Impossible to answer...and I'd throw the BBS1 and the Guerrilla into the mix as well
Go back and finished your bloody milk @alfredusImpossible to answer...and I'd throw the BBS1 and the Guerrilla into the mix as well
That is like asking to me to choose my favourite child
That's easy. You pick the dog.That is like asking to me to choose my favourite child
ExactlyThat's easy. You pick the dog.
Your right!! Budgetary considerations will stop me dreaming.
If, he doesn’t have a dog or any pet. Pick your neighbour.That's easy. You pick the dog.
I'm the odd guy out as found the standard WR1 shaved closer/smoother than the equivalent WR2 but both set the standard for premium shaves and aesthetic!
Yaqi isn’t a real bloody Howling Wolfy, just a stupid little Chinese howling puppy dog.Yaqi Sentinel (China)
Yaqi released this Wolfman WR2 inspired model in the middle of last year. For reasons known only to themselves, the Australian importers of Yaqi decided not to bring the Sentinel into Australia. Being Yaqi’s clone of the WR2, I wanted to try it for myself and set out to get one; it did not take long for them to appear on AliExpress so I forked out for one. This one came as a head only so I selected a Yaqi bala Pulida de acero handle (what a mouthful) to go with it. This handle has a series of grooves at the forward end and a spiral wrap at the rear; hopefully it works as good as it looks, and I see no reason why it shouldn’t. Thread engagement is good, snug and very smooth. There is little doubt the Sentinel is inspired by the WR2 but there are obvious changes and the cap from one will not fit the plate of the other; there are differences to the underside of the cap and the top of the plate, the blade posts on the cap are more square than on the WR2, there are no serrations on the safety bar and it is not as wide, there are two lather groves in the plate while the WR2 has only one, the blade clamping flats on the Sentinel are not as wide as the WR2 and while the finish is very good (the underside of the cap has a machined surface), it is not up to the exceptional standard of the Wolfman. Yaqi’s Sentinel is said to have a 1.50mm gap so if this equates to the Wolfman scale it will be the most aggressive ‘WR2’ style razor I’ve used.
Thinking, thinking – the Chinese are not known for spending $’s on R&D – I wonder!!!! I’m thinking that maybe it’s not the WR2 that has been cloned but what about the BBS-1? A waste of time that exercise, the WR2 and BBS-1 are so close in looks and specification, the comments for the WR2 from above apply.
Straight up, the Sentinel does not deliver a Wolfman quality shave; it’s a pleasant enough shave but don’t buy the Sentinel expecting a cheap means of experiencing a Wolfman like shave, you’re not going to get it. Efficiency is in the Karve CB level #D range and the blade protrusion is not overstated. All shaves were close and while not being super smooth, were still very good. A weeper or two points to a more sinister outcome, but the Sentinel is right on the verge of being able to deliver that magical auto pilot shave. That ‘mouthful’ handle name worked a treat too, good length and plenty of grip. Yaqi’s Sentinel may look like a WR2 and delivers a great shave but it is not in the same league as the WR2. Overall, this razor has the looks, (if like me, you like the WR2), and provided a more than satisfactory level of shaving experience.
Blades Used – Gillette Super Stainless and Crown
Material – Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 106g
Head Width – 42.98mm
Handle Length – 91.05mm
Handle Diameter – 11.93mm
Availability – AliExpress
Final Word – Value for money
Wolfman WR2 1.35mm Bronze - WRH7 Handle (Canada)
A WR1 titanium version was the originally proposed razor but when Wolfman’s ‘Request to Purchase’ did not include the titanium WRH4 handle, I used my age privilege and changed the whole specification to a bronze WR2. That opened a whole new list of parameters to delve into; 1.35mm plate, safety bar, my all-time favourite WRH7 handle and all in a basic polish. I often make comment that some top shelf razor has a quality polished finish, which they do, then I look at a Wolfman and see that the others have been left in their wake. All the usual WR2 attributes are featured, corner blade locating, positive blade clamping, wide safety bar and precision thread engagement. Bronze is fast becoming one of my favourite metals for razors, if only it didn’t tarnish.
Since my first use of a Wolfman WR2, I have maintained a healthy respect for the WR2’s capabilities. I have now shaved with variations of all plates from 0.95mm to 1.35mm in the WR2 range and consider the Wolfman WR2 as being the pinnacle of DE razor design. It does not matter which WR2 is used, it can be used daily or just as effectively clean up a five day growth and the big point is, it does everything with consummate ease. Back to the 1.35mm plated bronze Wolfman, its efficiency is in the Karve CB level #D range and with its well thought out blade protrusion provided an extremely comfortable shave, a close shave was never in doubt. This razor is another brilliant example of the care and attention to detail delivered when a Wolfman product is purchased.
Blades Used – Gillette Super Stainless Red and Crown
Material – C954 Bronze
Blade Tab - Exposed
Weight – 98g
Head Width – 41.61mm
Handle Length – 90.41mm
Handle Diameter – 12.69mm
Availability – Wolfman
Final Word – Luxury
@StratMan I’ll get ribbed for sitting on the fence on this one but the truth is I like each and every one. The WR2 with a 0.95 plate is so smooth and close while the 1.35 plate is the same only more efficient. Your 1.25 is as good as any. I credit the WR2 titanium I purchased at auction with WRH4 handle and 0.95 plate as the best shave I’ve ever had.
I was lucky enough to try both versions thanks to the late & great @Nico who also allowed me to try his Charcoal Goods L2 brass Gen 2 and those razors delivered the best shaves to date!
