Manufacturing process

Do they shave better than a Timeless or a Paradigm though?  

I don't have a Paradigm 17-4.  That model seems to be the Paradigm everyone raves about.  They were a limited run, 125 worldwide from what I've read.  At $230 new, I expect those to increase in value to the $1,000 range.  I am not a fan of the handle though...at all.

As to Timeless, I do have a .95 OC scalloped head. They sell for $250.  No...my Wolfman .80 OC does not shave as well.  It's close, the difference in shave is negligible IMO.  I did a side-by-side and could be totally satisfied with only Timeless from a shave quality standpoint.  It is slightly more efficient and smoother. The Wolfman can be had for $330 and totally worth the additional $80 from a fit and finish standpoint, IMO.  Also, it's a 1 man vs Team distinction.

I also have a polished Blackbird/  Matsilainenid a great sales job in PM's over the span of a couple weeks.  His recommendation sold me on it.  They run $215.  Even though it shaves way above it's .58 gap, it's just not as efficient as either a Timeless or Wolfman.  It does trump both in terms of blade feel.  Again, there is the 1 man vs Team distinction.  The finish on the Blackbird is very, very nice.  

I could easily select any of those 3 and use them exclusively.  In fact, I have limited my moderns DE's to these 3 with no real plans to add more, unless I can get a 17-4 for a decent price.

Were I forced to select just one, Timeless without a doubt. They are readily available and shave just as good as anything I've tried.

if I were to choose only one, it would be a BlackBird on a 101 mm handle.

"If I were to choose only one"... Well, two in my case, I'd select Timeless Titanium straight bar .95 gap and Charcoal Goods level 2 straight bar/closed comb (just based on quality of shave).... These two razors out perform all the others that I have tried/own including the Paradigm 17-4, ATT, and Wolfman OC... Although, that could maybe change with the Wolfman, as today I just received my own Wolfman in the mail (the OC that I tried was borrowed)... I selected the straight bar with a standard gap, so I'm excited to see if it shaves as well as my Timeless and Charcoal razors, which are dead even for me, as far as ranking my top razors... I have 6 razors between Timeless and Charcoal and I love every one of them!!

Let me preface my post by saying that I don't have a Wolfman WR-1. I do have the guerrilla and it is OK for a mild razor.
I have the Timeless .95 OC, and Charcoal lvl 3 OC, as well as the Merkur Futur, and the Muhle R-41. As far as the quality of shaves, the R-41 is as good as any of the other high end SS razors that I have. The Merkur(which is gold plated and I got for less than $55) shaves as good as anything I have ever used.
That being said, the passion that the Wolfman razors generate(on both sides) seems to to be more than the shaves one is able to get with it would indicate.
I understand that they are like jewels and are rare but based on some reviews and posts in other threads, there are other widely available razors that shave just as well.

Let me preface my post by saying that I don't have a Wolfman WR-1.  I do have the guerrilla and it is OK for a mild razor.  
I have the Timeless .95 OC, and Charcoal lvl 3 OC, as well as the Merkur Futur, and the Muhle R-41.  As far as the quality of shaves, the R-41 is as good as any of the other high end SS razors that I have.  The Merkur(which is gold plated and I got for less than $55) shaves as good as anything I have ever used.
That being said, the passion that the Wolfman razors generate(on both sides) seems to to be more than the shaves one is able to get with it would indicate.  
I understand that they are like jewels and are rare but based on some reviews and posts in other threads, there are other widely available razors that shave just as well.

I can understand that. In fact, how you feel about the Futur and R41, sounds similar to my feelings about my Ikon 102 slant and Colonial General SE razor (aluminum being my favorite)... Both of these razors are quite affordable, yet they are ranked at the top of my list and are part of my regular rotation. I've spent much more on razors that don't provide as great of a shave as my 102 slant and Colonial General... Now, of course part of that comes down to what you're personally looking for (or value) in a quality shave... For example, for me, I have very sensitive skin so my primary considerations in a razor/shave is achieving a great balance of comfort and efficiency. Often one is compromised for improvement over the other (ex. more comfort/less efficient or vice versa) but every now and then, I obtain a razor with amazing balance, having both great comfort and great efficiency, which is what I'm seeking. Therefore, all of my favorite razors provide this for me.

I apologize guys for getting a bit off topic.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, For me this sums up this thread. If you really want a Wolfman, buy one. If you dont many other great choices from vintage to modern are out there, Its a great time for wet shaving enthusiasts.

CNC work does require a level of skill for sure. The machine shop we work with is very small - less than 10 mills and lathes, a staff of 8 people total. The owner draws everything himself in solid works, sets the machines up, and then oversees the initial run and continues to perfect the process until it’s truly “automated” and one of his staff members takes over.

Over the past few months I’ve spent a lot of time at the shop and inevitable asked a lot of questions. It seems one of the “skills” of a good machinist is to figure out the best way to make a part. Half the challenge is figuring out how to hold the part (clamps, vices, fixtures, etc) and how to replicate that for load time / production work where you need to get the same part every time within a high tolerance of accuracy.

The other challenge is figuring out how to create the “paths” the tool takes. I know it sounds minute but it isn’t at all. The computer program will create “automated” paths that the milling bits / cutting tools will follow - from taking the raw billet material down to your finished piece. However these paths / commands / order or operations have to be edited by hand in order to prevent tool wear / tool breakage / time efficiency etc. Whenever he runs a new part, the owner stands at the machine for hours stopping and starting the machine, editing these paths, checking parts with a caliper, and generally trying to get the desired outcome from the machine.

At the end of the day - yes cnc “does the work” but it doesn’t do the thinking. That is still a humans job.

As to the polishing - of course it’s a labor intensive process. For stainless there are several options - hand polishing, tumbling, deburring and even electropolishing. Generally a combination of processes is the best approach. Doing completely hand polishing is not only inefficient but inconsistent. And brushed finishing still requires a great deal of skill and time to get right.

Thought I’d add my 2 cents.

Thx

Matt


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I had a nice long chat with Brian at Charcoal Goods a few weeks ago and James at Wolfman came up in conversation and I can say that Brian has nothing but admiration for James skill at finishing a razor and it's not a 10 minute job and in fact Brian guessed it probably takes James about 3 hrs to do one razor to get it to look like he does which in my opinion is the best in the business as of right now. He doesn't send them out to a finishing shop to have them polished. How he does it and the method he uses only he knows but after getting my 1st Wolfman it's very clear to me that no other razor in my fairly large collection of modern or vintage razors matches the finish on the Wolfman. Brian also made a strong statement to me saying I don;t know how the man does it because if I tried to polish my razors like James I'd be crippled in a couple of days. Also assuming you know how he makes a razor and the processes he uses is just a guess at best. So putting him down just seems plain wrong to me. As I've heard from people who know him he's just a hard working simple guy who's passionate about what he does for a living. An props to him!

ShaveMD aka Mark said it best. If you want a Wolfman get one by however means that suits you whether by trade, paying inflated prices or just waiting for James to take your order and paying his asking price. It's your preference and if you don't want one then move on to the many other options out there. For what it's worth I get a great shave out of my Wolfman.

Razor Emporium, thanks for shedding some more light on the process. It was interesting to read and good information to have.