Atelier Durdan N°7 razor pass around.....

Thanks Gus for your warm welcome.
This place might become my second "wet shaving home".

I wasn't aware of the pass around details, thus my question... thanks for your guidance. So I'll stick with the sideline position. Thanks for pointing me to the other UK forum, but the pass around will only happen over here... as it appears.

Regarding the events... Sure, we shall see... 

Cheers!

Thanks for organizing this pass around event, Gus
GlazedBoker.

I'm new to THIS forum, but I wanted to suggest something. I assume the razor will be send back to Augustin once the pass around has been completed. Instead of sending the razor back to France directly I'd propose to send it to me instead (I'm Germany based, so shipping cost likely won’t differ). I'd then do the final stage of the pass around tour and return the razor directly to AD (tracked & insured, for sure).

By that time I'll likely have enough posts to qualify officially (just like Kim Phoenixkh).

If this is not possible I'll happily watch this thread from the sidelines.

Cheers!

There’s a UK pass around happening at ATG and when finished it will start the EU tour. Maybe if you sign up soon you'll be able to fulfil the conditions to take part.

Thank you for the heads up! Very appreciated!

Preliminary and just only that Gents. This razor will impress quite a few here that enjoy highly efficient performing razors with a bit of blade feel and smoothness galore. I performed a traditional 3 pass shave as I dove into the deep end right off the bat with the 1.5 gap plate and a Schick blade. Smooth, smooth and then some more smooth. That huge gap between the guard & blade with minimal blade bend is misleading gents. I still haven’t wrapped my head around how to explain it but, it just shaves wickedly good but, with that French panache and smooth flair. Very reminiscent to the Le Faulx somewhat where that gap doesn’t translate to a fearsome feeling between razor and skin. I can’t give a clear explanation as of yet as i need to put in more shaves but, whatever Augustin is conjuring up in that French cottage amongst those open fields is working and working a doozy it is. I gave myself 3-4 of the most undetectable weepers I’ve experienced to date. The head design is different and looks as if it will feel awkward but, once on the skin, the angle for me was almost Au Natural within 2-3 strokes. Satisfying, intriguing and perplexing all simultaneously. I’m rubbing my face enjoying a superb BBS finish with just a tinge of irritation along my left jawline & just under the chin. Very impressive finish that has me scratching my head. This is awesome! Trust me gents, this razor is going to make some heads snap and start rethinking on traditional head design, guard span and shave plane and how this razor accomplished this feat. 

More shaves to follow but, here are a few pics as I’m trying to explain what I felt. Maybe the pics will do it much better than any words I can say…








I know that what I’m about to mention doesn’t add anything to the performance of the razor but, if you look closely at the pick and especially at the blade post pins, see the design there on each blade post? That’s a real nice touch to this razor. I find that just that bit extra that Augustin at Atelier Durdan does with his creations. He truly does bring creations that are a labor of love and it shows in every small detail that he embeds in his razors….

Nice description

Can you compare him to a WR2? From first impressions nothing to do with WR2 1.55

Thank you amigo for the kind words. Unfortunately, I can’t speak to you intelligently nor in an honest fashion concerning the shaving characteristics of the Wolfman WR2 1.55 as I have never shaved with one. However, I believe you are an owner of a Rocnel Sailor if not multiple’s? Here’s what I can tell you comparison wise on effectivess & similarity in shave performance because, in feel they are both completely different. I own a ‘21 & ‘22 Sailor and both are nearly identical in shave performance. Personally, I like the ‘21 just a tad bit more but, they are equal from soup to nuts.

If one were to take the Sailor and I’m just doing this off of memory so, take what I’m about to say with a helping of table salt, sea salt preferably. Somewhere in between 4-5 is where I would compare the performance end of the Sailor comparatively to the N*7 AD 1.5 gap. In perception, feel and in shave interpretation also physically apparent, the Sailor supports the blade more fully that translates to a more rigid feel. That’s not to say that the N*7 isn’t held firmly because it is at its pinch points but, I’d have to admit that the blade support on the N&7 isn’t as rock solid as the Sailor’s is. I felt no blade deflection nor any semblance of skipping on my face as the N*7 engaged in cutting through the whiskers but, audibly it felt as if it would have issues with authoritative cutting prowess, almost like a hollow or echo chamber like sound that to my ears it felt as if it would have some issues with the task at hand. That cavity or space within the top cap amplifies that audible effect feeling and gives to one’s mind the thought of “is the blade held rigidly enough?” However, that was not the case as the blade rigidity on the N*7 proved to have more than enough stability to it that proved highly adequate for my beard & growth. Can I say the same for someone that has heavier beard growth with higher hair density, I can not say yes or no to that with true conviction. Experience will tell if the razor encounters such beards & growth along its pass around travels. Secondly, the smoother of the two would definitely go to the N*7 AD 1.5 over the Sailor at the 4-5 setting. Honestly, the difference is minut between the two but, in my experience is noticeable. The huge gap on the N*7 is deftly mitigated by the makers ability to somehow design a shaving plane with a severe downward guard, down turned top cap edges with just the perfect amount of positive blade exposure that it works quite seamlessly and with little trepidation of fear or feeling intimidated by such a daunting gap from guard to top cap. It truly is brilliant engineering in the shave realm that makes this razor unique in its class. The design itself nearly almost puts the razor in a near perfect position to cut comfortably & effectively while also exhibiting near perfect balance from top cap to the bottom of the handle. I know, it’s just one shave that gave me half a dozen weepers but, that’s no fault of the razor, it’s just one getting acclimated to a new tool. Muscle memory & technique will soon take over. Of that I have no doubt will turn this razor into something quite special for me.

Gun to my head and if the question asked is which of these two would you keep as your forever and only razor? It’s a no brainer that my decision would be for the Sailor everyday of the week, twice on Sunday. It covers practically every safety razor made since the turn of the 19th Century and renders a shaving collection obsolete if one where to give up and solely need one to be the flag bearer of whisker removal. I could also say that for the Taiga by HomelikeShaving, the Osprey by Blackland and one of my personal favorites, the Ugly Duckling Merkur 2000.

I can’t and won’t speak for everyone but, in design terms and in implementation of said design, Augustin at AD has created something quite unique that is stylish, contemporary and yet still look classic and semi retro all at once. On looks alone it would be a winner. Shave wise, it’s right there as well.

Hope this helps somewhat on what you’re trying to gather for your specific shave needs & requirements.

Thank you, very, very precise in the description
You remember very well, I own a Sailor, an MC 2022L and a Hybrid
Then it fits my shaving tastes...my N7 1.50 is already on its way

Thank you, very, very precise in the description
You remember very well, I own a Sailor, an MC 2022L and a Hybrid
Then it fits my shaving tastes...my N7 1.50 is already on its way

Congrats my friend. I think you’re going to enjoy the hell out of it. Do post if you can right here in this thread if you so desire. It would be great to get your perspective & experience on the N*7.

N*7 Pass Around list:
1. GlazedBoker - North Brunswick, NJ
2. Phoenixkh - Gainesville, FL
3. cigarman - St. Louis, MO
4. ALI - Old Greenwich, CT
5. rocket - Denver, CO
6. Dragonsbeard - Webster, NY
7. Dtownvino - Philadelphia, PA
8. Spacemonkey42 - Williamstown, MA
9. Keto - Aurora, MO
10. Big_T - King,NC
11. Calm_Shaver - NY, NY
12. ewk - Goose Creek, SC
13. Bbssboss - Boston, MA
14. wyze0ne - Farmington Hills, MI
15.

I'm in, thanks!

N*7 Pass Around list:
1. GlazedBoker - North Brunswick, NJ
2. Phoenixkh - Gainesville, FL
3. cigarman - St. Louis, MO
4. ALI - Old Greenwich, CT
5. rocket - Denver, CO
6. Dragonsbeard - Webster, NY
7. Dtownvino - Philadelphia, PA
8. Spacemonkey42 - Williamstown, MA
9. Keto - Aurora, MO
10. Big_T - King,NC
11. Calm_Shaver - NY, NY
12. ewk - Goose Creek, SC
13. Bbssboss - Boston, MA
14. wyze0ne - Farmington Hills, MI
15. Marhos24 - Armada, MI
16.
17.

I'm in! Thanks.

I'm in. Thanks!

N*7 Pass Around list:
1. GlazedBoker - North Brunswick, NJ
2. Phoenixkh - Gainesville, FL
3. cigarman - St. Louis, MO
4. ALI - Old Greenwich, CT
5. rocket - Denver, CO
6. Dragonsbeard - Webster, NY
7. Dtownvino - Philadelphia, PA
8. Spacemonkey42 - Williamstown, MA
9. Keto - Aurora, MO
10. Big_T - King,NC
11. Calm_Shaver - NY, NY
12. ewk - Goose Creek, SC
13. Bbssboss - Boston, MA
14. wyze0ne - Farmington Hills, MI
15. Marhos24 - Armada, MI
16. Stickshift - Chicago, IL
17.

Thank you, I thought list was on the other thread, I missed out, Thanks Gus And Mike for adding me. I think list started there where people said I’m in. 

No worries, Thanks much appreciated … GlazedBoker& dtownvino

My apologies my friend. I wanted to start a clean slate with a fresh new thread. Additionally I’m compiling the list to try and keep shipping distances and costs manageable for the participating members. You’re practically in my backyard and I’ll be done quick maybe 2 more shaves and this puppy is on the road to get it into participants hands as soon as possible. Hang in there amigo, we’ll make this work fairly across the board…

No worries, my Good Friend! At least I’m on the list. Wonderful first impression review. It sorta reminds me of Yates H or EH plate. Can wait for my turn and read all the great reviews on here.  I think Augustin at Durdan and Theo over at Lambda are the MVP’s of the shaving world this Year!

Thanks, much appreciated. Happy Shaves!!

Somewhere in between 4-5 is where I would compare the performance end of the Sailor comparatively to the N*7 AD 1.5 gap.

I use the Sailor on 5 for first pass WTG...for a very gnarly 3-4 day growth and it's great for that.
Then I gear down for the rest of the shave.
I'd probably not find much use for the 1.5 AD7..but based on what you said the 1.3 AD7 might probably
clock in at about 2-3 on a Sailor...and that is right up my street...use it much more frequently.

Great info.