Member
(This post was last modified: 05-04-2022, 09:44 PM by Scottish0177.)
Hi,
Having had my eye on the ZO74 ti from Haircut and Shave for a while now and intrigued by the reviews of both a capable and smooth shaving razor I took the plunge last week and placed my order.
The background to my decision is based on the fact that I have been lucky enough to have owned various razors throughout my life. Aluminium, SS, titanium I have tried them, Matt, machined and polish finishes have come and gone and favourites have emerged then faded into the background as something new came along. I always liked a razor with good blade feel which was efficient and one that gave me a long lasting shave.
What I have noticed recently though is that my skin at 52 is not as forgiving of very close shaves on a daily basis as it used to be. Whereas I could use very efficient razors on a daily basis 5 days a week with little to no irritation I just can’t do it these days, even with good shaves my skin feels tight and irritated and the thought of often using the same razor again the next day was honestly a thought. Even with a good pre and post shave routine I really haven’t been enjoying myself at all of late.
This had me initially thinking of softer, slightly less efficient feeling razors I have previously used, and I have been revisiting the Feather DS2 recently with great results. A very smooth, softer feeling razor without much blade feel but one which has given me great daily shaves with little effort or concentration. I have been using Astra SP blades in the feather as I just don’t get along with the feathers I still had left over.
This led me onto the ZO74 as the description and reviews seemed very similar to the Feather, albeit it in a more polished and finished fashion and so my purchase was made and the razor has recently arrived from across the pond to Scotland.
Having had polished razors before and being aware that the finish can be really very good, my first thoughts on examining the H and S was truly wow, the finishing is head and shoulders above anything I have had in the past and this includes being way better than my Blackbird Ti polished which was my last purchase.
I am genuinely surprised at how good the finishing is all over the razor, top cap, base plate and handle are very very well done and the razor arrived with absolutely zero defects or blemishes, I could not for the life of me find a single faint mark or scratch whilst holding the razor in different light conditions and angles…amazing attention to detail…How long it will stay like that is another question although I do tend to mother my purchases.
The razors design and construction are first class, the handle for me is about as perfect as anything I have used, the length and the knurling are executed impeccably and it feels very comfy in the hand. On some razors the handles have been noticeable in the hand and whilst offering great grip, were often to the fore in my mind during shaving with just something not being quite right and off. The best compliment I can give the ZO 74’s handle is that it felt so secure in my hand whilst at the same time disappearing from the shaving thought process.
The shave itself offered a mild feeling shave with very little blade feel which to a lot of people might not sound so inviting, but the efficiency was still great (which confused me slightly) and I needed very little buffing to get a clean and more importantly comfortable feeling shave.
Unlike some razors I could mention the shave was effortless and required very little thought or concentration which in itself was a revelation.
I will be trying out various blades too see which one suits me in use.
The packaging of the razor was great and the blown plastic case it came in was a nice touch and protected the razor fully on its journey too myself.
I am not really articulate enough to to put into words how impressed I am with this razor, and yes I am aware that the cost will be prohibitive to some but it is a truly remarkable product which I would consider worth the price point.
I know that giving a quick review on a new purchase can often be full of gushing and more often than not perhaps unmerited praise because everything is new and we often want to convince ourselves initially that out purchases are always great but as a Scotsman and someone who would never play anyone false I am mightily impressed in the little time I have had her.
Time will tell whether it’s a keeper but I have a feeling it will be.
Well done H and S
![[Image: 7kAbADX.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/7kAbADX.jpg)
Having had my eye on the ZO74 ti from Haircut and Shave for a while now and intrigued by the reviews of both a capable and smooth shaving razor I took the plunge last week and placed my order.
The background to my decision is based on the fact that I have been lucky enough to have owned various razors throughout my life. Aluminium, SS, titanium I have tried them, Matt, machined and polish finishes have come and gone and favourites have emerged then faded into the background as something new came along. I always liked a razor with good blade feel which was efficient and one that gave me a long lasting shave.
What I have noticed recently though is that my skin at 52 is not as forgiving of very close shaves on a daily basis as it used to be. Whereas I could use very efficient razors on a daily basis 5 days a week with little to no irritation I just can’t do it these days, even with good shaves my skin feels tight and irritated and the thought of often using the same razor again the next day was honestly a thought. Even with a good pre and post shave routine I really haven’t been enjoying myself at all of late.
This had me initially thinking of softer, slightly less efficient feeling razors I have previously used, and I have been revisiting the Feather DS2 recently with great results. A very smooth, softer feeling razor without much blade feel but one which has given me great daily shaves with little effort or concentration. I have been using Astra SP blades in the feather as I just don’t get along with the feathers I still had left over.
This led me onto the ZO74 as the description and reviews seemed very similar to the Feather, albeit it in a more polished and finished fashion and so my purchase was made and the razor has recently arrived from across the pond to Scotland.
Having had polished razors before and being aware that the finish can be really very good, my first thoughts on examining the H and S was truly wow, the finishing is head and shoulders above anything I have had in the past and this includes being way better than my Blackbird Ti polished which was my last purchase.
I am genuinely surprised at how good the finishing is all over the razor, top cap, base plate and handle are very very well done and the razor arrived with absolutely zero defects or blemishes, I could not for the life of me find a single faint mark or scratch whilst holding the razor in different light conditions and angles…amazing attention to detail…How long it will stay like that is another question although I do tend to mother my purchases.
The razors design and construction are first class, the handle for me is about as perfect as anything I have used, the length and the knurling are executed impeccably and it feels very comfy in the hand. On some razors the handles have been noticeable in the hand and whilst offering great grip, were often to the fore in my mind during shaving with just something not being quite right and off. The best compliment I can give the ZO 74’s handle is that it felt so secure in my hand whilst at the same time disappearing from the shaving thought process.
The shave itself offered a mild feeling shave with very little blade feel which to a lot of people might not sound so inviting, but the efficiency was still great (which confused me slightly) and I needed very little buffing to get a clean and more importantly comfortable feeling shave.
Unlike some razors I could mention the shave was effortless and required very little thought or concentration which in itself was a revelation.
I will be trying out various blades too see which one suits me in use.
The packaging of the razor was great and the blown plastic case it came in was a nice touch and protected the razor fully on its journey too myself.
I am not really articulate enough to to put into words how impressed I am with this razor, and yes I am aware that the cost will be prohibitive to some but it is a truly remarkable product which I would consider worth the price point.
I know that giving a quick review on a new purchase can often be full of gushing and more often than not perhaps unmerited praise because everything is new and we often want to convince ourselves initially that out purchases are always great but as a Scotsman and someone who would never play anyone false I am mightily impressed in the little time I have had her.
Time will tell whether it’s a keeper but I have a feeling it will be.
Well done H and S
