Weekly Razor Review

Errol said:
Wolfman WR2 1.05 OC – WRH1 Handle (Canada)



Errol, old son; what’s happened to your will power? You’ve had the WR1 reviewed last week for about 18 months before putting it to use but a WR2 rocks up, you go weak at the knees and immediately want to use it. Thank goodness for Wolfman’s new ordering system, there appears to have been more new Wolfman razors arrived in Australia in the last two months than arrived in the previous two years. You don’t have to live in the Northern Hemisphere now to be able to purchase a Wolfman. Thanks James. After initially ordering another WR1 I thought about it for a while and when my turn came up to finalise the order I changed it to a WR2, 1.05 with open comb, hollowed WRH1 handle and everything given a satin finish. My WR1 with its Darwin handle has a brushed satin finish that was probably achieved by bead blasting but the satin finish on the WR2 looks totally different; more like a dull polished finish and not in any way bead blasted. For anyone who is familiar with the Wolfman Guerrilla satin finish, the WR2 finish looks very much the same. It’s that good that the satin finish on the WR2 is better than some competitors highly polished razors. The hollowed WRH1 handle does its job in lowering the weight and the razor certainly feels well balanced.

For those unfamiliar with the Wolfman WR2 design, the blade locating system is a bit unique in that the blade is positioned between four corner posts on the cap. These corner posts in turn mate into corresponding slots in the plate. Clamping of the blade is accomplished right at the very edge of the cap on large flat sections; the blade clamp is positive and that blade is going nowhere. This WR2 is fitted with the 1.05mm plate and as with the WR1 open comb the teeth on the WR2 plate are machined fine and shallow.

I wasn’t really expecting it, but the WR2’s shave felt very similar to that delivered by the WR1 last week. Of course there was slightly more efficiency because after all it has gone up a step in efficiency over the standard gap. The efficiency now sits just on the lower side of that delivered by a Karve CB fitted with a #D plate. I’m going to suggest that the shave was probable smoother than the WR1 but just as close. I also enjoyed the blade feel but it too was slightly less than the WR1. I’m pleased now that I didn’t sit the WR2 in the cupboard for 18 months before being able to appreciate its virtues; this razor is up with the best.

Blades Used – Ladas and Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow

Material – 316L Stainless Steel – Satin Finish

Blade Tab - Exposed

Weight – 95g

Head Width – 41.57mm

Handle Length – 89.83mm

Handle Diameter – 14.4mm

Availability – Wolfman

Final Word – Amazing
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ANOTHER Wolfman review [yawn] they really are getting pretty quotidian now these Wolfman.
 
Pbgoose said:
So were Slims in their day. So are you just waiting another 10 years before they're vintage to buy one? (and yes I had to look it up to make sure you weren't talking about some obscure geographical location):)
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SHHHHHHH!!!! (That is just the voice of envy talking anyway)
 
Looks like I too need to venture down the Wolfman WR2 path. Wasn't interested in the WR1 as the overall reviews were mixed but the WR2 seem to be more positive than negative.
@Rami I'm confused, the RS-10 is my baby but I'm getting the Wolfman calling.
Is there anything else I can try before I take the dark path? CTAPT, Seygus, ??
 
RustyBlade said:
Looks like I too need to venture down the Wolfman WR2 path. Wasn't interested in the WR1 as the overall reviews were mixed but the WR2 seem to be more positive than negative.
@Rami I'm confused, the RS-10 is my baby but I'm getting the Wolfman calling.
Is there anything else I can try before I take the dark path? CTAPT, Seygus, ??
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I wouldn’t know mate, I have mixed feelings about the seygus. @Errol would know better than me but I would say I am getting the temptation for an wr2 myself.
 
Rami said:
I wouldn’t know mate, I have mixed feelings about the seygus. @Errol would know better than me but I would say I am getting the temptation for an wr2 myself.
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Oh so common ...

#everyonesgotone
 
RazoRock Stainless Steel Lupo DLC (Canada)



RazoRock openly admit to having borrowed the basic design of the Lupo from a premium razor machinist but they don’t come out and state where from. “Lupo” is Italian for “wolf” – the razor was machined for, and distributed by The Italian Barber, enough! The ends on the head have been extended to cover the blade tab and then rounded. Positioning and security of the blade is taken care of by two elongated posts on the cap. A handle very reminiscent of the highly desirable Charcoal Goods Bishop style of handle compliments the package and while there is no knurling on the handle the circular grooves provide a very good grip. A Diamond Like Coating (DLC) has been applied to the stainless steel for added protection and is said to provide a smoother shave. To be honest I was expecting a deep black finish however in reality, the razor is a flat graphite in appearance but still very appealing. When the DLC coating is applied it is only a few microns thick therefore any blemishes of the base surface are highlighted and to their credit RazoRock have done an outstanding job keeping the visible surfaces very smooth and blemish free, not a tooling mark to be seen. Even the thread is machined at a very high standard and matches the razor’s overall quality. This is by far the best finished razor I’ve seen from RazoRock.

RazoRock has made a habit of releasing a uselessly mild razor and then sometime later releasing a usable plate for the masses but not this time. For mine, RazoRock got the efficiency level of the Lupo right with the first release. Compared to a Wolfman WR1 the efficiency is probably the same as that expected from the 0.67mm plate, even though I haven’t used one. There has been a small step up in efficiency from the WR2 used last week and the efficiency of the Lupo sits at around that of the Karve CB level #D. The Lupo does have noticeably more blade feel than the WR2 but the blade feel is set at a very usable level. With that amount of blade feel the shave was always going to be close and to the Lupo’s credit the shave is smooth. I really appreciate the virtues of this razor as you can now experience a very near Wolfman like experience at one quarter the price. Being released in limited numbers and with availability being very irregular one must be lucky to strike sales open but my advice is to keep at it because this is a wonderfully rewarding razor.

Blades Used – PolSilver and Lord Super Chrome

Material – 316 Stainless Steel – DLC coated

Blade Tab - Covered

Weight – 94g

Head Width – 45mm

Handle Length – 89.20mm

Handle Diameter – 12.44mm

Availability – The Italian Barber

Final Word - Exceptional
 
Errol said:
RazoRock Stainless Steel Lupo DLC (Canada)



RazoRock openly admit to having borrowed the basic design of the Lupo from a premium razor machinist but they don’t come out and state where from. “Lupo” is Italian for “wolf” – the razor was machined for, and distributed by The Italian Barber, enough! The ends on the head have been extended to cover the blade tab and then rounded. Positioning and security of the blade is taken care of by two elongated posts on the cap. A handle very reminiscent of the highly desirable Charcoal Goods Bishop style of handle compliments the package and while there is no knurling on the handle the circular grooves provide a very good grip. A Diamond Like Coating (DLC) has been applied to the stainless steel for added protection and is said to provide a smoother shave. To be honest I was expecting a deep black finish however in reality, the razor is a flat graphite in appearance but still very appealing. When the DLC coating is applied it is only a few microns thick therefore any blemishes of the base surface are highlighted and to their credit RazoRock have done an outstanding job keeping the visible surfaces very smooth and blemish free, not a tooling mark to be seen. Even the thread is machined at a very high standard and matches the razor’s overall quality. This is by far the best finished razor I’ve seen from RazoRock.

RazoRock has made a habit of releasing a uselessly mild razor and then sometime later releasing a usable plate for the masses but not this time. For mine, RazoRock got the efficiency level of the Lupo right with the first release. Compared to a Wolfman WR1 the efficiency is probably the same as that expected from the 0.67mm plate, even though I haven’t used one. There has been a small step up in efficiency from the WR2 used last week and the efficiency of the Lupo sits at around that of the Karve CB level #D. The Lupo does have noticeably more blade feel than the WR2 but the blade feel is set at a very usable level. With that amount of blade feel the shave was always going to be close and to the Lupo’s credit the shave is smooth. I really appreciate the virtues of this razor as you can now experience a very near Wolfman like experience at one quarter the price. Being released in limited numbers and with availability being very irregular one must be lucky to strike sales open but my advice is to keep at it because this is a wonderfully rewarding razor.

Blades Used – PolSilver and Lord Super Chrome

Material – 316 Stainless Steel – DLC coated

Blade Tab - Covered

Weight – 94g

Head Width – 45mm

Handle Length – 89.20mm

Handle Diameter – 12.44mm

Availability – The Italian Barber

Final Word - Exceptional
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Another one on the wish list!:LOL:
 
Tatara Masamune (Portugal)



I just missed purchasing from the very first batch of Tatara’s released so I was one of the first cabs off the rank for the second release a couple of months later. The Masamune’s handle is one of the main distinguishing features of the Tatara; it’s simply a cylindrical shape with parallel rows of dimples running along its length culminating with a round end. Other handles cannot be used in the Tatara because the end of the handle actually screws through the plate and locks down on a shoulder on the handle. Masamume’s head has a shallow profile and the cap clamps the blade at its outer extremities on well defined flats on the plate. Elongated blade posts on the cap mate into ‘T’ shaped grooves in the plate; looks nice but for what other reason. There is not a machine mark to be seen anywhere on the razor and the blasted finish produces a very pleasing satin finish and I especially like that each razor is individually numbered.

After the very first shave I started kicking myself for not having experienced this razor in the two years I’ve owned it. So smooth, close and so comfortable, this razor will appeal to majority of users but those who desire a more aggressive razor will find the Masamune to be on the mild side. There is an ever so small amount of blade feel and with an efficiency level in the Karve CB #C plate range this razor is one very pleasant razor to use. While the handle did not present any problems and its feel improved as I became more familiar with it, I would like to have seen its girth increased by a couple of mm to provide a little more confidence. What an incredible little razor!

Blades Used – Gillette Silver Blue and SuperMax Platinum

Material – 303 Stainless Steel – Sand blasted finished

Blade Tab - Exposed

Weight – 86g

Head Width – 41.61mm

Handle Length – 86.9mm

Handle Diameter – 10.95mm

Availability - Tatara

Final Word – Fantastic
 
Tatara Masamune OC (Portugal)



Both a SB and an OC plate were supplied with the Masamune kit so after such fantastic results with the solid bar version, this week I’m again expecting amazing results from the open comb Masamune. Details for the rest of the razor remain the same as that described last week. A very quick summary; this razor is a very well made instrument with every part machined precisely and the fit and finish is superb.

For a change of pace, I’ve upped the ante with the Masamune OC and chose a Feather blade to kick off proceedings. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but I was rewarded with one superbly smooth shave, up with the smoothest shaves I’ve ever experienced. If there was a difference between the OC and SB plates efficiency wise I could not detect it, still in that Karve CB #C plate range. Finishing off the last two shaves with a Gillette Platinum made no difference to the Masamune, it took that blade in its stride too. Blade feel is minimal but that never interfered with the Tatara delivering a close shave. Being mid aggressive and very nimble this razor can be thrown around with confidence. I’ve made a grave mistake in not using this razor since I purchased it; this is one highly recommended razor.

Blades Used – Feather and Gillette Platinum

Material – 303 Stainless Steel – Sand blasted finished

Blade Tab - Exposed

Weight – 86g

Head Width – 41.61mm

Handle Length – 86.9mm

Handle Diameter – 10.95mm

Availability - Tatara

Final Word – Very Rewarding
 
Errol said:
Tatara Masamune OC (Portugal)



Both a SB and an OC plate were supplied with the Masamune kit so after such fantastic results with the solid bar version, this week I’m again expecting amazing results from the open comb Masamune. Details for the rest of the razor remain the same as that described last week. A very quick summary; this razor is a very well made instrument with every part machined precisely and the fit and finish is superb.

For a change of pace, I’ve upped the ante with the Masamune OC and chose a Feather blade to kick off proceedings. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but I was rewarded with one superbly smooth shave, up with the smoothest shaves I’ve ever experienced. If there was a difference between the OC and SB plates efficiency wise I could not detect it, still in that Karve CB #C plate range. Finishing off the last two shaves with a Gillette Platinum made no difference to the Masamune, it took that blade in its stride too. Blade feel is minimal but that never interfered with the Tatara delivering a close shave. Being mid aggressive and very nimble this razor can be thrown around with confidence. I’ve made a grave mistake in not using this razor since I purchased it; this is one highly recommended razor.

Blades Used – Feather and Gillette Platinum

Material – 303 Stainless Steel – Sand blasted finished

Blade Tab - Exposed

Weight – 86g

Head Width – 41.61mm

Handle Length – 86.9mm

Handle Diameter – 10.95mm

Availability - Tatara

Final Word – Very Rewarding
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Damn, now this is on the list as well. Thanks lol
 
WISEM.jpg
 
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