Rocnel Sailor Adjustable Gen 2 (Turkey)
“Please Note: The Rocnel Sailor Series razor is designed to be used with Feather Hi-Stainless DE blades. That said, the following blades also fit perfectly: Ladas, Voskhod, Gillette 7 O'Clock blacks, Rapira Platinum Lux, Rapira Swedish Supersteel, Rapira Super Stainless, Viking's Sword and Derby Extra.”
The above warning was, for a long time, posted on the Bullgoose website and I’m pleased to have copied it when I did. It was posted for this very razor but the blade selection is applicable to many early Rocnel razors. I cannot for the life of me understand the logic of making a razor and being so hung up with your machining ability that you want to exclude so many different blades. Anyhow that is Rocnel and the users are held to ransom as this Sailor has been designed to be used with Feather blades. I like Feather blades but I also cherish the freedom in not being forced to use them.
There were only quantity 10 of the original Sailor Gen 1’s made and I don’t have one and let me tell you, it’s not from the lack of trying. It’s no good lamenting the fact, let’s have a look at the Gen 2. Yet again, the Rocnel Sailor Gen 2 features the spring loaded two section plate design, however Rocnel have utilized two springs, one on each end of the head to maintain pressure on the plate sections. Two springs working in tandem is a good idea but they did not always exert equal pressure so one end of the two piece plate would cock out more than the other. Oiling the mechanism alleviate the problem to some extent but I always had to make sure the gap between two sections were equidistant at each end. In the Gen 2 Sailor, the lower section extends to form the main spindle of the handle and when combined with the strengthening at the corner of the handle provides a very robust design. The cap is a fairly simple design with a longer than normal centre post and round blade posts.
Rocnel’s Sailor Gen 2 utilise a rear knob for adjusting and blade replacement that incorporates a spindle that goes through the handle to engage the cap centre post. Right here is a major mechanical fault with this razor, there is only one complete thread engaged to the centre post and that is simply not enough. In practice the spring loaded plate must be squeezed together for the threads to make engagement; the lack of thread engagement is that critical. I’ve heard the same complaint from other users so I put the grievance down to simply poor design. When stored, I never leave the thread engaged because I just don’t want to tear out the little bit of thread engagement present by applying constant spring pressure to it. The setting numbers #1 - #5 are lightly engraved just forward of the rear knob and I had difficulty reading them, even with my glasses on. Overall, the Gen 2 Sailor has a very presentable machine polished finish, however the underside of the cap is simply machined, no issues I don’t mind a machined finish especially in those out of site places provided no attempt has been made to polish it.
Rocnel may have got the mechanics of the razor all wrong but there is nothing but praise for the delivered shave. Smooth, close and comfortable with a pleasing amount of blade feel. I did not need to go past setting #3 and was, in fact, hesitant to even try; with the lack of thread engagement between the adjuster spindle and the cap, the razor literally falls apart just after setting #5. I did not want to destroy the razor so stopped the review after just two shaves. Rocnel’s Gen 2 Adjustable could have been so good.
- #1 – Karve CB Level #B
- #2 – Karve CB Level #C
- #3 – Karve CB Level #D plus
This is not one of Rocnel’s better razors and to put it bluntly; it’s a flop.
Adjustment Range – #1 through to #5 with mid-way markings
Blades Used – Ladas
Material – Stainless Steel
Blade Tab – Slightly exposed
Weight – 130g
Head Width – 42.08mm
Handle Length – 75.64mm
Handle Diameter – 14.11mm
Availability – Out of Production
Final Word – Poorly engineered
