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

Excellent shave today with the START & .90 OC plate. Again, it does what it’s supposed to do. Good, clean and comfortable shaves, shave in, shave out. Does it offer the most blade feel out there? No. Is it similar to an IkonTech, “11/“13 Muhle R41, PAA EVO DOC SS? No. It actually is quite docile compared to those 3 behemoths of blade feel and cutting ferocity. Those razors are more on the extreme, no very extreme of the razor cutting gambit that only a small percentage of wet shavers will ever try and actually say is the best for them. Yet, the START is nowhere near the razor daisies of the mild category such as the Feather A2-D2S, EJDE89, RR Mamba 53 and countless others unless of course, one uses the START .69 plate. But, that’s the beauty of this razor as it gives you an option on what you want and how to go about it with its optional plates. It fits exactly where it needs to be, in the middle where the far marjority of wet shavers roam. It’s not the only one for sure but, for the quality, craftsmanship, alloy and value it definitely should be considered with others such as the Karve, Rockwell 6S & the Gamechanger series of premium made alloy razors. The START razor kit delivers from supremely mild to nicely efficient shave parameters for the far majority. Just a real good razor kit.....

Just checking on status of the razors that they were received by bobmsp? Just to make sure with everything that is going on. Happy shaves Gents and STAY SAFE....

Just checking on status of the razors that they were received by bobmsp? Just to make sure with everything that is going on. Happy shaves Gents and STAY SAFE....

It should be on its way to me soon. He has it and was finishing up with it and said he'd be mailing it to me soon. Haven't heard anything else for a few days now.

Just checking on status of the razors that they were received by bobmsp? Just to make sure with everything that is going on. Happy shaves Gents and STAY SAFE....

It should be on its way to me soon. He has it and was finishing up with it and said he'd be mailing it to me soon. Haven't heard anything else for a few days now.

Thanks amigo. Keep us posted once it’s in your hands. Since your the last one, just get in touch with me once you’re all set and done with the razors.

Happy shaves....

Gus

I've been using the 1.3SB and OC razors over the last few days. The finish on the razors is great (especially when considering the pricing of the razor) and I've been gratified with the shaves I've received. Both razors have given very close shaves, with the OC giving me basically a BBS 2-pass shave. Would I buy one? I'm not sure that they're that different than other razors that I have, but I would definitely consider it.

Just realized I posted regarding the Taiga razor on the wrong thread. Woops.

Bobmsp still has the 1.3SB and OC razors

Today's shave was a 3-pass affair using the 1.3OC on the left side of my face and a copper CG Level 2 SB head on the other. (I used the same handle and Polsilver SI blade with both heads. Setup was GD Eucalyptus pre-shave and B&M First Snow soap.

Both razors gave a very close BBS shave, with me still not feeling any roughness 6 hours later. The Level 2 was noticeably smoother on my face, but it's hard to say whether that's a function of the different manufacturers or a function of the OC vs SB. I think I may have a last shave where I compare the Homelike 1.3SB to the CG.

One last shave with the Homelike Start razors. This time, a head to head run between the 1.30SB and my CG Level 2 SB. Same setup as yesterday and swapped the handle so that there was no difference there.

A bit more blade exposure with the 1.30SB than the CG, but both were comparable on smoothness (with the CG feeling smoother because of less exposure). I finished shaving just a little while ago, so it's hard to compare the shaves. (They feel the same.). For my face, I think I'd go with the SB version of the Homelike, but I'm glad I had the chance to try both. I'll be sending the razors on to kooshman7 tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who set this passaround up! I enjoyed my week with these razors.

Before I forget I took arrival of both the Start razors today. I'll be getting some shaves in with them quite soon. Just want one more go with the Taiga. I can say upon initial handling the increased knurling depth is a great improvement on the polished handle and can feel it right away on that handle. Such a small change, but makes it feel much better! This is the first time with a satin handle for this razor, and didn't notice it as much on that one. That could be because of my memory with the polished Start set before being fairly recent in my memory. The finish on the satin looks nice too, but I think I have to admit my heart is taken with the polished version better.

I thought I posted my review, and I guess I hadn't. Accidently refreshed and lost what I had written.

Equipment used:

Start 1.3 SB and OC razors
New Personna Lab Blue in both
La Toja Sensitive shaving cream
Proraso Sandalwood

Probably the best way to start it off is with all the recent Start razors I have used from the lower gap models to the Taiga, it is fair to say it isn't a matter of if I purchase a Start razor, but when, and in what form. I don't know what it is, but for some reason fixed razors have always been better shavers for me than adjustable razors, but using the Taiga showed me that I can still get better shaves from my Mergress. Perhaps marginally, but I do admit it felt like the sides the Taiga shaved did so just a bit closer. Add to that the versatility of the SB and OC plates and it being easily disassembled to be cleaned makes it a clear winner even at a higher price.

Getting to use the Taiga 1.3 SB and OC with my regular two pass shave just really seems to make clear to me I prefer fixed razors better. Right side devoted to the OC razor, and the SB devoted to my left side. My WTG pass was so good on both sides that I debated strongly about needing another pass, but decided it would still help for a few areas. There was a bit of blade harshness at the beginning for a short time, but I was quick to find the right angle and pressure to lessen that, and by my second WTG/ATG quasi pass, I was quite comfortable with it which is quite a feat as I normally don't go for higher gaps. My preference leans to SB over OC, but things were going so smoothly with the 1.3 OC on my right side that I mindlessly started clearing some of the left side with the OC. I believe the OC teeth have a bit of a larger gap than the previous .90 OC plate I tried, and perhaps that made part of the difference.

I usually use Coral Skin Food after my passes, and forgot to do so and haven't suffered as a result. That and in itself does happen time to time, so I don't mean to make it seem like it is the end all solution, but for my normal preferences of lower blade gaps and SB razors I was still impressed. Do mind that I was only able to get one shave in during this week, but I felt that was the best case scenario I could give both of these razors. The gaps and aggressiveness seem to be suited towards longer days between shaves, but the second pass leaves me wondering if this razor in a larger gap could work for me, and gives me pause to consider trying larger gaps again.

One thing that almost escaped my thoughts is the increase of depth in the knurling, while small, makes a world of difference, and is one much appreciated. Both finishes are quite nice. I usually prefer a satin as I don't like the slight scratches polished can get with time, but being able to see between the two in person I think I personally favor the polished a bit more. The polish might not be as high as I've seen in some other razors, but that could just be the professional photographs for many of them. Next to say my polished Blackbird I consider them equivalent and both well done. I think all of the razors are quite excellent, and well deserving of being looked at by anyone considering a first time razor. If I had to put a bet on a good everyday goldilocks razor, a Home Start SB .90 would be quite excellent. I will say compared to either Game Changer, Muhle, EJ, or Merkur the peformance of the razor head is leaps and bounds better at any gap, especially the Game Changers. I find those too mild. I will concede a fine selection of handles to the Game Changer, however.