Atelier DURDAN Vestige pass around

Wednesday August 30, 2023
Razor: Atelier Durdan Vestige
Blade: Gem SS
Brush: Knothead "Kentuckian"/Timberwolf
Soap: Sir Henry's Kentucky Rain
AS 1: Witch Hazel
AS 2: Small Batch Shave Tonic
Fragrance:
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1,759
https://youtu.be/jUVi4mEs4oY

Great video as always, Dave. I’m touched that you dedicated the third coffee slurp to me. I will count those few seconds towards my 15 minutes of fame.

Seems the classic plate wasn’t efficient enough for you but you found the ‘+’ plate to be close enough and still give a gentle shave. Is that a fair summary? I’m looking forward to the ‘++’ review to complete the picture. Not sure whether we’ve had complete clarity whether this test razor is titanium or steel (Cornbread said steel, I think) but if it is titanium as you said, perhaps the low weight makes it harder to get an efficient shave than steel or copper alloy would - especially on a test shave when you don’t have the chance to experiment with some pressure.

EDIT: I looked back at Cornbread’s pictures and I think he is right that the razor is steel, not titanium. It says ‘316L’ under the base plate, not ‘316T’. It just looks like a ‘T’ because the bottom of the ‘g’ in Vestige is right above the ‘L’. And I haven’t heard of 316T as a titanium alloy.

Your assessment on my take of the plates is correct. I could be happy with the + plate but want to try the ++ first. You may be correct on it being stainless steel. I went by his 1st post stating our pass around would be Titanium. I need to weigh it and see if the website has specifications to state for certainty. Thanks

Edit - No specifications on the Vestige yet on his website so can't confirm. 316T Titanium Steel is available though. But in reading back the posts it appears this is Stainless Steel and will correct in next video. Thanks

Dave in KY Based on the weights provided earlier in the thread it is definitely the stainless steel variant, the Ti version is almost half the weight at 38g total. The brass version is 68g, nearly the same as the stated weight of the pass around stainless steel copy.

Getting ready to watch your video on this. Look forward to hearing all of your feedback on this razor.

Your assessment on my take of the plates is correct. I could be happy with the + plate but want to try the ++ first. You may be correct on it being stainless steel. I went by his 1st post stating our pass around would be Titanium. I need to weigh it and see if the website has specifications to state for certainty. Thanks

Edit - No specifications on the Vestige yet on his website so can't confirm. 316T Titanium Steel is available though. But in reading back the posts it appears this is Stainless Steel and will correct in next video. Thanks

Dave in KY Based on the weights provided earlier in the thread it is definitely the stainless steel variant, the Ti version is almost half the weight at 38g total. The brass version is 68g, nearly the same as the stated weight of the pass around stainless steel copy.

Getting ready to watch your video on this. Look forward to hearing all of your feedback on this razor.

Dave in KY Great video! I know they are just initial impressions, but I appreciated that you touched on some other comparative razors. I don't have the Sabre anymore and have been considering the WR3. I would definitely be interested in a side by side with the WR3 or just more comparative feedback between the two, after you get additional shaves in. 

One other note, the weights I listed above are measured weights from a copy of the Ti and Brass variants. I was going to mention this when my slot came around for the pass around: Augustin had reached out to me to create some images for his product line. So I have had a copy of the Vestige in Ti and Brass (with stand). They have been mocking me because they are not intended for use, since they need to be kept in pristine condition for images. I normally don't consider brass. But, I think the Vestige looks especially nice in that metal.

Your assessment on my take of the plates is correct. I could be happy with the + plate but want to try the ++ first. You may be correct on it being stainless steel. I went by his 1st post stating our pass around would be Titanium. I need to weigh it and see if the website has specifications to state for certainty. Thanks

Edit - No specifications on the Vestige yet on his website so can't confirm. 316T Titanium Steel is available though. But in reading back the posts it appears this is Stainless Steel and will correct in next video. Thanks

Dave in KY Based on the weights provided earlier in the thread it is definitely the stainless steel variant, the Ti version is almost half the weight at 38g total. The brass version is 68g, nearly the same as the stated weight of the pass around stainless steel copy.

Getting ready to watch your video on this. Look forward to hearing all of your feedback on this razor.

Dave in KY Great video! I know they are just initial impressions, but I appreciated that you touched on some other comparative razors. I don't have the Sabre anymore and have been considering the WR3. I would definitely be interested in a side by side with the WR3 or just more comparative feedback between the two, after you get additional shaves in. 

One other note, the weights I listed above are measured weights from a copy of the Ti and Brass variants. I was going to mention this when my slot came around for the pass around: Augustin had reached out to me to create some images for his product line. So I have had a copy of the Vestige in Ti and Brass (with stand). They have been mocking me because they are not intended for use, since they need to be kept in pristine condition for images. I normally don't consider brass. But, I think the Vestige looks especially nice in that metal.

That's funny, the mocking you. Yes I saw you had one to weigh. Roger that in the comparison to WR3.

Please PM if you would like to be included. Order is from time of PM. You must be able to send/receive PMs to participate. 

Thanks for the opportunity, cornbread and Atelier DURDAN! I just sent a PM to hopefully join.

Dave in KY Great video! I know they are just initial impressions, but I appreciated that you touched on some other comparative razors. I don't have the Sabre anymore and have been considering the WR3. I would definitely be interested in a side by side with the WR3 or just more comparative feedback between the two, after you get additional shaves in. 

One other note, the weights I listed above are measured weights from a copy of the Ti and Brass variants. I was going to mention this when my slot came around for the pass around: Augustin had reached out to me to create some images for his product line. So I have had a copy of the Vestige in Ti and Brass (with stand). They have been mocking me because they are not intended for use, since they need to be kept in pristine condition for images. I normally don't consider brass. But, I think the Vestige looks especially nice in that metal.

The Vestige I have here is presumably the same, 316L, 66g without a blade. Head is very light at 17g. It's light but enough weight behind the blade.

Dave in KY - mine is basic polish with machining marks. It looks similar but more subtle than Blackland's typical finish but edges are smooth not sharp.

I found the ++ plate a little too much blade exposure. It's a jump up from the standard plate (neutral). The + plate is 0.05mm and the ++ 0.1mm. The standard/0 plate is Wolfman smooth but a little mild. I intend to do comparison shaves with my .40 WR3. The + plate would be a safe bet for most. Would be interesting to know blade exposure for the Wolfman, Sabre etc.

I like the idea of brass but could be a tricky to remove patina from the slotted safety bar if you wanted to keep it pristine. I would never buy the titanium. Far too light.

Handle is very thin but perfectly usable. I would however appreciate more grip.

I wasn't sure about the look with the blade showing at the back but I don't have an issue with it now. Loading is fine, only made a little more tricky with the tiny cap

Having tried all plates at least one, I will go back and do a few comparison shaves with other modern GEMs: Sabre, Wolfman, etc. No need to bother with ATT G1, the standard/0 plate is more efficient for sure! I expect the standard/0 is in line with the Sabre L1 for efficiency but haven't done a side-by-side.

Dave in KY Great video! I know they are just initial impressions, but I appreciated that you touched on some other comparative razors. I don't have the Sabre anymore and have been considering the WR3. I would definitely be interested in a side by side with the WR3 or just more comparative feedback between the two, after you get additional shaves in. 

One other note, the weights I listed above are measured weights from a copy of the Ti and Brass variants. I was going to mention this when my slot came around for the pass around: Augustin had reached out to me to create some images for his product line. So I have had a copy of the Vestige in Ti and Brass (with stand). They have been mocking me because they are not intended for use, since they need to be kept in pristine condition for images. I normally don't consider brass. But, I think the Vestige looks especially nice in that metal.

The Vestige I have here is presumably the same, 316L, 66g without a blade. Head is very light at 17g. It's light but enough weight behind the blade.

Dave in KY - mine is basic polish with machining marks. It looks similar but more subtle than Blackland's typical finish but edges are smooth not sharp.

I found the ++ plate a little too much blade exposure. It's a jump up from the standard plate (neutral). The + plate is 0.05mm and the ++ 0.1mm. The standard/0 plate is Wolfman smooth but a little mild. I intend to do comparison shaves with my .40 WR3. The + plate would be a safe bet for most. Would be interesting to know blade exposure for the Wolfman, Sabre etc.

I like the idea of brass but could be a tricky to remove patina from the slotted safety bar if you wanted to keep it pristine. I would never buy the titanium. Far too light.

Handle is very thin but perfectly usable. I would however appreciate more grip.

I wasn't sure about the look with the blade showing at the back but I don't have an issue with it now. Loading is fine, only made a little more tricky with the tiny cap

Having tried all plates at least one, I will go back and do a few comparison shaves with other modern GEMs: Sabre, Wolfman, etc. No need to bother with ATT G1, the standard/0 plate is more efficient for sure! I expect the standard/0 is in line with the Sabre L1 for efficiency but haven't done a side-by-side.

Ah, nice you have a .40 WR3 to compare. I see you had similar thoughts to me on the Wolfman being smoother but less efficient but I have the .23 Prototype on loan is all. The plus plate is similar in efficiency but a tad more blade feel than the WR3. Still smooth though. Looking forward to your comparisons.

I also have a .35 OC but figure a SB to SB comparison will be better.

The Wolfman is a completely different shaving experience to the Vestige but perhaps the results will be very similar. I love the smoothness of the standard/0 plate.

Does Augustin normally include a steel washer? Never seen one before.

Does Augustin normally include a steel washer? Never seen one before.

No washer came with this one and I wondered if I should add one to it ? Never seen a metal one...

I also have a .35 OC but figure a SB to SB comparison will be better.

The Wolfman is a completely different shaving experience to the Vestige but perhaps the results will be very similar. I love the smoothness of the standard/0 plate.

I agree a different experience but actually think I prefer it. It's larger head doesn't bother me at all.