#1

It's sharp and it cuts. I like it...
Northeast, USA
In a collaborative effort, the Wet Shave Club & Yates Precision Manufacturing teamed up on a totally newly designed razor. WSC has been around for a little over a year and has produced a very affordable and quality razor made of Stainless Steel. If you want a bit more info on that particular razor and how it performs, the link below to that razor will provide some more details on the make up and shave performance.

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-wet-sha...isan-razor

Before I continue, I’d like to give a big thank you to one of the classier Gentleman in the shave forums Shavemd for allowing me to start a new thread on this particular production between WSC & YPM. He gave me the ok and blessing to kick it off so, again thank you Mark. You’re a scholar & a Gentleman.....

As some know, if not most of you, YPM (Yates Precision Manufacturing) is basically a one man show run by Jake Yates with his wife Ashley, I believe putting in some serious work and in helping Jake, YPM make a mark for themselves. His #921 model razor creation has been quite the hit for it’s multiple finishes and options on base plate configurations. Also made of high quality alloys & finishes to appease wet shave taste buds across the board. His razor has been received quite well and are garnishing great reviews across the net & shave forums. And I believe YPM is only going to get better. For more details and info on shave performance, reviews and just general info, the link below will take you that thread.

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-yates-p...ring-razor

Well, here is the collaboration between these two as WSC is selling the Merica razor on their website while Jake is spitting them out on his CNC machine set ups at his shop.  Construction is all 316/L Stainless Steel with a stonewashed like finish a la the #921 from YPM. There is a real industrial yet eye pleasing look to the razor that gives it a workman’s like type look and feel. And it feels quite good in the hands exhibiting excellent tactile feel & balance with the handle having circular ridges that give one a secure grip. This razor will not fall from one’s hands unless you throw it, drop it intentionally or are just a wet shave klutz. And if you happen to have a nice high end sink that’s not of Stainless Steel, well you’ve been forewarned. Not a real heavy razor but, it’s got some heft to it. I’ll pull the kitchen scale out later to get some #’s on weights of the components and the razor as a whole. I purchased the razor on Wednesday and had it delivered yesterday. Packaging was straightforward and basic with an environmental motif that I did not mind and actually kind of liked. Pics below.

[Image: 2WYH7vB.jpg]
[Image: c0lT0LI.jpg]


As one can see very basic but, cleanly done. For the price of $89 shipped, you get what you see above. A 3pc. razor and a 100cnt. of razor blades. Not too shabby if you ask me. Is it the prettiest looking razor? No but, looks can be deceiving as this razor will soon prove to be to this knucklehead, yours truly.....

I got my first shave with it yesterday evening and it was a very comfortable, smooth and yet efficient shave, a traditional 3 pass event that was near BBS except for the Adam’s Apple area (my toughest spot for any & all of my razors). As I stated before, the balance is near perfect and the grip is up there with the best of them. I just had my 2nd shave with it about 45 minutes ago, with light stubble from yesterday’s great shave and I was done in 2.5 passes with some touch ups around the Apple. Again, just a real good finish and quality shave that said BBS all around. Easy on the skin, smooth yet there is a real nice deceptive blade feel that is not overly done. Just enough to let you know that it’s making contact and removing the whiskers with each subsequent pass. It’s not a singer but, it will hum nicely to give you enough audible feedback to keep you honest.

2 shaves in and I’m nicely surprised at the Merica’s performance. It’s not a face peeling Muhle R41 nor is it a skin protecting British Gillette Tech. It finds a real nice middle ground of smoothness/ease of skin feel with a nice feel of efficiency that as one can see hopefully from the pics, has some nice blade exposure. Not intimidating at all. Optimal cutting angle is not huge but, finding it was very easy and keeping it there was second nature. 

Yesterday’s shave.
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Today’s shave.
[Image: QipvVmS.jpg]

In the end it was two good shaves. Yesterday rendered about 9-10 hours of longevity which isn’t to shabby for a razor that Jake says is a bit milder than the M plate on the #921. I can’t confirm that as I yet have not attained a Yates #921 razor (waiting for the electo-polished version, soon!) but, many claim the #921 to be a very good daily driver that can tackle a couple days growth without a hitch. The Merica can do that as well for a darned good price.

I’m going to put in a full weeks worth of shaves with it and try it with a couple more blades and see how that works out. Nice shaver with a real good price point made of a high standard alloy machined to tight tolerances. A bit early but, that sounds like a winner.

On a side note, the Ethos Grooming Chill Collection Greenfresh soap & splash are nothing short of superb. Performance was excellent with a scent that is truly exquisite. One just has to try it for oneself as this product is from soup to nuts an elite performer on all counts. Just a wonderfully executed product that Frankie Dragonsbeard has knocked a Grand-Slam with. Just one use and I’m smitten by this pairing. Supremely fresh, minty, juicy cucumber like with a balsamic sweetness that is to die for. If you like fresh, clean and an invigorating scent that puts a pep in your step, this is it Gents. A must have in one’s collection....

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#2

expert shaver
Panther's Stanley Cup Champs
(This post was last modified: 11-07-2020, 03:38 PM by slantman.)
Great review and photos. Mine was suppose to arrive today but according to tracking its running late so possibly Monday. What initially attracted me to this razor not only because Jake made it but the beauty of the handle. Does yours have the American flag embossing on the head?

GlazedBoker, AQU and Marhos24 like this post
#3
Nice review and pics! Looks like you've got a keeper. Im also waiting on a #921 H plate (hopefully soon). Been a big fan of Jake from the start and its awesome to see him producing more great products.

GlazedBoker and AQU like this post
#4
(11-07-2020, 03:36 PM)slantman Wrote: Great review and photos. Mine was suppose to arrive today but according to tracking its running late so possibly Monday. What initially attracted me to this razor not only because Jake made it but the beauty of the handle. Does yours have the American flag embossing on the head?

I don't see an embossed flag in the pictures.

GlazedBoker likes this post
#5

It's sharp and it cuts. I like it...
Northeast, USA
(11-07-2020, 01:49 PM)Ncardny Wrote:
(11-07-2020, 01:20 PM)GlazedBoker Wrote:
Merica Razor (WSC/Yates) & Tatra Platinum
Dragonsbeard (Knothead Brushworks) 26mm Tuxedo Resin Handle
Ethos Grooming Greenfresh (Chill Collection) soap
Ethos Grooming Greenfresh (Chill Collection) a/s splash
Marc Jacobs for Men eau de toilette
[Image: 2iNeqbx.jpg]


Fantastic looking shave!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(11-07-2020, 03:36 PM)slantman Wrote: Great review and photos. Mine was suppose to arrive today but according to tracking its running late so possibly Monday. What initially attracted me to this razor not only because Jake made it but the beauty of the handle. Does yours have the American flag embossing on the head?

No my friend. It’s the original release. I think the flag version will be available later as a limited release. No details yet.....
#6

expert shaver
Panther's Stanley Cup Champs
(11-07-2020, 04:14 PM)GlazedBoker Wrote:
(11-07-2020, 01:49 PM)Ncardny Wrote:
(11-07-2020, 01:20 PM)GlazedBoker Wrote:
Merica Razor (WSC/Yates) & Tatra Platinum
Dragonsbeard (Knothead Brushworks) 26mm Tuxedo Resin Handle
Ethos Grooming Greenfresh (Chill Collection) soap
Ethos Grooming Greenfresh (Chill Collection) a/s splash
Marc Jacobs for Men eau de toilette
[Image: 2iNeqbx.jpg]


Fantastic looking shave!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(11-07-2020, 03:36 PM)slantman Wrote: Great review and photos. Mine was suppose to arrive today but according to tracking its running late so possibly Monday. What initially attracted me to this razor not only because Jake made it but the beauty of the handle. Does yours have the American flag embossing on the head?

No my friend. It’s the original release. I think the flag version will be available later as a limited release. No details yet.....
Okay will watch for it
#7
Great review Gus, I look forward to getting mine when it finally gets out of NY USPS. Jake and Ashley are creating high quality razors at an excellent price

DeepSea, Nehbulah, Dave in KY and 4 others like this post
#8

Member
Atlanta, GA
Great review Gus. I decided to give the razor a try. I just placed an order.

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Clint
#9

It's sharp and it cuts. I like it...
Northeast, USA
(11-07-2020, 09:47 PM)clint64 Wrote: Great review Gus. I decided to give the razor a try. I just placed an order.

It’s a good shaver for an easy 3 passer. Maybe a touch up or two if you have multiple days of growth. That’s not a bad thing if you ask me. Congrats and I look forward to your thoughts amigo....

clint64 likes this post
#10

It's sharp and it cuts. I like it...
Northeast, USA
(This post was last modified: 11-08-2020, 02:27 PM by GlazedBoker.)
Just another good, solid shave from the Merica razor. I have to give it to YPM as the man knows how to get a razor made with excellent tolerances and well balanced shave geometry for what WSC was aiming for. Just a good mid-level shaver that’s not as mild as one would think. It exhibits more blade feel than say a GC.68 or any of the RR Mamba’s including the BBS-SS. It feels close to a GC.84 SB with a tiny bit less blade feel but, very similar in shave performance. I’m starting to warm up to the industrial/workman or blue collar type vibe that it emits aesthetically. It’s a few bucks more than any of the RR Gamechanger variants which might be a detriment to it taking off as the value/performance of the Razorock CNC razors is nearly unbeatable for what they bring to the table. But, it’s made in the good old USA of a high quality alloy (316/L) from a top notch machinist who’s really starting to make a name for himself. WSC did good by hooking up with YPM. I’m looking forward to what this collaboration will bring us in the near future.

Today’s shave was another great shave. It’s easy to get cutting quickly and efficiently with a very intuitive feel on a comfortable shave angle. No messing around for the optimal cutting point to play with as it feels just about neutral, slightly off the cap and just barely feeling the bar. Like I said in my previous post, it’s not a noisy razor as it is a bit muted but, you can hear it slicing and dicing. The Ethos Grooming Melange d’agrumes provided the suds with a lather & slickness that was second to none. Clean & refreshed. I’m loving this stuff.....

I like the razor and would not hesitate in recommending it to anyone searching for a solid daily that can take on a couple days growth as well. Overall it’s a pretty darn good value with performance to back it up.

[Image: BiFgv3S.jpg]

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