H&SCo. Z074-ti

Other than a small amount of time with a friend's P076-ti in early April, I have been exclusively rolling with my AC-style Blackland Vector since early Feb. 

I have yet to find a DE that shaves as well as my Vector OC.

If I had the voice, I'd sing love songs about the Vector, LMAO.  I've had it for over a year.  It has made my pursuit of a "perfect" DE razor unnecessary.  I utterly care not a lick about SS DE razors now; only the pursuit of a ti DE for daily use has kept me engaged with the hobby.  I think I may have found it, but  need more shaves before drawing conclusions.

Other than a small amount of time with a friend's P076-ti in early April, I have been exclusively rolling with my AC-style Blackland Vector since early Feb. 

I have yet to find a DE that shaves as well as my Vector OC.

If I had the voice, I'd sing love songs about the Vector, LMAO.  I've had it for over a year.  It has made my pursuit of a "perfect" DE razor unnecessary.  I utterly care not a lick about SS DE razors now; only the pursuit of a ti DE for daily use has kept me engaged with the hobby.  I think I may have found it, but  need more shaves before drawing conclusions.

Too funny as I’m pretty much in the exact same boat, although I only got the Vector last week and it’s already completely ruined my obsession with trying to find the perfect DE. Now I’m just trying to decide which DE will be “the one” I keep between the Timeless and the H&S.  The Ti Blackbird is also on the way and will be the last DE I can see myself trying in the foreseeable future.  I only ordered that out of sheer curiosity and knowing they aren’t readily available.  Might be room to keep an “aggressive” and “mild” DE, but the Vector does both of those so I can’t see myself needing another SE.

Thanks Lesser and Mtt02263

Shame about the efficiency, was hoping for a touch more than the N075

Well, I was curious about this so I've spent the last three days in a row comparing the two razors' efficiency with my daily shave.  I used both razors each day with the new Bic blades and switched the sides and parts of the face they shaved every day.  And I've come to a conclusion:  the Z0 is a touch more efficient.  And the best way I can to describe the difference is to say that the Z0 side of my face, each day, was a few hours behind the N0 side in terms of growth coming back. I guess it's fair to say that's "a touch".  Note:  I used the aluminum plate on the N0; I've sometimes thought that the stainless plate is a bit more efficient (a "touch" less smooth but perhaps a bit more efficient) so perhaps the SS N0 and the Z0 might be awfully close.  

Prise de fer

Prise de fer

Wasn't the intent but that's pretty apt.

Thanks Lesser and Mtt02263

Shame about the efficiency, was hoping for a touch more than the N075

Well, I was curious about this so I've spent the last three days in a row comparing the two razors' efficiency with my daily shave.  I used both razors each day with the new Bic blades and switched the sides and parts of the face they shaved every day.  And I've come to a conclusion:  the Z0 is a touch more efficient.  And the best way I can to describe the difference is to say that the Z0 side of my face, each day, was a few hours behind the N0 side in terms of growth coming back. I guess it's fair to say that's "a touch".  Note:  I used the aluminum plate on the N0; I've sometimes thought that the stainless plate is a bit more efficient (a "touch" less smooth but perhaps a bit more efficient) so perhaps the SS N0 and the Z0 might be awfully close.  

Interesting, and nice photo. I had a similar finding comparing the Z074 to the Timeless .68OC. I wonder if the increase in closeness of the shave has to do with the lack of blade feel allowing to “over shave” without actually over shaving and causing irritation. That was an impression that crossed my mind during the shave off with the Timeless, I felt like I could push a little harder with the Z074. 

My last 2 shaves have been with the Ti Blackbird and Vector, I’m going back to the Z074 tomorrow to see how easy it is to replicate results with 2 razors I’d consider to be more efficient.

Thanks Lesser and Mtt02263

Shame about the efficiency, was hoping for a touch more than the N075

Well, I was curious about this so I've spent the last three days in a row comparing the two razors' efficiency with my daily shave.  I used both razors each day with the new Bic blades and switched the sides and parts of the face they shaved every day.  And I've come to a conclusion:  the Z0 is a touch more efficient.  And the best way I can to describe the difference is to say that the Z0 side of my face, each day, was a few hours behind the N0 side in terms of growth coming back. I guess it's fair to say that's "a touch".  Note:  I used the aluminum plate on the N0; I've sometimes thought that the stainless plate is a bit more efficient (a "touch" less smooth but perhaps a bit more efficient) so perhaps the SS N0 and the Z0 might be awfully close.  

Interesting, and nice photo. I had a similar finding comparing the Z074 to the Timeless .68OC. I wonder if the increase in closeness of the shave has to do with the lack of blade feel allowing to “over shave” without actually over shaving and causing irritation. That was an impression that crossed my mind during the shave off with the Timeless, I felt like I could push a little harder with the Z074. 

My last 2 shaves have been with the Ti Blackbird and Vector, I’m going back to the Z074 tomorrow to see how easy it is to replicate results with 2 razors I’d consider to be more efficient.

I am following with interest your impressions of that trio of razors.  As you know, I am also a Blackland Vector stan.  I tried the SS Blackbird years ago and it was too much for me to want as a daily, and these days, if I don't want to use it daily, I don't want it period.  The Ti Blackbird, however, still beckons.  I'm actually glad it's been so hard to obtain one, hahaha.

A revision of earlier opinion after a fourth (and now final, for now) day of comparison of the N0 and Z0. I've noticed that the last two days I've become more accustomed to using the Z0 and its lack of blade feel and I think my shaves have, accordingly, improved -- perhaps I'm now more comfortable, as JoeLr said above, pushing it a bit farther since it just will not bite back. As a result and feeling my cheeks this morning after 24 hours since the last shave, the Z0 is more efficient compared to the N0 than I had appreciated before. The left Z0 side of my face today has enough less growth than the right side for me to say that it is indeed more efficient. Both remain daily shavers (for me at least) but the Z0 provides a closer shave. In any event, I'd be interesting in hearing from others who get to compare these two razors over several shaves.

Well, I was curious about this so I've spent the last three days in a row comparing the two razors' efficiency with my daily shave.  I used both razors each day with the new Bic blades and switched the sides and parts of the face they shaved every day.  And I've come to a conclusion:  the Z0 is a touch more efficient.  And the best way I can to describe the difference is to say that the Z0 side of my face, each day, was a few hours behind the N0 side in terms of growth coming back. I guess it's fair to say that's "a touch".  Note:  I used the aluminum plate on the N0; I've sometimes thought that the stainless plate is a bit more efficient (a "touch" less smooth but perhaps a bit more efficient) so perhaps the SS N0 and the Z0 might be awfully close.  

Interesting, and nice photo. I had a similar finding comparing the Z074 to the Timeless .68OC. I wonder if the increase in closeness of the shave has to do with the lack of blade feel allowing to “over shave” without actually over shaving and causing irritation. That was an impression that crossed my mind during the shave off with the Timeless, I felt like I could push a little harder with the Z074. 

My last 2 shaves have been with the Ti Blackbird and Vector, I’m going back to the Z074 tomorrow to see how easy it is to replicate results with 2 razors I’d consider to be more efficient.

I am following with interest your impressions of that trio of razors.  As you know, I am also a Blackland Vector stan.  I tried the SS Blackbird years ago and it was too much for me to want as a daily, and these days, if I don't want to use it daily, I don't want it period.  The Ti Blackbird, however, still beckons.  I'm actually glad it's been so hard to obtain one, hahaha.

I have tried and sold many razors over the years. I can usually tell right away if something is going to work for me or not. I’m pretty much as minimalist as you can get, so if something is not my absolute favorite I move it along. I can pleasantly say that I enjoy all 3 of these razors for very different reasons and wouldn’t have any trouble hanging onto all 3 of them. 

The Vector and Blackbird offer more blade feel and higher efficiency, without either feeling dangerous or menacing. Both offer extremely close shaves without any irritation or need for excess buffing. These are the first 2 “aggressive” razors I’ve found that don’t cause irritation on my lower neck. I use aggressive in quotes because they certainly don’t shave like aggressive razors. 

The H&S Z074 is now my favorite “mindlessly easy” razor that you can just grab and go without having to overly concentrate or focus. This position was previously held by the Ti Timeless .68OC, and for a long time the Game Changer .68 OC before that. The Z074 is really a wonder razor for me, I can get a shave just as close as with the Vector or BB, the shave experience is just much different getting there. 

I’ve been on leave for the past week, and all 3 of these razors are new to me within the past few weeks so I’ve been having fun playing around with each during my off time. Although I’ve shaved every day, I haven’t gone back to back days for a prolonged period with each of them yet to really figure out if they are all truly suitable as “daily shavers”. I am about 99% confident in the Z074, but when I get back into my work routine I plan on giving each of them a full week of consistent shaves to validate which ones will work as daily drivers or not.

I shaved with this razor for the first time yesterday. For frame of reference, the N075 and the P076 did not work for me. They were amazing razors in their own right but just not for me in terms of blade feel and the ability to use every day or every other day.

Yesterday, I use the Z on three days of growth which is unusual for me. It mowed it down with ease. 2 passes with a couple of touch ups, which included buffing, and I was pretty much BBS. This razor hits the efficient and daily sweet spot for me. I own several razors but this one has a earned it's place. I never look for a razor that's efficient enough to be down in a single pass. This razor is very impressive in every category and metric.