Yaqi Single Edge AC style

First shave with the Excalibur tonight. First to answer Dave's observation about the cap not being aligned:




As can be seen, the head is cast zamak with a brushed chrome plating. Precision casting and finishing was not something Yaqi took a lot of time doing. The cap eventually aligned properly, but only by loosening the cap, straightening it out, and then slowly tightening again. Then again, we are talking about a mass produced $30 razor which appeared to be needing a little more precision than their normal three hole base plate and screw post plus two round pin top cap of their DE razors.

The blade itself stuck out forward and was quite exposed, which initially made me think that I should take the first couple of strokes slowly. The cap also was very rounded and did not have a bevel like the Vector did and so discovering the correct angle would be first priority.



Because my normal practice when shaving with a new razor is to use a blade that is a couple of shaves away from being tossed, I decided to go with the blade that came installed in the head. I have had experience with the AC blades coming from China, and most were a couple of shaves away from being tossed anyway.

On my first stroke of my WTG pass, I realized that I had to ride the cap on this razor, almost to the point of barely touching the guard. Trying my normal angle produced a very rough stroke. Once found, the razor performed very efficiently, but was very noisy. It might have been blade chatter, which surprised me because AC blades are too thick to chatter, but in looking at the space below the blade, it is possible. WTG and ATG went very will and there was minimal touch up. I ended up with a two pass plus minimal touch up BBS. The handle did not feel completely comfortable to hold. The thin and smooth shape did create challenges when trying to change grip between WTG and ATG, however the handle can be changed to suit your preference.

Overall, the Excalibur does give a good shave and it is extremely cheap, however I cannot recommend it as a razor that someone should get to test out the Feather AC safety razor waters. The build of the head is crude and it is not unusual if there are QC issues. I also cannot get past the part where they stole Shane's cut screw post design. For those that insist on getting a cheap AC safety razor, I would recommend the RR Hawk v2. It is CNC machined aluminum and a very efficient and comfortable shaver going for only a couple of dollars more than the Yaqi and is made in North America.

On my first stroke of my WTG pass, I realized that I had to ride the cap on this razor, almost to the point of barely touching the guard.
Trying my normal angle produced a very rough stroke.

Once found, the razor performed very efficiently, but was very noisy.
It might have been blade chatter, which surprised me because AC blades are too thick to chatter.
But in looking at the space below the blade, it is possible.

Overall, the Excalibur does give a good shave and it is extremely cheap.
However I cannot recommend it as a razor that someone should get to test out the Feather AC safety razor waters.
The build of the head is crude and it is not unusual if there are QC issues.

Thanks for sharing.

First time I see a AC blade style modern SE with no angle.
The blade come out totally flat.
With a clear positive exposure.


And clamping looks a little poor.
Never liked the geometry with pins on the base.

Yes, people that are looking at this razor to gain entry into the AC safety razor market may be very disappointed because it did take a lot of my years of experience to figure out what was going on in order to get a great shave. The part I don't understand is that there was a lot of space below the blade to allow Yaqi to tilt the blade slightly downward to get a neutral angle. One other thing I found out while trying to switch handles is that Yaqi's version of the cut screw post does not translate as well as Blackland's. It was very easy to cross thread early on and so one needed to be careful with the alignment and screw the handle on slowly.

... Yaqi's version of the cut screw post does not translate as well as Blackland's.

Not a surprise.

On the australian Yaqi dealer there're available the single parts.
https://www.yaqishaving.com.au/collectio...fety-razor

The Excalibur head geometry is called V2.
This simply refers to the precision of the manufacture.
In fact, the initial problem has now been solved.

So V2 is not an evolution.
But an adjustment.

The complete razor is called Raster.
On other shop, as Yaqi AliExpress, is called Rapier.
Same model, different names.

Mine is suppose to be shipped from Australia tomorrow. It is not surprising that this is a rough copy of the Vector and nobody should be surprised as the Chinese steel everything from us and most other countries. As far as the square screw this is nothing new and wasn't invented for the Vector but it works welI. I appreciate the reviews and will make my own judgement after receiving the Raster. Most times you get what you pay for.

I have the Vector and don't feel I need the inferior copy. Just the simple facts.

I have a Vector and I have the earlier version of the Yaqi. Believe me, outside of Yaqi stealing the cut screw post design from Blackland, there is NO comparison between the two. It is like saying that a Kia is a copy of a Ferrari because both have four wheels and a windshield. One should get it only to experience how far away Yaqi is from producing something even close to a Vector.

I have a Vector and I have the earlier version of the Yaqi. Believe me, outside of Yaqi stealing the cut screw post design from Blackland, there is NO comparison between the two. It is like saying that a Kia is a copy of a Ferrari because both have four wheels and a windshield. One should get it only to experience how far away Yaqi is from producing something even close to a Vector.

I don't care to support them to satisfy my curiosity which I really don't have. Whether their attempt to do the same (clear to me, imo but only they know) was successful or not doesn't matter to me. Love my Vector shaves. No need for it.

I have a Vector and I have the earlier version of the Yaqi. Believe me, outside of Yaqi stealing the cut screw post design from Blackland, there is NO comparison between the two. It is like saying that a Kia is a copy of a Ferrari because both have four wheels and a windshield. One should get it only to experience how far away Yaqi is from producing something even close to a Vector.

I don't care to support them to satisfy my curiosity which I really don't have. Whether their attempt to do the same (clear to me, imo but only they know) was successful or not doesn't matter to me. Love my Vector shaves. No need for it.

Absolutely agree with you Dave...

However, it is great that gvw755 can report it's nothing like it. IF they were trying to steal the design, they failed. This then provides an educating aspect to others who see it and consider it as a cheaper option... "It's not close, they failed, move along".

Fwiw, I've used the Yaqi tech and I don't consider it a rip-off because the Tech is long 'retired'. You're reviving the design (trying to) not stealing. Too bad they didn't stop there.