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

This shave was good. And I mean real good. Adjusted for the blade feel slightly riding closer to the cap during both passes. Excellent results and not a single nic, cut, weeper or irritation while still using the same TREET blade. I did use a bit more focus in making sure I stayed riding the cap lightly and it was like taking candy from a baby. I can definitely say that the OC version has more blade feel because of its inherent design but, that blade feel can be adjusted slightly to get a softer/smoother feel without losing any of its cutting ability. This razor is a beard buster, regardless of hair thickness/coarseness and growth pattern. Having said that, an experienced shaver I believe can get excellent results time and time again. If you’re a newb or just prefer milder razors, this ain’t your Huckleberry. Real good blade feel with excellent efficiency while still allowing the shaver to make an adjustment on angle to quiet that feel if needed. Bad Ass razor.....

Got my 2nd shave in with the PO76 SB 17-4 and my fourth overall with these razors. Still using the same TREET Platinum that has held up well with 4 shaves on it.  I would have been happy with 2-3 and called it a pretty good blade for the $$$. But, it still shows no signs of slowing down. Anyhow, the shave with the SB version is just an excellent experience. Very comfortable and still plenty efficient so that one can get a DFS/BBS in 2 good passes, maybe a 3rd if one is less deliberate during their first two passes. I’ll point out that I also did employ a hybrid XTG/ATG on pass no. #2 that yielded a very satisfying BBS finish. The SB is definitely the easier of the 2 razors for anyone to grasp quickly. It just goes and mows down hair on each successive pass without much fanfare. The OC is a Shogun Samurai with vicious cutting ability while the SB is more akin to a stealth Ninja still getting the job done with precision. 

Just an awesome shave this morning. I’ll probably get one more shave in and get these ready and cleaned to move on to the next participant. Final thoughts/summation to follow thereafter. DanLaw can you get in contact with me for info pertaining to getting this ready to ship? I’d like to get it out the door by Friday if at all possible.....

The 5th and final shave with the PO76 SB 17-4. The TREET Platinum started showing kinks in its armor but, it managed to finish the shave in impeccable fashion with an excellent BBS finish. Slight tugging in the beginning but, I managed it through and it rendered the best it could muster. I’m happy with 5  from a blade I’ve tried before. And for the $$$, it’s a heck of a deal. I’m going to sound like a broken record but, again it was a ho-hum shave in that it just delivers a crisp, efficient and superbly comfortable shave. A 2 passer with just a minimal touch up around Sir Adam to seal the deal. Truly a wonderful shave and lest I forget, the Ethos soap rendered a gorgeous lather with superb glide and protection for a blade that was near its end. I think the soap helped the TREET along to be honest. A superb soap by Frankie Dragonsbeard, plain & simple.

In the end, I received 5 glorious shaves from impeccably crafted and designed razors. Fit, fitment and finish are second to none and in my experience I haven’t experienced a finer finished product. I can’t speak for a Wolfman as I’ve never held one nor do I have the interest in finding out either. But, if a Wolfman is THE BAR, the H&S PO76 in both configurations is nipping at its heals. I have no qualms with the feel nor how it balances in hand during the shave. It feels natural and just becomes second nature once you get a stroke or two in. The OC is NOT a carefree easy shaver as it will punish you if you are lax in technique or just wander off thinking how is the surf in Tahiti. That bite is not a shark, it’s the razor to wake you out of your daydreaming when using this formidable whisker reducer. Is it the most aggressive feeling shaver I’ve used? No, it is not as I can name 2 or 3 that best it in aggressiveness but, those other 3 might just be a bit harsher feeling than the PO76 OC 17-4. Overall its a razor that can hang with the best of them and still deliver a close and superbly efficient shave while showing some manners in feel. The feel of the 17-4 is a bit more direct and more metallic feeling, cold like if that makes any sense. I gave myself a couple red dots here and there with it but, never any irritation nor a nic received. The SB is more gentler yet nearly as efficient as its OC brethren. Easier to get on with it which in turn turns up the confidence in wielding this tool. I said easier but, it will still show you some teeth if you get over confident or think it’s an uber mild shaver. This ain’t no Mamba .70 but, more closer to or in between a Gamechanger .84 & say a Timeless .95. It really, really feels good and it will shave the far majority of hair types unless your name is Daryl (Bigfoot  ) or Uncas.

H&S has served up first class products that are also first class performers. In the end would I buy one? No, I wouldn’t be in the market for a 17-4 in either layout to be honest. Why? Because I have a PO76 Ti en route as I write this..... HeHeHe. 

Once again, a big thank you to H&S in providing these gorgeous tools to sample plus Grooming Dept. in providing some great suds for the shaves. Also a big chest bump (virtual) to the man himself DanLaw in helping put this wonderful pass around together for us shavers to enjoy. Thanks Brother....

Terrific reports, Gus.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

GlazedBoker You do really well with the written reviews! I've enjoyed reading your comments and comparisons. Great sotd photos as well, cheers

will there be a head only option at some point?

2 17-4 razors received in mail today. After 45 minutes of unpacking( just kidding Gus, excellent packaging) the razors are beautiful to look at, most of the soap is gone but I will try a little with the shave tonight

H&S 17-4 Open Comb First Shave
Pre Shave ETHOS First Lather
Blade 1st use PolSilver 
Brush Big Red
Soap Grooming Dept Aion 

The soap lathered easily and provided good cushion and slickness. The scent was too perfumey for my taste. I Prefer simple scents. I did need to use more soap than I currently use to get the same lather.

H&S OC on 2 day beard
First pass was WTG and it was very smooth but certainly has the most blade feel of any H&S razor. This is not a bad thing if you like blade feel but if you are used to the NO75 this is definitely a step up in blade feel. First pass left me at DFS

2nd pas ATG. Again very smooth without skipping but you definitely can feel the blade. It was very smooth, no nicks or weepers nor any blade chatter. Cold rinse and I was BBS even in my tough spots. I really enjoyed this shave, I let the weight of the razor do the work and it provided an excellent shave. 
I prefer the Ti SB as it gives similar results with less blade feel. I will try the 17-4 SB Tmw. 

H&S 17-4 PO76 Solid bar on 24 hrs growth
Pre Shave Hot Shower
Soap Grooming Dept Asinius
Blade PolSilver 2nd use
Post Shave ETHOS Serum for Oily Skin
Visually this is a beautiful razor and is extremely well built both in fit and Finish.
First Pass WTG. Definitely less blade feel than the OC and extremely smooth. Took down nearly 95% of my growth.
2nd pass ATG. Again much less blade feel still there but less than the OC. Cold rinse and I was BBS.
Threw some Thayers on then 1 squirt of the ETHOS post shave serum and I was feeling good.
If I didn’t have the Ti version of this razor I would definitely get this razor, probably in Dual Comb so I could use the OC for the first pass then SB for 2nd.
Aji is creating some wonderful razors both in shave quality, build quality and looks. I am a definite fan.
I soaked the razors in Scrubbing Bubbles and will let them thoroughly dry and wrap them up and get it to Post Office Tmw.
Thank You DFS, AJi and Dan for the opportunity to use such beautiful razors. 

Received the razors today, I am in awe at the polish job on these razors. Unlike anything I've used before. Fit is perfect as expected from H&S. First shave tomorrow, can't wait!