Aylsworth Kopparkant Razor

Some months back I participated in the Aylsworth Drakkant pass-around.  I was reasonably impressed with the performance of that razor, but did not buy one for reasons of price and esthetics (I didn't like the topcap design).  So when AylsworthRazors  came out with the Kopparkant in brass at $99 I bought one.  

He had improved the topcap and the handle design, and promised the same shaving geometry as the Drakkant.  However to me it seems milder and less efficient than the Drakkant that I used in the pass-around.  I got good one-pass shaves from the Drakkant, but with the Kopparkant it takes two+ passes to do the job.  IMO it also has less blade feel.  

If you like mild razors and do two or three pass shaves, this razor will work for you.  But alas for a one-pass shaver like me, it does not.  This is my opinion only.  Your mileage may vary.
 

Sometimes I think we need a section or some threads specifically for people who do one-pass shaves or do not shave against-the-grain. When it comes to reviewing razors or making recommendations the performance of different razors can be dramatically different compared to other members who do three-pass shaves. I suspect this is even more the case with the recent trend for razors that are fairly mild but clamp the blade rigidly, close to the edge - these razors seem particularly efficient shaving against-the-grain, but less efficient with-the-grain. At least that’s my observation.

Moriarty Interesting point, however the Blackland Era SB5 is one of my favorite shavers.  I also got good shaves from the Drakkant pass-around razor, but not from the Kopparkant, which is supposed to have the same shaving geometry.  I don't understand why that is so, since I used my usual Feather blades in both razors.

First shave with the Kopparkant...The razor is absolutely gorgeous! And if you're a collector, it's worth buying based on aesthetics alone.
As for the shave, it is unfortunately too mild for me (which I suspected before buying it). Even after an ATG pass and a cleanup pass, I still have spots where I can feel stubble. I'm eagerly waiting for a + plate now since this razor is too pretty to sell.

This is interesting feedback as the shave geometry of the Kopparkant is indeed identical to the Drakkant original plate, with the small change that the Kopparkant solid bar is not scalloped and has actually been rounded to open the angle and gap a touch more. This is also actually the first I'm hearing it, and in fact many have said they find the Kopparkant slightly more efficient than the original Drakkant. I include myself in that camp.  Do you have any inkling at all as to why your experience might be so different?

This is interesting feedback as the shave geometry of the Kopparkant is indeed identical to the Drakkant original plate, with the small change that the Kopparkant solid bar is not scalloped and has actually been rounded to open the angle and gap a touch more. This is also actually the first I'm hearing it, and in fact many have said they find the Kopparkant slightly more efficient than the original Drakkant. I include myself in that camp.  Do you have any inkling at all as to why your experience might be so different?

I honestly don't know.  I only know that I liked the shave I got from the pass-around Drakkant, added a shim and liked it even better.  I added a shim to the Kopparkant as well for the second pass.  However if I remember correctly, I didn't need a second pass with the Drakkant, whereas I did need one with the Kopparkant.  Was the Drakkant prototype used in the pass-around possibly different from the production model?  Perhaps I'll try it again tomorrow with two shims.

The geometry for both the production Drakkant and prototype are identical to within 0.02 mm on critical dimensions and the same is true for the Kopparkant.   One thing that I have noticed is that some users who are coming off a longer stint using more traditional 30 degree angled razors, and so have recent muscle memory of that steeper angle, have reported a similar experience of low efficiency. But those same users have also reported getting the more efficient shaves you experienced with the prototype once spending a bit more time with the Kopparkant or original Drakkant and making some angle adjustments. Is there any chance your first shave with the Kopparkant may have been using a different angle than when you used the prototype?

AylsworthRazors  I shaved with it again this morning using the shallower angle that you suggested, and it did make a difference, but I quickly added two shims, which made for a truly superior shave.  One shim (in my previous shave) made a small but significant difference, but two shims was transformative.  Even with two shims the razor was not aggressive, but efficient enough to cut through my coarse white whiskers with ease and without risk.  I recommend that you produce a higher efficiency baseplate with a blade gap of about 1 mm.  
That would be a real improvement.

AylsworthRazors  I shaved with it again this morning using the shallower angle that you suggested, and it did make a difference, but I quickly added two shims, which made for a truly superior shave.  One shim (in my previous shave) made a small but significant difference, but two shims was transformative.  Even with two shims the razor was not aggressive, but efficient enough to cut through my coarse white whiskers with ease and without risk.  I recommend that you produce a higher efficiency baseplate with a blade gap of about 1 mm.  
That would be a real improvement.

That's good feedback, thank you!  Yes at .73 mm gap and near neutral exposure, both the Kopparkant and original Drakkant are designed to be mild and mid efficient razors.  We do have a + level plate for the Drakkant, at .99 mm gap and. 125 mm exposure, which is probably more your speed. The + plate is slated for the Kopparkant in Q1 2023. 

I love the looks of the razor. It is stunning and priced nicely. I really need to think about finding one on the used market for the right price.