Aggressive/Efficient Razor Comparison Experiment: The Face Of Fear

Is it really a comparison of aggressive razors if the iKon Tech isn’t in the mix? 

I only had an iKon slant many, many years ago. I sold it when I got off my slant kick.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

Is it really a comparison of aggressive razors if the iKon Tech isn’t in the mix? 

I only had an iKon slant many, many years ago. I sold it when I got off my slant kick.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

I only had an iKon slant many, many years ago. I sold it when I got off my slant kick.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

If I’m remembering correctly, the X3 was a true slant that twisted/torqued the blade, while the 102 was more of an off-kilter head that was still a straight bar. I had both a long time ago and didn’t love either but in all fairness to the razors it was when I wasn’t as experienced with DE shaving.

I only had an iKon slant many, many years ago. I sold it when I got off my slant kick.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

The X3 and 102 slants are mild razors. The Tek is a totally different animal. If you are a fan of aggressive razors I would venture to say it's pretty much the pinnacle. It's very efficient with lots of blade feel, but still smooth unlike the harsher feeling of the R41. I'm not 100% sure on the material, but I think it's some kind of cast or MIM aluminum alloy, same as the aforementioned slants. They used to have just the head on sale for $25. Looks like that option is sold out now.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

The X3 and 102 slants are mild razors. The Tek is a totally different animal. If you are a fan of aggressive razors I would venture to say it's pretty much the pinnacle. It's very efficient with lots of blade feel, but still smooth unlike the harsher feeling of the R41. I'm not 100% sure on the material, but I think it's some kind of cast or MIM aluminum alloy, same as the aforementioned slants. They used to have just the head on sale for $25. Looks like that option is sold out now.

100% true on the Tek. I tried one and don’t think I made it through more than 2 shaves. Way too much blade feel for my sensitive mug.

The ikon 102 slant is a good razor. The Tech is frightening. Not to be confused with a Gillette Tech which are very mild. ikons aren’t discussed much anymore.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

The X3 and 102 slants are mild razors. The Tek is a totally different animal. If you are a fan of aggressive razors I would venture to say it's pretty much the pinnacle. It's very efficient with lots of blade feel, but still smooth unlike the harsher feeling of the R41. I'm not 100% sure on the material, but I think it's some kind of cast or MIM aluminum alloy, same as the aforementioned slants. They used to have just the head on sale for $25. Looks like that option is sold out now.

I looked again and the handle is stainless. No specific type, just stainless. Not sure of the head. I like efficient, but don't like an uncomfortable feel. Blade fell can be fine, just not overly aggressive, or scrapey/scratchy. I remember selling my R41 for that reason. And my Dollar Tree razor and blades. Efficient, but horrifically uncomfortable. At the current price, I am tempted by the Tek and the short comb.

Comparison #8

Karve OC-G vs. Yaqi Sentinel 1.50 OC

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium

OC-G Blade Gap: 1.36mm • Blade Exposure: 0.25mm
Sentinel 1.50 OC • Blade Gap: 1.50mm • Blade Exposure: N/A

Impressions:

Both did a good job on the WTG pass. It’s pretty close. The Karve is definitely smoother. When I first hit my face with the Yaqi, I was stunned. Actually, I thought the Yaqi felt like it might be little bit smoother initially,  but as I continued the pass, there was definitely noticeably more blade feel from the Yaqi. Nothing horrendous for me, but noticeable.

The XTG pass was a bit more close. Though the Yaqi was still a little bit more blade forward, but not as much as on the WTG pass. It could’ve been maybe the fact that I had seven days growth, I’m not sure. The Yaqi also felt a little bit more blade forward and was a bit less comfortable on my neck area than the Karve was.
The ATG pass was very similar to the across the grain. Noticeably more blade feel on the Yaqi side. Not a lot, not objectionable. But it is definitely noticeable. I would definitely say the Karve is much smoother. Both razors are incredibly efficient after three passes. No touchups were needed.

With the alcohol based A/S, there was a slight bit more burn on the Yaqi side as I kind of had expected. I’m assuming this is from the blade feel and it probably shaved a little closer or deeper than the Karve did. Not by any means an objectionable burn, but there was virtually none on the Karve side.

My conclusion:

Both razors are pretty close and efficiency. Smoothness and comfort definitely goes to the carve. It's not to say that the yucky is necessarily uncomfortable, but it does possess more blade feel. While I don't think the blade feel is by any means excessive, especially compared to an R 41, but if you're not a fan of Blade, you will likely not enjoy the hockey. That said, it is available in a straight bar, but I don't know how much more comfortable that feels compared to the open comb as I do not have it. I remember being surprised with the G plate, both in the open comb and stray bar version, how smooth and comfortable they were compared to what I expected for being the most aggressive in the car line.
So, if you're looking for efficiency and smoothness, it is definitely the Karve. If you don't mind some blade feel, you'll definitely enjoy the Yaqi as well. If you're not a fan of blade feel, you likely will not. As usual, it comes down to your preferences. I don't have any doubt that for me personally, while I don't mind blade feel, I would definitely reach for the Karve more often.

I believe I had the X3 I'm guessing. I bought it some years ago and I was just looking again. I am sure tempted for the advertised $39.99 "sale" price. I remember when I bought my slant it was a sale price. Is the iKon always usually $50? Do you know about the materials? Aluminum, zin alloy, zamak, etc. I'm not expecting 316L at this price, though Razoock comes close. Any ideas on the blade gap/exposure? I find the lack of any info a bit frustrating. I am tempted for the price and a fan of the scary razors!

The X3 and 102 slants are mild razors. The Tek is a totally different animal. If you are a fan of aggressive razors I would venture to say it's pretty much the pinnacle. It's very efficient with lots of blade feel, but still smooth unlike the harsher feeling of the R41. I'm not 100% sure on the material, but I think it's some kind of cast or MIM aluminum alloy, same as the aforementioned slants. They used to have just the head on sale for $25. Looks like that option is sold out now.

I looked again and the handle is stainless. No specific type, just stainless. Not sure of the head. I like efficient, but don't like an uncomfortable feel. Blade fell can be fine, just not overly aggressive, or scrapey/scratchy. I remember selling my R41 for that reason. And my Dollar Tree razor and blades. Efficient, but horrifically uncomfortable. At the current price, I am tempted by the Tek and the short comb.

The Ikon Tek and the 2011 R41 are both terrible razors. There are much more comfortable ways to achieve the same results.