Ikon X3 Slant

Is there a functional reason why the safety bars are not the same?  Or are they, and the images make it seem not so?  I get it when one side is a safety bar and the other side is an open comb, but this is odd.

I think its closed safety bar on both sides - might look different because of the slant

I think so too, but the "teeth" sure do look different from side to side.

They are not the same, but there is no difference in feel or performance according to Michael Freedberg in his review.

Weird

I received my X3 from Maggard today and will shave with it this evening. I can't wait to see how it shaves.

I received my X3 from Maggard today and will shave with it this evening. I can't wait to see how it shaves.

Congrats! Keep us posted.

I received my X3 from Maggard today and will shave with it this evening. I can't wait to see how it shaves.

Yes, would like to hear your opinion about it too. I'm excited to get mine!

I just finished shaving with the X3 and I am pleasantly surprised. This razor performed far different than the 102, the only other slant I had tried. It is a highly efficient razor but also very mild and forgiving. This razor head is a keeper, and that's saying a lot considering how sensitive my skin is to most razors. The reason I shave with an AS-D2 every day is because it's one of the only razors I've found that gives me efficient shaves without blood. Well, this razor can apparently do the same. I didn't even have to be careful. It was similar to the AS-D2 in that the angle didn't have much variance to cut, which is very good for me. To be safe I used an Astra SP as opposed to my regular Feather and Kai blades, but next blade change I will try a Feather.

This razor head is a closed comb on both sides but with two different styles. I shaved with both sides throughout my shave and didn't notice any change in performance. I have no idea why they would design it this way but fortunately it doesn't seem to matter. The iKon 101 used to be a favorite of mine but I sold it because of the OC side that I felt was useless for my beard and thus defeated the purpose of a DE razor. That is not the case here.

Hardware and Software used:
iKon X3 on Maggard MR11 stainless handle
Astra SP blade
Barrister and Mann Rhapsody
Barrister and Mann Rhapsody aftershave w/menthol

I Also shaved with my new X3 with OSS handle and LPV new formula out of the 4 oz jars. Excellent nick free BBS on the first try. Not really too sure how you can improve on this head anymore. I guess if you believe you can get a BBS in one pass than keep improving otherwise I think you got it. Mild, efficient, forgiving and light on the skin (a lighter head than most). The OSS handle is one of my favourites since I have big hands and the weight is nice. The prices for these handles are hard to match. As I have suggested before, I'm getting slightly crusty in my old age so I lean towards razors that are available to the masses and are not aggressively marketed and in extremely limited supply so the X3 seems to fit the bill nicely. To be fair the slant market is wide open with slant that can fit anyone's budget, I'm just not sure you can get this level of efficiency in a metal razor head at this price (as low as $29 I believe without a handle?). Anyways I'm not disappointed with the purchase and I would recommend it.

Jervis

Hardtop01 thats good to hear, I'm really looking forward to receiving mine. I was in two minds about getting it at all given how happy I am with the 102 right now but at the price point how can I say no? Thanks for the feedback.
Mark

Hobbyist , thanks for the review. It sounds like ikon has found the formula.
Mark

Hardtop01 thats good to hear, I'm really looking forward to receiving mine.  I was in two minds about getting it at all given how happy I am with the 102 right now but at the price point how can I say no?  Thanks for the feedback.
Mark

I love the X3 for the same reasons I loved the 102 very smooth, very forgiving. If you shaved with both at the same time with a blindfold on you couldn't feel the difference. While I would never recommend doing it (the blindfold I speak about) you could expect a nick free shave, it's that safe. Kinda puts the safe back into safety razor! Get it, safe back into safety!

Whatever....