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

I don't know how others feel but I just cant get past the looks of
this razor.

The marketing strategy is intriguing. It seems to be suggesting:
remember that vintage Toggle you've always wanted but couldn't bring
yourself to shell out upwards of $400 for. Well, now you can have one
for $600.

I agree with the poster who opined that the target for this can't be
Toggle lovers. They might even see the design as blasphemy.

The marketing needs to address why this thing costs more than a Wolfman
which blows my mind every time I use it.

To each his own on the looks is the way I look at it.. I like it! To me it is a unique take on the original Toggle and a tribute to it and I've always loved the Toggle. I honestly don't get the whole " blasphemy" thing as every modern razor is inspired by another razor from the past and I can only think of two that haven't and that's the Oneblade and the Tradere, It’s also the first modern razor that uses a opening mechanism similar to the old Gillette Adjustable razors which also makes it unique. The production version looks even better with the knurling on the handle. I like different. There are so many 3 piece razors out there right now and with all the great razors I have already have in my den it’s hard for me to get excited about anything that’s come out lately. I thought the Oneblade Genesis was cool looking but really disliked the propriety Feather blades it used and the Shave I got with it so I sold it. So far this Janus has impressed me with not only its originality in its engineering and unique looks but most importantly the way it shaves.

As far as price goes well it certainly won't be for everyone but I'm seeing more and more razors starting to come out costing more than we've ever seen before. Oneblade just released a Copper version at $699. A Titanium Wolfie will take you over $700 US dollars depending on the exchange rate. Mine was $745 when I got mine. So for a razor with this many moving parts which costs a whole lot more to manufacture than any of the other standard 3 piece razors then yeah I can see why it costs this much. As far as Vintage Toggle prices well they are all over the boards with that. A user grade can be bought for the $200 to $300 price yes but in mint or near mint conditon ones can bring more. A cased set just went up for $800 and that one is replated which to me lowers the value some. I have a NOS one in a Shipper and if I were to sell it which I won't ever I'd be looking for more than $650 for it and I'd get it from a serious collector for sure.
I also don't get the marketing strategy you stated from Eric when I've had talks with him. He's just loved the idea of a modern Toggle from a engineers viewpoint. In fact I wish he did have a good marketing program in place to assure that this razor comes to market as I'm a potential buyer for this razor as a few others I know who want one also.
As far as razors blowing my mind yes this one did and I'll find out today if that feeling is confirmed by the Shave Off I'm doing. I've had 6 Wolfman razors in my den and shaved with 8 and honestly from a fit and finish standpoint yes James work blows my mind. From a Shaving standpoint only some of the ones I've shaved with have as you say blown my mind! Same goes for a lot of other razors for example the Tradere blew my mind most recently as it's one of the best shaving razors I"ve ever shaved with and I'll put a big period on that statement. For a razor to quote " Blow my mind " it not only has to give me a great shave it has to give me a complete great shaving experience and of course I have to love the feel and looks of it as well. Oh and why it cost more than a Wolfman ( again that depends on which Wolfman ) is simple it's the number of parts that needs to be machined for a razor like this. Instead of 3 pieces of 316 SS the Janus has 35 components that make it up. That's a lot of machining costs right there and if he had to pay someone for the work he's doing himself like creating all the CAD designs for every part that makes up this razor I'm sure it would be a bit more expensive than it is.

Just my 2 cents on the subject.

They might even see the design as blasphemy.

You said it, not me. But I certainly thought it.

Next to the toggle on the bottom, what is the most iconic feature of a Toggle? I would suggest it's the Red Dot. You see one, you know exactly what you are looking at. And the Janus replaced it with a lube port? A lube port with a setscrew that I'd lose the first time I removed it. I am curious if there is an included allen wrench in the packaging? A razor with it's own tools is certainly a departure from the norm. Either way, included or not, I'd shake my head. The lube port is baffling. I'm trying real hard to get over it...I really want to.

And Tester...the Janus has about 60 more parts than a Wolfman. That may explain the cost difference. Part must be expensive.

Dragonsbeard I gotta know. Which of the Wolfman razors did not "blow your mind" shave wise? That's really not how I recall it. I was there. In fact, of the 8 you shaved with and the ones you owned, I had a hand in putting them in yours I'm sure. You may have gotten some from Mark, but those were my work too. We started with .74 gaps and you got every razor I did from that point on...or close. If I didn't help you order your own, I mailed mine to use. I don't remember any complaints as we ran the WR1 gaps to 94. Same with the WR2. Just curious.

Yes you and Marked helped me get or put in my hand several Wolfman razors and I thank you both for that but I'm not sure what that has to do with my response to Tester28's statement but anyways. I'll explain my statement about every Wolfman razor not blowing my mind and what I meant by that.

Fit and finish oh yeah there is no other razor that to me is in that league so yeah every time I look at mine it blows my mind ( I'm using Tester28's description ) so yes in that sense they all do. From a shaving standpoint some have given me very good shaves and a few have blown my mind like my WR1 .94 DC and for sure the WR2 Dualie 1/25/1.35.. those two wowed me and still do each time I shave with them. Those two are very special razors to me and on another level for me form all the rest of the Wolfman razors I've shaved with so far and a reason I'm down to only 3 now. For example like the WR1 .94 and WR2 Ti Dualie the Tradere also blew my mind ( hate that saying btw ) as it felt like I just shaved with the perfect razor. That's what I call a very special shaving experience and on whole other level from all the rest and that has only happened with a half a dozen razors I've shaved with that I can honestly say have given me what I call a WOW shaving experience and it doesn't always have to be about efficiency or smoothness but it's about the complete package. Balance, Feel in hand, do I like the looks of the razor, efficiency , smoothness, maneuverability and of course how it shaves. So when I said not all Wolfman razors didn't blow my mind it's because not all of them gave me all that in one shave. I will say I never disliked a Wolfman razor shave wise except maybe the OC side of the WR2 SS 1.25 which I found to not have the greatest face feel. Especially when compared to my Titanium 1.25 OC..it's like its a completely different razor. Hey it may be just me but I call it like I see it or should I say feel it in this case.

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints. That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them. Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere. I suppose I'll have to try one at some point. I'm skeptical though. You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions. Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction. Get on with the Janus report.

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints.  That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them.  Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere.  I suppose I'll have to try one at some point.  I'm skeptical though.  You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions.  Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction.  Get on with the Janus report.

Not sometimes.......

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints. That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them. Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere. I suppose I'll have to try one at some point. I'm skeptical though. You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions. Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction. Get on with the Janus report.

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints.  That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them.  Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere.  I suppose I'll have to try one at some point.  I'm skeptical though.  You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions.  Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction.  Get on with the Janus report.

Not sometimes.......

Ok lets get something cleared up right now before this thread goes down the wrong path and before I post up the Shave Off report which I'm about to do! First of all I'm a little taken back by the comment about me saying that I have a " I have one and you don't " factor/influence or whatever you call it when I do Shave Offs. Really! I've never even given that a freaking thought when doing a Shave Off! I've done Shave Offs with $15 razors as well all the high end razors and some rare vintage razors as well including a Red Dot and Chrome Toggle and I gave them and every other razor I've shaved with my true and honest opinion on how they shaved that day on my face compared to the other razor it's being compared to. Maybe some of you may not agree with my findings but I can only post one man's opinion! How you anyone else views a razor and how it shaves is their own opinion and I do respect it although I may not agree with their findings. I really enjoyed the Paradigm Ti 1 a lot and yes to me it deserved a bit of drooling in my opinion. You use the word Skeptical when referring to my opinion on the Tradere in relation to what I said about the Paradigm. Oh and I've not done a side by side with the Traderee yet with some of my top tier razors but I can tell from shaving with it there are not many razors that could stay with it but I'll hold final judgment until I can do those Shave Offs. Well honestly I'd be Skeptical of anyone's technique who shaves with very efficient razors on a regular basis like high gap WR1 and WR2"s , Charcoal Level 3's, Blackbirds and .95 Timeless that can't get a great shave out of that Paradigm Ti 1. .It's a slight touch less efficient than the .94 WR1, more manuverable and just as smooth so I'm not sure why someone would not get an absolutely great shave out of it. Again I'd question their technique or maybe they just have a skewed opinion of it and only like certain brands like Wolfman razors for example. I like diversity in my den and like I stated twice already I've gotten great shaves out of a lot of razors! For example I shaved with a Le Coq that a member sent me. I didn't think at the time that some old French razor would be blow me away in Tester28's words but that little razor was very efficient and almost equal to the top of the heap ones but it's an extremely smooth razor and also maybe the most manuverable DE razor I've ever shaved with and I'm still trying to find one and yes they are hard to find but not expensive. I do not judge a razor by Brand, Cost high or low, where it's made or if it looks similar to some other razor. I judge them all based on their performance on my face!

So I thought I'd address this before posting up the Shave Off which I'm going to write up now.

Good day gentlemen!

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints. That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them. Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere. I suppose I'll have to try one at some point. I'm skeptical though. You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions. Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction. Get on with the Janus report.

The point is...I was there and heard no complaints.  That's why it has everything to do with how and when you got them.  Edit* As I recall, every single one blew your mind...until the next one showed up.

You keep bringing up this Tradere.  I suppose I'll have to try one at some point.  I'm skeptical though.  You guys drool all over a Paradigm Ti1 and it's nothing special. It's good, not great. Sometimes I think the "I have one and you don't" factor influences opinions.  Only one way to find out though.

Anyway...enough distraction.  Get on with the Janus report.

Not sometimes.......

Ok lets get something cleared up right now before this thread goes down the wrong path and before I post up the Shave Off report which I'm about to do! First of all I'm a little taken back by the comment about me saying that I have a " I have one and you don't " factor/influence or whatever you call it when I do Shave Offs. Really! I've never even given that a freaking thought when doing a Shave Off! I've done Shave Offs with $15 razors as well all the high end razors and some rare vintage razors as well including a Red Dot and Chrome Toggle and I gave them and every other razor I've shaved with my true and honest opinion on how they shaved that day on my face compared to the other razor it's being compared to. Maybe some of you may not agree with my findings but I can only post one man's opinion! How you anyone else views a razor and how it shaves is their own opinion and I do respect it although I may not agree with their findings. I really enjoyed the Paradigm Ti 1 a lot and yes to me it deserved a bit of drooling in my opinion. You use the word Skeptical when referring to my opinion on the Tradere in relation to what I said about the Paradigm. Oh and I've not done a side by side with the Traderee yet with some of my top tier razors but I can tell from shaving with it there are not many razors that could stay with it but I'll hold final judgment until I can do those Shave Offs. Well honestly I'd be Skeptical of anyone's technique who shaves with very efficient razors on a regular basis like high gap WR1 and WR2"s , Charcoal Level 3's, Blackbirds and .95 Timeless that can't get a great shave out of that Paradigm Ti 1. .It's a slight touch less efficient than the .94 WR1, more manuverable and just as smooth so I'm not sure why someone would not get an absolutely great shave out of it. Again I'd question their technique or maybe they just have a skewed opinion of it and only like certain brands like Wolfman razors for example. I like diversity in my den and like I stated twice already I've gotten great shaves out of a lot of razors! For example I shaved with a Le Coq that a member sent me. I didn't think at the time that some old French razor would be blow me away in Tester28's words but that little razor was very efficient and almost equal to the top of the heap ones but it's an extremely smooth razor and also maybe the most manuverable DE razor I've ever shaved with and I'm still trying to find one and yes they are hard to find but not expensive. I do not judge a razor by Brand, Cost high or low, where it's made or if it looks similar to some other razor. I judge them all based on their performance on my face!

So I thought I'd address this before posting up the Shave Off which I'm going to write up now.

Good day gentlemen!

Frank, you take yourself far too seriously. Lighten up. Not everything is a personal attack on you. I can be short and come off as terse. I'm simply limiting keystrokes.

I like "I have one and you don't". My den is full of them and if the Janus finds it's way to my den, for $625... or the low, low, introductory price of $500...the Janus needs to bring a bucket full of exclusivity along with a great shave. Serial numbers helps. That was a smart move. But they will mean nothing if 5000 are produced. Maybe he should have limited production of Gen 1 at 15 pieces per color. That would have gotten him to 90 units. May have had an easier time...especially with collectors. Had he limited the first run...how it shaved may not necessarily be deal breaker.

On to the report...

Hehehe.... Entertaining. I like a good chuckle every once and awhile.

Following......

So ... this has gotten interesting

IMHO serial numbers, multiple colors, fancy boxes, lifetime blade subscriptions, collectors edition metals and limited release amounts are all gimmicks if the razor fails to deliver or is not produced. You may also want to refer to basic economics and refresh yourselves on the Laws of Supply and Demand regarding the purchasing or collecting of whatever stuff you feel are important to you.

Ok "Fanboys" lets get on with these shave comparisons already