Haircut & Shave P076 17-4 SB & OC Passaround Review – World Class Artisanal Craftsman

Any idea if Aji will be offering these in other finishes? I’d love to see a machined or machine polished version like he did with the NO75.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Aji is always considering new projects

Any idea if Aji will be offering these in other finishes? I’d love to see a machined or machine polished version like he did with the NO75.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Machined titanium would be very nice!!!!!

Any idea if Aji will be offering these in other finishes? I’d love to see a machined or machine polished version like he did with the NO75.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

a machine finish was available a couple weeks back. Sure it will pop up again soon.

I have used the 17-4 pass around for 7 shaves this past week or so.  The easy part is that Aji has done an amazing job with his razors especially considering his recent entry into the game. They are absolutely stunning to look at. As many have already stated the mirror polish is near Wolfman or Paradigm 2020 DB levels. I have been pleasantly surprised by the ergonomics of the fluted handle and the excellent grip it provides. Tabs are covered which is nice but never an essential want for me. The weight of the razors is just fine. My old Timeless SS was heavier. This was my first experience with a 17-4 razor. I normally do a 3 pass everyday (WTG, XTG and AGT). My line up includes the Wolfman 1.25 SB SS, Diamondback 2020, Carbon SS with the standard plate and Timeless TI with .95 and .68 OC/SB plates. Blades rotate between Polsliver, Wizamet and Feather depending on my mood or how my skin feels. Fairly rough grey stubble with an attitude and the most challenging areas being under the jawline and chin.

For the first shave I went with a Wizamet and the SB plate. Mo from Grooming Dept graciously provided Aion and Asinius for the pass around and both are in my collection. I like them very much for their cushion and slickness not to mention the post shave goodness. The first shave was not impressive - rough with a few weepers which I have not experienced in some time. The 17-4 metal felt a bit hard / sticky / cold to the skin but this was the first time I used a 17-4 razor. I must admit the first shave was somewhat rushed so the results have been discounted. Day 2 aka Take 2 with the same set up. Much better but still somewhat rough especially around the mouth. Took a day off and went back at it. A competent shave but nothing to write home about. Shave 4 and went with the OC plate. I was very interested in the OC as I find that to be a gap in my collection. Not even close to being as enjoyable as my Timeless OC. AGT the razor exhibits more blade feel which has its pro's and con's. At this point I decided the blade is not up to spec and swapped with a feather. OMG what a different experience. The SB performed flawlessly and worked best with very little pressure. Very maneuverable and a pleasure to use. A very close shave that held for about 9 - 11 hours. Did a very admirable job withy trouble areas. This is the point I decided I really wanted to like this razor and to work it to the best of my limited skill set. The next day not so sweet and decided to go back to the OC plate. For the WTG and the XTG it was just fine but AGT - no thank you. The OC just annoyed me. Tried every angle but couldn't really find a comfortable position. Last shave with the SB was quite enjoyable even though there was a small weeper. Overall I am very glad to have experienced the 17-4. We just didn't gel and that's ok. The H&S is an impressive offering andI think it would a worthy addition to anyone's arsenal as the efficiency of the results was quite good. I am looking forward to trying the Ti H&S which is on the way. Maybe I just don't gel with the 17-4 metal.
My thanks to Aji, Dan Law and Mo for their generosity. Actually double the thanks to Aji because it takes strength of character and belief in one's work to put it out there. Selfishly,  I look forward to see what he develops in the future as I believe his work will just get better over time.

My Review of H&S 17-4

I have to say that I really enjoyed this razor from H&S. In my belief, Aji hit it out the park with this razor. I found out that my face really likes the 17-4 Sb best, I’m not an Oc guy usually but I did test drive it and it is definitely more aggressive and shaves closer than the 17-4 Sb but at the expense of losing some smoothness. 
For me the H&S 17-4 was love from the first shave.
H&S 17-4 Wtx — it felt like the razor just molded to my face and wiped the whiskers away. Incredible 1st pass and it really worked well with the Nacet blade. I enjoyed both the Oc and Sb for the 1st pass but I liked the Sb more. Also the 17-4 shocked me as it shaved better than the Carbon Cx (to me) but it had less audible feedback. The smoothness was on par with a Timeless .68 razor or Tatara Masamune.
H&S 17-4 Atx — It was very smooth and worked really well under the nose/mustache area. No weepers or irritation. It was such a pleasure to use and on this pass I realized that this razor is ELITE in every regard. The polish was mirror polished and couldn’t tell a difference between H&S 17-4 and my Wr2. It exceeded my expectations in every other aspect, from H&S 17-4 amazing fit & finish to the excellent balance, perfect blade feel for my skin type, ideal handle height and weight, lower profile head which is my preference and just the perfect aggression. 

Grooming department Aion soap- This Soap was my first experience with Grooming Dept and I can’t believe I didn’t use it all these years, I guess it is hard to come by. I would buy this Aion from Mo in a heartbeat but unfortunately it isn’t available anywhere, which is a little disappointing. I LOVED the Soap, it SERIOUSLY creates a very slick lather, Amazing post shave and it creates a nice cushiony lather that protects the skin for people with Sensitive skin. Its definitely one of my favorite scent as well, and not to overpowering-just right.


I am looking forward to more from these masterful artisans and wish future success to both Aji(H&S) and Mo(Grooming Dept.)

SideNote: Many Thanks to Dan Law for doing this pass-around. We appreciate it!! And to my fellow DFs, don’t hesitate on purchasing this H&S 17-4 razor, ITS A BEAST!!

Thank you to Aji and DanLaw for the opportunity to try this beautiful razor. Also - thank you to GroomingDept for the wonderful Nai and DonkeyBase.

I'll keep this short and to the point:

• I thought the 17-4 PO76 H&S is one of the best razors I have ever used. 
  
• While this may change over time as I get more experienced technique - ( Fedsbackhand  has mentioned to me that many wet shavers tend to prefer milder razors as they get more experience) - at this moment, I preferred the PO76 over the milder NO75. 
  
• I found it to be extremely comfortable and efficient. It was also very comfortable to shave against the grain - one litmus test for a good razor in my view. 
  
• The BBS I was able to get from this razor on a standard 3 pass shave was very long-lasting - a good 16 hours, which is long for me. 
  
• I also thought the finish and aesthetics on the razor head was excellent. Mirror polish on the razor head, in my opinion. 
  
• I am not sure yet whether I would prefer the 17-4 or the Ti - I'll defer that decision until trying that one out. 
  
• The soaps -  both the Nai and DonkeyBase were outstanding. The scent on the Nai was very pleasing (DonkeyBase was unscented). Performance was great and the post-shave on both was luxurious. In my book, Mohammad GroomingDept dept is a creative genius when it comes to soap I admire his constant innovation.  
  
• In summary, enjoyed the razor and the soaps very much, and in my opinion, both products are first class.
  

I have received the H&S razor pass around package and all is intact while extremely well packed. I will say that both razors look aesthetically amazing and have a super luxurious look & finish to them. I haven’t assembled them and just went through a quick rinse and alcohol dip to get them ready for the next few shaves. First and foremost I would like to thank both sponsors in H&S and Grooming Dept in providing the hardware and software for us very that are fortunate to trial and experience these wonderful products. A big thank you as well to the man, DanLaw in arranging and making this very pass around possible for the wet shaving community to sample. It’s not easy staying on top of these things and being on point and making sure all the little things are done to a tee. We should be appreciative and I believe that to be the case from all who have participated so far of the efforts put forth by all parties involved. Again, a big thank you to all.

I will get my first shave in tomorrow morning with the PO76 OC and will post my shave experiences for each and every shave. I’m hoping to get at least 2 quality shaves with each razor configuration, maybe 3 if time and whiskers both cooperate. 

Stay tuned........

Just got done about 30 minutes ago and it was a smoker! It won’t be a long write up as I have to get to work as there is an issue with the facilities heat exchanger. Anyhow, the PO76 OC is a deliciously efficient and slightly more blade feel producing razor that gave me an R41 (2011) type finish in two sweet passes. Finito. No buffing, touch ups or a clean up pass. On the first WTG pass on 2 days worth of stubble in knocked it down quickly and effectively to skin level, all around. I knew right there this razor does not play and it’s meant for serious whisker decapitating work. I employed my XTG/ATG hybrid shave move for the 2nd pass. A quick face feel and rinse and saw a couple of red dots around the neck (alum made short work of the dotties), dropped the mic splashed on some La Toja and sprayed some Creed and out the door. I couldn’t stop myself from feeling my face (full Faceturbation Mode) on my drive to work and how smooth and supple it felt. As always, the GD Aion soap provided superb protection, glide and slickness with the smallest amount, a pea sized dollop and the suds were quite abundant. Great stuff. The razor felt really balanced and I had no issue at all with the handle length or the superb knurling. Fit just right in the hands and it was a pure Samurai whisker reducer of the highest order. 47 Ronin like......

Went with the PO76 SB & TREET combo. Nearly an identical shave to the one from yesterday only difference being there was a bit less blade feel with the 17-4 SB but, just as efficient. I employed the same shave routine from the day before and I was done in 2 seriously awesome passes. Used a small pea sized amount of the GD Asinus soap and it set the base for an amazing shave. So good in fact that I didn’t need to use an after shave or post shave products at all. But, I did anyway because it’s my shave. And honestly I just love the fact that ending with a splash seals the deal for a good shave. I know, moronic and a waste. I CAN”T HELP MYSELF! I love it so. 

Just an awesome shave with the PO 76 17-4. This is a take no prisoners shaving razor, period.......