HomelikeShaving and their START SS Razor. From Russia with Love....

I received the east coast razor yesterday. I will shave with it today. My initial impressions are good. The finish is not a high polish, but it’s not matte either. It looks like a machined finish with the machine marks smoothed out. I think it looks nice and I wouldn’t expect any more at this price point since it includes 4 base plates. The packaging is nice, but it’s difficult to remove the parts from the foam. The foam sections definitely need to be cut a little bigger.

I used the OC plate today. I did not have any issues with the grip like some have mentioned. I did go ahead and put alum on my fingers though based on previous reviews, so that might be why I didn't have any issues. I think the grip would be fine if the grooves were a little deeper. As far as the shave, it was really smooth and efficient. I did not have any issues finding the correct angle. There was not a lot of blade feel, but there was enough to tell where the blade is. The head is a little wide for my taste. I don't like razors that cover the tabs because I have a couple that are difficult to get to. I'll see if I can get past that issue with the next few shaves.

I used the OC plate today. I did not have any issues with the grip like some have mentioned. I did go ahead and put alum on my fingers though based on previous reviews, so that might be why I didn't have any issues. I think the grip would be fine if the grooves were a little deeper. As far as the shave, it was really smooth and efficient. I did not have any issues finding the correct angle. There was not a lot of blade feel, but there was enough to tell where the blade is. The head is a little wide for my taste. I don't like razors that cover the tabs because I have a couple that are difficult to get to. I'll see if I can get past that issue with the next few shaves.

I forgot to mention the width in my post. I actually like heads that cover then ends of the blade.


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My final thoughts on the Homelike.
Pros-

-The box. Overall, I like the box size & magnetic closure.
-CNC machining on the heads. I like the crisp look of this over my Rockwell 6S which is cast.
-Flexibility. The reason I purchased the Rex and the 6S is adjustability/flexibility. I don't know that I could bring myself to spend $150 and only get 1 plate/shaving option. An assortment like this would be at the top of my list if I was in the market and would be a recommendation for someone that might ask.
***I would be paying attention premium razor makers.***
-Handle length. I think it is a good length that will appeal to a wide audience. I know this from sales experience.

Cons-

-The grip on the handle is poor.
-The foam cutouts for the components could have been a little easier to remove items from. They are very tight. I consider this a minor factor.
-Polishing could have been better. However, I am very aware of what it takes to polish/finish stainless. I don't know if nice hand polishing of the components is feasible at the $150 price point.

As a side note. I found it amusing that there was a silicone washer in the assortment. I find it superfluous and would probably put it in the box and never use it. A small circular mark on the bottom of a tool that I use regularly is nothing that I even want to put a thought towards. I almost dropped it down the drain once.

Improve the handle grip and you have a formidable competitor to what's out there.

PS I forgot to mention. I stuck a bag of Black & Tan shaving soap samples in the box. Everyone can take one out of the bag as it goes around.

while I never use a small silicone washer with my razors, I do like the forward thinking from Homelikeshaving in the sense that there are a lot of people who do not like marking up their razors and this seems to be an easy and cheap fix.

here's the list as I have it..

West:
fmalpartida (California)
CzechCzar (California)
Oasisdave (California)
draebeard (Washington)
gvw755 (Washington)
Captainjonny (Washington)
IanG513 (California) *removed per user's request*
Kehole (California) *removed per user's request*
gwsmallwood (Arizona)
celestino (Western Canada)
kooshman7 (Washington)
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)

East:
Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire)
keto (Missouri)
Dave In KY (Kentucky)
Shavemd (Ohio) *removed per user's request*
HoosierShave (Indiana)
dominicr (Missouri)
Dayman (Georgia)
Asafiev (Pennsylvania)
Dragonsbeard (New York)
shaveSymptomatic (Florida)
dmshaver (Missouri)
david581 (Illinois)
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)

He is following feedback pretty well. Hope he will have better polishing option, and different handles.

This is great to hear and can’t wait to get these new plates when available!!

we tested their effectiveness and suitability
1.3 SB - really liked the work. Will be made in the fifth installment of Start. This is January 2020.
1.3 OC - a decision on the need for its production has not yet been made. Will depend on the tests, including on your forum gentlemen)
Thanks to SK89 for agreeing to help us with this.

When it will be available for purchase on the site?

here's the list as I have it..

West:
fmalpartida (California)
CzechCzar (California)
Oasisdave (California)
draebeard (Washington)
gvw755 (Washington)
Captainjonny (Washington)
IanG513 (California) *removed per user's request*
Kehole (California) *removed per user's request*
gwsmallwood (Arizona)
celestino (Western Canada)
kooshman7 (Washington)
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)

Andrew, I wanted to remind you that I had asked to be removed from the list. I still see my name on the West coast one. Thanks. 

This is great to hear and can’t wait to get these new plates when available!!

we tested their effectiveness and suitability
1.3 SB - really liked the work. Will be made in the fifth installment of Start. This is January 2020.
1.3 OC - a decision on the need for its production has not yet been made. Will depend on the tests, including on your forum gentlemen)
Thanks to SK89 for agreeing to help us with this.

When it will be available for purchase on the site?

There is one in the BST with the .69 & .90 plates since yesterday. Not mine, and I don't know the seller, just a friendly heads up ... 

we tested their effectiveness and suitability
1.3 SB - really liked the work. Will be made in the fifth installment of Start. This is January 2020.
1.3 OC - a decision on the need for its production has not yet been made. Will depend on the tests, including on your forum gentlemen)
Thanks to SK89 for agreeing to help us with this.

When it will be available for purchase on the site?

There is one in the BST with the .69 & .90 plates since yesterday. Not mine, and I don't know the seller, just a friendly heads up ... 

Thanks but I will wait for the base plate 1.3 SB 

I got it in the mail yesterday, and shaved with it this morning.  I started with the 1.18 plate, but quickly switched to the 0.90 SB.  I didn't use either of the other two baseplates.  This razor reminds me of a shimmed up Gillette Tech.  There is a point where adding shims stops adding efficiency.  After I did my usual 1 pass shave with a new Feather blade, I went over it again with my Weber, and the Weber picked up a lot of stubble that the Start left behind.  It's a well made razor, and at a good price, but not one I would buy.  I will be sending it on after Christmas.  Thanks for the chance to try it.