Revisiting The Rex Ambassador

So I got a message from Matt at the Razor Emporium which was a surprise as it’s been a couple of years ago when a bunch of us met up at the Maggards shave meet. Matt and I talked about what a good time we all had there. He also said I told you back then that I’d send you a Rex to review once we had our new packaging.  Well I gotta say he meant what he said back then and within 3 days of talking to him I had a package at my door that contained the latest version of the Rex. So a man of his word and thank you if you read this. 

So some short history.  I shaved with the very first one shortly after it came out and then a couple of other versions that came after that.  I wasn’t always easy in my reviews on them as I always compared them side by side with my original Gibbs which still remains one of my favorite Adjustable razors. So knowing the Gibbs was one of the inspirations for the Rex it has some big shoes to fill. The biggest difference with the later models which were better than the original was that while the Rex was relatively smooth yet efficient up to setting 3.5 to 4 after that it became somewhat harsh feeling on the face when compared to the Gibbs which is smooth from 1 to 6.5.  

Also a note. The new presentation box was nicely done and the fit and finish on the one I was sent was also noticeably the best Rex I’ve held in hand. 

So knowing all that I said to myself I’m going to go at this with not only an open mind but take it  in steps going up the settings with each shave. I’ve had 3 shaves so far starting with setting 2 on 2 days growth. I used a new Polsilver blade for that shave and I was pleasantly surprised as I did my normal 2 pass shave using my skin stretching technique and I ended up with what I call a hybrid type end result. BBS in some areas and DFS in others which in my opinion is a very acceptable work shave. 
So in Shave 2 I upped the setting to 3 and repeated the shave and the results were pretty much the same and at that point the razor exhibited a good amount of effectiveness at removing my stubble an yet continued to remain smooth as far as face feel with a very minimal amount of blade feel. So once again I had an all around good shave experience with this new Rex 

Moving to this last shave I set it at #4 setting which has been the setting with past Rex razors I had used where the blade feel noticeably started to be there and the harshness also started to show up. Well that did not happen! So now this razor has my attention. In fact I called a few of my shaving buddies who had similar experiences with the original an earlier models. So they were surprised by my findings at this point as well. 

I will note that this last shave was done with 4 days growth so the razor also had more stubble to remove than the 2 previous shaves and once again I ended up with the hybrid results with more areas BBS than the other two shaves. 

So next step is to take it to setting 5 and this time I’m going back to 2 days growth just to see if it still stay smooth as sometimes I find if I haven’t shaved in 3 or 4 days my shaves are smoother than if I were to shave every day or two. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the next shave goes. 

One other thing I thought about is any shave I’ve had with the Rex in the past has been when I was using 2 razors so although I’ve done hundreds of shaves like that now that I’m usually shaving with only one razor these days unless I do an occasional Shave Off I’m thinking maybe that my attention being only on one razor let’s me focus on just that razor and instead of going back and forth with 2 razors that in many cases not only had completely different feel in hand, weigh differences, different angles, handles and shaving characteristics where their sweet spots were different.  An don’t get me wrong side by sides have a lot of value when comparing two razors rather than trying to use memory when trying to compare two razors but when trying to evaluate just one razor by itself I think sone continued usage is important also as you main focus is just on the one razor and it’s shaving characteristics so you can really learn about it and the best way to get the best shave out of it that’s possible. An I’ll say there have been razors throughout my 18 yr wet shaving journey that no matter how well I know the razor just never meet my expectations. 

So at this point I can honestly say this Rex has exceeded my expectations. So looking forward to the next shave.  An once again Matt thanks again for sending it out to me to try and I’m looking forward to when things get a bit more normal and we can start getting some shave meets going again. I know we’ve talked about having one in NYC this summer out in front of Pasteur’s. 


Anyway I used my buddy David at the cutting edge Mahogany Lavender shave soap. My AP brush an Pitralon aftershave for this last shave. 

Great Shaves all

Nice and following Frank

So he altered the razor somehow from previous versions? Can you say how?

So I got a message from Matt at the Razor Emporium which was a surprise as it’s been a couple of years ago when a bunch of us met up at the Maggards shave meet. Matt and I talked about what a good time we all had there. He also said I told you back then that I’d send you a Rex to review once we had our new packaging.  Well I gotta say he meant what he said back then and within 3 days of talking to him I had a package at my door that contained the latest version of the Rex. So a man of his word and thank you if you read this. 

So some short history.  I shaved with the very first one shortly after it came out and then a couple of other versions that came after that.  I wasn’t always easy in my reviews on them as I always compared them side by side with my original Gibbs which still remains one of my favorite Adjustable razors. So knowing the Gibbs was one of the inspirations for the Rex it has some big shoes to fill. The biggest difference with the later models which were better than the original was that while the Rex was relatively smooth yet efficient up to setting 3.5 to 4 after that it became somewhat harsh feeling on the face when compared to the Gibbs which is smooth from 1 to 6.5.  

Also a note. The new presentation box was nicely done and the fit and finish on the one I was sent was also noticeably the best Rex I’ve held in hand. 

So knowing all that I said to myself I’m going to go at this with not only an open mind but take it  in steps going up the settings with each shave. I’ve had 3 shaves so far starting with setting 2 on 2 days growth. I used a new Polsilver blade for that shave and I was pleasantly surprised as I did my normal 2 pass shave using my skin stretching technique and I ended up with what I call a hybrid type end result. BBS in some areas and DFS in others which in my opinion is a very acceptable work shave. 
So in Shave 2 I upped the setting to 3 and repeated the shave and the results were pretty much the same and at that point the razor exhibited a good amount of effectiveness at removing my stubble an yet continued to remain smooth as far as face feel with a very minimal amount of blade feel. So once again I had an all around good shave experience with this new Rex 

Moving to this last shave I set it at #4 setting which has been the setting with past Rex razors I had used where the blade feel noticeably started to be there and the harshness also started to show up. Well that did not happen! So now this razor has my attention. In fact I called a few of my shaving buddies who had similar experiences with the original an earlier models. So they were surprised by my findings at this point as well. 

I will note that this last shave was done with 4 days growth so the razor also had more stubble to remove than the 2 previous shaves and once again I ended up with the hybrid results with more areas BBS than the other two shaves. 

So next step is to take it to setting 5 and this time I’m going back to 2 days growth just to see if it still stay smooth as sometimes I find if I haven’t shaved in 3 or 4 days my shaves are smoother than if I were to shave every day or two. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the next shave goes. 

One other thing I thought about is any shave I’ve had with the Rex in the past has been when I was using 2 razors so although I’ve done hundreds of shaves like that now that I’m usually shaving with only one razor these days unless I do an occasional Shave Off I’m thinking maybe that my attention being only on one razor let’s me focus on just that razor and instead of going back and forth with 2 razors that in many cases not only had completely different feel in hand, weigh differences, different angles, handles and shaving characteristics where their sweet spots were different.  An don’t get me wrong side by sides have a lot of value when comparing two razors rather than trying to use memory when trying to compare two razors but when trying to evaluate just one razor by itself I think sone continued usage is important also as you main focus is just on the one razor and it’s shaving characteristics so you can really learn about it and the best way to get the best shave out of it that’s possible. An I’ll say there have been razors throughout my 18 yr wet shaving journey that no matter how well I know the razor just never meet my expectations. 

So at this point I can honestly say this Rex has exceeded my expectations. So looking forward to the next shave.  An once again Matt thanks again for sending it out to me to try and I’m looking forward to when things get a bit more normal and we can start getting some shave meets going again. I know we’ve talked about having one in NYC this summer out in front of Pasteur’s. 


Anyway I used my buddy David at the cutting edge Mahogany Lavender shave soap. My AP brush an Pitralon aftershave for this last shave. 

Great Shaves all

Hurry up and grow hair!

I would think that moving on to setting 5 on 2 days growth, maybe try setting 4 on the 2 days to stay in line with what you were working with before and then move up to setting 5... Kinda an apple to apples versus apple to plum comparison which is what I view the 4 days growth.

A truly smoother REX Ambassador would be my personal unicorn. Damn, I loved that razor....except it was just not smooth for me. I know, maybe ridiculous to say I loved a razor that I just didn't love to use, but the design, thought behind it, and that awesome, awesome grippy handle. Serious love. Had mine for, what?, 3 months last year before selling, but I knew early on no way I could use it as a daily. YMMV as always.

So he altered the razor somehow from previous versions? Can you say how?

Honestly I’m not sure. He just sent it to me but now that you’ve brought it up I’ll shoot him an email and ask him.

So I got a message from Matt at the Razor Emporium which was a surprise as it’s been a couple of years ago when a bunch of us met up at the Maggards shave meet. Matt and I talked about what a good time we all had there. He also said I told you back then that I’d send you a Rex to review once we had our new packaging.  Well I gotta say he meant what he said back then and within 3 days of talking to him I had a package at my door that contained the latest version of the Rex. So a man of his word and thank you if you read this. 

So some short history.  I shaved with the very first one shortly after it came out and then a couple of other versions that came after that.  I wasn’t always easy in my reviews on them as I always compared them side by side with my original Gibbs which still remains one of my favorite Adjustable razors. So knowing the Gibbs was one of the inspirations for the Rex it has some big shoes to fill. The biggest difference with the later models which were better than the original was that while the Rex was relatively smooth yet efficient up to setting 3.5 to 4 after that it became somewhat harsh feeling on the face when compared to the Gibbs which is smooth from 1 to 6.5.  

Also a note. The new presentation box was nicely done and the fit and finish on the one I was sent was also noticeably the best Rex I’ve held in hand. 

So knowing all that I said to myself I’m going to go at this with not only an open mind but take it  in steps going up the settings with each shave. I’ve had 3 shaves so far starting with setting 2 on 2 days growth. I used a new Polsilver blade for that shave and I was pleasantly surprised as I did my normal 2 pass shave using my skin stretching technique and I ended up with what I call a hybrid type end result. BBS in some areas and DFS in others which in my opinion is a very acceptable work shave. 
So in Shave 2 I upped the setting to 3 and repeated the shave and the results were pretty much the same and at that point the razor exhibited a good amount of effectiveness at removing my stubble an yet continued to remain smooth as far as face feel with a very minimal amount of blade feel. So once again I had an all around good shave experience with this new Rex 

Moving to this last shave I set it at #4 setting which has been the setting with past Rex razors I had used where the blade feel noticeably started to be there and the harshness also started to show up. Well that did not happen! So now this razor has my attention. In fact I called a few of my shaving buddies who had similar experiences with the original an earlier models. So they were surprised by my findings at this point as well. 

I will note that this last shave was done with 4 days growth so the razor also had more stubble to remove than the 2 previous shaves and once again I ended up with the hybrid results with more areas BBS than the other two shaves. 

So next step is to take it to setting 5 and this time I’m going back to 2 days growth just to see if it still stay smooth as sometimes I find if I haven’t shaved in 3 or 4 days my shaves are smoother than if I were to shave every day or two. So I’m looking forward to seeing how the next shave goes. 

One other thing I thought about is any shave I’ve had with the Rex in the past has been when I was using 2 razors so although I’ve done hundreds of shaves like that now that I’m usually shaving with only one razor these days unless I do an occasional Shave Off I’m thinking maybe that my attention being only on one razor let’s me focus on just that razor and instead of going back and forth with 2 razors that in many cases not only had completely different feel in hand, weigh differences, different angles, handles and shaving characteristics where their sweet spots were different.  An don’t get me wrong side by sides have a lot of value when comparing two razors rather than trying to use memory when trying to compare two razors but when trying to evaluate just one razor by itself I think sone continued usage is important also as you main focus is just on the one razor and it’s shaving characteristics so you can really learn about it and the best way to get the best shave out of it that’s possible. An I’ll say there have been razors throughout my 18 yr wet shaving journey that no matter how well I know the razor just never meet my expectations. 

So at this point I can honestly say this Rex has exceeded my expectations. So looking forward to the next shave.  An once again Matt thanks again for sending it out to me to try and I’m looking forward to when things get a bit more normal and we can start getting some shave meets going again. I know we’ve talked about having one in NYC this summer out in front of Pasteur’s. 


Anyway I used my buddy David at the cutting edge Mahogany Lavender shave soap. My AP brush an Pitralon aftershave for this last shave. 

Great Shaves all

Hurry up and grow hair!

I’m trying,, I’m trying lol

The most common criticism of the Rex Ambassador is too much blade feel. If he addressed this, then that is a great step … and a problem for me because I am supposed to be on a purchasing hiatus.

Thanks for the detailed review Frank - glad you liked it! I'm very proud of the new packaging - it's completely custom and many of the processes were actually done in our shop as we have a very old printing press that did all of the foil stamping, embossing and die cutting.

I'm also happy to hear you say it felt smoother. Truth be told, nothing has changed with the dimensions or machining, merely the finishing processes we do in our shop. In the past we were brush finishing the guard - and that stopped some years back as I think it may have contributed to a drag feeling. Now we leave it along and just do tumbling as before and only brush finish the top cap.

In terms of blade feel - it's a double edged sword because many, many people love the razor as is. We get emails every week from people who own dozens of other premium razors and the Ambassador is their favorite. If we did change it, we may be pleasing some but at the expense of others.

I think the smarter idea is to leave it alone and have a different version - one that is already in the works. We will release it later this year - I can't give away too much but lets just say we will be keeping the adjustment mechanism but changing up the guard configuration.

Thanks all and let me know if I can address anything else here REX related or otherwise.

Regards,

Matt