H&SCo. Z074-ti

Thanks Lesser and Mtt02263

Shame about the efficiency, was hoping for a touch more than the N075

Let’s not forget, each shave has so many variables that could alter the outcome. I’ve had shaves with a razor that have seemed extremely efficient, and then shaved with it weeks later and struggled to get similar results.

More reviews will come.

The stack height is revelatory....

Revelatory?  I stand corrected on the stack height after lesser's photos, but revelatory is not the word that comes to mind. Marginal is more like it. So far this redesign is overhyped. New handle and some titanium.

Let’s not forget, each shave has so many variables that could alter the outcome. I’ve had shaves with a razor that have seemed extremely efficient, and then shaved with it weeks later and struggled to get similar results.

More reviews will come.

I Agree with you there Tony, it happens.

Actually the stack height comments are very relevant. It appears the stack height from the N is maintained - whether that matters is down to face shape and preference. How deep the bar drops is quite a different matter. Agree the channels may have an impact but suspicion is main performance impacts are due to the metal and that new handle (which had a dramatic positive impact on the P series we are reviewing on passaround).

That stated don't find $400 inordinate for Ti although wish it were high polished

I actually like the machine polish. The baseplate on the ZO74 is thinner than the NO75 and the safety bar is closer to the PO76 than the NO75. Speaking just for myself I enjoy opinions on a razor from people who actually have used it, opinions from people who have never held or used the razor I find not very useful

Modified after private conversation to reflect that it less than kind to flame an artisan without at least trying the product - and even then....

There was a thread regarding this yesterday: What do I do if I'm not happy with my shaving purchase - negative reviews (damnfineshave.com)

Shall violate my tenet about not sharing private conversations:

I know the reality of how hard Aji works and the sacrifices he makes - actual sacrifices - to produce top quality razors.  The general public has no idea how much work he puts into each razor and, on an hourly basis, how little he makes.  If any think Aji 'balling', think again - far from it.  Some will state that they could give a damn; I can't make you buy his razors nor can I convince you they worth a price point other than to point out the workmanship.  

But being an a$$hole to a decent man and trying to hurt his business for no reason other than you value his time far less than minimally (and that stating it generously), is just mean spirited.  As have stated in the case of another artisan getting slammed, if being a Patrick Bateman sociopath is how you want to be perceived by the public, don't fault others for calling you out on it.  Aji is too much a gentleman to do so and too busy working his a$$ off for not a lot of profit.

I did not find it smoother than the N075, just lighter and slightly smaller. The mixed metal N075 is one of the smoothest razors I've ever used, I can't see a way for a razor to be meaningfully smoother. To me, the Z074 replicates the results of the N075 shave in a more nimble, lighter package. Unfortunately, for me it did not represent an increase in efficiency.

The Z074 and N075 look about the same to me. The top cap looks the same, where the blade is clamped looks the same, and the blade curvature looks like it would be the same. The only apparent difference seems to be a slimmer profile, with the excess removed from the bottom of the base plate.

Fractions of millimeters make a difference, and it could be that the difference is just less apparent to the eye, but off-hand, Mtt02263's experience doesn't sound that surprising, and any differences in feel may be more attributed to the lighter metal, which is what I think DanLaw was saying.

Well, I used the Z0 a third day and did find it smoother, as well as softer, than the N0.  I say that because I used both razors today with the same blade -- the N0 with the aluminum plate (making that clear since the photos I posted were with the steel).  The Z0 is a touch easier and has less blade feel, certainly by the second and third passes.  With the N0 I know I'm cutting because I can feel the blade all the way to the end.  By the third pass, with the Z0, I hear it but don't materially feel it.  Now, this is probably a subtle and and fine-tuned difference, mind you.  It's not an enormous difference because, after all, the N0 has been my go-to smooth (mild) shaver that still can be efficient, and it bumped out a bunch of other razors to get there, including those other "smooth" razors like the Henson, OneBlade, and Yates (mild and hybrid plates - I'm about to get the pass around Yates to try the H and EH blades).  And the N0 and Z0 top caps do hold and grip the blade identically as best I can tell.  So when I said it was a "revelation" to try, it was because I didn't think one could get any smoother at all, yet still be efficient, than the N0.  And, further, don't get me wrong:  I adore my N0.  It's the only razor I own in duplicate (one for my main house, one for the beach house).  But the new razor -- either because of the weight, material, handle, slight difference in gap (or even the channel, which made, to me, a seeming difference when with Aji made the channels larger on the new P076 Tis) -- is just that much "smoother."  Maybe 5%, maybe 10%?  But, while everyone's mileage always may differ, I'm feeling increasingly comfortable in stating that.  Would anyone need both?  Perhaps not.  As for efficiency, I don't yet know; I have the sense the two are about the same and if there is a difference, it will somewhat subtle and take waiting until after a bunch of the shaves to tell.

I received the brand new Z074 titanium razor from Haircut & Shave Company yesterday and got my first shave in with it this morning. First impression is very favorable, dare I make the claim that this could very well be my favorite new daily DE razor.

I don’t want to label it as mild for risk of putting some people off right away, but it has to be among the most comfortable razors I’ve ever used. It maintains the almost impossible efficiency/comfort balance of the N075, but at 60% the weight it is extremely maneuverable and controllable.

I put it on par comfort-wise with the titanium Timeless .68 OC which is my current favorite daily DE razor, however, with greater efficiency.

More time will tell, but for now I can certainly say for many folks this will be a contender for a daily-use razor. If you can get past the price tag.