Is the iKon Tech a clone of some other razor?

The Ikon Tech is aluminum composite not stainless steel.

It was a joke. Do you really think Greg was hoping to get a bunch of returns or angry calls from mild razor fans? No , he is a niche manufacturer selling to forum readers who would have known pretty well what they were getting. The description "aggressive masterpiece" on their website would have been a further clue were one necessary.

I'm not sure anyone answered the initial question - isn't it self-evident?  The ikon Tech is ikon's interpretation of the Gillette Tech.  Significantly more aggressive than the Gillette Tech which is a bit of a cream puff but still a nice razor.

No.  I couldn't disagree more.  It has nothing in common with the Gillette Tech, but the name.  
The Gillette Tech is a stamped brass, nickel or gold plated razor; the iKon Tech is made of sintered aluminum.  
The Gillette has significant safety bar overhang, while the iKon has none at all.  For all practical purposes, it's a DE shavette.
The Gillette is gentle and forgiving; the iKon is rough and unforgiving.  
The Gillette shaves best at a steep angle, whereas the iKon requires that you ride the topcap (lest you draw blood).  
In my opinion, those two razors have nothing in common, but the name; a name that Greg Kahn appropriated.

I know, that's why I said "interpretation". I agree with all of your points 100%. I have no idea what Greg at ikon was thinking when he named that razor Tech. Maybe he thought he'd get some sales from people who thought they'd love to have a modern stainless steel razor like their old Tech. Big surprise. Eventually the word got out and it was buyer beware ever since - I bought one after thinking that I'd evolved my technique sufficiently after 5 years or so of wet shaving. Well, no amount of evolution could prepare me for that razor. Its the nastiest razor in my possession. It should have a warning etched on the topcap.

The question begs to be asked. What did Gillette have in mind naming the razor a "Tech" ?

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I'm guessing it simply had a modern ring to it and the variations on "new" were pretty much exhausted :-) . Gillette stressed four improvements at introduction:

"Solid bar guard for comfort, non-skid tread to prevent nicks, rigid blade support--edges can't vibrate, and non-clogging construction-cleans instantly."

That which was actually new and central to the patent, that it could be more cheaply made from thin stamped sheet metal, didn't get mentioned but was its most salient feature.

The question begs to be asked. What did Gillette have in mind naming the razor a "Tech" ?

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Using the IKoN Tech and after a couple of weepers and alum block I have always wondered - Greg has mostly copied vintage designs and not invented anything new. Is it possible he intended to make a Tech clone and some design geometry went wrong and deliver us this aggressive beast of a razor. How to deal with it ? Label it as a razor for advanced users and tough beards - make it a marketing success !!


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Come on...Greg was not new to this...the 104 was the razor he wanted to make. Why on earth would one go to the trouble of cloning in aluminum the most common razor on earth and then market it through forums of razor collectors??. They wouldn't. That's not what he set out to do.

Using the IKoN Tech and after a couple of weepers and alum block I have always wondered - Greg has mostly copied vintage designs and not invented anything new. Is it possible he intended to make a Tech clone and some design geometry went wrong and deliver us this aggressive beast of a razor. How to deal with it ? Label it as a razor for advanced users and tough beards - make it a marketing success !!


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As far as I can tell, the only thing Greg Kahn ever wanted to make was money; however and wherever he can.
He has his razors made in Thailand (not the USA), to lower his production costs, and he no longer makes stainless steel razor heads.
As a customer, he treated me like shit.  From what I've seen, he's a rude self-important man, who copies other people's work and doesn't credit them.  
As you perhaps can tell, I am not a Greg Kahn fanboy.  I bought my last iKon razor some years ago.  I don't plan to buy another.  
In my opinion, they haven't gotten better with the years.

He has his razors made in Thailand (not the USA), to lower his production costs, and he no longer makes stainless steel razor heads.

They know their stainless steel in Thailand. For years, my wife and I have had a stainless cookware set that was made in Thailand, and its quality is superb.

Also, if I compare the stainless steel handle iKon has made in Thailand with a Weber, which is made in the U.S., the finish on the iKon is much better.

I’m sure production costs are a major factor for iKon, but it helps when you also have a place that knows what they’re doing with a given material.

and he no longer makes stainless steel razor heads.

I'd sugest taking the negative comments with a large grain of salt.

Greg was having them made in Thailand because he was living in Thailand and knew who could do the work

I have a bunch of Ikon razors and enjoy them all without issues. Other than of my own making when I tried polishing my 104 cap.

As far as I can tell, the only thing Greg Kahn ever wanted to make was money; however and wherever he can.
He has his razors made in Thailand (not the USA), to lower his production costs, and he no longer makes stainless steel razor heads.
As a customer, he treated me like shit.  From what I've seen, he's a rude self-important man, who copies other people's work and doesn't credit them.  
As you perhaps can tell, I am not a Greg Kahn fanboy.  I bought my last iKon razor some years ago.  I don't plan to buy another.  
In my opinion, they haven't gotten better with the years.

I have used the Ikon Tech and found it to be very efficient. I had no problem using it and it gave me a long lasting BBS shave and that was my problem. I shave every evening for work and the Tech lasted about 30 hrs before I needed a shave again which messed up my shave pattern. I think it is a very unique razor but the stories of its face shredding are highly exaggerated IMHO. If you like efficient razors you owe it to yourself to try one.