Haircut & Shave N075 SS & Hybrid Al DE Passaround Review – Simply the Best Mild DE

My loaner N075 has arrived

A couple more shaves to report:

I ran the Nacet blade against a Wizamet.  Both had 3 shaves on them.  While they were relatively close in feel and efficiency, I'd say that the Wizamet may have been a little smoother.  It's a good thing, too - since I have stocked up on those blades and don't really feel like adding another blade into my relatively small circle of blades to choose from.

So all was well and good with the N075... until I made the broke the cardinal rule for those who are trying to convince themselves to buy a new razor.  I opened up my drawer and pulled out my Timeless 0.68 SS SB.  The Timeless on its handle is a little heavier than the H&S.  So in order to make sure I was judging the heads on an equal basis, I moved the Timeless onto a Maggard MR-11 handle.  The Timeless/Maggard combination is within a gram of the H&S.







I broke out new Wizamets for the razors and then once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.  With the Timeless on my left side and the N075 on my right I had a very smooth and comfortable shave.  For several hours, there was no difference between the feel of one side of my face and that of the other.  13 hours later, it seemed that the H&S was just a tiny bit smoother than the Timeless.  I wouldn't have noticed the difference if I hadn't been really looking for it.

In order to validate my findings, I ran the same setup this morning but switched sides of my face.  Another fabulous shave.  Upon feeling for differences, I'd say that the Timeless is a smidgen smoother.  So it may be more a difference in my face than in the razors.

So where does that leave me?  I was all set to buy the hybrid N075, but now I'm wondering if it's worth investing another $200 for a razor that provides virtually the same result as the razor I already have and love.  I'll have to think about it.  Or I'll have to divert the money I was going to use for the N075 to the Ti P076.  I'm not sure yet.

If I didn't have the Timeless razor already I would be all over the N075.  I've had nothing but comfortable and excellent shaves from it.  I could easily see this being my daily driver.

I find the H&S head assembly to be significantly more maneuverable in tight confines but no denying the Timeless is a nice shaver on open expanses of beard. Timeless still in top 7 razors irrespective of price from my perspective and that some rarified company

I find the H&S head assembly to be significantly more maneuverable in tight confines but no denying the Timeless is a nice shaver on open expanses of beard. Timeless still in top 7 razors irrespective of price from my perspective and that some rarified company

I totally agree that the H&S is a more nimble razor. During much of the time that I've been wet shaving I've been wearing a circle beard, so I haven't really focused on that aspect of a razor's performance. The H&S did outshine the Timeless under my nose, but I've managed to get satisfactory results as well from the Timeless.

So the pass around moves to me for a week. I've been looking forward to trying this razor for several months & am glad my time has arrived.

First sight reaction is this is a well-made razor. Fit & finish is impeccable. I like the fresh design of the head & handle instead of copying an existing design. The length of the handle surprises me, as does the overall weight. I'm aware of the spec sheet on the razor, but reading about it is different than seeing it & holding it.

For the first shave, I used all of my A-team: a fresh Nacet, Ethos Lavender soap & skin food, & a 28mm Paladin Phantasia Lotus. The first few strokes & I realize I have a superb shaving instrument in my hands. The balance is great, the grip of the handle is great, audible feedback is great, smoothness of the razor going through my whiskers is great. I think you get my drift, it's great! The length of the handle is longer than I prefer, but it is certainly usable. I'll be curious to try different handles that are 1/2" - 1" shorter. I will also try a lighter handle. I use mostly vintage that weighs 70g - 80g, so this roughly 120g razor is quite a bit heavier than what I'm used to. That is not a knock on the razor by any means, just a statement of what I've grown accustomed to.

I haven't used the SS baseplate, but concur with others that the Al baseplate offers an extremely smooth, yet quite efficient shave. For the first shave, I was working at finding the proper angle of attack so I expect subsequent shaves to be even smoother than the first. I tried shallow & steep angles, & both worked very well. There was less feedback with a steep angle, & a slight drop in efficiency, as well. I am writing this 16 hours after my shave & I am just now feeling light growth on my jawline & edges of my mouth. This is a superb razor & one that quickly convinced me that I need on. I'll possibly wait (or not) to try the P076 version before deciding which H&S razor to buy. This is quality & superb shaving in one. I will be getting one! I've tried many razors in pass arounds through the years, but this one has me sold after one shave.

Thanks to Aji for his vision & knowledge, I wish him much success. Thanks to DanLaw for organizing & running this pass around, it's a time-consuming headache on his part. On behalf of all who get to try the various H&S razors that Dan is passing around, thank you, sir!

The length of the handle is longer than I prefer, but it is certainly usable. I'll be curious to try different handles that are 1/2" - 1" shorter. I will also try a lighter handle. I use mostly vintage that weighs 70g - 80g, so this roughly 120g razor is quite a bit heavier than what I'm used to. That is not a knock on the razor by any means, just a statement of what I've grown accustomed to.

I absolutely love the N075Al !!  It's the only thing enticing me to use anything other than my Vector (thankfully!!  I have hundreds of DE blades to use, hahaha).

Likewise, I tend to like handles that are 85mm or 90mm, not shorter, not longer, depending on head weight, etc.  I use this 85mm SS Stork handle in my N075Al set-up.  I initially assumed I'd want a Ti handle for balance purposes, but this is working really nicely for me.

The length of the handle is longer than I prefer, but it is certainly usable. I'll be curious to try different handles that are 1/2" - 1" shorter. I will also try a lighter handle. I use mostly vintage that weighs 70g - 80g, so this roughly 120g razor is quite a bit heavier than what I'm used to. That is not a knock on the razor by any means, just a statement of what I've grown accustomed to.

I absolutely love the N075Al !!  It's the only thing enticing me to use anything other than my Vector (thankfully!!  I have hundreds of DE blades to use, hahaha).

Likewise, I tend to like handles that are 85mm or 90mm, not shorter, not longer, depending on head weight, etc.  I use this 85mm SS Stork handle in my N075Al set-up.  I initially assumed I'd want a Ti handle for balance purposes, but this is working really nicely for me.

Thank you for your input Joe. I'm considering Ti for a handle, but after your comment I'll also try a shorter SS handle. Your Stork certainly is a nice looking handle. Have you tried a Ti handle? If you have, what length & approx. weight? How was the balance?

I wonder if Aji would ever sell the head as a unit. The handle, for my tastes, is too long and unattractive.

Head only option will be on the web site tonight

However, be aware the handle is not completely solid but rather designed to distribute the weight exactly as intended by Aji

Head only option will be on the web site tonight

However, be aware the handle is not completely solid but rather designed to distribute the weight exactly as intended by Aji

Is P076, too?