H&SCo. Z074-ti

OK, where was I? My eagerness led me to a 2 AM shave on 3 days thick, dense growth. The fit and fabrication is great. No burrs, sharp corners, excess machine marks. The head geometry is similar to the N075, with the biggest notable change to the guard. No more X's (great!). Slimmer profile guard as well. The handle is awesome. The grip is similar to the P076, with slightly smaller diamond facets. Both are perfect, esp. considering the weight. 

I loaded up with a Personna med prep (3rd fav blade) and lathered up with some ethos. I was comfortably at DFS after 2 passes and BBS at 3. Lots of buffing required at my chin which is esp thick after 3 days. Like any 0 exposure razor, it was very comfortable and drama-free. Two especially positive parts of the shave was my neck and mustache. With DE's I never get BBS in these areas due to the low angle of growth, density of hair, sensitive skin, and inconsistent growth map. While this shave was no different I did get a very comfortable DFS+ in both areas after 2 passes. THe smoothness allowed me to buff more than usual. The moderate efficiency helped reduce the amount of buffing required. Its as close as I've been outside the cartridge world.  If this shave was any indication on what I can expect on today's 24 hr growth shave then it could be my go-to for daily shaves. 


For comparison. You can get a ti timeless, with a stand, (all polished) for almost $100 less. I find the .68 too mild, and .95 barely acceptable for daily shaving. The Z074, for me, is right in the middle of the two. If the efficiency wasn't so perfect I couldn't justify keeping this razor. I also prefer the wider, slightly heavier handle of the H&S. 

Takeaways: I am no longer selling my P076. The drop-off in efficiency for the Z074 makes it impractical for 2day+ growth on my face. Depending on today's 24 hour shave I may cancel my Wolfman order ahead of my invoice. I really only need 1 daily shaver to accompany the Paradigm SE. 

Overall a great offering at a not so awesome price. There is just nothing else offered currently in TI that matches the smoothness and efficiency balance for me so I will be keeping it.

Mine will be arriving tomorrow hopefully. If it’s anything like a lighter N075 I have a feeling it may just be the perfect daily shaver for me.

Overall a great offering at a not so awesome price. There is just nothing else offered currently in TI that matches the smoothness and efficiency balance for me so I will be keeping it.

Yeah, I have been keeping my eye out out for a year, waiting on a Ti DE that I'd actually want** to use as a daily (I shave 6 days a week almost without fail).  I rolled through a bunch of razors in 2020, not keeping anything other than my AC-style Blackland Vector for more than a few months (and it's been the only razor in my possession for 3+ months).  Really liked the N075, but preferred something lighter, and maybe even more smooth.  Figured I'd be waiting a long time til I had a convo with Aji in February about something unrelated, and he suggested his soon-to-be-released Z074-ti.  In March, I replied "take my money, sir."  And he obliged, hahahaha.

**at this point, my technique is good enough that, IMO, I can use any mechanically sound DE as a daily, hell, I used a 2011 R41 as such (for about 5 months) 7+ years ago, when I was only ~6 months into my time using a DE razor.  It's a matter of "want" for me anymore.  I have no appetite for the challenge of an aggressive razor, and if anything, it sure seems lie my skin is getting more sensitive as I get older.

Overall a great offering at a not so awesome price. There is just nothing else offered currently in TI that matches the smoothness and efficiency balance for me so I will be keeping it.

Yeah, I have been keeping my eye out out for a year, waiting on a Ti DE that I'd actually want** to use as a daily (I shave 6 days a week almost without fail).  I rolled through a bunch of razors in 2020, not keeping anything other than my AC-style Blackland Vector for more than a few months (and it's been the only razor in my possession for 3+ months).  Really liked the N075, but preferred something lighter, and maybe even more smooth.  Figured I'd be waiting a long time til I had a convo with Aji in February about something unrelated, and he suggested his soon-to-be-released Z074-ti.  In March, I replied "take my money, sir."  And he obliged, hahahaha.

**at this point, my technique is good enough that, IMO, I can use any mechanically sound DE as a daily, hell, I used a 2011 R41 as such (for about 5 months) 7+ years ago, when I was only ~6 months into my time using a DE razor.  It's a matter of "want" for me anymore.  I have no appetite for the challenge of an aggressive razor, and if anything, it sure seems lie my skin is getting more sensitive as I get older.

I’m almost in the exact same boat as you. I like the N075 but would prefer it in a lighter configuration as I recently grew very fond of the Timeless .68 OC in Ti as a daily shaver. I too also acquired a Vector and have been super impressed by it as a daily razor. I’m not sure any DE will be able to top it, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the Z074 and Blackbird Ti can do.

Overall a great offering at a not so awesome price. There is just nothing else offered currently in TI that matches the smoothness and efficiency balance for me so I will be keeping it.

Yeah, I have been keeping my eye out out for a year, waiting on a Ti DE that I'd actually want** to use as a daily (I shave 6 days a week almost without fail).  I rolled through a bunch of razors in 2020, not keeping anything other than my AC-style Blackland Vector for more than a few months (and it's been the only razor in my possession for 3+ months).  Really liked the N075, but preferred something lighter, and maybe even more smooth.  Figured I'd be waiting a long time til I had a convo with Aji in February about something unrelated, and he suggested his soon-to-be-released Z074-ti.  In March, I replied "take my money, sir."  And he obliged, hahahaha.

**at this point, my technique is good enough that, IMO, I can use any mechanically sound DE as a daily, hell, I used a 2011 R41 as such (for about 5 months) 7+ years ago, when I was only ~6 months into my time using a DE razor.  It's a matter of "want" for me anymore.  I have no appetite for the challenge of an aggressive razor, and if anything, it sure seems lie my skin is getting more sensitive as I get older.

I’m almost in the exact same boat as you. I like the N075 but would prefer it in a lighter configuration as I recently grew very fond of the Timeless .68 OC in Ti as a daily shaver. I too also acquired a Vector and have been super impressed by it as a daily razor. I’m not sure any DE will be able to top it, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the Z074 and Blackbird Ti can do.

I had multiple configurations of the Timeless .68 in SS (sold the last one of them almost 18 months ago); never did try the Ti because I generally wanted a slimmer head. 

Since deciding that, the Vector has basically ruined me to large heads and heavy razors.  Thus, the quest for a Ti, more-or-less-slimmer head, razor that I'd really want to use daily.  Hoping the Z074 works for me.

Mine still showing not expected to be delivered until Tuesday; no scans showing for me on the ground service used for this package, so no idea how near or far to me it actually is.

Yeah, I have been keeping my eye out out for a year, waiting on a Ti DE that I'd actually want** to use as a daily (I shave 6 days a week almost without fail).  I rolled through a bunch of razors in 2020, not keeping anything other than my AC-style Blackland Vector for more than a few months (and it's been the only razor in my possession for 3+ months).  Really liked the N075, but preferred something lighter, and maybe even more smooth.  Figured I'd be waiting a long time til I had a convo with Aji in February about something unrelated, and he suggested his soon-to-be-released Z074-ti.  In March, I replied "take my money, sir."  And he obliged, hahahaha.

**at this point, my technique is good enough that, IMO, I can use any mechanically sound DE as a daily, hell, I used a 2011 R41 as such (for about 5 months) 7+ years ago, when I was only ~6 months into my time using a DE razor.  It's a matter of "want" for me anymore.  I have no appetite for the challenge of an aggressive razor, and if anything, it sure seems lie my skin is getting more sensitive as I get older.

I’m almost in the exact same boat as you. I like the N075 but would prefer it in a lighter configuration as I recently grew very fond of the Timeless .68 OC in Ti as a daily shaver. I too also acquired a Vector and have been super impressed by it as a daily razor. I’m not sure any DE will be able to top it, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the Z074 and Blackbird Ti can do.

I had multiple configurations of the Timeless .68 in SS (sold the last one of them almost 18 months ago); never did try the Ti because I generally wanted a slimmer head. 

Since deciding that, the Vector has basically ruined me to large heads and heavy razors.  Thus, the quest for a Ti, more-or-less-slimmer head, razor that I'd really want to use daily.  Hoping the Z074 works for me.

Mine still showing not expected to be delivered until Tuesday; no scans showing for me on the ground service used for this package, so no idea how near or far to me it actually is.

I’m honestly hoping the Z074 replaces my Timeless because the .68 is really not perfect  for me, just the best I’ve found so far in the past 7+ years of wet shaving.  Like you I don’t find the .68 to be quite efficient enough but the .95 is too much for daily use. I’ve got a coarse beard and sensitive skin and have to shave every day (Army), so it’s a challenge finding razors in that Goldilocks zone.

I’ve just had what is probably a transformative shave.  First time with the Z. Only one shave but it was frighteningly easy and - while overnight will really tell - close and efficient.  Will keep using it but my first impression could not be more positive.  (Can’t compare it to the Timeless since I’ve never used one but it was a vastly better shave than I’ve had from other popular “mild” razors, including the Henson and Yates recently, or a OneBlade)

I’ve just had what is probably a transformative shave.  First time with the Z. Only one shave but it was frighteningly easy and - while overnight will really tell - close and efficient.  Will keep using it but my first impression could not be more positive.  (Can’t compare it to the Timeless since I’ve never used one but it was a vastly better shave than I’ve had from other popular “mild” razors, including the Henson and Yates recently, or a OneBlade)

Any other feedback for those of us anxiously waiting?  I saw in the SOTD thread that you’ve used yours twice now. Mine is out for delivery so planning on getting my first run tomorrow morning.

I’ve just had what is probably a transformative shave.  First time with the Z. Only one shave but it was frighteningly easy and - while overnight will really tell - close and efficient.  Will keep using it but my first impression could not be more positive.  (Can’t compare it to the Timeless since I’ve never used one but it was a vastly better shave than I’ve had from other popular “mild” razors, including the Henson and Yates recently, or a OneBlade)

Any other feedback for those of us anxiously waiting?  I saw in the SOTD thread that you’ve used yours twice now. Mine is out for delivery so planning on getting my first run tomorrow morning.

Right. Would like to hear from others.  My second shave was as good as my first.  Completely fabulous.  Smooth, so easy and yet so efficient. I don’t quite understand it so I’d love to hear whether others have the same reaction or if - perhaps- I’m somewhat convincing myself in some manner.

I’ve just had what is probably a transformative shave.  First time with the Z. Only one shave but it was frighteningly easy and - while overnight will really tell - close and efficient.  Will keep using it but my first impression could not be more positive.  (Can’t compare it to the Timeless since I’ve never used one but it was a vastly better shave than I’ve had from other popular “mild” razors, including the Henson and Yates recently, or a OneBlade)

Any other feedback for those of us anxiously waiting?  I saw in the SOTD thread that you’ve used yours twice now. Mine is out for delivery so planning on getting my first run tomorrow morning.

Right. Would like to hear from others.  My second shave was as good as my first.  Completely fabulous.  Smooth, so easy and yet so efficient. I don’t quite understand it so I’d love to hear whether others have the same reaction or if - perhaps- I’m somewhat convincing myself in some manner.

I’ll let you know tomorrow ?