Scratching an itch..Wolfman WR2

Hi everyone,

Having placed my order with Wolfman razors by using their online form (about a year ago I reckon) I, like many others had to just sit back, chill and let the process unfold in its own time to the point that slightly over a month ago I received an email from Tara at wolfman razors informing me that my waiting time was up and subject to fixing my specs down and paying my money they would be able to start the fabrication process imminently.

Well, my razor arrived 5 days ago and I thought I would share my initial thoughts. The razor in question is a titanium Wr2 SB in 0.95 gap with the WRH2 handle in 90 mm, and WRA 1 stand…all in basic polished finish

Owning a Wolfman razor has been an itch I’ve wanted to scratch for some time now. Having read all the reviews I could find online and looking with interest at all the talk on various forums I decided to take the plunge. For me at least the purchase was  a sizeable investment in a product that I couldn’t try first, hadn’t handled or even seen one in the flesh, so a big leap of faith that what I would get was as good as people were saying.

After paying the relevant UK duties to have the item released to me, the package arrived with little fuss. The razor itself was well secured and packaged and arrived blemish free.

Being the basic polished finish it is obviously this that first draws your attention. In a word…shiny
The finishing was first class all over the razor, no fine scratches, blemishes or marks that I could discern, just a very well finished mirror like shine 

The second thing that strikes you is the manufacturing of the product, taking a close look at what makes up the full and complete razor it is immediately obvious that a lot of thought, design and expert manufacturing has gone into this. All parts fitted together snuggly, the handle threaded on smoothly and the blade seated properly.

The feeling in my hand was one of instant comfort, the combination of the Ti light weight and my chosen handle felt great. I am lucky enough to own several Ti razors and I love the weight compared to SS versions of similar models, for me the lighter weight just adds enormously to my shaving technique, use and shave feel.

As someone who has to shave mon through Frid for their job, and having sensitive skin that seems less forgiving to aggressive razors than in previous years, I tend to fall into the mild but efficient camp nowadays. I certainly want to be able to shave for 5 days in a row without irritation.

I plumped for the 0.95 as I believed it to likely be a good fit for what I was looking for, lots of reviews stating it would be on the milder side of things for the WR2

I realise everyone is different and what might work out for me might very well not float your boat so I can only offer my thoughts on what I perceived 

Loading up with a personna platinum blade my first impression was that it was a very audible sounding and tactile shaver, you could literally hear the hair being shorn, the second impression was that there was definitely sufficient blade feel against my skin to allow me to get a good sense of the angles I needed to work with. In truth I was surprised by the amount of blade feel as for some reason I wasn’t expecting it. It certainly wasn’t uncomfortable though. What I would add is that although there is definite  blade feel at no point did I feel at risk of cutting myself , in fact my usual shave technique if anything seemed quicker and less involved somehow.

It turns out that for me anyway the 0.95 gap suits my skin type very well, offering an efficient but very smooth feeling shave.comfort is excellent and all in all I am a very happy man. My skin remains blemish free and devoid of any irritation.

Any negatives…well….for me (and I really am nit picking here) I would prefer a very very slightly more pronounced feeling to the handles knurling. It just seems to lack that 100 percent tactile feeling of total grip security. 

Overall then my impression of the Wolfman WR2 is a very favourable one. A great design manufactured to exacting standards and finished exceptionally well, but more importantly is the function over form that comes together to allow me to have a very comfortable and pleasant shaving experience.

Between this and my Haircut and shave zo 74 Ti I feel fortunate indeed to own two exceptional razors which I intend to keep and which now complete my razor search meantime. I genuinely could not separate them they are as equally as good as the other.

Itch well and truly scratched

Just wanted to give a quick update on my Wolfman Wr2 Ti 0.95

Sad days, as despite my initial thoughts on the razor and gap being great for my skin type, truth be told that I am finding it a bit aggressive.
The first few shaves were great but it quickly became apparent that the razor does not suit me as a daily shaver. I have tried various blades but I have to face facts that this blade gap is just not for me.As I have gotten older my skin seems to be under a transformation whereby I am preferring milder, non aggressive razors. I have to shave everyday for my work but come 5 O’clock I don’t care if I can feel stubble so all day shaving smoothness not a huge priority if it leaves my face sensitive.

I highly recommend the Wolfman as the design, build and quality is right up there with the very best you could find. The polish was exceptional and the Ti suits the Wr2 well in my opinion. If you are lucky enough to have had a razor from James you will know just how good his razors are.

I will be selling this razor unfortunately and hoping to break even more or less on what I paid, i am not going to sell for ridiculous money or hold out for better offers.
My name is already on the list for a Wolfman Wr1 with 0.48 gap and any money made will be going straight back to James such is my perception on the quality of his products.

Just wanted to share and be truthful about my experience.

If I hadn’t had the chance to try it, that itch would still be there and unscratched.

Take it easy everyone and stay safe.

Just wanted to give a quick update on my Wolfman Wr2 Ti 0.95

Sad days, as despite my initial thoughts on the razor and gap being great for my skin type, truth be told that I am finding it a bit aggressive.
The first few shaves were great but it quickly became apparent that the razor does not suit me as a daily shaver. I have tried various blades but I have to face facts that this blade gap is just not for me.As I have gotten older my skin seems to be under a transformation whereby I am preferring milder, non aggressive razors. I have to shave everyday for my work but come 5 O’clock I don’t care if I can feel stubble so all day shaving smoothness not a huge priority if it leaves my face sensitive.

I highly recommend the Wolfman as the design, build and quality is right up there with the very best you could find. The polish was exceptional and the Ti suits the Wr2 well in my opinion. If you are lucky enough to have had a razor from James you will know just how good his razors are.

I will be selling this razor unfortunately and hoping to break even more or less on what I paid, i am not going to sell for ridiculous money or hold out for better offers.
My name is already on the list for a Wolfman Wr1 with 0.48 gap and any money made will be going straight back to James such is my perception on the quality of his products.

Just wanted to share and be truthful about my experience.

If I hadn’t had the chance to try it, that itch would still be there and unscratched.

Take it easy everyone and stay safe.

I think the WR1 0.48 will be the more suitable razor for you.

Because of your review, I have gone ahead and purchased the Z074 myself, and should be here hopefully very soon. I guess you have that as your backup until the other Wolfman arrives, which isn't shabby at all.

Cheers.

Just wanted to give a quick update on my Wolfman Wr2 Ti 0.95

Sad days, as despite my initial thoughts on the razor and gap being great for my skin type, truth be told that I am finding it a bit aggressive.
The first few shaves were great but it quickly became apparent that the razor does not suit me as a daily shaver. I have tried various blades but I have to face facts that this blade gap is just not for me.As I have gotten older my skin seems to be under a transformation whereby I am preferring milder, non aggressive razors. I have to shave everyday for my work but come 5 O’clock I don’t care if I can feel stubble so all day shaving smoothness not a huge priority if it leaves my face sensitive.

I highly recommend the Wolfman as the design, build and quality is right up there with the very best you could find. The polish was exceptional and the Ti suits the Wr2 well in my opinion. If you are lucky enough to have had a razor from James you will know just how good his razors are.

I will be selling this razor unfortunately and hoping to break even more or less on what I paid, i am not going to sell for ridiculous money or hold out for better offers.
My name is already on the list for a Wolfman Wr1 with 0.48 gap and any money made will be going straight back to James such is my perception on the quality of his products.

Just wanted to share and be truthful about my experience.

If I hadn’t had the chance to try it, that itch would still be there and unscratched.

Take it easy everyone and stay safe.

I think the WR1 0.48 will be the more suitable razor for you.

Because of your review, I have gone ahead and purchased the Z074 myself, and should be here hopefully very soon. I guess you have that as your backup until the other Wolfman arrives, which isn't shabby at all.

Cheers.

The HandS Z074 is a fantastic razor, really love it. Mild as standard but experiment with blades and it really does seem to have noticeably different shave characteristics. Obviously the gap is the same so the differences are from blade sharpness etc but easy to change things down or up in aggressiveness dependent on blade….for me as an example the Astra Sp gives a milder shave whereas a persona platinum definitely makes it feel more aggressive.The results are the same, a comfortable and non irritating shave, but how they get there is very different in feel. I think you will be genuinely over the moon with build quality and craftsmanship of the 74 and. I Hope you love it as much as I do mine…keep us all posted.

The z074 was my daily driver before i got the ti effecient. H&S co makes top notch stuff.

From what you are describing you like in a razor, I think you are going to love the 0.48 WR1. Remember you are purchasing a made to order razor when you purchase directly from James. To give a bit of variety in the shave experience on the next razor (and to avoid that, "I ordered the wrong gap again remorse), I would suggest you consider either a 0.48 OC/SB or a 0.48/0.54 SB/SB Dual Comb WR1 head. Also discuss your preferences in knurling aggressiveness as adjustment may be possible. Wait list seems to be down to around four months so you may be able to get this itch scratched again by Christmas. Enjoy your shaves as Wolfman gaps can be a very deep rabbit hole.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with titanium WR2 0.95 SB. I've been considering getting this same razor, but I am unsure of how aggressive it would be. My daily shaver at the moment is Timeless titanium 0.68 SB, but I'm experienced with 0.68 OC and 0.95 in SB and OC. Have you any experience with Timeless and able to make a comparison? Anyone here know the blade exposure on the WR2 0.95? It appears I'm unable to send you a PM for some reason. Cheers!

From what you are describing you like in a razor, I think you are going to love the 0.48 WR1.  Remember you are purchasing a made to order razor when you purchase directly from James.  To give a bit of variety in the shave experience on the next razor (and to avoid that, "I ordered the wrong gap again remorse), I would suggest you consider either a 0.48 OC/SB or a 0.48/0.54 SB/SB Dual Comb WR1 head.  Also discuss your preferences in knurling aggressiveness as adjustment may be possible.  Wait list seems to be down to around four months so you may be able to get this itch scratched again by Christmas. Enjoy your shaves as Wolfman gaps can be a very deep rabbit hole.

Awesome advice my friend!

Thanks for sharing your experiences with titanium WR2 0.95 SB. I've been considering getting this same razor, but I am unsure of how aggressive it would be. My daily shaver at the moment is Timeless titanium 0.68 SB, but I'm experienced with 0.68 OC and 0.95 in SB and OC. Have you any experience with Timeless and able to make a comparison? Anyone here know the blade exposure on the WR2 0.95? It appears I'm unable to send you a PM for some reason. Cheers!

Hi, I had a timeless 0.95 sb in stainless but found that not to my liking. It just felt aggressive for my skin type and didn’t give me the shave experience I wanted, very much similar to the WR2.I also felt the timeless in SS was way too heavy in the hand.

Blade gaps, different blades, different metals…it can all be a bit confusing and often pot luck if a razor lives up-to expectations…even the same blade gaps from different manufacturers can feel different…I suppose it is part and parcel of this sometimes infuriating hobby.

I looked at Wolfman reviews for a long time, read the glowing reports and listened to the advice on various forums but at the end of the day, I took my chance, paid my money but unfortunately my purchase just didn’t work out for me. The actual Wolfman razor was superb just not for me in the specs I had.

If you prefer milder feeling shaves the 0.95 might not be for you based on my own experiences….I think, and I I stand to be corrected but I did read a post somewhere that Wolfman can do a WR2 down to 0.74 or 0.78 (can’t remember which one)

Thank you for your reply, good sir! My Wolfman experience has been storied. I started with WR2 1.15. Back then, I was really enjoying blade feel. After much experimenting with shims, I next ordered a 1.30. It was too much, and so I tried a 1.25. The last is the only one I have left. Most unexpectedly, I've lately strongly favored milder razors--hence my regular use of Timeless Ti 0.68 SB. I think I'm willing to try Wolfman one last time, if I can find a milder WR2 to my liking. I tried a WR1 0.67; aggressiveness was acceptable, but I didn't enjoy the head geometry as well. Recently I was able to borrow and try a WR2 0.95 from a friend. It was an open comb, and a bit too aggressive. Today I emailed Tara at Wolfman Razors to see where I'm at on the list and see if she can provide the blade exposures for WR2 0.95, 0.85 and 0.75, as I've heard they make these gaps.