Haircut & Shave Ti Efficient DFS passaround

How are you liking the efficient?

Whew sorry for the delayed response - I had two shaves basically fully typed up then I changed to another app and everything got deleted. At that point I got frustrated, then busy and well here We are.

Anyways, so I’m four shaves in with the Ti efficient.

First impressions: this is a big razor. The handle is long and thick. Even the head fully encloses the blade (tabs and all) and doesn’t have any corner chamfers, leading to it also looking quite large. This is all fine, however, given it is titanium. If this razor were Stainless oh man would it be a beast!

If I had a gripe this razor it would be with the knurling. In a world where you can machine all types of cool knurlings, why stick with a standard rolled knurl? I frankly find the grip a bit vague. I like it when my Rex razors “lock in,”  Even my Tatara has a more sure grip to it.

This is my first shave with the upper tier of non adjustable razors. I was really looking forward to this for that reason - I like adjustable but find myself adjusting a bit less as my technique has improved. Would I ever want to ditch adjustable altogether for the simplicity of a fixed razor? Maybe this pass around would help me answer that question.

My first shave was before a black tie event for work with two days of growth - so I was under a bit of pressure to at least not gash my face up. This was probably not the best idea for a new razor but alas - I took it slowly and found the razor extremely forgiving. There is the tiniest smudge of blade feel - nothing at all threatening. It then leads to a wonderfully efficient shave. I stick with two passes (WTG then XTG) and don’t try to chase the BBS, since I find some sensitivity under my mustache area after the second pass. This was no different (I didn’t expect it to be). It was a great shave and very easy.

Me second shave was the following day. Again two passes and again, a nice DFS. I do like that two passes is more than enough, speaking to its efficiency. I also like that I haven’t nicked myself at all in any of the four shaves - again, efficient without being threatening.

One note about this razor, which I like but may be ultimately a matter of preference, is that the leading edge is a rather crisp feeling point (see picture below). Of course not sharp, but it gives your skin tactile feedback that “hey, you’re riding the guard.” When I ease off, I can distinctly feel the contact patch get wider, knowing that I’m moving towards riding the top cap. Kinda nice. I think it helps dial in angle.

For me, this blade geometry is probably ideal. H&S nailed it with that part of the razor.  I get the feeling that my skin is slightly on the more sensitive side (at least certain patches) so it’s nice knowing where my limit is without going past it. That being said, the grip is a real turn off for me. I just want something grippier!!

I will get one more shave in with this tomorrow morning and write a report, then send it on to the next person!

All is well that ends well! I had my final shave with the Ti efficient late last night. This was a quicker turn-around from some of my previous shaves, and the Ti Efficient had no troubles gently but efficiently removing my light stubble. This really is a nice geometry for my skin. 

I love these pass arounds as they give one the opportunity to try out some of these nuanced differences, and really home in on what one wants specifically in a razor. All things considered, I believe the razor’s head geometry is the Goldilocks setting for me from what I’ve tried. I can achieve that with my Tatara, mind you, on perhaps the 3/4 setting. In this sense, I haven’t been turned away from adjustables (or at least my adjustables, seeing as I seem to have lucked out in my selection). Actually, it’s kind of nice to know I can turn it down a shade if my skin feels a bit sensitive. 

Am I a Ti convert after this experience? Hmmm not so much. I personally like the heft of a SS razor. But on the other end of the spectrum I like the nimbleness of the extreme Ti razor - the vector. Without Ti, this size razor would be supremely heavy, and one would have to Looooove heavy razors to enjoy it.

I look forward to more experimenting in future pass arounds, but wouldn’t find myself going above and beyond for this razor - the Goldilocks head setting is great, but I don’t seek out large handled razors; and nor am I a huge fan of the knurling. 

On to the next! 

What other adjustables do you like?  I tried to Tatara as part of a passaround.  The main issue I had with it was the size and clarity of the adjustment setting window.  Just too small for me to see (I need reading glasses). Otherwise, it’s a great razor.  The Ti version of the razor, however, I just too expensive to consider.

I also have the konsul and ambassador. I keep coming back to the muramasa though. The ambassador is too aggressive I find, and the konsul is fine, I just don’t reach for it as much. Yea the window being small is a bit annoying, but I agree that after using it a few times I don’t need the numbers anymore, I just turn it all the way in one direction then adjust from there. They really should work on that though….

Razor is with UPS. Thanks again andrewjs18 for organizing this passaround and giving me the opportunity.

Razor is in my possession. Thank you Inspirado

First shave with the efficient:

Terrific BBS irritation free shave with the efficient this morning.  

H&S Efficient with RK Chromium Blade
PAA Cube Pre, A&E Vanille Vendetta Soap, Alum, VV Aftershave, Sawdust Creations G7 synthetic brush

3 days of growth. Simple and intuitive 2 pass BBS with cleanups.  ATG pass under my jawline was quite smooth and easy.  No issues changing angles and employing some J- strokes.  

As previously mentioned, knurling on the handles leaves something to be desired.  More decorative than functional.  Could be much better with some simple adjustments. If I purchased this razor, I would want a different handle. 

Curious for guys with opinions as to how this compares to the Overlander and Yates 

Curious for guys with opinions as to how this compares to the Overlander and Yates 

I owned the Overlander in both aluminum and brass, and I sold both of them because they weren't as efficient as I prefer. They were very smooth and comfortable, but I felt like it took quite a bit of work and time to get a close shave with them. And I didn't find the shave to be very long-lasting. I ended up purchasing a Ti Efficient after my turn with this passaround. It seemed just as smooth and comfortable as the Overlander but with higher efficiency. The Ti Efficient gives me a closer shave with less effort.

I own a Yates 921 with M, H, and EH plates, and it's one of my favorite razors. I'd say that the H plate is probably closest to the Ti Efficient. They are both smooth and comfortable and give pretty effortless/autopilot shaves. The Ti Efficient and 921-H are both pretty close to "goldilocks" razors for me. I've only used the EH plate a couple of times so far, but it adds a nice amount of efficiency without sacrificing much comfort. It did lull me into a false sense of security, and I foolishly irritated my neck from going over a spot too many times. I'll have to use the EH plate more. But for now, I love the H plate and the Ti Efficient.

Here's a quick few tips/rules for the pass around. Please try to be mindful of the creator of the razor and everyone on the pass around list. If you're going to be out of town just before or during your turn, just ask us to bump you down on the list so you can have the proper time to use it and so you also do not hold up others from trying the razor(s) in a timely manner.

List:
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)
Marhos24 (Michigan)
Cino (Georgia) *removed at user's request*
BEARDoc (Rhode Island)
Calm_Shaver (New York)
Bullyson (Kentucky)
Razorman (New Jersey)
draebeard (Washington)
CK89 (Indiana)
jbreakfield (Alabama)
boilerphan (Indiana)
Fallbeard (Kentucky)
Time Bandit (Oregon)
Lesser (New York)
Stickshift (Illinois)
keto (Missouri)
inspirado (Texas)
Mpescado (New Jersey)
1992shaver (Florida)
dtownvino (Pennsylvania)
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)

Shaves #2 and 3

Face was a little irritated after a very close shave on Sunday so Monday and Tuesdays shaves I went a little lighter.  Overall, two excellent shaves with the efficient but i had to be more careful.  The efficient is not as smooth as my Timeless Ti 95 but gets the job done with more efficiency

H&S Efficient with RK Chromium Blade
PAA Cube Pre, HC&C Bay Rum Soap, Alum, PAA Gondolier and HC&C unscented balm, Sawdust Creations G7 synthetic brush