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

If the innards remain the same i.e. the blade tray angle and the corresponding mating face on the door, then the Blade Angle and Gap hasn't changed.

I think Eric may have overlooked how the prototypes' prominent domed door profile might affect the resultant angle of approach given a constant blade angle and exposure.  As I posited in the other thread perhaps the dome shape of the doors is a bigger factor re. comfort than the gap changes.  Seems logical that the higher domed doors force the user to position the blade against the skin at a wider angle than with shallower door profile resulting in a different experience. Does that make sense?

Edit: Eric said "the blade exposure for both dome profiles are the same" But he didn't take into account how the user will place the razor against the skin. Surely the domed profile will result in a different blade angle on the stroke.

Folks in here are much more experienced with gaps, angles, exposure specs than I am so my assumption may be totally wrong.

I’d like to thank Sledge. I opened up the Janus today and found it smoother than using settings 3 and 5. I don’t know if it was just paying more attention or increased familiarity with this razor but I had a very comfortable and enjoyable shave. The results are amazing. All I can think is that the blade is better locked down at the highest setting


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I coulda sworn Eric published a chart dealing with exposure.  I didn't find it but I did find this chart about gap.  Hope it helps.

There is an exposure table in the owners handbook that came with the razor.  Exposure starts at +0.003" at setting one and goes up +0.001" a click until you get to +0.012" at setting nine.

Reading the table is why I decided to start out on setting three and then go up a click at at time for subsequent shaves.  I now have 5 shaves on the razor.  This morning (Monday) was on three days growth.  I normally do shaves with three days grown with a CG L3.  Today I shaved with the Janus on setting 3 with a third use Timor.  Prep was a hot shower and soap was A&E Face Spackle.  I had a comfortable three pass BBS -- actually closer (and much smoother) than the previous (Friday) shave at setting six.  

Moral of the story is that I found no need to go for more aggression on this adjustable razor than is necessary to do the job -- all I gained for my machismo was discomfort.

Today I shaved with the Janus on setting 3 .... I had a comfortable three pass BBS -- actually closer (and much smoother) than the previous (Friday) shave at setting six.  

Moral of the story is that I found no need to go for more aggression on this adjustable razor than is necessary to do the job -- all I gained for my machismo was discomfort.

Very helpful analysis. Thanks.

I’d like to thank Sledge. I opened up the Janus today and found it smoother than using settings 3 and 5. I don’t know if it was just paying more attention or increased familiarity with this razor but I had a very comfortable and enjoyable shave. The results are amazing. All I can think is that the blade is better locked down at the highest setting


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I'm glad someone else experienced what I did.  It doesn't make sense that 9 is smoother than 3 and I thought I may have been imagining it.  I'm going to give it another go in an hour or so.  Just about everyone in here is more knowledgeable than I am.  Perhaps they can figure out the how and why of it.

I’d like to thank Sledge. I opened up the Janus today and found it smoother than using settings 3 and 5. I don’t know if it was just paying more attention or increased familiarity with this razor but I had a very comfortable and enjoyable shave. The results are amazing. All I can think is that the blade is better locked down at the highest setting


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I'm glad someone else experienced what I did.  It doesn't make sense that 9 is smoother than 3 and I thought I may have been imagining it.  I'm going to give it another go in an hour or so.  Just about everyone in here is more knowledgeable than I am.  Perhaps they can figure out the how and why of it.

I’d like to thank Sledge. I opened up the Janus today and found it smoother than using settings 3 and 5. I don’t know if it was just paying more attention or increased familiarity with this razor but I had a very comfortable and enjoyable shave. The results are amazing. All I can think is that the blade is better locked down at the highest setting


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I'm glad someone else experienced what I did.  It doesn't make sense that 9 is smoother than 3 and I thought I may have been imagining it.  I'm going to give it another go in an hour or so.  Just about everyone in here is more knowledgeable than I am.  Perhaps they can figure out the how and why of it.

I don't know the why but I certainly gravitate to larger gaps because I get much more comfortable shaves with them. Throw in a steep angle and I'm good. I'm told my preference of large gap is masking my poor technique, so I'm a poor example. Just sharing my thoughts.

I'm sure the taller dome on the Janus prototype is why it was was smoother than the LE. I have a 2019 Rocnel Sailor Adjustable that is very blade forward. Opened up, it is a face full of blade, no doubt. Photos of the 2020 model had me postulate the taller dome would make the razor smoother and reduce blade feel, so I ponied up and bought one. The 2019 and 2020 are night and day different razors. The 2020 gives up nothing in efficiency throughout the turret range but the aggressive/harsh blade feel is substantially diminished. Again, I can't prove why, I just know it does in my hand.

I am super glad the Janus is working out for some. Keep those reviews coming because I enjoy reading it. It's always fun to welcome some brethren to the "large gap but no technique club".

I have had fun using the exact same formula for the last week or so but it is getting a bit boring.  Other razors are calling me to take them out for a run.  This should be my last test run with the Janus.

Just finished my 6th? run.  Same variables as last time: hot shower (my wife started the laundry so I got 15 seconds of ice cold ), 5 drops of shave oil rubbed into beard, Cella, new Silver Blue blade.   I went through all settings.

Ranking is 5 - Great, 4 - Good, 3 - Acceptable, 2 - Bad, 1 - Terrible
(Wtg only, atg was very different, could be because my beard lies flat.)
Setting:
1.  4
2.  4
3.  3
4.  3
5.  3
6.  4  
7.  5
8.  5
9.  5

3 worked best atg for me.  3-5 wtg?  No idea what is going on there.  My final impression is the Janus LE feels best at 1,2 and 7-9.  I'll be sticking with 9 for wtg and 3 for atg.

Happy shaves gents!

How the heck did I get different fonts from cutting and pasting?

I have had fun using the exact same formula for the last week or so but it is getting a bit boring.  Other razors are calling me to take them out for a run.  

I was feeling the same way this morning -- there was an new H&S N075AL plate calling my name.  Anyway a much smoother shave following a week of using the Janus but stubble is coming up five hours after the shave were yesterday I was still smooth 10 hours after using the Janus at setting three.

Based on your experience I am just going to have to open it up and give setting 9 a try.  Ought to know it it will work for me on the first stroke...

And I’m still waiting anxiously for mine. I don’t even have a new ‘expected’ date on UPS. This is all great info though. If I found 5-6 a bit much I doubt I would’ve tried cranking it to 9.

And I’m still waiting anxiously for mine. I don’t even have a new ‘expected’ date on UPS. This is all great info though. If I found 5-6 a bit much I doubt I would’ve tried cranking it to 9.

Do it.  I'm glad I did.  I would never have discovered the wow range if I hadn't.   From 7 up it got progressively better.  I wasn't thrilled with 3,4,5, or 6 except for atg. Our faces, beards, preps, are so different I am sure some won't like it at 9. Can't hurt to try though (much).