Ah, but don't forget Sir Charles was a Brit...Another lovely read about the legacy of The Darwin Razors. Top stuff Errol, normally the Deluxe would follow the standard but with the use of materials Darwin reversed the titling of their models. It just struck me, the company behind the Darwins maybe Brit, but with Errol unraveling the history and magic of these Razors on this forum and going by the name of the Razor, this should be a totally AUSSIE product.
True, True my Friend. You're right that these Darwin reviews are kinda nostalgic. Errol has to be blamed for getting everyone interested in embarking on a hunt for these rarities every now and then.Ah, but don't forget Sir Charles was a Brit...
Still, I too have been interested to read these reviews of a truly (to use an already much-overused word) iconic series of razors.
Based on the Fatboy set at level #3, I’m going to say in the Karve CB level #B/ #C range.
@Errol as you said in one of your reviews; Shield are a cut above other Chinese razor producers; I have that particular stand, having read on another forum as “suitable” for Kamisori’s, so one holds my Iwasaki. I have another one on order with a Gem razor (never tried one) in Titanium soShield Razor Stand (China)
During my Army days, my razor was always thrown into my wet pack till it was required the next day, rattling around with all the paraphernalia that happened to be in there. Remove the blade, forget that, it will be good enough to scratch out the next shave and it always did. When I came back to wet shaving, I purchased a razor stand that was combined with a shave bowl and shave brush. I’ve long given up using the shave brush and the bowl, so they sit there as an ornament. Enter the Shield razor stand; a well thought out design, simple, impressive looks, titanium, and can securely accommodate razors with handles around 15mm dia; that should meet most requirements. Rounded ends like on the Darwin and razors such as the Vestige with its cone shape handle end stayed precisely where put, that’s what it was designed to do.
Its base plate is a solid piece and while this one is machined from titanium, there was never a thought that the weight of a brass or stainless steel razor would topple the stand over. Two uprights at the rear of the base plate support a horse shoe shaped top plate. Razors stand on their handle ends and are angled backwards to rest in the top plate cutout. Don’t like titanium? There are also brass and stainless steel versions available. I’m impressed.
Rocnel Elite Brass 2024 (Turkey)
A Rocnel Elite in brass, I’ll have one of those but a review of it was never planned. I was midway through the review on the Rocnel Ti Elit when I decided to photograph the brass Elite and pack it away. I’d never had the Elite brass out of its sealed bag so the first aspect to spark my attention was the grip on the handle, exceptional. If the blade I use for photos had sat on the blade posts without being squeezed on, that would have been it, the Elite brass would have been packed away. Back to the old days of Feather blades for Rocnel, I’d better check this razor further. Other observed changes include the ends of the head being squared off, the external appearance of the cap now mimics that fitted to YPM, The Winner with that shave angle dictating shape and the face engaging surface of the plate is smooth. Brass is not generally seen in Rocnel production and with a machined finish and no engraving, there’s another surprise. Machining the Elite in brass has swung its weight back into the overweight range of the stainless steel versions - 125g. There is a hole in the end of the handle, but it is a small diameter and does not go completely through, there are numerous areas where Jenny Craige could weave her magic over this razor.
As expected, the Feather blade slipped straight over the blade posts, where’s that list of blades that can be used in an earlier Rocnel razors:
“Please Note: The Rocnel 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.”
I dislike razors where flats on the cap dictate the shave angle. As previously mentioned, the Brass Elite has them, so I was expecting to be annoyed by the edge on the cap pivoting the blade away from face contact. It never happened on the first shave, the second shave or any other shave; Rocnel have got the angle right for me. Other than the obvious weight difference, the Elite shaved very similar to the Elit Ti I reviewed last week. Karve CB Level #C efficiency and smooth as silk. That machined knurling on the handle deserves special mention, it looks fantastic, and the provided grip is as good as will be found on any razor. The Rocnel Elite Brass is economical, and it will introduce new customers to the Rocnel brand and to wet shaving. If that is the case the Elite Brass is a total success.
Blades Used – Feather and Ladas
Material – Brass
Weight – 124.9g
Blade Tab - Exposed
Head Width – 41.93mm
Handle Length – 86mm (effective length)
Handle Diameter – 13.73mm
Availability – Rocnel
Final Word – Ideal for first up razor
Yes, my Predator "Gem" arrived today in GR5 Titanium with another stand, I will try in the next few daysLovely review Errol and a super breakdown of the Razor Head's construction. Your reviews got me hooked to the Shield Brand and I have the Avenger, the Defender DE in .95 and 1.15 as well. Love all three but the Avenger just edges out the other two for comfort. The Finishing and quality of these razors is at another level when you keep the price point in mind.
I don't have a half DE Blade Shield Razor and there you go again throwing out the net of temptation.
