high proof pivoting head DE razor passaround

Estimated arrival here is Friday

Well it left California I assume on an airplane in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. Just landed in the wee hours this morning nearly 48 hours later in Georgia. So maybe tomorrow or possibly Monday arrival now. That's a long time in the air........... Easy everybody it's a joke I know it wasn't in the air for two days. Just updating everybody

Just now delivered

1 use and done for me. I DO appreciate Proof Razor sharing it with us to try and andrewjs18 arranging the pass around. Just not for me and so will ship to Marhos24 tomorrow

Sunday December 17, 2023
Razor: High Proof V2
Blade: Half a Gillette Silver Blue
Brush: Stirling by Zenth/28mm Boar
Soap: Stirling Solidus
AS : Witch Hazel + Stirling Solidus
Fragrance:
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1,866
https://youtu.be/0Ud6jNhC2kE

Razor arrived safely. Everything is in great condition. First shave this morning and will report back!

First shave was good but different. Used half of a Gillette Platinum blade, and WK/Pasteurs "Timmerman Red" as the soap/balm.

Build quality and presentation is very nice. The fit and finish is flawless on the razor. The cap is help strongly in place with the magnets. The blade securely pops on and doesn't require any adjustment. The cap also securely pops on and doesn't feel like it would come off. The spring action seems to be at a happy medium, not too stiff or soft.

The shave took a little getting used to as it does require some pressure. The razor is fairly efficient for how smooth and mild it feels. It took down four days growth without issue.

It was difficult to find the blade edge for lining up side burns and shaving under the nose. I ended up using a DE to clean up under my nose and the side burns because I wasn't able to figure it out. I'm sure with time and a few more shaves I'll hopefully have it dialed in. There is definately some drag on the second pass. I assume once the stubble is gone from the first pass, there's nothing to break up the surface tension on the skin. It was still smooth and comfortable, but something I'm not used to with a DE. Finished up with a close comfortable shave. Looking forward to how it performs with one days growth opposed to four.

Razor was packed up and shipped out to the next participant.

Second shave was just as good as the first! It was on one days growth and was an extremely smooth and efficient shave. It seemed a little more natural to use the razor with slight pressure. I found it easier to line up side burns by looking through the lather channel in the mirror, since the blade is right above that. Still a little tough to get under the nose, but I was able to squeeze in there ATG.

I still prefer using a DE. Not sure why, but for that reason I will more than likely not purchase one. If I head shaved, or body shaved, it would be a great addition.

Thank you to andrewjs18 for setting up the passaround and High Proof for supplying the razor.

FYI...I have received the razor and have finished shaving with it. I have notified the next participant, and just waiting for his response. After I gather my thoughts, I will post a review.

NOTES ON HIGH PROOF RAZOR JANUARY 2024

BIC CP blade
Cremo Original, for Preshave and between passes
TOBS Shave Shop Cream Soap
Ethos Greenfresh Skin Food lotion

Pros
USA Design and Manufacture
Highest Quality Machining, Finish and Assembly
Innovative Design
Very High Quality Packaging
Excellent Design for Converting Cartridge Shavers to DE blades
Reasonably Priced

Cons
Very very very mild shave with low efficiency
Impossible to Shave Under the Nose

Review:
Based on reviews from other DE shavers, I chose to use a sharper BIC blade, which for me is close to the Feather in sharpness, but a little smoother.  The magnets are great in seating the blade, and hold the head cover very tight and secure.  It is easy to place the blade into the head.  It is a little more difficult to remove the blade, due to the strength of the magnets…but once you figure it out, it is not an issue.  The pivoting head forces you to shave like you are using a Mach 3 or Fusion…flat to the face with a bit of pressure.  Even with this technique, the High Proof was leaving way more stubble than my mildest DE razors.  It is very comfortable, but for me, it was like shaving with no blade in the razor.  After 4 passes and cleaning up in every conceivable direction…I realized that due to the pivot and the blade angle…there was no way to push it any further.  I had the identical situation as Dave (in KY), and found it impossible to shave under the nose. For cartridge users, and those that want a less expensive option (DE blades snapped in half) from cartridges, love a 5 O’clock shadow and a simple no cuts smooth shave…this is their razor.  I actually had to shave again with another razor, after I had already shaved, to get to a DFS and to get under the nose!  For me, this qualified as the mildest razor I have ever experienced.  A multi-blade Gillette is actually more efficient.
The good news is that it is extremely well made, works beautifully as intended by the designer, is reasonably priced (based on the quality of manufacture), has superb packaging (magnetic box and a microfiber bag), and has a modern look with a very clever design.
There is a fix for the problem of shaving under the nose.  The designer needs to reduce the width of the entire head, scallop the corners, and get the blade closer to the edge of the safety bar.  I understand why it is like it is…protecting the blade from the face, to make it impossible to get cut.  Unfortunately, this design architecture reduces the razors overall capability. IMHO, there is room for improvement, without losing the target audience.  I hope this razor does well, with their target market, since a lot of time, effort, and expense has been put into the innovative design.
My thanks to andrewjs18 for arranging this pass-around.  Many thanks to High Proof for supplying a razor for all of us to try.

NOTES ON HIGH PROOF RAZOR JANUARY 2024

BIC CP blade
Cremo Original, for Preshave and between passes
TOBS Shave Shop Cream Soap
Ethos Greenfresh Skin Food lotion

Pros
USA Design and Manufacture
Highest Quality Machining, Finish and Assembly
Innovative Design
Very High Quality Packaging
Excellent Design for Converting Cartridge Shavers to DE blades
Reasonably Priced

Cons
Very very very mild shave with low efficiency
Impossible to Shave Under the Nose

Review:
Based on reviews from other DE shavers, I chose to use a sharper BIC blade, which for me is close to the Feather in sharpness, but a little smoother.  The magnets are great in seating the blade, and hold the head cover very tight and secure.  It is easy to place the blade into the head.  It is a little more difficult to remove the blade, due to the strength of the magnets…but once you figure it out, it is not an issue.  The pivoting head forces you to shave like you are using a Mach 3 or Fusion…flat to the face with a bit of pressure.  Even with this technique, the High Proof was leaving way more stubble than my mildest DE razors.  It is very comfortable, but for me, it was like shaving with no blade in the razor.  After 4 passes and cleaning up in every conceivable direction…I realized that due to the pivot and the blade angle…there was no way to push it any further.  I had the identical situation as Dave (in KY), and found it impossible to shave under the nose. For cartridge users, and those that want a less expensive option (DE blades snapped in half) from cartridges, love a 5 O’clock shadow and a simple no cuts smooth shave…this is their razor.  I actually had to shave again with another razor, after I had already shaved, to get to a DFS and to get under the nose!  For me, this qualified as the mildest razor I have ever experienced.  A multi-blade Gillette is actually more efficient.
The good news is that it is extremely well made, works beautifully as intended by the designer, is reasonably priced (based on the quality of manufacture), has superb packaging (magnetic box and a microfiber bag), and has a modern look with a very clever design.
There is a fix for the problem of shaving under the nose.  The designer needs to reduce the width of the entire head, scallop the corners, and get the blade closer to the edge of the safety bar.  I understand why it is like it is…protecting the blade from the face, to make it impossible to get cut.  Unfortunately, this design architecture reduces the razors overall capability. IMHO, there is room for improvement, without losing the target audience.  I hope this razor does well, with their target market, since a lot of time, effort, and expense has been put into the innovative design.
My thanks to andrewjs18 for arranging this pass-around.  Many thanks to High Proof for supplying a razor for all of us to try.

Awesome write up !!!