ikon Razors

I've been shaving recently with a newly acquired ikon Shavecraft 101 and I'm really enjoying the smooth comfortable shave its giving me. In addition to the 101 I also have the B1 OSS, X3 Slant and the 102 Slant that I like so much I bought a second one for my son. None of these are in the black coating. The B1 OSS was the second razor I bought after using the EJ DE-89 for a year or so and its a really nice razor too. The 102 is probably my dessert island razor - loaded with a Feather blade it does such a nice, drama-free job that I couldn't imagine being without it. The X3 is really nice too but I give the nod to the 102 by a whisker although the price point on the X3 is very attractive indeed. I really do enjoy shaving with every one of the ikon razors I have and the only ikon that I have determined to stay away from is the Shavecraft Tech. You see, I like a comfortable, efficient razor over an aggressive one, its just my preference and I find that I can get a BBS shave with the 102 as easily as I can from a Wolfman or an ATT. The same goes for the rest on my ikon stable. I'll leave the Shavecraft Tech to the adrenalin junkies who want to live on the (razor's) edge.

I'm aware that ikon doesn't always get the love it deserves (IMO) and I've heard the various beefs about ikon Greg but I've never had anything but positive ikon experiences both buying and using. I've only bought one razor directly from ikon and it was straightforward and problem free and I've never had an issue of any kind with any of the ikon razors I have. I received what I expected at a reasonable price point and they've all functioned beautifully.

At the end of the day you don't have to personally "like" the people behind the products you use, in most cases you never even know who they are and even when you think you know them because you've interacted on social media or you've even met them at a meet up, you likely don't really know them. An example, I drive a Ford and it suits me fine but by all accounts I would not have liked Henry Ford very much. Should I ditch the Ford and buy a Chrysler? I don't know too much about the Dodge brothers but with a name like that, could you really trust them?

I try to look at a product in terms of functionality, price and availability and on those criteria I think ikon razors score on all three points. I really enjoy the ikon razors I have and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to other shavers whether they're novices or seasoned veterans.

Thanks.

I too enjoy Ikon razors. I also have the 102 and X3. They are pretty much a tie for me. Great razors and the aluminum material is holding up beautifully. I really like that material and find it smoother on the skin than stainless.

I now have three iKons, Marko, and two of them are wonderful (the Shavecraft 101 and the El Jefe). The one I am somewhat disappointed in is the first one I got, the OSS. It is open comb on one side and safety bar on the other side of the head. The open comb side is brilliant for me but the safety bar side simply does not shave me close. Therefore, when I do use it, I use it as an SE, which seems a shame.

As for things said about Greg, I have never had to deal with him as two of my razors were purchased from a vendor and one was a gift. Because of that I have no feelings about him one way or another. I'd be lying, though, if I didn't say that if I had personal contact with a vendor that was unpleasant that it would probably affect my thoughts on buying his or her products again. I'm not saying that it's right, I'm just saying that is how I might react.

Buyer's remorse never happens with a good experience with the vendor. Interaction with the vendor and liking the vendor is important. My favorite razor is a Seygus( Thalasos ) and partially because of good customer interaction (also a great razor). Same with my brush (Mervyn Cadman) and shave cream (Fitjar). I plan to buy more from those vendors.

Also important is to not take one negative comment as "gospel" and understand everyone has a "bad day." I just sold my only Ikon razor - but the X3 was a nice razor.

I hear you Freddy, like Standard said, everyone can have a bad day and we are after all only human. No doubt if I felt I was mistreated by a vendor I'd likely not want to deal with them again. I think its hard in this social media age we live in too - I can contact a vendor and have a single exchange with him for better or worse but for the vendor he's fielding multiple exchanges from all sorts of people who, to be fair, aren't always well mannered. Patience can wear thin. I've often thought that the best and the worst part of life is people.

I've owned several of his razors, liked most of them. I did have one warranty issue. I had ordered a DLC slant for my son's birthday from his website. It arrived quickly but I did not open the package when it arrived, just sent it on to my son a couple of weeks later. When he opened the package he found the DLC coating was chipped. I contacted iKon, explained what had happened and they had my son send the razor back to them and quickly replaced it, even threw in a handle for the trouble. So that was a good experience but the razor should never have gotten through any kind of quality control before it was sent.
The latest business with the El Jefe razor didn't go very well. The head should never have been released. It's hard to believe he didn't know of the alignment issue before he started selling them. He did make it right with those that that had purchased at full price once people started complaining but never admitted anything. I think there are better vendors to support.

I do like the SC102 and El Jefe. I don't like the SC101 or the X3 - too mild. Never had any issues with the company or its products.

I had a bad customer service experience with iKon, not really inclined to do business with them again. I do like the x3, the 102 slant didn't really work for me. Their prices are fair for stainless steel. Wolfman and Above the Tie trump iKon in every way, but they are more expensive. You can't gauge customer service until you have a problem with a product.

I have only had good personal experiences with Greg. But for some reason that I've yet to figure out, my Ikon razors are prone to giving me weepers more than any other. I don't get it and I have recently taken them out of rotation and have had essentially weeper-free shaves. I am talking about the B1 slant [polished and DLC coated], the Shavecraft short comb, and the B1 New Deluxe [ polished and DLC'd]. The Shavecraft 102 slant was very good but nothing special - it did not cut me. I'm saving them to see if I have corrected some technical glitch in my technique. But Greg was always gracious and responsive. Of course, I never tried to return or exchange anything.

I have one and only one Ikon: the Shavecraft Tech, which is one of my favorites, right up there with my Wolfman, ATTs, Le Coq, PAA DOC Evo and Charcoal Goods. I don't plan to buy another Ikon because I don't believe they can outdo the Tech.