Yaqi Adjustable V3 (The Final Cut)

Awesome write-up Gus GlazedBoker

Thanks amigo. A blessed New Year to you & yours….

Awesome write-up Gus GlazedBoker

I'll second that.

For the sake of conversation & comparison of these two razors, I decided to pit them against each other just to see how similar or different these razors are. They are both similar in appearance & design and are distinctly different in alloy & construction. As I’ve stated before in my previous posts, they are very close to one another in feel with almost equal balance with the exception that the Rex holds a substantial lead in the handles knurling as I believe it to be the best in the industry, not just in class alone. The tactile feel that it provides during the soapiest of shaves is unequaled in my experience. Not that the Yaqi TFC is lacking in grip, it is quite good but, the smoother finish & chroming of the handle is not as direct or tactile at the touch compared to the Rex. Still, unless one is all thumbs I don’t see anyone or the far majority of shavers having an issue with the TFC’s knurling.





Another thing that needs to be stated is very key and is critical in this shave comparison. And that is the number of shaves that I have with the Yaqi TFC. This will only be the 7th shave with it as compared to the well over a 100 shaves that I have with the Rex. I’ve had the Rex in my shave den since 2018, 4 years this coming June. The shaves with the Rex are 2nd nature to me as muscle memory takes over and my accustomization with the Rex Ambassador is practically an extension of myself. Personally, I’m not of the thought that if a razor doesn’t cut it in its first 3-5 shaves, it’s a goner. I always give a razor anywhere between 10-15 shaves to potentially get myself properly acquainted with its shave characteristics. Many don’t think that way and that is fine with me. Every razor is designed differently with specific shave geometry as to what the designer believed to be an optimal tool for shave performance. Many a wet shaver both young & old have missed out on some pretty amazing shave tools in both the vintage and modern groups because it didn’t shave as well compared to their tried and trued razors or reasoning of I’m a cap riding shaver, neutral position or guard believer or basically, their specific technique in short. And again, I have no argument against how one wants to shave or is their preferred method of shaving regardless of skill or technique that they are anchored in to. Enough and onto the shave itself.

For today I used the always great (for me) WSP Olympus soap & splash. It’s a great performing combo with a scent that is very similar to Creed Aventus. The eau de parfum just finishes off the ensemble extremely well. Grabbed one of the better blades in the business (top 10 in my list) the always reliable Gillette Platinum’s. Consistently sharp, smooth and above average in durability. Installed a fresh blade into each one, built my lather up to a smooth & creamy consistency and went to work. Rex on the right, TFC on the left. Both razors were set to #6 on the dial as that’s the max setting for the Rex Ambassador and wanted to keep all things as fair as possible. Decided regardless of the outcome, each razor will get 3 passes on their respective sides and if needed a touch up or buff with the one that proves to be the better performer for this match up.

WTG 1st pass from the top of the sideburns to the bottom of the neck was the Ambassador and as always it just gives excellent feedback with above average smoothness and feel. Went right through a little over a days worth of growth with relative ease, comfort & efficiency. Efficiency to me is the effectiveness of a razor while performing each successive pass while reducing whiskers effectively and comfortably. Your definition may be different, this is mine and my criteria alone. Finished off the face, neck and half of the chin with ease with much of the hair reduced to skin level. Grabbed the TFC and to its side and it went about its business. From stroke one, it was apparent that the Ambassador felt slightly smoother than the TFC though, not by much. Still a good easy feel on the face that brought down the whiskers with near identical action as compared to the Ambassador. Unfortunately, I nicked myself on the left side of my Adam’s Apple as I was flipping or turning the razor to its other side and in my haste I caught a tiny corner of the razor before being flush on the skin and oops. It happens and as usual, operator error and nothing to do with the razor itself. Stuck my alum stick there for about 30 seconds, a non issue for the rest of the shave. Minus that a great first pass that was nearly identical in results on both sides. Rinsed and got ready for pass 2.

ATG 2nd pass from the bottom of the neck working upwards. Got the Ambassador and set it to #4 and away I went. Great smooth strokes with the Ambassador & the GP combo. Easy movement and feel from transitioning from the neck, jawline and onto the face with nearly automatic like precision. Unfortunately, I broke one of my own rules in working with the Ambassador. I never go over a spot without lathering it as the Rex quite literally removes every trace of soap, even one as good as the WSP Olympus with tallow. I went over a spot or two without dipping for digits in water or soap and I felt a bit more blade while simultaneously giving me a couple of red dots near the corners of my mouth just under the end of the stache. The Rex does NOT forgive if you don’t have any soap or decent amount of residual slickness for a quick re-pass. It’s like very few other razors in my den that do this such as the Ikon Tech, Evo SS & R41 ‘11. With the Ambassador I believe it to be the positive blade exposure & the design of the safety bar that contributes to this “dry face, no soap phenomena” after a pass. Truthfully, I can’t give a certain reason or a coherent and logical explanation on why the Ambassador does this but, in my estimation it’s an inherent anomaly (design flaw? Don’t know either) that is unknowingly designed into the razor. It is what it is, period. Went to the TFC with the same methodical approach to the shave on pass two. Also brought it down to setting #4 and the smoothness was much closer to the Ambassador as it showed from the very first strokes ATG. Easy and effortless as I continued on upward clearing out the whiskers with good audible feedback and feel. No mishaps on the TFC side and more importantly, I can actually do a quick re-pass as the grooves on the safety bar actually leaves some good residual slickness behind to allow that action if needed. A quick face rinse and feel and I was at a DFS level if I wanted to stop right there. Both sides identical in feel and to the touch, my fingers felt ever so slightly spots around Sir Adam and at the ridge of the jawline just under my earlobes on each side. I said 3 passes regardless and basically this was going to be a touch up pass and slight buff if needed. Yes, I’m a sick and demented BBS chaser. On to pass three.

XTG 3rd pass and touch ups. Brought the Ambassador down to #2.5ish and went from ear to the chin on its side of the face. Buttery smooth and still effectively efficient in cleaning up any stragglers and the spot around the Adams Apple that needed clearing on its side. Usually, I have some lather on the off hand to dab my face with during touch ups and such instead of always reaching for the brush and reapplying the suds. It’s quicker for me this way and I’m used to doing it plus, I’ll move some lather from one spot to another as needed if available to keep the razor from stopping. Continuous motion is my method to this madness. It works. All done and smooth as a baby’s bottom. Went to the TFC and brought it down to 2.5 as well and proceeded with the same routine on its side as I did with the Ambassador side. Smooth yet not as smooth as the Ambassador was. Still extremely easy on the face with an ease of use that is equal if not better to the Ambassador. Cleared out all the spots it needed to do and no stragglers left behind. No mishaps except for a tiny red dot that appeared directly under my left earlobe that I did not feel. Maybe an extra stroke or two without enough residual slickness or exerted a bit of unnecessary pressure during that last clean up pass. Who knows to be honest but, it happens and you just chalk it up to part of the sacrifice to appease the shave gods. What else can I tell you? Next was the alum pass for gauging skin feel and irritation plus it helps with the nics & weepers in sealing them up and closing the pores on the skin. As I knew there was some slight heat near the corner of my mouth on the Ambassador side and a tinge of it near the top of the ear where I finish off the sideburn. Neck was excellent as were the jawline & cheeks. Same for the TFC side as it was pretty much the same with just a touch of irritation near the Adams Apple and right were that final red dot appeared under the ear. Everywhere else was flawless. Smooth and leathery feel like was my face & neck that was soft and supple to the touch. Finished it with some witches brew and the splash, done deal.

The shave feel on both sides is nearly identical. Extremely close and extremely comfortable feel 10 minutes after the shave. Can’t pick a winner based on results but, I can pick one based on the shave feel and the process. The Rex Ambassador felt a bit better in the hands with that superb knurling and the efficient smoothness that I have come to expect every-time I put it into use. I haven’t felt drag from this razor since my first 2-3 shaves with it many moons ago. Again, I attribute that to my knowledge of its shave characteristics, muscle memory and my nearly secondhand nature of knowing what it does. The Yaqi TFC is right behind it in shave feel & performance wise is up to the standard of what the Ambassador has been doing for some time. It’s still early and I still believe the TFC has more to reveal to me in the next weeks and months that I’ll have to shave with it. What really is the key here though is that for roughly 1/10th of the cost of the Rex Ambassador, the Yaqi TFC practically duplicated the shave results of its much more expensive counterpart with relative ease. Perhaps not as smooth or polished as the Rex Ambassador but, damn near close. Additionally, one can look at it and say well, the clear winner is the Yaqi TFC as it gave the same desired results at a substantially lower price. And I wouldn’t argue that point either. I should say vehemently to take what you read here with a healthy helping of salt. This is just my particular experience and findings as of this moment. Everyone should and will have a different point of view with some agreeing and others disagreeing with what I’ve posted here.

I enjoyed my shave with the Rex more today, by a toenails clippings. It’s robustly produced and has a premium feel to it that the TFC does not have or exude. That has some significance to me as all things being equal, it should outlast the TFC by a wide margin. And yet I’m enjoying the crap out of this Yaqi razor as it continues to impress. No bells & whistles, no exotic alloy composition or a well known artisan name behind it. Made of economically sourced alloy hybrids that is very economically priced in todays razor price/affordability wars. On pure performance, it hangs with the Ambassador and I wouldn’t doubt it hanging with any of the other big boys in the group. Sleeper or Giant killer of 2021/2022? Maybe. We’ll just have to wait and see. Once more shavers have this model in their hands and get experience with it, more can be told on how it fares in wet shave land.

Great shaves to all and a Happy 2022…. 

GlazedBoker Thoroughly enjoyed the masterful review in it's entirety. Well down Amigo

Just an FYI - the Yaqi factory store on Aliexpress has the chrome razor in stock. I figured that for $30 I'd audition this one for a travel razor. It's a little on the heavy side, but it may still be a good option. I've got a Gibbs which I love. So if this performs well, I'll keep it without fear of losing it on the road. Otherwise it'll head to the BST.

GlazedBoker Great review Gus (like usual) and much appreciated. I really enjoy my adjustables but, for me, the Gibbs if you can find one is still the one to beat even with it's drawbacks. There have been some uber expensive adjustables of late which are nearly as good but with their limited releases they just aren't for everyone. This Yaqi knock off does the job and I couldn't add anything to your comprehensive review. Thanks again

Great review! Thank you

I used the TFC on 4 for an exceptional 2 pass shave plus a bit of buffing on the chin. Used a fresh Ladas Super Stainless blade without a single mishap. No irritation, nics or cuts to report of from this extremely affordable yet giant killer of a razor. Easily one of the best $25-$45 investments in shaving hardware a wet shaver can spend. Now, I’m not saying you can throw everything else you have out the window once this competent piece arrives but, it gives comparatively great shaves to other adjustables with a more prestigious name AND a higher price tag. I love my other adjustable razors but, the Yaqi TFC can hang just alongside them just as well, thank you very much.

Sunday February 20, 2022
Razor: Yagi TFC Adjustable/ Custom Brass Handle ( Clouds )
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: Wolf Whisker/Silvertip Badger
Soap: Talbot Tangerine
AS 1: Thayers Original
AS 2: Nivea Deep
Fragrance: Amouage Sunshine Man
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1201

This was just an amazingly smooth and close shave on Setting 4. Love the extra weight and look of the new handle. Won't replace my Gibbs but Best bang for the buck for an adjustable.

Sunday February 20, 2022
Razor: Yagi TFC Adjustable/ Custom Brass Handle ( Clouds )
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: Wolf Whisker/Silvertip Badger
Soap: Talbot Tangerine
AS 1: Thayers Original
AS 2: Nivea Deep
Fragrance: Amouage Sunshine Man
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1201

This was just an amazingly smooth and close shave on Setting 4. Love the extra weight and look of the new handle. Won't replace my Gibbs but Best bang for the buck for an adjustable.

Couldn’t agree more amigo. Not a show stopper and not an equal to the Gibbs but, close enough.