Shave review of Janus Adjustable razor and Shave Off vs Gillette F4 Toggle

As a recent fan of adjustables this is a NO-BRAINER release for a V2. Just make the Prototype and everyone will be happy. Adjustables has a very good market at the moment and this will be a good time to release.  Maker shouldn’t start from the ground up and make a V2 different than prototype or V1 as Prototype was successful on pass-around. I’ll be honest, I was not part of pass-around.

Even better, re-do the pass-around so new shavers have experienced his adjustable razor, the prototype and V1 for comparison. Feedback is valuable. Toggle is a Gillette marvel as it has so many parts. 

Just my .02cents. Happy Friday Gents

I agree.  "If it ain't broke don't fix it." applies here in spades.  I tried both and it's no contest.

Btw does anyone know how many parts the original Gillette Toggle had?

I would really like to try the prototype I missed out.
   A good shaving buddy loaned me his production model and I've got to say it would be hard to beat for a one-pass shave, was my thought.

Ditto here, never tried any of them.....

As a recent fan of adjustables this is a NO-BRAINER release for a V2. Just make the Prototype and everyone will be happy. Adjustables has a very good market at the moment and this will be a good time to release.  Maker shouldn’t start from the ground up and make a V2 different than prototype or V1 as Prototype was successful on pass-around. I’ll be honest, I was not part of pass-around.

Even better, re-do the pass-around so new shavers have experienced his adjustable razor, the prototype and V1 for comparison. Feedback is valuable. Toggle is a Gillette marvel as it has so many parts. 

Just my .02cents. Happy Friday Gents

I agree.  "If it ain't broke don't fix it." applies here in spades.  I tried both and it's no contest.

Btw does anyone know how many parts the original Gillette Toggle had?

I watched a disassembly, and it looked like - about - 20 parts, counting springs and retaining clips, some very tiny.  Could be plus or minus one, and the different versions looked like they were assembled differently.  Definitely not an easy user chore, and one piece was a pressed fitting.  I'd say expert level for a complete takedown.  Or maybe a better description :

I wanted to bring back this thread as I do believe it deserves to be continued.

All I’ll say is I had a lot of shave time with the Prototype and it was one of the best shaving adjustable’s I’ve ever used. In efficiency/effectiveness and especially smoothness. Its definitely been surpassed by the Rocnel Sailor for sure as far as efficiency/effectiveness. No contest there. At the time i compared it side by side with my Wolfman Ti 1.35 SB and it was pretty much a dead even match up in that area but the Janus PT was noticeably smoother. What it wasn’t was as maneuverable because of its dimensions and weight. With that said the LE came out and I thought he did exactly what he said he was going to do on the dimensions by sliming down the handle and the length so for me that was a good improvement. What wasn’t was the shave quality as I stated at the time I received mine. Using the word harsh seemed so strange to me in reference to the Janus so yes I was disappointed and I let Eric know right away because I was never told at the time that he had decided to listen to another individual or more than one.
( not sure I’ve heard rumors ) but I don’t go by rumors so I have no comment on that subject but the point is that shaving with the LE was pretty much like shaving with a completely different razor than the Prototype which I spent a lot of time with.

Moving forward if Eric decides to come out with a V2 my personal advice is keep the dimensions of the new model but it should shave like the prototype. After all how many people need a more efficient/effective razor than a WR2 1.35. I know I don’t. Oh and the plan was back then and some may remember that the highest setting 9 efficiency wise on the prototype was going to setting 8 on the LE so a tad bit more effectiveness but still maintaining the smoothness was the goal.

So if Eric decides to come out with a V2 and it shaves like the Prototype I’d be all in again. Oh and I’d like to see a little better QC and a better finish than the LE had as some had doors that did not close evenly and there were some machine marks and fine line scratches on them.

Just my two cents on the subject and now I’ll just sit back and watch where the Janus goes from here.
An if he does decide to go forward I wish him the best!

As a recent fan of adjustables this is a NO-BRAINER release for a V2. Just make the Prototype and everyone will be happy. Adjustables has a very good market at the moment and this will be a good time to release.  Maker shouldn’t start from the ground up and make a V2 different than prototype or V1 as Prototype was successful on pass-around. I’ll be honest, I was not part of pass-around.

Even better, re-do the pass-around so new shavers have experienced his adjustable razor, the prototype and V1 for comparison. Feedback is valuable. Toggle is a Gillette marvel as it has so many parts. 

Just my .02cents. Happy Friday Gents

I agree.  "If it ain't broke don't fix it." applies here in spades.  I tried both and it's no contest.

Btw does anyone know how many parts the original Gillette Toggle had?

I'm not sure the specific number of parts but I do have some pictures.  CAP is the best adjustable technician I could find.  The two photos are of my D1 24kt Toggle and my F4 Chrome Toggle taken down.  There is a cup of small parts somewhere.  I am fortunate to own the only Chrome Toggle that CAP took apart.  He did a dis-assembly video. The Chrome is also the only one Chris Evatt ever plated.  Pretty special razor, that one. 







https://youtu.be/wzbz49U7GfA

All I’ll say is I had a lot of shave time with the Prototype and it was one of the best shaving adjustable’s I’ve ever used. In efficiency/effectiveness and especially smoothness.  Its definitely been surpassed by the Rocnel Sailor for sure as far as efficiency/effectiveness. No contest there. At the time  i compared it side by side with my Wolfman Ti 1.35 SB and it was pretty much a dead even match up in that area but the Janus PT was noticeably smoother. What it wasn’t was as maneuverable  because of its dimensions and weight.  With that said the LE came out and I thought he did exactly what he said he was going to do on the dimensions by sliming down the handle and the length so for me that was a good improvement. What wasn’t was the shave quality as I stated at the time I received mine. Using the word harsh seemed so strange to me in reference to the Janus so yes I was disappointed and I let Eric know right away because I was never told at the time that he had decided to listen to another individual or more than one.  ( not sure I’ve heard rumors ) but I don’t go by rumors so I have no comment on that but the point is that shaving with the LE was pretty much like shaving with a completely different razor than the Prototype  which I spent a lot of time with.
marks and fine line scratches on them.

Just my two cents on the subject and now I’ll just sit back and watch where the Janus goes from here.
An if he does decide to go forward I wish him the best!

Frank you mentioned the Janus having some maneuverability issues because of dimensions/weight; the Sailor looks to be a pretty girthy head as well, do you consider it more nimble than the Janus?

Dragonsbeard has summarized the Janus end result very well but as I recall Eric initiated this project as a labor of love not as a full time business venture. He has a full time engineering job and used his skills to design and manufacture the Janus as a “side project”. He was entirely transparent in his journey to update the iconic Gillette Toggle. His regular monthly updates included his difficulties with all those tiny parts (a reason Gillette ceased producing the original Toggle) and issues finding suitable machine shop/production facilities. He even was involved himself assembling the 51 razors and still had QC issues. Anyone who thinks making a razor is simple should read his updates to get a feel for the effort he put in to this hobby. So if anyone wants to speculate on Eric or the Janus I can only express wonderment and provide accolades towards his efforts.

It seems we’ve exhausted the conversation around this razor, and find ourselves circling back to similar points again and again and again and again.

Perhaps one of those still in touch with Eric could ask him for 15min of his time to hop on here and clarify if he’s considering future projects or not. He’d certainly indulge those over the phone as I contacted him after receiving my Janus and was wonderful to chat with, but I have not been in touch since.

It seems we’ve exhausted the conversation around this razor, and find ourselves circling back to similar points again and again and again and again.

Perhaps one of those still in touch with Eric could ask him for 15min of his time to hop on here and clarify if he’s considering future projects or not. He’d certainly indulge those over the phone as I contacted him after receiving my Janus and was wonderful to chat with, but I have not been in touch since.

Eric may rue the day he sold me one.  I haven't stopped pestering him since I discovered he was making a new Toggle. I would also like to know if Eric is planning to move ahead or just move on.  I have asked him for an update on his plans or to log on and share them here.  Even if he gives up on his project the design work he accomplished could be available for someone else to continue making the razor.  I think there is still much meat on the bones of the subject although the testing/comparison debate of the LE vs. ? is mostly settled.

The one I listed at auction for Eric went to Panama.  The new owner sent a pic next to his Gillette Toggle and commented on the finish.  I have asked him to review it and send me the details to share.  

"Good night the package has arrived. Here is a photo with my Gold Toggle, the finish is incredible."

All I’ll say is I had a lot of shave time with the Prototype and it was one of the best shaving adjustable’s I’ve ever used. In efficiency/effectiveness and especially smoothness.  Its definitely been surpassed by the Rocnel Sailor for sure as far as efficiency/effectiveness. No contest there. At the time  i compared it side by side with my Wolfman Ti 1.35 SB and it was pretty much a dead even match up in that area but the Janus PT was noticeably smoother. What it wasn’t was as maneuverable  because of its dimensions and weight.  With that said the LE came out and I thought he did exactly what he said he was going to do on the dimensions by sliming down the handle and the length so for me that was a good improvement. What wasn’t was the shave quality as I stated at the time I received mine. Using the word harsh seemed so strange to me in reference to the Janus so yes I was disappointed and I let Eric know right away because I was never told at the time that he had decided to listen to another individual or more than one.  ( not sure I’ve heard rumors ) but I don’t go by rumors so I have no comment on that but the point is that shaving with the LE was pretty much like shaving with a completely different razor than the Prototype  which I spent a lot of time with.
marks and fine line scratches on them.

Just my two cents on the subject and now I’ll just sit back and watch where the Janus goes from here.
An if he does decide to go forward I wish him the best!

Frank you mentioned the Janus having some maneuverability issues because of dimensions/weight; the Sailor looks to be a pretty girthy head as well, do you consider it more nimble than the Janus?

Well for me even though the Rocnel Sailor is one hefty razor and I’m speaking of the 2021 the overall size of it enables. it to be more maneuverable than the longer Janus Prototype which was longer and I find for me at least, razors with really long handles I find less maneuverable than those with 85 and 90 mm handles. Give me the Rocnel Sailor MC in Titanium and it would probably be for me “ The Perfect Razor “ and like having my full den collection in one razor. I think if the V2 of the Janus with the current dimensions but with the shaving characteristics of the prototype would be another awesome adjustable in my books. An looks wise I’m absolutely a sucker for a Toggle! At one time I had 5 including a NIB but I’m down to only one and that’s my Chris & Cap F4 Rhodium plated one and it’s never leaving my den.