#41
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Quick first impressions

Started off with the 0.74 OC prototype and you might miss the blade feel george1906 - it's really smooth, the comb is not rough at all, but gives a nice efficient shave. Not sure why James decided to max out at 0.60 for both plates but I did hear the blade exposure has been tweaked a little in the production razor. 

Everyone needs to get over the fact it takes GEM blades and has an oversized head. Yes, I'd prefer something closer to my Sabre or Micromatics but it isn't a hindrance. Has a good heft in SS. I went with my WRH2 80mm solid handle first. Sure it isn't the most agile razor but I love how smooth the shaves are and how well the blade is held. It just feels so solid. Could be amazing in titanium if that is your scene. 

Not super aggressive as some reviews have said. Maintain the angle and use a feather light touch and it's really quite comfortable. Could probably get away with a smaller gap in the OC without losing a ton of efficiency I expect. James definitely needed to tweak the baseplate: loading the blade isn't perfect with the little dot but if you gently line it up with the stops and centre it's fine. 

Will rotate to the 0.40 SB tomorrow, but don't think it would be a problem using the prototype all week. Zero irritation. 

Updates to follow.

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#42

Member
Singapore
Very nice pictures, thanks. The more I see it, the more I kind of like the look of the WR3. That head is, however, so bulky that it is screaming for a much longer handle. Would be cool if James comes out with another handle specifically designed to match the larger and more angular look of the WR3 head. For example, the H&S N075 head is pretty bulky, but the handle is also lengthier, making it look aesthetically quite balanced.

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#43
I'm planning to rotate all my Wolfman handles for the week

The WRH7 gave a very different feel/balance to the WRH2 this morning

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#44

Marmot Den in
Alpine Meadow @Fayetteville GA
I mostly shave with vintage razors and since being introduced to SE razors using Gem blades I have an affection for razors using them. The open comb WR3 on the right with the short, stout handle makes my heart go pitter patter! While many may see a bulky head, I see a work of art that is part T Rex, part Micromatic and what looks to be a smooth efficient razor! Thanks for posting the images and updates!

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Bryan
#45
I have a couple XL hollow handles from Wolfman that I think would look really good with that head. When I order one, I planned to get it in copper with a Darwin handle but now I am leaning toward a WRH7XL.


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#46
(This post was last modified: 12-16-2021, 08:25 PM by Moriarty.)
I don’t know why, but I experience some kind of cognitive dissonance when I use a single edge razor that is not light and slim headed. It must just be an expectation that is fixed in my head, like I’m imagining the razor is meant to be a premium metal version of a Bic disposable. Whatever it is, the Blackland Vector feels right and bigger ones feel wrong to me, whch I can’t quite get used to.

I actually like the look of the WR3, though. It probably needs a handle designed specifically for it - it feels like they are all Frankenrazors at the moment (another issue that is probably just in my head, but there it is). The WRH7 looks the best fit so far, to me.

All that said, I would be open to buying one and some of those paint stripping blades, but probably only if it was available to purchase without going through a waiting list. Which it isn’t.

I do like seeing them and reading about people’s impressions, and I am curious about the different metal options and how they affect the feel. I hope there will be many more WR3s out there soon.

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#47
It's not even properly available if you are on the list. Just two SS finishes currently. Agree, that it could do with a specific handle.

Actually I prefer it to my Vector so far.

Used the 0.40 SB today on the WRH7 handle. Nice and smooth but would want a higher gap if ordering one. At least I have a baseline now with the medium gap. Blade loading is much improved with the production baseplate. Will try the OC on the Darwin tomorrow. Not my favourite handle but the sharp edges match the WR3 head. The SB is very comfortable as expected but clearly not as efficient as the OC prototype.

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#48
(12-16-2021, 08:24 PM)Moriarty Wrote: I do like seeing them and reading about people’s impressions, and I am curious about the different metal options and how they affect the feel. I hope there will be many more WR3s out there soon.

Fundzalo have you tried your new copper WR3 yet? Please let us know how the shave was.
#49
Is the highest gap OC quite a bit more efficient than the Sabre? I enjoy the Sabre but believe I need more efficiency and I think an OC will accomplish just that.
#50

Member
Detroit
(12-17-2021, 04:00 PM)Howlelujah Wrote: Is the highest gap OC quite a bit more efficient than the Sabre? I enjoy the Sabre but believe I need more efficiency and I think an OC will accomplish just that.

Yes. I tried a 0.69 OC WR3 in a pass around and it was way more efficient than the Sabre. Lots of blade feel though so I had to be careful.

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- Jeff


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