HomelikeShaving Taiga Adjustable Razor tester....

Great review, Joe, but I wanna see those blurred brushes!

I realized after posting those were there. A synthetic brush project all with the same handle. Still need to set them. Should’ve probably gotten 26mm handles instead of 30mm as the knots are accurately sized. It’ll have a bit extra wiggle room.  

WOW - those are gorgeous!!

WOW - those are gorgeous!!

WOW - those are gorgeous!!

Agreed. I'm particularly fond of the all black fan. That handle is striking.

Took another go with the Taiga and Mergress today. Everything the same from the last shave, just with a once used blade in both razors. I did it differently and did my first pass at 3 for both razors, and then at 2 for my second pass. I did do a hot towel on the face this time around and believe it helped with a more comfortable shave this time around. Under my chin on the neck line was still stubborn in the fact that I feel some considerable patches that didn't get a close a shave as my last time surprisingly.

The Mergress felt like it had a touch more efficiency in cutting for my first pass for sure, and oh so slightly more on the second pass. It felt smooth going overall, but the Taiga definitely wins out in the realm of smoothness. The cutting angle of the Mergress seems to be more to my liking, but I can't say I really had complaints about the Taiga. Honestly, I'm really surprised with how the Mergress has held up these past few shaves. I haven't used it in some time as I just wasn't finding it enjoyable or giving good shaves seemingly, and now it seems like the Mergress wants to show me it is a good razor now that there's some competition in the den.   One note is I had a bit of irritation at the bottom of the neck that my alum block revealed upon finishing on my left side that I used the Mergress on, but that was only a few seconds and then went away. One thing while using the Taiga is I have no doubts about its product quality. Between the two it is easy to see the Taiga is a higher quality product with better metal. I got that feeling upon first holding the Taiga and I still get that each time I pick it up. I'm just having problems getting over how well the Mergress has held up considering it had issues in many areas that just didn't seem right and weren't working for me. Cutting angle, maneuverability, a slick handle, shave irritation, and probably some other things I'm forgetting.

I want to get one last shave in with this razor tomorrow, and I'll get it disinfected and back on its way come Friday is the plan.

Well things are on hold a bit waiting to see how to send the Taiga back. I did get in my use yesterday. I used the same blade as the last two times for a third shave. Right side devoted to the Taiga and the left side to the Mergress. In terms of the closeness of the shave it is definitely in the Taiga's favor. I used both razors at two notches. Smoothness is another factor that easily goes to the Taiga as well. The Mergress might feel a bit more effective in use, but I think in reality the Taiga is more efficient still even with its great smoothness. I had some noticeable weepers along my jaw line from an overly too close ATG pass. I don't normally do so, but it was brought under quick control with some alum. Despite how well I have liked the Mergress these past few shave, I believe the Taiga to be the winner overall. It is very hard to beat those smooth shaves at the multiple settings I gave them to. Using the adjustable to its strength of using different settings for each pass in one razor is quite nice as well.

While I don't have a great deal of experience with a ton of adjustables, I can state I prefer the Taiga leaps and bounds over any of the Gillette adjustables out there. The Mergress does a better job than the Gillettes, but about 8 hours after using both I can clearly tell going atg I have a better shave from the Taiga. It being so easy to take apart is another great attribute to it and one I appreciate in an adjustable to keep it clean. I love the knurling on the razor as well, and find no balance issues when using the Taiga. While the cost might be more than the Mergress, considering the total package of a straight bar plate and an open comb plate along with better results I think it is an excellent value! It is a razor I can easily recommend!

Almost forgot, the Taiga is back on the way to Gopneg! Again, thank you for the opportunity to use the razor!

Our Taiga pass-around is completed. Thanks for Homelikeshaving and Gopneg to send this prototype to DFS. 
Hope everyone enjoyed. 

Pass-Around List:
1. GlazedBoker
2. Shavemd
3. keto
4. Olegausany
5. george1906 
6. AJSharp
7. Dragonsbeard
8. Dave in KY 
9. fmalpartida
10. Zen Shaver
11. IanG153
12. shaveSymptomatic
13. bobmsp
14. kooshman7
**. Gopneg (Going back to Russia)

CK89 great job on getting this pass around.

CK89 great job on getting this pass around.

I agree, and thanks

Takes a lot of effort to organize this and see it through - Thanks Cem!