Razorock Mamba with Shim - WOW!

To make a wide shim, I cut just the beveled edges off an old Van Der Hagen blade (less than a mm removed from each side).

I’ve tried it on both the Mamba and Game Changer, but don’t currently use it with either.

I’m going to have to try the O-rings out of curiosity!

No flex issues or any other kind using the O Rings.

I use the same set up and it’s been great. I may have got this idea from you on another site so if that’s the case, thank you! It’s been a perfect set up for me.

Haven't tried a KAI, how do they compare to Feathers?

Kai blades are often compared to Feathers in terms of sharpness. But they are slightly more rigid/thicker so do not perform quite the same. They are generally considered quite smooth.

Kai are neither particularly thick (.10mm, same as Feather), nor sharp (see Refinedshave dot com, #28 in initial sharpness), by objective measurements. They are a tiny bit wider than typical specification, so additional exposure may be confused as sharpness.

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No flex issues or any other kind using the O Rings.

I use the same set up and it’s been great. I may have got this idea from you on another site so if that’s the case, thank you! It’s been a perfect set up for me.

I can't take credit, I am not the original Author, I don't know who is.
Like you I got the idea from another site.

The o rings are an interesting method. I guess with shimming the handle can be tightened consistently. the Mamba can be considered “adjustable” by slightly loosening the handle, but blade angle seems to alter with this method, if I recall correctly. Never tried shaving this way though. With a shim I think the blade angle remains the same (wide shim) and only the blade gap changes. Theoretically there might be increased blade flex depending on the shim width but I doubt I could tell.

Any issues getting a consistent blade gap with the orings, since they do kinda compress? I think I might just have them in a drawer. Consistency is key for me.

I suspect the wide shim actually reduces blade flex.

That would explain the increased smoothness.

A friend loaned me one of these Mamba razors to try. It is extremely well made, but the person who designed how to load the blade should be summarily shot. Piss poor execution IMO. I received a DFS and it is very smooth with the angle being intuitive for a hardcore Tech user such as myself. However, the Mamba is not as nimble as a Tech and did I mention the ridiculous way you have to load the blade?

What's the problem with inserting a blade? I set the blade just like the standard razor and the same speed.

What's the problem with inserting a blade? I set the blade just like the standard razor and the same speed.

It's a ridiculous and poorly engineered form of loading a blade and appears as an afterthought. That's why Gillette went to the three piece Tech and TTO designs. Few want to monkey around with a blade like they are handling a venomous snake.