Tatara Nodachi Ti Passaround - Titanium Makes a Shocking Improvement

Hey friends!

So my final two shave are in the books.

Firstly, tonight’s was fun - my wife had a work dinner so it was just the kids and me. While I showered I let them smell all my soaps, figuring out their favorites and “what smelled like what.” My three year old can pick up “the full measure of man” without even looking at the label, which I find quite impressive. The winner was (and almost always is with them…) stirlings executive man. Can’t blame them….

Regarding the razor, I switched to the open comb plate for both of these to get a feel for that. The first shave was after 3 days growth, with the second having 2 days growth. I don’t often go two days anymore without shaving, so I would consider both of these “scruffy.” Maybe it just feels too new, but I had a strong preference for the solid bar.  I couldn’t get away from the feeling that the open comb was just scratchier. I wouldn’t say it did a better job mowing down the scruff, but I do believe it’s possible that the razor would agree with my face more if I dial the angle in a bit. I continue to feel that this razor is picky with its angle. This would probably go away with experience.

I still am amazed at the build quality - I also noticed that Tatara recessed the start of the threads in the handle. This guarantees no cross threading. This is a nice touch, and only one more operation on the mill, but time is money so it’s an easy corner to cut. These guys are the real deal.

For tonight’s shave I started with a 2X used feather and the open comb. I wasn’t thrilled with its ability to mow down my scruff, so moved to the solid bar and a new Astra for the remainder. Now that was nice! This razor really excels with passes 2-3. It’s lightness allows a greater range of pressure to play with. I like this about the lighter razors - you don’t start locked in with starting at a certain pressure if the razor is heavy. I also get more feedback on pressure when I’m not relying on the weight of the razor.


All in all I enjoyed this experience. It was great to swap the OC and SB plates - and Tatara sets the bar height for craftsmanship.  I doubt I will seek one of these razors out personally. I already have the Muramasa so can appreciate the Tatara craftsmanship. I also recently found my love for the Ti Vector, so tearing me away from that at as a daily drive will be quite difficult.

Thanks again DanLaw  for the opportunity to join the passaround! On to the next - enjoy!! 

I was fortunate enough to be added to this passaround, I was very excited to get this razor in hand.

Unboxing

Brushed Ti finish with a simple design.  Fit and finish is top notch. No tooling swirls or marks visible and finish is consistent. First time in the hand the razor feels a bit bottom heavy. Quite slippery around the pinky and ring finger, however the concave knurling near the top of the handle gives complete control of the razor.  Guide bar is on the thinner side compared to some of the razors I have seen.

The stand is heavy, low profile rounded half sphere shape.  Reminds me of the moon. Precision snug fit into the stand, can definitely tell they were designed at the same time, the styling is very congruent.  My only negative with the stand is strictly situational.  I store my hardware and software in the cabinet under the sink so I would have to move it from the countertop and back down.  If you had a medicine cabinet mirror situation or perhaps shelf or countertop placement where it doesn’t move it would be fantastic.

Installing a blade:

I love the way the handle screws through the baseplate instead of pushing up against the baseplate.  It feels to be a much more secure lockup with absolutely zero chance of movement.  The head and baseplate seem to have a large contact area with the blade to eliminate any chance of blade chatter. Slight blade stick out on the sides but not obtrusive when tightening the handle.

First impression is the razor comes across as very basic, and I don’t mean basic in the sense of cheap or not fancy but a minimalistic approach to have everything you need without the unnecessary things.  The grip area covers just the area you touch with you first finger and thumb. Simple and discreet logo on the baseplate only. 

First shave:

Used the standard bar comb, using a new Derby extra blade.  Soap sandalwood by Stirling low end badger brush

I would have thought the razor would be harder to control once wet but it was just the opposite.  Handle was super smooth in the palm and no effort to switch sides during shaving.  No tugging with a very smooth shave.  The head is very low profile which allows me to have better control of the blade angle on my skin and get closer access to the hairs under my nose.  First pass all down strokes very little pressure.  Second pass is up strokes and cleanup. 

I normally shave every other day and this razor provided the closeness for me to skip the next days shave, but I decided to try a shave the next day.  The first days shave was more uniform than I am used too, meaning all of my stubble was close to the same size when normally the hairs on my lower neck are longer.  Today's shave used the same soap and blade as yesterday.  It yielded a close shave but also a bit of razor feel that faded soon after the shave was complete. 

I am going to take a break for 2 days and try the open comb.

Two more shaves since my last post.

I did the open comb shave with 2 days of growth.  Full disclosure, this was my first time shaving with an open comb.  I heard it was more aggressive due to more of the blade being in contact with the skin.  I used the same software as the first shave. Derby extra blade.  Soap sandalwood by Stirling low end badger brush.  I didn’t not feel it was overly aggressive and it offered a close shave.  It did however nick me more than I have had in the past by a standard bar.  I would this this is mostly due to operator error.  It actually left my face less irritated that the previous shave.

For my next shave I switched back to the solid bar (frankly I am more comfortable with it) but I switched up the blade to a Feather.  Again 2 days of growth and this blade performed very similarly to my first shave with the Derbys. 



Overall:

Razor shaved very close in areas where my current razor EJ89 leaves some high spots.  Less irritation in the lower neck area which irritation wise this is the worst part for me.  Slight burn in my face all around after the second pass, but produced a very close shave. Pleased with every aspect of this razor. It is a great looking razor that performs fantastically.  Weight and handle ergonomics allows for perfect control and feedback while shaving.  The low-rise head allows for close shaving under my nose and the angle of the blade allows me to get a closer shave in my problem areas.  Has definitely made it to the top of my list of razors to buy.  

Thanks to DanLaw and tatararazors for this opportunity to try out a truly superb razor!

Aqubio please do me a favour: try one of the Astras. But first run both edges twice through a cork, then hand strop against your forearm 10 swipes per edge per side.  Do this prior to the first usage and any subsequent use

I can do that!  you want me to use my bare arm?  Why not a section of denim to strop? I also have an actual leather strop loaded with green compound or 1um diamond paste

I can do that!  you want me to use my bare arm?  Why not a section of denim to strop? I also have an actual leather strop loaded with green compound or 1um diamond paste

Forearm or thigh work well but use what you will. No paste nor diamond

Prior to my shave this morning I follow DanLaw recommendations.  I took a new Astra blade and passed it twice through a wine cork on each edge.  Then with 2 hands I stropped each side of each edge against my upper thigh.  I then proceeded to shave as normal using the same software as I have been throughout the trial.  Soap was sandalwood by Stirling and a low end badger brush.  It was by far the shave that produced the less irritation out of the 3 blades I used.  The Astra blade performed the same closeness wise as the others but little to no post shave burn.  Going to repeat the shave again tomorrow to see if I get the same results.  I usually shave every other day due to irritation, so I can't wait to see if this razor blade (with edge manipulation) combo with allow me to shave daily.

Prior to my shave this morning I follow DanLaw recommendations.  I took a new Astra blade and passed it twice through a wine cork on each edge.  Then with 2 hands I stropped each side of each edge against my upper thigh.  I then proceeded to shave as normal using the same software as I have been throughout the trial.  Soap was sandalwood by Stirling and a low end badger brush.  It was by far the shave that produced the less irritation out of the 3 blades I used.  The Astra blade performed the same closeness wise as the others but little to no post shave burn.  Going to repeat the shave again tomorrow to see if I get the same results.  I usually shave every other day due to irritation, so I can't wait to see if this razor blade (with edge manipulation) combo with allow me to shave daily.

Thank you for indulging the suggestion; wanted your opinion hoping it would yield better results. Whilst feel the corked and stropped Astra Green is best for Tataras, have also had success with corked and stropped ISRAELI Red Personnas. It seems some blades are better matches for razor lines than others, e.g.: corked and stropped Timors for duFours&c.

I tried it daily and while it still offers a very close shave it is still more irritation than am comfortable with. This is normal for me and my skin. I think it is time to look into some pre and post shave products to work on my skin issue.

Maybe the Masamune would be a better match, the Nodachi isn't for everyone.

Or even the Masamune handle may make a difference?