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

UPDATE:


If anyone was wondering about the gap on the Janus I asked Eric if he could send me the gaps that I've shaved with which was setting # 5 on the first shave and the max setting of #9 in this latest Shave Off and I just got the info in an email this morning. So you can see by the photos that the gap on the prototype I used is .93 on Setting # 5 and the production version will be .94 and when maxed out on setting #9 the prototype I used has a blade gap of 1.23 and that will be bumped up to 1.25 in the production version. So it's no wonder that I got such a close shave. What is special is that a razor with as much efficiency can be this smooth is what has me wanting one and I can't wait to do another Shave Off with it. Just trying to figure out which razor to compare it to. We already know it's very efficient so how smooth is it when compared to the 2 smoothest modern day razors I know of that also have a good dose of efficiency to them and those 2 are the Paradigm 17 4 and the Raw Shaving RS 10. I know both of those razors are difficult to get your hands on so if anyone as any other suggestions for a razor I welcome suggestions and if I have it in my den then I can give it a go.  

That's really good info on the razor heads specs and gap settings. And if you received any of the updates in the last 2 years there's a couple of schematics and drawings that give approximate dimensions on blade tray movement and clearances. From what I can read and decipher he still has a bit of wiggle room for increasing gap spacing and still maintaining proper blade exposure throughout the adjustment range. Is it really necessary to even consider it? No, not really because if one goes by what you described Frank, those gaps sizes will actually cover the spectrum for almost all shavers with varying skin and facial hair types. I believe that most would trade away blade feel for a smooth feeling yet efficient shave experience.

But, it's good to know that if he wanted to increase gap and efficiency he has some room to work with. And that's always a positive.....

Frankie...please take a photo of the two toggles looking at the end caps. I'd like to see if the heads are the same height, base to dome.

Frankie...please take a photo of the two toggles looking at the end caps. I'd like to see if the heads are the same height, base to dome.


I can do that’s as soon as I get home from work. I’m pretty sure the Janus is bigger but I’m not 100% sure until I take a look at them in person.

Just my 2 cents on this topic, but how many people buy a WR2 1.35? It's a custom order. And my understanding is James won't even do a gap size larger on the razor. I personally own a 1.15 SS SB which I absolutely love and a 1.25 SS SB which is great for 4 or so days growth, but is about the maximum aggressiveness I would want. I'm not even interested in a 1.35. I feel the 0.86 WR1 was the maximum I would ever want. It was a nice razor and gave me a similar aggressive feel as the 1.25. I never shaved them head to head as my fondness for the feel of the WR2 with the 1.15 had me move my 2 WR1. I have never tried a CG Lvl3, but I have been curious. I love the Lvl2. I have followed most of all of your discussions across multiple threads and multiple forums about the maximum aggressiveness razors with extreme efficiency and considerable smoothness. But if I was creating a new product, I would venture to say that those people out there chasing this is a very small percentage of consumers.

In full disclosure, I have always been found to have sensitive skin. Nothing extreme, but I easily get irritation, rashes, and infections. That may very well eliminate the most aggressive razors from my liking.

That may very well eliminate the most aggressive razors from my liking.

Jared that’s the beauty of this razor. If you go from setting 1 to 9 you can find the level of efficiency that works for you. Also because of it’s smoothness even at the higher setting as I experienced in this last Shave wise you may even be able to go up in efficiency and therefore cut down on the number of passes which can also help with irritation on sensitive skin and the razor will still be butter smooth. Like I said if some sort of a pass around is possible I think that would be a good idea I’m just not sure how you’d be able to do that with a $650 razor an keep it secure. Insurance would not be cheap on a razor and because it’s a prototype I’m sure that might not be enough as it’s not like it can be easily replaced.

Not sure how to set that up so it would work for both parties.


Thanks for your input my friend!

Just my 2 cents on this topic, but how many people buy a WR2 1.35? It's a custom order. And my understanding is James won't even do a gap size larger on the razor. I personally own a 1.15 SS SB which I absolutely love and a 1.25 SS SB which is great for 4 or so days growth, but is about the maximum aggressiveness I would want. I'm not even interested in a 1.35. I feel the 0.86 WR1 was the maximum I would ever want. It was a nice razor and gave me a similar aggressive feel as the 1.25. I never shaved them head to head as my fondness for the feel of the WR2 with the 1.15 had me move my 2 WR1. I have never tried a CG Lvl3, but I have been curious. I love the Lvl2. I have followed most of all of your discussions across multiple threads and multiple forums about the maximum aggressiveness razors with extreme efficiency and considerable smoothness. But if I was creating a new product, I would venture to say that those people out there chasing this is a very small percentage of consumers.

In full disclosure, I have always been found to have sensitive skin. Nothing extreme, but I easily get irritation, rashes, and infections. That may very well eliminate the most aggressive razors from my liking.

I'm curious where you got 1.35 is the max WR2 James will make? News to me, I've not heard of anyone even asking for a 1.45 tho. I intend to ask at some point myself...but you could save DuFour some time in the future if it's certainly been settled.

To your point, not many guys want a 1.35 but they are out there. My only point was, why not? If Eric was made a little more aware of the potential of his creation, surely he would consider it a challenge if for no other reason than...he can

If that razor is as good as Frank says it is, and I don't doubt him at all, I'd just hate to see Eric's creation stop just short of exceeding anything on the market. We are talking about the upper end of the turret that 99% of shavers won't tread. Let's not leave that 1% out. We know those guys are a little off to begin with, why anger them? Take their training wheels off. At some point Darwin kicks in. Thin the herd. It's good for the health of the community.

James one of the members you know asked James Dufour and his response was there was not enough metal to go any higher than a 1.35 on the WR2 head and not higher than .94 on the WR1 nor would he do it was what the member was told.
So unless he’s changed his mind I’m just quoting a good source that’s passed that info on to me as you know I’d ask for more if given the chance. Especially if it were a TI

I see. I'll waste his time, thanks.

New guy here. Long time member of other forums. Found a link somewhere to this thread on the Janus.

I appreciate the review very much. Many questions were answered. I feel even better about backing the project. I will be sorely disappointed if the project doesn't get funded. The Toggle is my favorite razor and I want to hang one of these next to it.

Welcome to the site and the thread. I’m doing a Shave Off with the Toggle vs the Janus either in the next Shave Off or the one after that one.