Atelier Durdan: Vestige (GEM Razor)

It's coming ...

Masamune @ TSR

We are proud to introduce our latest razor, the Vestige, which perfectly embodies the spirit of innovation and quality of Atelier DURDAN. Designed to offer an unparalleled shaving experience, Vestige combines smoothness, efficiency and lightness without compromise.

With a featherweight of only 40g, blade mounted, the Vestige is an ultra-light shaver that respects the guiding principles of our workshop. Several technical innovations have been made to push the limits of performance and comfort when shaving. Inspired by our La Faulx razor, the Vestige takes the concept a step further by offering a near-zero GAP. The cut is generated by gaps across the width of the base plate, while 0.3mm islands ensure optimal cut control in all conditions.

The Vestige will be available in a variety of aggressiveness levels to meet individual preferences. Its sleek, highly maneuverable handle features an additional innovation: a tapered base that makes it easier to fit the razor while reducing mounting clearance to zero. While the Vestige's lightweight design seems ideal for a titanium version, we will also be testing a stainless steel version to give our customers additional choice.

Appears a Blackland Razors Vector clone geared at Gem users, eh?

A lot of similarities to the Blackland Razors  Sabre with a cut off back end of the head. Just my observation.

Edit, just to counteract comments about owned designs. I'm not indicating that I think people own designs I'm only indicating what I see as clear similarities that I've not seen in any other razors. When anyone sees new razors coming out our immediate thoughts are what it looks similar to and may shave like. It's as simple as that and this was just my observation.

Appears a Blackland Razors Vector clone geared at Gem users, eh?

Not. At all.

I don't like the idea that one detail is "owned" by a designer.
Actually, in the last 6.000yrs really few thing are true original.
Ideas, as things, change and evolve with the work of future generations.

Well there you have it; if unfavoured, nonexistent...the essence of Western Civilization....

My first thought wasn't of the Vector or Sabre. My first thought was that the blade sticking out of the back looks like a tacky wing on a car. 

It's a beautiful razor.

I have no idea if the flat thread is Blackland's IP or not, but it's the obvious solution when building a GEM razor and I'm surprised that the Sabre was the first to use it.

Very interested to see how the near zero gap and the slotted baseplate will work. I was kind of joking about designing my own modern GEM in the Atelier Durdan news thread but now can't stop thinking about it and have sketched out a few ideas. No clue how to turn them into a physical product though.

My first thought wasn't of the Vector or Sabre. My first thought was that the blade sticking out of the back looks like a tacky wing on a car. 

Actually, presuming the foil shape inherently generates negative lift, that is exactly how it would be mounted to maximize high speed traction. That foils are mounted at roof height and inside the vertical plane to the bumper is a function of racing orgs' rules re safety and limiting performance....

I am intrigued by this razor and find the design appealing. I hope there will be a pass around at some point.

Full disclosure, I have become a big fan of Atelier DURDAN and the La Faulx. I have also had several communications with Augustin which included him sharing the initial renders of the Vestige shortly before they were publicly posted. He did not provide much detail beyond what I have seen posted online, but he did share a couple of things that suggested trying to build a GEM razor that offers a performance profile of the La Faulx and a design aesthetic inspired by American 50s retro/automobile design elements (which I see particularly in the handle).

As a former Blackland Sabre owner and user I see several differences, and one overlap that seems un-avoidable for a minimal head footprint. Beyond the obvious not fully enclosing the blade, a side profile comparison shows to me a different profile, particularly at the blade opening and safety bar interface termination that seems to draw from the La Faulx angular profile, albeit less extreme. The pseudo scalloped islanding of openings adjacent to the safety bar seem significantly different than the more traditional simple opening of the Sabre head. Augustin makes reference to this as something he sees differentiated in the performance of the razor, although I would like to understand more how that contributes to performance. And the overall design aesthetic is meaningfully different to my eye. But I spend a lot of time in design so smaller details can appear amplified to me. And ultimately the reduction of material provides a significant drop in weight compared to the standard Sabre. Of course I am just one person and opinion.

Regarding overlap, they clearly share the same post approach which I don’t know how you avoid if you are seeking the smallest head footprint and directly interfacing with the center GEM blade opening. I don’t know if that approach is unique to Blackland or if they own patents around the post design. I am also a big fan of Blackland and Shane’s dedication to innovation.

My perspective is that innovation always builds on prior work whether that is incremental improvements or in complete contradiction to existing designs. And I think it is impossible to avoid existing designs not seeping into the subconscious of a new inventor. I can only judge by limited communications and marketing, but Augustin does not strike me as a person that would seek to essentially replicate a slightly modified Sabre, given his pride in craftsmanship and design. In fact, I am hoping that his design approach remedies the issues I had with the Sabre that included handling, weight, and efficiency.

Ok, maybe I shouldn’t have had that second cup of coffee