Stirling Soap 316 Stainless Steel Razor

Rod ezlovan apologies if this information was posted earlier on the original thread (sorry if I missed it) but, if you are comfortable disclosing it, can you tell is what the gaps and exposures are on the standard and hyper aggressive heads?

I quite like both, I will post my thoughts by early next week. 

Thanks.

SoTD: 11.15.2020

Prep: strong Stirling coffee, black
Brush: Stirling Kong
Razor: Stirling Hyper Aggressive Razor
Blade: Wizamet (2)
Lather: Stirling Pharoah’s Dreamsicle
Post: Stirling Executive Man balm


[Razor review after pic]



Stirling Razor Review:

[font=Helvetica Neue]Thank you to Rod ezlovan for creating these razors and to andrewjs18 for sponsoring the pass around.[/font]


I very much enjoyed these razors. 



Here are my thoughts:

• I’ve used a lot of razors over the last year and the Stirling Hyper Aggressive razor is the most aggressive razor I’ve ever used. The Stirling Standard razor is also quite aggressive, but much less so than the HA. My guess is that it has is the same or similar blade exposure but a significantly reduced gap. 
  
• These Stirling handles are terrific. There are two designs. One with knurling on the bottom half and one with knurling towards the top. Both are very creative designs and both extremely ergonomic / comfortable to hold. I believe there would be a market for both handles in the wet shaving community.
  
• Both razors are highly efficient. In particular, the Hyper Aggressive razor would be suitable for a one-pass, with the grain pass shave. I am usually a 3-pass shaver and I tried a one-pass WTG for one shave and got a perfectly suitable, close shave. Not bbs but certainly dfs. 
  
• I believe I heard on a podcast interview of Rod where he described that this was his goal with the Hyper Aggressive razor. He wanted to create a razor that you can use ever few days and get as close as possible with one pass. I can attest that Rod has certainly succeeded with this goal. 
  
• For me, I do enjoy the ritual of a 3-pass shave (at this time, I still enjoy wetshaving and don’t mind if it drags out for 15 mins). But if I were looking for an ultra-efficient shave as quickly as possible, I would definitely use this razor.
  
• Also, related to the above, but a bit more subtle point, most of the razors I like are able to get close while shaving with the grain, and if needed across the grain both ways. I don’t particularly enjoy shaving against the grain, and I find that some milder razors require this. Both Stirling razors, are able to cut very close when shaving with and across the grain. This is a major plus in my book.
  
• The razor’s feedback is proportional to its efficiency. That is to say, the razor feels very aggressive, and as I mentioned it is highly efficient. I did have some alum burn, particularly after a 3-pass shave. But when using for one or even 2 passes, I had very little irritation.
  
• One last note - I really enjoyed these high-quality leather travel cases to come with the two razors. They are well designed and keep the razor safely protected. They are perfect for travel. 
  
• In summary, if you prefer mild or mid-aggressive razors, these might be a bit much for you. However, if you are looking to get as close as possible a shave with the fewest number of passes, with a very well designed and well-built razor from an excellent company, you will have a winner here.
  

[font=Helvetica Neue]The razor is cleaned and safely packed. I will be mailing it with tracking number to Kaotikfusion in the morning. 


[/font]

Rod ezlovan apologies if this information was posted earlier on the original thread (sorry if I missed it) but, if you are comfortable disclosing it, can you tell is what the gaps and exposures are on the standard and hyper aggressive heads?

I quite like both, I will post my thoughts by early next week. 

Thanks.

ALI I really appreciate the detailed feedback on the razors. I actually intentionally left out info on gap and exposure. I don't mind if someone publishes it, but I don't plan to as I don't want someone picking it up with expectations based solely on a blade gap number. They're unique razors and the sum is far more than just that gap or exposure number.

Rod ezlovan apologies if this information was posted earlier on the original thread (sorry if I missed it) but, if you are comfortable disclosing it, can you tell is what the gaps and exposures are on the standard and hyper aggressive heads?

I quite like both, I will post my thoughts by early next week. 

Thanks.

ALI I really appreciate the detailed feedback on the razors. I actually intentionally left out info on gap and exposure. I don't mind if someone publishes it, but I don't plan to as I don't want someone picking it up with expectations based solely on a blade gap number. They're unique razors and the sum is far more than just that gap or exposure number.

ezlovan that makes sense as a policy. Clearly head geometry is more complex than these simple metrics that we sometimes reduce it to.

Razors received! First shave tomorrow.

First shave this morning. Decided to start with the HA razor since I had 6 days of growth after a hunting trip. Used ETHOS Succès soap and skin food, my wolf whiskers brush, Stirling HA razor and a new Gillette platinum blade. First off, the build quality of the razor is pheonominal, on par with my other higher end razors (blackland, charcoal goods, carbon). The finish on the razor is polished with some machine marks still visible on the baseplate, which is perfectly acceptable for me. I tend to dislike the super high polished razors because the finish seems "fragile" and easy to scratch. This is the first razor I've used with the tabs on the baseplate, so that was a little different. Quickly found the best way to load the blade and had no issues. The handles are beautiful, I love the design of them. I decided to try the handle with the middle knurling for the first shave because it seemed more comfortable in hand. A few of my fingers were sliding around on the smooth part of the handle so I ended up resting my pinky on the base to stabilize it. I'll try the bottom knurled handle next to see if its more comfortable. Screwing the handle on to the razor is a very smooth, tight transition and something I appreciate after working in a machine shop for a few years. 

Onto the shave! First pass was uncomfortable and tugging, but took everything down. I think it may have been a combination of too much growth, and my lather could have been a little better. I attempted a face lather which proved to be difficult as my scruff was holding some dry lather closer to my skin. The second pass I did a WTG/XTG hybrid which was extremely smooth, comfortable, and took everything else down. Although the first pass was uncomfortable, I ended up with an irritation free, blood free, close shave. I could have gone for one more pass to get a complete BBS, but didn't want to risk irritation, and was completely satisfied already. The razor definately has some blade feel, and let's you know to keep a light touch. I think with a slicker lather and less growth, it'll do very well. I look forward to trying the HA plate tomorrow on 1 days growth anticipating it to be much smoother.

Second shave today on one days growth with the HA plate. Gillette platinum blade (2), GD Mallard Chai, and wolf whiskers brush outfitted with an AP shave co gelousy knot. Shave felt rough again today, but after one pass didn't have much left. Stopped there! A few small weepers, and although the shave "felt" rough I didn't have much irritation. This plate can definately be used as a one pass and done. The bottom knurled handle didn't work well for me and felt awkward for most of the shave. This set up is disinfected and placed back in the leather case. Did I mention how awesome these cases are before? Perfectly sized and protects the razor nicely while looking very elegant. Have the standard plate loaded up with a new Gillette platinum on the middle knurled handle for tomorrow morning. ZM "The Watchman" will be the soap of choice! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, stay safe! 

First shave with the SA plate. I am very impressed! This shave was super smooth, comfortable, and close. I was able to do two passes without irritation, leaving me with nice smooth skin! Switched back to the middle knurled handle and it feel much better than the other one. ZM the Watchman gave a great shave, and the recovery splash left my skin feeling refreshed. New Gillette platinum was the blade of choice. Going to take a break for a few days to test the SA plate on multi day growth.

Final two shaves with the Stirling razors! Yesterday I shaved on three days growth with the SA plate, second use Gillette platinum, and noble otter "firefighter". This setup performed flawlessly. Easily removed the growth smoothly and comfortably. After my usual two passes, my face was as smooth as glass, on par with my blackbird which is my reigning king of efficiency. Not a single nick or weeper, and no razor burn whatsoever. The shave lasted well into the night, and still had a smooth face before bed some 12 hours later.

This morning, I had some slight stubble so needed another shave before work. Really decided to test out the one pass ability of this razor, even though it is the milder of the plates. Decided to use ETHOS melange d'agrumes (spelling?) which I recently received a sample of (smells great! Very fresh grapefruit scent). Along with the SA head and a third use Gillette platinum blade. Perfection! The lather was slick and protective, and the razor removed the slight bit of stubble growing out down to nothing with one pass, no clean up needed. Again, no nicks or razor burn anywhere. Some Zingari man aftershave balm, and my skin feels great. By the end, I became accustomed to the middle knurled handle and like it quite a bit.

I really like what Rod did with this razor. Its different. There isn't another razor out there with the looks and geometry (as far as I know) that this razor has. Although the HA baseplate didn't work well for me, in sure there is someone out there that would love it. The SA just clicked for me. It was smooth while being uber efficient. My skin felt great after every use, and it never felt like it was going to cut me up with excessive blade feel. The craftsmanship is great, and the razor presents itself very nice. The SSC engraving in the sides of the baseplate is a nice touch along with the quality leather cases. Tolerances are tight and everything fits together perfectly. The handles are different than every other knurled design out there, and really set the razor apart. When the razor gets released in due time, I am strongly considering purchasing a SA model. Thanks to Rod and Andrew for setting up the passaround, it was really fun trialing this razor!

andrewjs18 just a heads up, I messaged SteveP and didn't get a reply. Looks like he hasn't been on in almost a month. Skipped him and will be sending the razors to dabearis