#1

Member
Seattle, WA (USA)
What razor did Greg Kahn copy for the iKon Tech, or is it his original design? Does any one Know?
#2
(This post was last modified: 10-16-2018, 09:05 PM by jmudrick.)
I always thought of it as Greg's smart guy response to being criticized for making the prior razors too mild. AFAIK its not a clone if anything but it seems in spirit, short guard span and exposure like a modern take on the Barbasol Floating Head kicked up a notch, or the Swedish Matador kicked up two.
(10-16-2018, 08:16 PM)draebeard Wrote: What razor did Greg Kahn copy for the iKon Tech, or is it his original design? Does any one Know?

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#3

Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
not sure if it's a copy or not, but it's probably the most aggressive razor I've ever used...the only thing I've ever used that was close, if not more aggressive than it would be the GEM MMOC.

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Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.
#4

Member
Seattle, WA (USA)
The Gem MMOC is a much less dangerous razor, but it can give you a rough first shave or two, unless you palm strop the blade first.
Two quick passes across the edge of your palm before first use, takes the roughness out of a new Gem blade.  It works every time.
That being said, I like the other two Gem MicroMatics better, and just bought a Bullet Tip at a garage sale last weekend for $3.

When I went through my aggressive razor phase I tried the iKon Tech, and got to where I could do a very clean 1 pass shave without drawing blood,
but I never really liked it.  Same for the Mühle R41 (2011 or 2013).  They were all rough razors; efficient but uncomfortable.

A few years ago I came across a shave video on YouTube by The Mad Scientist of Wet Shaving, featuring a Dutch razor with a name that begins in G.
I can't remember the name of it, or find the video.  It was a closed comb safety bar razor.  He said it was the most aggressive razor he'd ever used.
That was the razor that I thought Kahn copied.  I think it's a clone of something, because from what I've seen, Kahn copies other peoples designs.

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#5
Hey guys. This is my first post here at DFS.

I've no idea if the Tech is a clone but, man, I love that razor! Of course my go-to razor for the past six years has been a Futur set to six (or higher, the stop doesn't work anymore). I find the Tech a more precise and rewarding shave then the Futur, and the result is closer. I've not tried any of the super high end madly aggressive razors so I can't compare a Charcoal Goods Level 3 or a PAA Doc Evo in Stainless Steel. I have two R41s on the way (a 2013 that's new and a used 2011 head).

Obviously this is one of those YMMV things. I hope to pick up some of the expensive super-aggressives used when I can. Can't see myself buying 'em new.

By the way, a razor that produces shaves just as close as the Tech but is far more mild and comfortable is the Fendrihan Mark I. The thing is stainless steel and a bargain on sale for $25. Heck, the handle alone is worth that. Can't believe what a great value it is and yet it doesn't seem to get the reviews it deserves.

Now, honestly, it's too mild for me. I prefer the Ikon. But I'm weird that way.

Here's a link: https://www.fendrihan.com/collections/sa...fety-razor

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#6
(This post was last modified: 10-19-2018, 04:20 PM by jmudrick.)
Well now I'm intrigued about which razor you saw in the Mad Scientist video. I browsed but saw nothing. I honestly can't imagine a vintage 104 as a remotely successful commercial endeavor.

I agree that the MMOC can be dangerous but I don't put it at all in the same league as the Tech. I've used the MMOC as daily driver without issues, including daily head shaves. It has a short guard span but not much gap and if you shave as ASR instructions dictate, razor cap flat on your skin, skin tight as you would with a straight, it's hard to do damage. This was not a niche product , it was ASR's flagship for ten years and they sold millions at a time when Gillette was struggling.

The Tech is certainly efficient but I don't enjoy it like I do the MMOC. It has huge exposure at every angle. The care with which you have to handle the 104 borders on the ridiculous.

(10-19-2018, 04:22 AM)draebeard Wrote: The Gem MMOC is a much less dangerous razor, but it can give you a rough first shave or two, unless you palm strop the blade first.
Two quick passes across the edge of your palm before first use, takes the roughness out of a new Gem blade.  It works every time.
That being said, I like the other two Gem MicroMatics better, and just bought a Bullet Tip at a garage sale last weekend for $3.

When I went through my aggressive razor phase I tried the iKon Tech, and got to where I could do a very clean 1 pass shave without drawing blood,
but I never really liked it.  Same for the Mühle R41 (2011 or 2013).  They were all rough razors; efficient but uncomfortable.

A few years ago I came across a shave video on YouTube by The Mad Scientist of Wet Shaving, featuring a Dutch razor with a name that begins in G.
I can't remember the name of it, or find the video.  It was a closed comb safety bar razor.  He said it was the most aggressive razor he'd ever used.
That was the razor that I thought Kahn copied.  I think it's a clone of something, because from what I've seen, Kahn copies other peoples designs.
#7

Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
(10-19-2018, 01:47 PM)jmudrick Wrote: Well now I'm intrigued about which razor you saw in the Mad Scientist video. I browsed but saw nothing. I honestly can't imagine a vintage 104 as a remotely successful commercial endeavor.

I agree that the MMOC can be dangerous but I don't put it at all in the same league as the Tech. I've used the MMOC as daily driver without issues, including daily head shaves. It has a short guard span but not much gap and if you shave as ASR instructions dictate, razor cap flat on your skin, skin tight as you would with a straight, it's hard to do damage. This was not a niche product , it was ASR's flagship for ten years and they sold millions at a time when Gillette was struggling.

The Tech is certainly efficient but I don't enjoy it like I do the MMOC. It has huge exposure at every angle. The care with which you have to handle the 104 borders on the ridiculous.

(10-19-2018, 04:22 AM)draebeard Wrote: The Gem MMOC is a much less dangerous razor, but it can give you a rough first shave or two, unless you palm strop the blade first.
Two quick passes across the edge of your palm before first use, takes the roughness out of a new Gem blade.  It works every time.
That being said, I like the other two Gem MicroMatics better, and just bought a Bullet Tip at a garage sale last weekend for $3.

When I went through my aggressive razor phase I tried the iKon Tech, and got to where I could do a very clean 1 pass shave without drawing blood,
but I never really liked it.  Same for the Mühle R41 (2011 or 2013).  They were all rough razors; efficient but uncomfortable.

A few years ago I came across a shave video on YouTube by The Mad Scientist of Wet Shaving, featuring a Dutch razor with a name that begins in G.
I can't remember the name of it, or find the video.  It was a closed comb safety bar razor.  He said it was the most aggressive razor he'd ever used.
That was the razor that I thought Kahn copied.  I think it's a clone of something, because from what I've seen, Kahn copies other peoples designs.

damn, I might need to give the MMOC a try again then. Back when I tried it (I was still fully shaving my face at the time - pre-beard), it was so brutal that I had to stop, swap the blade into a more mild SE and continue on.
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.
#8
I can't explain the love/hate for the MMOC. Is it possible the blade doesn't seat properly in some examples? I'm mystified, I was fine with it straight away. I guess I should be glad so many have a hard time with it, it sure keeps prices down.
(10-19-2018, 07:43 PM)andrewjs18 Wrote:
(10-19-2018, 01:47 PM)jmudrick Wrote: Well now I'm intrigued about which razor you saw in the Mad Scientist video. I browsed but saw nothing. I honestly can't imagine a vintage 104 as a remotely successful commercial endeavor.

I agree that the MMOC can be dangerous but I don't put it at all in the same league as the Tech. I've used the MMOC as daily driver without issues, including daily head shaves. It has a short guard span but not much gap and if you shave as ASR instructions dictate, razor cap flat on your skin, skin tight as you would with a straight, it's hard to do damage. This was not a niche product , it was ASR's flagship for ten years and they sold millions at a time when Gillette was struggling.

The Tech is certainly efficient but I don't enjoy it like I do the MMOC. It has huge exposure at every angle. The care with which you have to handle the 104 borders on the ridiculous.

(10-19-2018, 04:22 AM)draebeard Wrote: The Gem MMOC is a much less dangerous razor, but it can give you a rough first shave or two, unless you palm strop the blade first.
Two quick passes across the edge of your palm before first use, takes the roughness out of a new Gem blade.  It works every time.
That being said, I like the other two Gem MicroMatics better, and just bought a Bullet Tip at a garage sale last weekend for $3.

When I went through my aggressive razor phase I tried the iKon Tech, and got to where I could do a very clean 1 pass shave without drawing blood,
but I never really liked it.  Same for the Mühle R41 (2011 or 2013).  They were all rough razors; efficient but uncomfortable.

A few years ago I came across a shave video on YouTube by The Mad Scientist of Wet Shaving, featuring a Dutch razor with a name that begins in G.
I can't remember the name of it, or find the video.  It was a closed comb safety bar razor.  He said it was the most aggressive razor he'd ever used.
That was the razor that I thought Kahn copied.  I think it's a clone of something, because from what I've seen, Kahn copies other peoples designs.

damn, I might need to give the MMOC a try again then. Back when I tried it (I was still fully shaving my face at the time - pre-beard), it was so brutal that I had to stop, swap the blade into a more mild SE and continue on.

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#9

Member
Detroit
(10-19-2018, 07:51 PM)jmudrick Wrote: I can't explain the love/hate for the MMOC. Is it possible the blade doesn't seat properly in some examples? I'm mystified, I was fine with it straight away. I guess I should be glad so many have a hard time with it, it sure keeps prices down.
(10-19-2018, 07:43 PM)andrewjs18 Wrote:
(10-19-2018, 01:47 PM)jmudrick Wrote: Well now I'm intrigued about which razor you saw in the Mad Scientist video. I browsed but saw nothing. I honestly can't imagine a vintage 104 as a remotely successful commercial endeavor.

I agree that the MMOC can be dangerous but I don't put it at all in the same league as the Tech. I've used the MMOC as daily driver without issues, including daily head shaves. It has a short guard span but not much gap and if you shave as ASR instructions dictate, razor cap flat on your skin, skin tight as you would with a straight, it's hard to do damage. This was not a niche product , it was ASR's flagship for ten years and they sold millions at a time when Gillette was struggling.

The Tech is certainly efficient but I don't enjoy it like I do the MMOC. It has huge exposure at every angle. The care with which you have to handle the 104 borders on the ridiculous.

damn, I might need to give the MMOC a try again then. Back when I tried it (I was still fully shaving my face at the time - pre-beard), it was so brutal that I had to stop, swap the blade into a more mild SE and continue on.

It's called YMMV.Smile Not like people who don't like the MMOC don't know how to shave. Count me among them. I thought it was horribly harsh, but I would be willing to give it another try since it's been a while.
- Jeff
#10
(This post was last modified: 10-19-2018, 10:23 PM by jmudrick.)
No, with respect, the MMOC goes way beyond YMMV. We're not talking about meh I just didn't care for it , we're talking about it tore me to pieces being a commonplace occurrance (see above), while on the other side people like me are going what the heck are you talking about? I can't think of another razor that has such disparate reaction. People don't question that the Ikon Tech is aggressive, they do differ as to whether they care for it. My Blackbird and Floating Head feel to me way more aggressive than my MMOCs. Fatip Mk1, Pearl OC, R41-13'as well.
(10-19-2018, 08:45 PM)wyze0ne Wrote:
(10-19-2018, 07:51 PM)jmudrick Wrote: I can't explain the love/hate for the MMOC. Is it possible the blade doesn't seat properly in some examples? I'm mystified, I was fine with it straight away. I guess I should be glad so many have a hard time with it, it sure keeps prices down.
(10-19-2018, 07:43 PM)andrewjs18 Wrote: damn, I might need to give the MMOC a try again then. Back when I tried it (I was still fully shaving my face at the time - pre-beard), it was so brutal that I had to stop, swap the blade into a more mild SE and continue on.

It's called YMMV.Smile Not like people who don't like the MMOC don't know how to shave. Count me among them. I thought it was horribly harsh, but I would be willing to give it another try since it's been a while.


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