RazoRock Game Changer Head Passaround idea

You know, I was going to let this one pass, however, after reading through this thread I have signed up for the email notification on Italian Barber.  I mean its just one more tiny little razor right?  That blade exposure in those pictures from GlazedBoker  are insane!  And I completely agree with you regarding the Kai blade - it shines in aggressive razors just like the Feather does.  When I was starting out a few years back and keeping notes on different blades in the EJ DE89, my notes on the Feather were "ouch" and I also found the Kai a little scary in that razor.  Now with more experience, improved technique and slightly more aggressive razors, I find the Feather and the Kai to be among my top blade choices.  An additional bonus is that with a really sharp blade you don't feel the need to do additional touchups which invariably lead to weepers, nicks or irritation.  This Game Changer looks like the real deal.

This is actually a great point that I don't stress enough.

The one issue with designing these razors is variation in blade. This is why blade exploration when evaluating a razor is so important. Blade widths vary, and believe it or not, a few thousandths of an inch can make a big difference. Try a Derby, a Feather, a Timor and a Kai in the RazoRock Mamba, all very different. The difference between the Derby and the Kai are really noticeable.

I don't mean to come across as some sort of DE razor guru/expert but I have probably used more razors than anyone else I know. My eyes look at thousands of razors a year and I shave with almost everything. Two rules I'm loyal too:

1) Before judging a razor, shave with it for at least 10-15 shave in a row.
2) Try at least 5-6 different blades in a razor before determining whether you like it or not.

The only razor I can honestly say which is less blade dependent is the Wunderbar, why, I don't really know but it makes even crappy blades shine. It could be the blade rigidity caused the lat and horizontal blending.

I second those thoughts from the both of you. Blades do provide a significant value and say in razor comfort, mildness, aggressiveness, efficiency and feel. I have probably gone through at least 25-30 different blades in various razors in trying to reach a happy medium in all the specs I mentioned earlier. And I echo the thoughts on really giving a razor a go for at least 10 shaves without switching up razors. That's probably one of the factors in shavers quitting on a razor to quickly.
Me personally, Ive never met an aggressive razor that I've said no too. I prefer them to be quite honest. But blades can contribute in turning a mild feeling razor into an efficient cutting samurai and vice versa turning a beastly Mr Hyde into mild mannered Dr Jekyll.

I'm not interested in hoarding different blades so that I can find the perfect match for each razor. If a razor does not work with my favorite blade (Personna), I just move on.

I'm not interested in hoarding different blades so that I can find the perfect match for each razor. If a razor does not work with my favorite blade (Personna), I just move on.

I’m kind of on that same wave. I use 3 blades, Voskhod, PolSilver and Feather for DE razors and if one or all of those don’t work, I let the razor go. The Mamba was way too mild for me with all of those blades and I have an original Black Mamba so I sold the Mamba. I’m thinking the GC will be a keeper though from everything I read. I prefer a bit more aggression and currently my go to DE is a Level 3 Charcoal Goods DC with a Voskhod or PolSilver blade. It also helps when using an aggressive razor to use a very good cushioning soap like Grooming Dept., CRSW Glide or Wholly Kaw. I never get nicks or any irritation with these combinations.


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You know, I was going to let this one pass, however, after reading through this thread I have signed up for the email notification on Italian Barber.  I mean its just one more tiny little razor right?  That blade exposure in those pictures from GlazedBoker  are insane!  And I completely agree with you regarding the Kai blade - it shines in aggressive razors just like the Feather does.  When I was starting out a few years back and keeping notes on different blades in the EJ DE89, my notes on the Feather were "ouch" and I also found the Kai a little scary in that razor.  Now with more experience, improved technique and slightly more aggressive razors, I find the Feather and the Kai to be among my top blade choices.  An additional bonus is that with a really sharp blade you don't feel the need to do additional touchups which invariably lead to weepers, nicks or irritation.  This Game Changer looks like the real deal.

This is actually a great point that I don't stress enough.

The one issue with designing these razors is variation in blade. This is why blade exploration when evaluating a razor is so important. Blade widths vary, and believe it or not, a few thousandths of an inch can make a big difference. Try a Derby, a Feather, a Timor and a Kai in the RazoRock Mamba, all very different. The difference between the Derby and the Kai are really noticeable.

I don't mean to come across as some sort of DE razor guru/expert but I have probably used more razors than anyone else I know. My eyes look at thousands of razors a year and I shave with almost everything. Two rules I believe in:

1) Before judging a razor, shave with it for at least 10-15 shave in a row.
2) Try at least 5-6 different blades in a razor before determining whether you like it or not.

The only razor I can honestly say which is less blade dependent is the Wunderbar, why, I don't really know but it makes even crappy blades shine. It could be the blade rigidity caused the lat and horizontal blending.

Amen. If there's one thing I've learned in life its that its always worthwhile to pay attention to those more experienced than I am. They've usually got something to say and there's always a thing or two I can learn. Thanks Joe.

I'm prepared to audition blades to find the right combinations for the razors I have and there are very few razors that seem to have identical affinities for blades. As I mentioned, I have noticed that some of the more aggressive razors tend to work well with the very sharp blades like Kai or Feather. I've also learned that blade exposure doesn't always translate into an aggressive shave. The Black Mamba for instance, shows a lot of blade but shaves very smoothly. Just don't look down. And one other thing, its always a delight when you find a combination that works

4th and final shave.

Not going to say anything different so far. Got my shave on with a Feather blade, and got an awesome 2.5 pass shave. The Feather and Gamechanger worked just as good as the KAI did. Just got a tiny bit more blade feel with the KAI over the Feather. But just as efficient, smooth and sharp and a great match.

What do I think of the GC prototype? For the projected cost of $49.99 this razor is going to be a steal. Not overly aggressive, not to mild but it strikes a very good balance between the 2 sides. The blades fit within the head without any issues and was held firmly and I never felt that I was getting a cheap feeling shave with a cheap feeling razor. The finish looks pretty damn good for a prototype and I’d assume that the production version is going to look killer. I did enjoy the quality of shave it gave me as initially I thought it would not perform or shall I say, earn a position in the razor rotation. Dead wrong. There, I admit it. Is everything perfect? Yes and no. If I can say what I would prefer from this razor would be just one thing. The safety bar in relation to the blade and shave plane. If the safety bar were just a tinge shorter, just a couple thousandths of an inch for more blade feel, we’d be talking legendary status in a few months. But I think for the vast majority of shavers it will do very, very well and be satisfied, myself included. Plus, rumor is that more base plates could be made available for a more aggressive shave.(Please, please, please Joe make it happen)

I would like to thank Joe razorock for starting this pass-around and making it possible for blokes like myself to be proven wrong. The head has been cleaned and sterilized for the next participant. Will be dropped off at the post office tomorrow.

I'm not interested in hoarding different blades so that I can find the perfect match for each razor.  If a razor does not work with my favorite blade (Personna), I just move on.

+1

I have been using the Wizamet Iridium Super blades in the blue packaging, for the past seven years and they work very well with every razor I have used; they will always help me to determine if the razor is too mild or aggressive, then I can decide if I will keep it or not.

latest list here I believe:

1. Bobusa
2. Sleeper (Seattle, WA)
3. GlazedBoker (New England)
4. Linuxguile
5. Flyingbald
6. EFDan (Vancouver, WA)
7. Markhoutx
8. John3246 (removed at his request)
9. Jiaconianni (Chicago, IL)
10. Bandt929 (Ohio)
11. Knothead84 (Michigan)
12. Johhhhnnn
13. Blade4vor (Greenhurst, NY)
14. 773badger (nw Chicago IL burbs)
15. Oasisdave (Hemet, CA)
16. ANG69 (Boston, MA)
17. nhwetshaver ( Londonderry, NH)
18. drdeemanda (Redwood City, CA)
19. Drewmarasco (Spring Hill, TN)
20. Dayman (Georgia)
21. herbert7890 (Puerto Rico)
22. Captainjonny (Seattle, WA)

Last: Andrewjs18 (Philadelphia, PA)

Canada:

1. Senate515
2. Monchoon
3. Cliveson (Kingston)
4. NukiMan (Calgary)
5. walking_line (Calgary

latest list here I believe:

1. Bobusa
2. Sleeper (Seattle, WA)
3. GlazedBoker (New England)
4. Linuxguile
5. Flyingbald
6. EFDan (Vancouver, WA)
7. Markhoutx
8. John3246 (removed at his request)
9. Jiaconianni (Chicago, IL)
10. Bandt929 (Ohio)
11. Knothead84 (Michigan)
12. Johhhhnnn
13. Blade4vor (Greenhurst, NY)
14. 773badger (nw Chicago IL burbs)
15. Oasisdave (Hemet, CA)
16. ANG69 (Boston, MA)
17. nhwetshaver ( Londonderry, NH)
18. drdeemanda (Redwood City, CA)
19. Drewmarasco (Spring Hill, TN)
20. Dayman (Georgia)
21. herbert7890 (Puerto Rico)
22. Captainjonny (Seattle, WA)

Last: Andrewjs18 (Philadelphia, PA)

Canada:

1. Senate515
2. Monchoon
3. Cliveson (Kingston)
4. NukiMan (Calgary)
5. walking_line (Calgary

I would like to join this passaround if it is still open. Thanks. I live in St. Paul, MN.


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Definitely going to pick up GC. Only hope is to can checkout before they sell out! Joe what about an advanced warning for those on this thread!?

It would be a great if Joe offered a pre-order pay ahead of time I would jump all over that one.