Franken Razors and Hybrids (Chimeras)

Even though I don't consider a handle swap a true Frankenrazor ...

What do you consider a true one?
How do you call a razor made with different parts?
I love to understand others POV.

I swap handles almost constantly. In fact, I can only think of a couple of razors that I use with their original handles.

I suspect most people, when they use the term “Frankenrazor,” are talking about using the base plate from one razor but the top cap from a different one.

I've been using my R41 baseplate paired with my Yaqi Beast/Mellon top cap for a while now. I find it more smooth than the R41 top cap. Today, though, I tried the opposite. I paired the Yaqi Beast baseplate with my R41 top cap. Talk about Beastly. TONS of blade feel. I got a decent, smooth shave on my head, but it tugged like crazy on the face and neck. I can only assume it allows more blade chatter. It's been a few years since I've used one, but I think it reminded me of the Ikon Tech.

My most recent unusual design high end razor acquisitions were the Blackland Blackbird and the Timeless scalloped top OC Slim. Both immediately became two favorites almost immediately. Since my RR Lupo 95 is lost somewhere after crossing the border, I decided to experiment with more frankenrazors. First shave tonight was my Timeless Slim base plate and the Blackbird beveled cap:



In theory, this should have been a great shave with the cap defining the proper angle. In reality, the cap defined an angle that was way too aggressive. It reminded me of the time I used the highest setting on my REX Ambassador to shave with. If you are in a rush to go somewhere, do NOT use this combination. Even though you may save time by needing only two passes for a BBS, you had to be so careful with the shave or you would take off a layer of skin you wanted to keep on your face. Very efficient, but not very comfortable of a shave from this one.

gvw755, I enjoy using Frankenrazors, out of curiosity, as well, but they, usually, don't work as well as the original.

Tonight I returned to part 2 of my Timeless Slim Frankenrazors. I got the cap from the PAA DOC and mated it to the baseplate of my Slim OC. Again, this was theoretically supposed to be a great shaver, but again it turned out to be a very aggressive shaver with significant blade feel. The self lubricating comb cap did nothing to smooth out the shave. Though not quite as efficient as the Blackbird/Timeless combo from the other night, this was another shave that required all of my attention to ensure that I did not scrape off a layer of skin. celestino, as much as I like to fool around with frankenrazors, I will have to agree with you that maybe the Timeless should be swapped around only with it's own parts.

It sure looks interesting, regardless of the shave.

Last of my mixing and matching Blackbird/Slim OC frankenrazor experiment. Tonight I used the Timeless scalloped top and paired it to the Blackbird base plate. For this one, I had to use a thicker nylon spacer between the base plate and handle because the screw post of the Timeless was longer than normal. Unlike the two previous frankenrazors, this one turned out a little on the mild side, but stull very efficient. The scalloped cap allowed me a few more different angles to play with and glided smoothly on my face. I got away with a very comfortable two pass BBS, which kind of disappointed me since I used one of my few expensive soaps and did not use half of the lather I built up.

Both the Timeless Slim and the Blackbird are now back to what they originally were, waiting to be used the way they were designed.