World Shave Off Showdown 2nd Edition

That looks like a good one interesting how the finer points, smoothness, maneuverability balance and glide of the 17 - 4 bring it out in front.
I kind of like that social hipster scent also.

Not surprised with the 17-4 winning its bracket. Frank you'd probably like the Karve's 3.25" handle as there are several sizes including a 3" option which are all very affordable.

Interesting one indeed, thank you! 
Yes, I do wonder if the Karve with the 3.25” handle would gain a couple of extra points in manoeuvrability and balance (especially if you generally prefer shorter handles...). And also particularly using the SS Karve rather than brass, as it’s marginally lighter, but I think enough to notice it.
Would that have been enough to beat the 17-4, considering it was quite close.... who knows??

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Not surprised with the 17-4 winning its bracket. Frank you'd probably like the Karve's 3.25" handle as there are several sizes including a 3" option which are all very affordable.

Well as always all characteristics of a razor are taken into consideration when using the scoring system. The shorter handle may give it better maneuverability.

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Interesting one indeed, thank you! 
Yes, I do wonder if the Karve with the 3.25” handle would gain a couple of extra points in manoeuvrability and balance (especially if you generally prefer shorter handles...). And also particularly using the SS Karve rather than brass, as it’s marginally lighter, but I think enough to notice it.
Would that have been enough to beat the 17-4, considering it was quite close.... who knows??
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I would think with everything you brought up that the SS would have had a better score but unless I was able to use one and compare it’s difficult to say for sure. It would be interesting to try one and compare for sure

Thank you for the input

UPDATE: 

I just thought I'd address this early in this Shave Off thread as I've been asked about the subject by a couple of members so I want to clear things up. 

In my Shave Offs I use these words and I want anyone who follows to know what I mean when I'm using them: 


1. Efficient or Efficiency - Refers to how many passes or strokes it takes for a razor to reduce my beard to the desired shave I'm looking for. 
2. Aggressive or Aggressiveness - I use this term if a razor shows any harshness or harsh characteristics in reference to how it feels on my face while I'm using it. 
3. Effective or Effectiveness - I use the term sometimes when referring to how a razor does it's job. Example XYZ razor was not very effective at taking down my 3 days growth or ABC razor was very effective in reducing my beard growth in only 2 passes. 

Just want to be clear on this so when someone is reading a Shave Off report and I use these words they know what I mean. Of course this is just my shaving lingo and others for example might use the word Aggressive in the same content that I use the word Efficient. 

Thanks guys! 

 

UPDATE: 

Next up for today's Shave Off as I just picked them out of the box is an interesting one as it pits two adjustables against each other. One modern and the other vintage. 

Gillette F4 Toggle vs Rex Ambassador and both set on max settings. 

Should be a good one. And once again these Shave Offs are focused on efficiency and it makes up the  higher percentage of the total score and here is the guide which I believe is also found in the guidelines thread. 

Efficiency can make up to 60% of the total score on how the razor is judged. Smoothness can get up to 20% while Maneuverability, Balance and Glide can get up to 5% each. So total score is what wins the the Shave Off but by looking at the overall results you can judge for yourself whether or not a razor is something that may be or may not be a razor that is right for you. Of course this is just one man's opinion as always and you may find a particular razor in one of these Shave Offs works entirely different for you! 

So here's a photo below of these two handsome adjustables. As always I'd like to hear some predictions because thats what makes it fun for all.  

Great Shaves! 

I've never tried a Toggle but I do have the Rex Ambassador. The Ambassador gives me great shaves on settings 3 to 5 although I do have to be much more careful once it is set to 5. I can't recall ever trying the max setting.

I've never tried a Toggle but I do have the Rex Ambassador.  The Ambassador gives me great shaves on settings 3 to 5 although I do have to be much more careful once it is set to 5.  I can't recall ever trying the max setting.

I've shaved with every gen of the Rex and on max setting I've found then to be a bit aggressive as far as face feel goes so a bit harsh feeling. I'm hoping that this latest version has addressed that characteristic. Toggle is smooth all the way up to max setting in my experience shaving with them throughout the years. I'm about to find out as seen in the post below.

Great shaves!

Shave Off: 

Gillette F4 Toggle vs Rex Ambassador 

I'll do the Shave Off now before going out and I'll report the results tonight. 

Gear used:
Razor - Gillette F4 Toggle
Razor - Rex Ambassador
Shave soap - Asylum Colonia made by SV
Aftershave - Asylum Colonia made by SV
Brush - WCS Synthetic
Bowl - TImeless grey
Blade - Hand stropped Feather



OH yeah this was a good one! I'll post up the results later on today as I'd like to see how the stubble grows back in.