POLL: Janus Prototype vs. Janus Limited Edition Design Aesthetics.

This poll is not about performance, only about design aesthetics.  Which do you prefer?

I fear my opinion is inalterably colored by the results of the release....that said, original aesthetic (as long as the handle would get some knurling) FTW.

Wow, evenly split opinion so far.  Wasn't expecting that.

I think the size of the prototype is just slightly disproportionate. The head and the body of the LE are perfect in my experience. If the dome was raised slightly from the LE I still think it’d be ok.

prototype, for sure.

For me it’s hard to not take performance into consideration having spent quality time with the prototype which would be my pick for sure but looking at  esthetics only I’d vote for a hybrid. I like the overall size of the new Janus. I like the dial much better on the prototype. I’d like to see some more defined knurling. The finish on the prototype to me is a step up from the current Janus and yet I’d like to see either the black finish or I’d like to see at least a Timeless SS mirror polished finish but would really like H&S, Wolfman finish but that may be asking for to much.

If I could only have one without any changes it would be the prototype for sure.

I find handles without knurling too prone to getting slippery during the shave, so voted for the one on the right. I prefer the gunmetal look of the one on the left, but overall the one on the right even besides the knurling.

I think the proportions of the one on the right are more balanced and appealing.

Having said that, there is something awesome about the gunmetal and a bit of gold, and also about the adjustment dial that I really like on the prototype.

size of the prototype was what i was looking forward to. after the redesign i decided it wasn't advantageous over others i already had.

I appreciate the feedback.
 
I like the form factor of the LE – the length and OD look balanced. A future iteration wouldn’t deviate too much from this form. The prototype looks off especially when you view it from the side profile that shows the dome. Obviously, when I was started designing, the form looked ok. However, the more time I spent on the project, it started to look disproportionate besides other considerations like wanting to drop the weight from ~120g to ~100g. Hence the evolution in form.
 
I like the minimalist look of the prototype. However, almost everybody who had seen the prototype thought it was gonna be slippery when shaving. If one holds the razor by the dial, then slipping shouldn’t be an issue.
 
The ‘gold accents’ are PVD coated parts. I agree that it adds positively to the look. For the LE, it would have been one more vendor/shop (complexity) to deal with.