (level 6. Crazy right!) which was a ballsy move for me but the shave was very smooth. I should mention I was using Razorocks Dead Sea soap (thanks vshod! great bunch of blokes), once again I want to mention that clogging was a massive issue and I can't help but feel that my Rockwell 6S would not have suffered so greatly here but nonetheless I continued on all be it with a patchy shave (can't really blame the razor entirely here as I should have trimmed it down first but this was a trial by fire so...) once finished my first pass I washed off the excess soap and went in for another pass, with the bulk of my beard gone I decided to dial it down to 3 which was more than enough at this stage. The razor performed very well and gave me a very smooth shave even against the grain. On the the third and final pass I dialed it down to one and cleaned up a little bit here and there.
Overall the shave was reasonably smooth aside from clogging. I had honestly expected it to perform badly for one reason... Finish!
The chrome finish on one of the barn doors had an imperfection on the top as well as what I assume was chrome runoff on the very edge of the door leading the the edge of the blade, it was a little lump and honestly most people wouldn't have given it much thought if it was their first Rockwell Model-T but this was my second and I wanted to provide the best analysis I could in respect to the campaign possible.
When I first got it I loaded in a blade, tightened it all up and did a little audible blade tap testing with my fingernail and then with the corner edge of the leather head cover provided in the kit and I had noted that precisely where the chrome runoff was the blade exhibited a little bit of a chatter, nowhere else on the razor blade did the blade make such a sound.
I took particular attention to this and put a bit of masking tape on the top of the door prior shaving so I could be sure during a shave to focus my attention on its performance whilst on that side however it seemed to perform well without any issues.
I have gone a day without shaving now and will attempt to have another shave again later on today (yep, I'm up late) after I run a few errands. I feel this shave will be more important as this is almost a back to back shave which usually is more of a trial in terms of post shave feeling as far as my skin is concerned.
TLDR:
- No additional GST charges.
- First razor was faulty
- Sent a replacement one which was much better (finish issues and very minor blade chatter)
- Some razor clogging on decently long growth however smooth shaves on settings 6-3-1
- More shaves hopefully to be carried out very soon.