MyCleanRed creado por nentab de SoporteMyBB.

My iKon OSS razor arrived yesterday with Phil's usual attention to both packaging and speed. I knew that it was going to be on for this morning's shave so here are some of my first impressions:

Make no mistake, this is one large hefty razor and I happen to like its weighty feel. Here are a few statistics that go into that size and heft...

handle length: 3.75 inches (93 mm)
handle diameter at the base: .5 inch (12 mm)
head length: 1.6875 inches (43 mm)
weight of razor: 3.6 ounces (102 gr)
weight of handle only: 2.6 ounces (73 gr)

The balance on this razor is absolutely beautiful. The all stainless steel construction is proportioned perfectly between head and handle. I didn't have to look for any sweet spot on my face for either the open comb side or the safety bar side. Each side just seemed to instinctively find the perfect angle of razor to face.

Some like shorter handles while others prefer longer ones. My hands are pretty small yet I'm happy using either. In the OSS's case, the longer handle never got in the way of my shave. Here, again, because of that lovely balance, where to hold the razor for best performance just seemed intuitive; I never really thought about it.

The knurling on the handle makes for a good grip so that the razor isn't likely to slip out of your hand even when wet. That knurling is completely comfortable to hold, too. It does not feel uncomfortably rough to the touch.

The design of the head to the bottom plate assures that the blade locks in with no wiggle or misalignment. This is especially important considering the head offers two completely different shaving experiences with the open comb/safety bar design.

Now for the but...

I am not sure I like the different sides to the head. In fact, while initially intrigued by the concept, in practice I just found it annoying. The open comb side is easily one of the best of that design that I have ever used; the safety bar side, not so much. The safety bar side is okay but my $8.00-$10.00 vintage STAR DE, a non-aggressive safety bar razor, runs rings around it. The STAR DE gives me a BBS shave in three passes. The iKon OSS gave me a BBS shave in three passes plus touch up. I believe that is because I used the open comb side of the OSS for the first pass and the safety bar for the other two. The safety bar side just wasn't all that great along my jaw line without those touch ups. Don't misunderstand; I did end up with a BBS shave that has lasted all day but it just took a wee bit more work than I'm used to.

Another detraction from the different sides of the OSS is that one loses one of the nice conveniences of a normal DE, be it open comb or safety bar. That is, one can go twice as long before having to rinse the razor and blade of accumulated lather.

I know some here use more than one razor to complete their daily shave believing that various razors, and particularly types of sides, offer differing aspects of the shave. For me (and I speak personally and am not putting down the method for anyone else) I always thought that was a lot of extra work and clean-up while accomplishing not very much. The iKon OSS allowed me to test that theory and the experience did nothing to change my mind.

In closing, this razor easily gets a 9.3-9.5 out of a possible 10. If both sides of the head had the same open comb design a 10 out of 10 would have been a given for this beauty.


Remember, I wanted to give you an idea about the OSS but this is an almost completely subjective review. Therefore, if the idea of the different shaving sides of the head is a selling point for you then definitely give this handsome razor a try.

The iKon OSS dual head razor


The iKon OSS's three pieces


A comparison of handle lengths. From the left: Lady Gillette, iKon OSS, Gillette Super Adjustable (short handle), Merkur 37G slant

Great review!

A Super review freddy im glad you have more good thing,s to say than negetive as theas razors ar really work of art.
i have a older ikon its called the regular with a long handle and as you said the non slip designe is great for not droping the razor.the double head i think is very intoresting and perhaps with time you might like the doual shave head.i supose first pass with one side and second pass with the other side.
then the best razor side to finish off,I was really intorested to hear your revew as i have gone for one of theas ikon 0SS so looking forward to mine ariving and my first shave.another thing i like about ikon is you can purches just a handle for the difrent heads.Well Done Freddy a super review i enjoyed reading.

A very gorgeous razor that would look great in any collection, and also a well thought out and articulated review of the strengths and weaknesses of the product.

With a razor that has such a hefty price tag, its refreshing to read a review that is even and honest. Thanks Freddy for a good review.

(12-17-2011 06:10 PM)Ecosse Wrote:  With a razor that has such a hefty price tag, its refreshing to read a review that is even and honest. Thanks Freddy for a good review.

I would like to agree with Gary... and what Freddy had to say. Although I find that the 3rd pass, with some touch up from the milder bar side, is pretty nice. I can't say that the open comb, in spite of a different appearance, is any better than his 2nd generation OCs.

To the bar side, I'm pretty much an OC guy. Occasionally, I'll use my Mergress, which does pretty much the same thing as the bar side of OSS. The difference here is the amount of maintenance and the pure OC feel when 'buffing' (I'm not about to start totally switching razors in the middle of a shave). All this goes to the iKon.

I don't 'rotate' razors. I pretty much use whatever suites me when the time comes. Different razors, blades and other stuff make for that special shave. The OSS will get used quite a bit. Damn nice razor.

I love the SS idea, and the looks.

Just a follow-up. I had shave two with the iKon OSS this morning and used only the open comb side. The shave was absolutely beautiful after my usual three passes. Therefore, I'm sticking with my original review. This remains a fantastic razor but I would have preferred having open comb on both sides of the head.

I should also like to add one more positive note that I forgot to put in my initial review. The way the razor head is designed, the sides of the blade are completely covered so no more accidental scrapes with those extended rough edges! That would be a great addition to any DE so kudos to iKon for just doing it.

Note how rough the projecting edge of the blade is in the STAR DE razor, which is on the right.