HomelikeShaving and their START SS Razor. From Russia with Love....

here's the list as I have it..

West:
fmalpartida (California) *razor is en route*
CzechCzar (California)
Oasisdave (California)
draebeard (Washington)
gvw755 (Washington)
Captainjonny (Washington)
IanG513 (California)

East:
Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire) *razor is en route*
keto (Missouri)
Dave In KY (Kentucky)
Shavemd (Ohio)
HoosierShave (Indiana)
dominicr (Missouri)
Dayman (Georgia)
Asafiev (Pennsylvania)
Dragonsbeard

andrewjs18 I’d like to give it a try if there’s any room left on the east coast list.

Thank you

I just left the second razor to the post office, too.
Both razors are brand new, never used before. I used my own Start razor for review.
East one is sealed, I removed the seal of West, just took a photo.
Hope everyone will enjoy with this pass-around.

andrewjs18  I’d like to give it a try if there’s any room left on the east coast list.

Thank you

where in the East Coast are you located?

Received my Start today with the .90 and 1.18 SB plates. Excellent machining as every piece is smooth, very shiny yet some machine marks are still visible.Threading of handle onto top cap is smooth and secure, feels like a Wolfman.  The first shave was with the 1.18 plate, a Polsilver and CC Venture soap.  There is blade feel but minimal and smooth. 2 passes gave me BBS on my cheeks and very close everywhere else. ATG was very smooth and easily cleaned up the rest of my jaw and neck.  First impression is this is an excellent well built razor that delivers the smoothness of a lower level Karve or Timeless .68 but efficiency is more than you would expect.

Shavemd is this the pass around razor or did you buy one?

Shavemd is this the pass around razor or did you buy one?

This is not pass-around razor. I have not sent pass-around razor to him. 
He will probably test OC plate during pass-around.
I sent pass around razors to the first people in the list (fmalpartida (California) and Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire))

Shavemd is this the pass around razor or did you buy one?

This is not pass-around razor. I have not sent pass-around razor to him. 
He will probably test OC plate during pass-around.
I sent pass around razors to the first people in the list (fmalpartida (California) and Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire))

thank you, just making sure.

andrewjs18 I only was able to get the SB so I signed up for the pass around to try the OC version.

As I stated in my previous shave, I was really looking forward to trying out the START with it’s largest gap base plate, the 1.18 SB version. Well, as an added bonus, a very kind and generous shave member contacted me and asked if I wanted to try out one of his coveted razors. A Charcoal Goods SS razor with both the Level 2 & Level 3 SB base plates and compare it with the START. I graciously accepted and I want to thank the Gentleman, CK89 for trusting me in using the CG for a comparison shave. Truly appreciate the kind gesture and is a true gentleman to deal with. 

The shave was actually yesterday evening but, I had to attend a family event and was very short on time. So, I’m writing this with my cup of Java this morning and I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. First, the CG razor is an impeccably machined and finished razor. The attention to the fine details on the handle is just exquisite. Truly a work of functional art that takes a back seat to no one. Astounding craftsmanship here that is eye candy in both form and function. After I wiped the drool oozing out of the corner of my mouth, I got ready for the shave.

Both razors were equipped with the same blade that I’ve been using since I received the START. Yes, the wonderfully performing Gillette Platinums. I was debating which plate to start off with in the CG whether L2 or L3. I sent a few messages with the owner of the CG to get a number on gaps of the CG but, info on them is quite difficult to get concerning the sizes for each plate. He recommended the L3 since the START with its largest gap plate would probably be a fair shave off. I actually started with the L2 and I’m really glad I did that and I’ll explain later on. It was CG L2 SB vs START 1.18 SB. It’s on....



The normal 3 pass shave affair was on the table and neither of these two disappointed. And the first thing I will tell you is this. From the first stroke, they are both excellent feeling razors with good blade feel and amazing cutting prowess. The CG L2 however, has a more direct feeling shave where I get just a bit more blade feel over the START 1.18. The shocker here is this, the START is actually smoother with just about almost as good a blade feel as the CG L2. It removed hair with as much efficiency as the CG but, it felt more comfortable to use. On the WTG pass they both knocked down 2 days growth with relative ease and comfort. On the 2nd ATG pass is where The START showed how smooth  and yet efficient it is. I never felt as though it was ever going to bite or get fussy especially around Sir Adam, chin and jawline. I actually think that it offers a bit more of a window on adjusting cutting angle and blade feel over the .90 SB & .90 OC. I can’t reiterate enough on how smooth the START felt on my skin. The CG L2 is nearly there but, if felt a bit more blade forward and I had to pay a bit more attention during my passes with it. Not intimidating by any means or one needs zen like laser focus. It’s just a notch under the START in terms of smoothness and comfort. That being said, it’s a wonderful feeling razor that gets it done without a second thought. It’s a superb mid-aggressive feeling shaver that delivers on cue. Went onto my final pass which truly was just a buff and clean up pass. Cheeks and neck were identical in face smoothness and as I had done with the previous START shaves, I used it to clean up the tiny stragglers on Sir Adam. It just works amazingly well in that particular area for me. An astounding finisher that is easy on the skin yet deadly for remaining whiskers. A superb BBS once it was all said and done. A good cold water rinse and the alum pass proved fruitless as there was no sting to speak of nor any redness anywhere from top to bottom. 

Both razors are tremendous performers and I am a bit surprised at the final outcome between these two. I truly figured that the CG L2 would come out ahead just on its pedigree alone as being a smooth and efficient shaver and that it is, without question. It’s just that the START is actually smoother and just as efficient in removing whiskers. It’s actually quite surprising that the makers of the START razor got their razor to perform so well from the get go. That’s saying something in this day and age. 

Superb shave from both but, the START was my pic for last nights shave. Smooth, efficient and so comfortable to shave and handle. And truthfully I need to put some more time in with the CG and get a better feel for its attributes and what it brings to the table. I’ll get some more shaves in with the L2. Next up is the L3 plate and that is going to be a challenge as I know that is up there near Ikon Tech territory. Could be a tall order for the START but, we’ll see...