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

UPDATE:


Ok so I've been given the ok to post up what was decided in my conversation with Eric yesterday. I feel that some of this falls back on me and honestly I was upset when this Janus was delivered to me and I opened the box and saw that the fit and finish were not at all what I expected and then when I shaved with it my concerns were solidified by the terrible shave I got! So after standing behind Eric and his project and being as supportive as I could I feel that based on my reviews back when using the prototype may or may have not had an influence on some people's decision to lay down their $500 in for the what should have been improved new Janus that was just released. Again I feel like my reputation is on this line here as well and I'm not sure but I'm guessing maybe Mark feels the same as I do. I based everything on the shave I got with the Prototype. A razor that was built like a tank, hand great fit and finish compared to this latest version and yes it didn't have the mirror finish but a very nice PVD coating on it and it screamed quality. Thick metal, felt like a high quality razor in hand deep numbers in the dial etc etc. but most importantly a razor that was as efficient as a Charcoal Level 3 OC or WR2 SB 1.35 for example!  I'm using those two as I'm certain a lot of members can relate to either razor when talking about efficiency but the Janus prototype was noticeably smoother than either from my point of view as the owner of all three razors. So yes was I excited about this release? Yes very much so as I thought I was going to get a razor that hand a smaller head profile, shorter in size, mirror polished and a little bit more efficient but still with the same smoothness that prototype provided. Well as I made the statement a while back in my post. That is not what was delivered to my door at all and the more I thought about it the more upset I got as again I believe my reputation could be hurt as some folks might have laid down their money based on my reviews. Not sure how many but even if it was one it still bothers me as all you had to go on was mine and Marks reviews. 

I can post on here till I"m blue in the face that shaving with the prototype was like night and day different than this production Janus and I'm sure some might not believe me as all they can go by how this production version shaves 

So with that said I talked Eric into sending me the Prototype back. I plan on doing a side by side with the new Janus and in case your wondering I'm not keeping mine but getting a refund for it after I'm done with the comparison. 

Also here is what I convinced Eric to do to prove to people that the reviews I put out there on the prototype were not bias or an effort by me to sell his razors although I will say when you believe in something as I did the prototype I was a 100% behind the project as far as support goes but had no part in the company. 

So with that said here is what I'm going to do. As soon as I do my comparisons I'm going to start a pass around of the prototype to show folks why I was excited about the Janus. Thsi pass around is going to be only for those that have or had the new Janus. Even if you sent it back for a refund. This is not for any that didn't or don't have the Janus. 

As with all pass arounds I would ask that replacement cost of the prototype in insurance be covered ( Have to get that amount from Eric )  and of course shipping to the next person on the list. I will start a new thread just for that pass around when I have the razor in hand. 

I will also add since the prototype came out a little over a year ago there have been a lot of  both adjustables and 3 piece razors that have been released so remember what I was comparing the prototype to. I didn't have a Taiga, a Rocnel, Diamondback or H&S for some example to compare the prototype. So take that into consideration when you do get to use it. I really don't have time to manage a pass around but I'll get it started and if anyone does have exta time on their hands and experience with pass arounds I'm open to any help I can get. 

Also to clear up things Eric said he could of and probably should have just made a few changes to the prototype and will make those changes when and if he comes out with another Janus. An I'm holding him accountable for anything he does moving forward but like I said before I consider him a friend so although throughly dissapointed I'll try to be supportive as best I can but all the rest is one him.

I am very glad to hear that others will be able to see and feel the prototype.  My first review talked about it being built like a tank, designed and built by an engineer. I too was shocked when I made the first pass with the new Janus, it could not have been any more different than a gillette tech and an Ikon Tech.

This reminds me of The Simpsons episode where Homer’s separated-at-birth twin brother, who was CEO of a car company (voice of Danny DeVito) asked Homer to design the ‘Car of the Future’ . The brother got wiped out.

Crazy to think that these were mass produced all those years ago!

I don't find this crazy. Gillette had years of expertise, skilled workers and engineers and certainly a fantastic R&D division.

I’ve had my share of product launch mishaps and screwups. Sharp Vectors, pre-order timeline disasters, milder-than-expected Sabres, etc. You own up to it, apologize, and fix the problem. Eric is doing all three. It sucks for everyone, but most customers are exceedingly willing and eager to forgive people they like. I’ve enjoyed following this project and I’m sure he’ll sort it out.

I'd love to see the prototype. #42 razor here. The Janus will never be my favorite razor, but going into it I knew that. I think the aristocrat is needlessly over complicated. I don't particularly like butterfly style razors. Never have. But, it was cool to get to participate and support Eric to add a unique razor to my collection. I'd love to have a few tweaks if they become available. There was zero percent of my backing this project that came from reading the reviews from others in the forums. So, don't feel responsible for my decision to support Eric. I still stand by this decision even with the projects flaws.

Sent from my 2PZC5 using Tapatalk

UPDATE:


Ok so I've been given the ok to post up what was decided in my conversation with Eric yesterday. I feel that some of this falls back on me and honestly I was upset when this Janus was delivered to me and I opened the box and saw that the fit and finish were not at all what I expected and then when I shaved with it my concerns were solidified by the terrible shave I got! So after standing behind Eric and his project and being as supportive as I could I feel that based on my reviews back when using the prototype may or may have not had an influence on some people's decision to lay down their $500 in for what should have been improved new Janus that was just released. Again I feel like my reputation is on this line here as well and I'm not sure but I'm guessing maybe Mark feels the same as I do. I based everything on the shave I got with the Prototype. A razor that was built like a tank, haf great fit and finish compared to this latest version and yes it didn't have the mirror finish but a very nice PVD coating on it and it screamed quality. Thick metal, felt like a high quality razor in hand deep numbers in the dial etc etc. but most importantly a razor that was as efficient as a Charcoal Level 3 OC or WR2 SB 1.35 for example!  I'm using those two as I'm certain a lot of members can relate to either razor when talking about efficiency but the Janus prototype was noticeably smoother than either from my point of view as the owner of all three razors. So yes was I excited about this release? Yes very much so as I thought I was going to get a razor that hand a smaller head profile, shorter in size, mirror polished and a little bit more efficient but still with the same smoothness that prototype provided. Well as I made the statement a while back in my post. That is not what was delivered to my door at all and the more I thought about it the more upset I got as again I believe my reputation could be hurt as some folks might have laid down their money based on my reviews. Not sure how many but even if it was one it still bothers me as all you had to go on was mine and Marks reviews. 

I can post on here till I"m blue in the face that shaving with the prototype was like night and day different than this production Janus and I'm sure some of the members might not believe me and I don't blame them as all they can go by is how this production version shaves and it sure isn't the way I described the Prototype it in my reviews.

So with that said I talked Eric into sending me the Prototype back. I plan on doing a side by side with the new Janus and in case your wondering I'm not keeping mine but getting a refund for it after I'm done with the comparison. 

Also here is what I convinced Eric to do to prove to people that the reviews I put out there on the prototype were not bias or an effort by me to sell his razors although I will say when you believe in something as I did the prototype I was a 100% behind the project as far as support goes but had no part in the company. 

So with that said here is what I'm going to do. As soon as I do my comparisons I'm going to start a pass around of the prototype to show folks why I was excited about the Janus. Thsi pass around is going to be only for those that have or had the new Janus. Even if you sent it back for a refund. This is not for any that didn't or don't have the Janus. 

As with all pass arounds I would ask that replacement cost of the prototype in insurance be covered ( Have to get that amount from Eric )  and of course shipping to the next person on the list. I will start a new thread just for that pass around when I have the razor in hand. 

I will also add since the prototype came out a little over a year ago there have been a lot of  both adjustables and 3 piece razors that have been released so remember what I was comparing the prototype to. I didn't have a Taiga, a Rocnel, Diamondback or H&S for some example to compare the prototype. So take that into consideration when you do get to use it. I really don't have time to manage a pass around but I'll get it started and if anyone does have exta time on their hands and experience with pass arounds I'm open to any help I can get. 

Also to clear up things Eric said he could of and probably should have just made a few changes to the prototype and will make those changes when and if he comes out with another Janus. An I'm holding him accountable for anything he does moving forward but like I said before I consider him a friend so although throughly dissapointed I'll try to be supportive as best I can but all the rest is one him.

Please add me to the pass a long for the Janus prototype. I had #44 Janus

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Frank, can you add me, too? I have Janus #26.

Guys I’m not taking names on the pass around until I have both the razor in hand and I start the thread. Not trying to be difficult just want to be organized.
Thank you!

Eric, if I were you, I'd keep that prototype safe and not let it out of my sight.

I didn’t order a Janus so I have no dog in this fight but what is using the prototype razor going to accomplish now? To me, it sounds like a recipe for disaster and a big toss of salt into an open wound. I get it that some of you feel bad for the hype created around the prototype Janus but does this really contribute to anything other than people being able to say the prototype was good?