(04-05-2024, 02:12 AM)GlazedBoker Wrote: 3 shaves in with this svelte whisker reducer. Nearly a full 24 hours of growth whittled down easily & comfortably in 3 passes. I really didn’t need all 3 but, I wanted to go the traditional route and actually just take my time to soak in the shave, the scents and just the overall aura of the moment. Not a Zen like situation but, I wanted to really have acute attention with some focus on what this razor was doing at every stroke. The best shave of the three so far bar none. One weeper and nothing else to bring forth concerning irritation nor discomfort. The razor is nearly perfectly balanced. The design on the handle allows for enough tactile grip so that one can move up or down and adjust when needed to find the “right spot” during your shave. Lather channels work to perfection allowing suds & hair to be funneled easily and quickly away from the working zone of blade and skin. A 2 second blast off running water and a quick turn clears it easily or a quick splash in the sink delivers the same result. Only 3 shaves in with this Ti razor and each shave only inspires confidence as muscle memory begins to take self notes searing them into the mind and feel while the hand with razor work in unison as if an extension of one self. This third shave was shaving bliss, period.
However, I must point out a couple of things that keep this thing from being 100% pure razor shaving perfection and this is just my personal feel & observation. 1. The handle though exquisitely designed and polished with that beautiful Art Deco look, does not offer the best tactile feel or grip in its class. It’s adequate and will do the job but, there are others out there that offer better feel and superior grip like, the Timeless Crown Ti handle, the H&S Ti handles and the R2 Ti from Carbon. I’m not talking looks as the D-back’s handle is true eye candy with the Timeless Crown handle giving it a real run, to my eyes at least. 2. The threading on the top cap stud that mates into the handle isn’t quite as smooth operating as others but, that’s the nature of Ti as it is not the best alloy for threading. Still, the Timeless Ti & H&S offerings deliver a smoother pairing when locking up the components. 3. Packaging & presentation was quite good with a lovely wood box and the eco-friendly burlap but, protection of the razor could have been tweaked just a bit more with some tissue paper, bubble wrap or soft foam inserts to give it that touch of care and class from a razor that while perhaps is not the most expensive Titanium alloy razor in the field, still carries a substantial price tag. The polishing job to me deserved just that bit more of personal touch to give it that next level premium feel of ownership.
Yes, everything I mentioned has NOTHING to do with the performance of the razor. It’s all minor nuances and nitpicking from past experiences in the luxury/performance realm of big ticket priced razors. The shaves are fantastic and I’m on the verge of saying I’m in love with the D-back Ti. Before saying so though, I need to get a full 10-12 shaves in to really get into the nitty-gritty with this whisker assasin. These 3 shaves have put me on the path to getting there, just not yet.
Great shaves to all…
That’s a great review and well said, I think Andy is done great job on this DB Ti, and for the price of what we are getting knowing how some Ti Razors are pricey these days it’s pretty good offering for iconic return of DB in Ti.
Presentation is good love the wooden box idea and it could of have little touch like pre-cut foam inlay for razor etc..but overall no complains it’s lovely!!
Finish is good and I agree it could have that more premium finish touch but Ti is very hard material to work with and I could imagine cost would be even more higher having that level of finish on Ti..
Pairing this DB Ti with vintage “Polsilver’s” it shaves very smooth without any blade feel at all if any imho..
To me this DB Ti is a winner for me atm
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