The Vector, SE RAD Killer

I’ve been using the vector for a few weeks now and an observation I’ll share here is that of all the razors I’ve used since going down the wet shaving path, it’s the one that is the closest to the cartridge razor experience. Now it’s also the only SE razor I’ve used so not a surprise really. Among the things many people like about cartridge razors is the smaller head and lighter weight and the vector has those attributes in spades with the addition of being sharper and more beautiful as well as more environmentally friendly. I won’t get into the pros and cons of titanium mining and refining, I’m just referring to the waste aspect. So, if you’re a cartridge razor user and are thinking of trying a DE razor or you’ve just started using one but don’t like the size and weight of the DE then I suggest you try the Vector.

Nice summation, Mark. It has me wanting to use my Vector NOW, haha. I am committed to 4 more shaves for my Schick Shaving Show, and have a passaround razor in the mail, but the Vector and Overlander are getting upset at being ignored!

I’m starting to dial in the Ti Vector. One thing I know doesn’t work for me in the Vector is the Feather Pro Super blade!! What a nasty piece of work. I tried DanLaw  cap riding technique yesterday and after the first pass I thought I might be able to pull it off but then about 3/4 way through the second XTG pass… nope. I bailed and finished with a different razor. The super is not just sharp, it’s harsh and unpleasant. I can only surmise that perhaps it works well in shavettes because it’s not a nice blade. I’m a big fan of the Feather Pro and the Pro Guards. I haven’t tried the Soft Guards yet. We’ll see.

Identical experience. Anything pro in it doesn’t work for me - I guess I’ll just be an amateur!

Identical experience. Anything pro in it doesn’t work for me - I guess I’ll just be an amateur!

I shaved yesterday with the Kai 'Captain Blade' (not to be confused with the Kai 'Captain Titan Mild' blades) and found them smoother than Feather Pro blades in the Vector Ti. That blade was also smoother than the Kai Captain Titan Mild blade as well (I did a comparison shave with both blades). I was shaving with two days of growth.
You might give those a try. RazorBladesClub.com sells individual blades of this type (labeled as 'Kai - Captain Original').

GoodShave I had the same experience with the Kai Captain blades. I need to get another dispenser, as I think I gave mine to a new Vector user. When my new packs of Proline P-30s didn't fit my Vector, I tried some Feather Pros that had been in my blade box and found them to be fine for me. So when the Captain blades came and shaved the same, I passed them on as I have about 40 Pros on hand. But I need to get more Zingari Man unscented balm so I imagine some blades will find their way into my cart!

GoodShave I had the same experience with the Kai Captain blades. I need to get another dispenser, as I think I gave mine to a new Vector user. When my new packs of Proline P-30s didn't fit my Vector, I tried some Feather Pros that had been in my blade box and found them to be fine for me. So when the Captain blades came and shaved the same, I passed them on as I have about 40 Pros on hand. But I need to get more Zingari Man unscented balm so I imagine some blades will find their way into my cart!

Hey Eric,

Thanks for sharing your experience!
I have 4 packs of Feather Pros that I inherited as part of a razor purchase (three sealed boxes and one open box). I was really hoping that I would like them with the Vector. So far that has not been the case. I think the best use of the Feather Pro blade is for a daily shave with the Occam O.R.E.N. razor (at least for me). Maybe I will try using them in my barber/shavette razors again. Or maybe the Feather Pro blades work best with one day's growth with the Vector. Time will tell.

I am with you with the P-30 blades. I have two packs of those that will need a new home as I have not found a razor combination that I enjoy with them.

I have been daily driving the vector Ti for about 4 months straight now - no other razor appeals to me anymore. I’m just providing color/updates/corrections to comments I made in the past:

I now find the vector to be relatively insensitive functionally to blade angle. It shaves well at any angle, but I find, for me, a steep angle (handle closer to skin) to provide a much more comfortable shave. This allows me to use more aggressive blades (feather pros), with a far lighter touch, leading to less irritation. My comment about “needing the pressure comparable to a cartridge” is no longer true given this steeper blade angle. I think that was a function of riding the cap and needing to drive it into my skin a bit.

Trick I’ve found: got some lather stuck between the blade and razor? Grab it by the skinny bit (near the head) and spin it under the water stream- the narrow bit lets you get some high velocity spin to drive water under the blade and get the lather out.

If I want a cruise control shave - ProGuards. Want to feel more scalpel-like? Feather pros.

At this point I’ll probably sell my konsul and original Stirling. They just collect dust. I suppose I’ll keep my muramasa - I still love that razor and I got it for a song during a sale and when the euro was particularly weak. I’ll keep one DE around for the off chance that I want to revert.

I have been daily driving the vector Ti for about 4 months straight now - no other razor appeals to me anymore. I’m just providing color/updates/corrections to comments I made in the past:

I now find the vector to be relatively insensitive functionally to blade angle. It shaves well at any angle, but I find, for me, a steep angle (handle closer to skin) to provide a much more comfortable shave. This allows me to use more aggressive blades (feather pros), with a far lighter touch, leading to less irritation. My comment about “needing the pressure comparable to a cartridge” is no longer true given this steeper blade angle. I think that was a function of riding the cap and needing to drive it into my skin a bit.

Trick I’ve found: got some lather stuck between the blade and razor? Grab it by the skinny bit (near the head) and spin it under the water stream- the narrow bit lets you get some high velocity spin to drive water under the blade and get the lather out.

If I want a cruise control shave - ProGuards. Want to feel more scalpel-like? Feather pros.

At this point I’ll probably sell my konsul and original Stirling. They just collect dust. I suppose I’ll keep my muramasa - I still love that razor and I got it for a song during a sale and when the euro was particularly weak. I’ll keep one DE around for the off chance that I want to revert.

Tatara and Vector: 2 most innovative and best designs on the market. Give manufacturing edge to Tatara but both great

Can't wait for the Tatara single edge

Are there plans? Did I miss an announcement?