If you could have only one $200ish double-edged safety razor

My current favorite is the ATT Calypso R1 which was made better by pairing with the titanium TiBam handle.

I've seen a lot of good things about Charcoal Goods and would love to try their level 2, but since I prefer lighter weight razors I'm not sure how CG would work in the long run. I would probably just get the razor head and pass on the handle to save weight if I did get.

Same goes for Rex Ambassador but costly.

I really like mine, but don't use it much. I've been thinking of putting it on BST for $70 with the box it came in.

Adjustability is not even a factor, at least for me. I would find the setting that I like and leave it there for the most part.

I would agree with you if we were talking about any other adjustable on the market, vintage or modern. But the Rex is something special. Sometimes I want a mild effortless shave that I know has zero chance of irritation, enter the Rex on 2. Sometimes I want a two pass BBS, enter the Rex on 6.5. The Rex can do it all! All the while looking great and feeling great in hand.

I love the Rex as well. IMHO, I played with the adjustment for about 4 shaves and concluded setting 6.5 works the best for me. Gives me a consistently smooth 2 pass DFS/BBS shave with minor touch-ups. To me it is very smooth even dialed to the maximum setting.

17-4, end of story, forever. Luckily I have one from the first batch.

OP said $200ish.

I agree. A lot of recommendations for the REX too. Would need a 20% off coupon. I'm looking forward to trying the REX in a pass around, but kinda think I might like the Gibbs 17 more.

If he got in on the group buy, then the Rex would be in his price range.

I'd take the charcoal goods lvl 3 OC. Of course I get just as good a shave with a muhle r-41. I'm also partial to my wolfman 0.91 OC but that costs more than $200

If he got in on the group buy, then the Rex would be in his price range.

I wouldn't have bought the Rex at $250, but at $180 I dove in and tried it. Now that I have used it I would say it is worth the $250 price tag. Between that and the ATT S1 I feel like I am buying razors just for the hell of it now. We'll see how the newest Phoenix DOC does in a few minutes though. It was a lot cheaper.

I got a Charcoal Level 2 base plate about 2 weeks ago and it's hands down the best razor I've used to date. I can get a clean DFS without irritation or a build up of it after a few days, which I normally get. I have the level 1 but I find the level 2 more comfortable level 2 charcoal good razor in polished stainless steel would be the most perfect razor for me.

Charcoal Goods Machined Brass Safety Razor Baseplate (Level-2 Mid Aggressive)
+
Machined Brass Safety Razor Top Cap
+
Stinger Handle Series 1 - Brass (or Twin Helix Handle - Brass (Antique Finish)
At this point the dream would be realized. :-) ;-)

ATT Atlas with the H1 head.

I have the Atlas with Windsor H plate.
It's one of my all time favorites! And the Atlas handle is absolutely gorgeous!!