BBS1 razor advice

Ok thanks so much for the info Dan appreciate it, so just confirming are these timor blades you speak about German? And is the full name Giesen & Forsthoff Timor Safety Razor Blades ? I want to make sure I'm buying the right blades

Ok thanks so much for the info Dan appreciate it, so just confirming are these timor blades you speak about German? And is the full name Giesen & Forsthoff Timor Safety Razor Blades ? I want to make sure I'm buying the right blades

Yes: Giesen & Forsthoff Timor Safety Razor Blades. Were you Stateside, would mail you a few prepped.

Thanks so much very kind of you to think like that Dan really appreciate it, Im going to order some now hopefully I will enjoy them

Second shave today used a personna Israeli red, still didn't get the best results, found the blade ok for smoothness but I have very coarse hair and didn't cut through my hair with ease there was some resistance. It's very strange with this razor as I just can't get to terms where the blade is and the right cutting angel seems ridiculous small. It's an ok shaver but not blown away or anything, bare in mind I have excellent razors such as charcoal goods level 2, paradigm diamondback, raw shaving RS10, wolfman WR1.67 and WR2 1.25, carbon++. Maybe I'm doing something wrong or need a better blade paring for me.

My 2 cents. You’re not doing anything wrong. It’s comparatively a milder razor than several of the other razors you’ve listed. If memory serves me correct it is 1.0 gap so if you’re used to the 1.25 wr2 it will not have the same oomph.

Definitely try ONE shave w a fresh Feather. For science. I love that blade in the BBS-1. It is worth a try.

I have owned a BBS-1 for years, and it’s one of my very favorite Razors. I don’t find that it has a small sweet spot, I find it very intuitive in use and have no issues finding the correct angle. Although the BBS-1 only has a 1.0 blade gap, I find its efficiency on par with a WR2 1.35. I always use a fresh Feather blade for my BBS-1 shaves. Feather is the blade the BBS-1 was designed with in mind, and I always get great results. Congrats on adding one to your Den, this is the OG of modern high end safety razors.

Second shave today used a personna Israeli red, still didn't get the best results, found the blade ok for smoothness but I have very coarse hair and didn't cut through my hair with ease there was some resistance. It's very strange with this razor as I just can't get to terms where the blade is and the right cutting angel seems ridiculous small. It's an ok shaver but not blown away or anything, bare in mind I have excellent razors such as charcoal goods level 2, paradigm diamondback, raw shaving RS10, wolfman WR1.67 and WR2 1.25, carbon++. Maybe I'm doing something wrong or need a better blade paring for me.

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. Some razors just don't work for us. 
I had a BBS-1 when they were initially released and the razor just didn't suit me. Nothing wrong with it, but it didn't work out, for me. 
You usually know right away, especially, if you're an experienced shaver. Of course, there will always be exceptions and you may need a bit more time with it, but it doesn't sound like it. 
Good luck.

Thanks for your thoughts, very interesting to hear the bbs1 was designed with feather blades in mind, I will definitely be trying a feather blade on my next shave, what do you feel the correct angle is with this razor? More steep or shallow? Iv heard mixed opinions, I definitely feel with the wr2 1.25 I have more control over where the blade is but finding it a real struggle with this razor. Really hope things will improve as love the looks and story behind this razor and was so difficult and expensive to get one so despretly want to love it.

Enzo….l know a little more today about shaving (not much) than I did in 2013. I do know this…heavier grades of facial hair and frequency of shave require a different gap razor!

“The BBS1 is on par with a WR1 .48 and .54 gap razor in 2023” ….. Me

WR2…. I’ve owned and sold .95 through 1.25 including a custom 1.00 gap.  NOTHING in the WR2 line comes close to a BBS1 shave.  John and DuFour broke the mold when this razor was discontinued 

At the time of its release this was supposed to be an aggressive razor… so the reviews and alley experts say.  I hated it at first, couldn’t figure out why it had such rave reviews….personally would rather shave with a broken beer bottle than this overpriced hyped (at the time) razor.  I purchased it simply because my brother was purchasing it and I wanted to be “cool” with an expensive hard to acquire and quickly discontinued razor. As time moved on, I learned how to shave

In 2023, I can finally and honestly say the BBS1 is an ULTRA-smooth mild razor and is ALWAYS IN MY TOP 3! For me there is no sweet spot.  I speed shave with lightning precision at all different angles! Shaving at 2am in any time zone presents its challenges….for me anyway, lol

I pair with Feather, PolSilver, SilverBlue, Nacet, Platinum, Israeli Red, Wizamet, Astra Green, Spoiler, Swedes.  I know it’s “supposed to be paired with a FEATHER” just as I know Tea is served properly at 4pm

Having said all that, don’t fall into the SS vs Ti hype either, one does not shave better than the other.  I’d rather have the bronze version tbh…



Cheers!