Shave review of Janus Adjustable razor and Shave Off vs Gillette F4 Toggle

Thanks my friend!

Eric will be there but not as a vendor as they spots were all sold out a long time ago but it will be good to mix and mingle with the crowd. I'm in on this razor now that I've shaved with it and also because of the fact it was able to stay with my WR2 just sealed the deal for me. I'm signing up for one today.

UPDATE:


If anyone was wondering about the gap on the Janus I asked Eric if he could send me the gaps that I've shaved with which was setting # 5 on the first shave and the max setting of #9 in this latest Shave Off and I just got the info in an email this morning. So you can see by the photos that the gap on the prototype I used is .93 on Setting # 5 and the production version will be .94 and when maxed out on setting #9 the prototype I used has a blade gap of 1.23 and that will be bumped up to 1.25 in the production version. So it's no wonder that I got such a close shave. What is special is that a razor with as much efficiency can be this smooth is what has me wanting one and I can't wait to do another Shave Off with it. Just trying to figure out which razor to compare it to. We already know it's very efficient so how smooth is it when compared to the 2 smoothest modern day razors I know of that also have a good dose of efficiency to them and those 2 are the Paradigm 17 4 and the Raw Shaving RS 10. I know both of those razors are difficult to get your hands on so if anyone as any other suggestions for a razor I welcome suggestions and if I have it in my den then I can give it a go.  

Based on what I've read. The 1.25 on 9 should jump to about 1.27 or 1.28. Reckon you'd notice a .02 bump? Only reason I say 1.28 is because 1.25 seems to be equal to 1.35WR2. How is the regrowth, btw? If he jumped it to 1.28...and .95 or .96 on #5...it would give the razor just a little more room for the the masochists. If he would consider that modification, he could, in theory, cover and exceed an entire WR1/WR2 lineup. NOW...he has something special. NOW...it's worth the price and brings that little bit of extra cool/brag factor, to me. The head will handle 1.28 and maintain smoothness...or at least not lose enough to impart harshness.

Edit...man I wish he'd have done this months ago. It would have made his journey so much easier.

Based on what I've read. The 1.25 on 9 should jump to about 1.27 or 1.28.  Reckon you'd notice a .02 bump?  Only reason I say 1.28 is because 1.25 seems to be equal to 1.35WR2. How is the regrowth, btw?  If he jumped it to 1.28...and .95 or .96 on #5...it would give the razor just a little more room for the the masochists. If he would consider that modification, he could, in theory, cover and exceed an entire WR1/WR2 lineup.  NOW...he has something special.  NOW...it's worth the price and brings that little bit of extra cool/brag factor, to me. The head will handle 1.28 and maintain smoothness...or at least not lose enough to impart harshness.

Edit...man I wish he'd have done this months ago.  It would have made his journey so much easier.

Excellent points James and I got some text messages from Eric this morning with the gap chart and letting me know he's 100% open to any feedback, criticism or suggestions from myself or any members that can offer him some. He said he has thick skin and doesn't take anything personally. Which I happen to like when a designer/manufacturer will take the time to listen to their potential customers. I was a little hard on him when he mentioned he was opening up an Instagram account as I told him he's a little late coming to the party but I also said it's a good thing.

So the prototype I shaved with had the 1.24 gap and the production version is supposed to have a 1.25 and that was right there with the WR2 which honestly I'm still in a little disbelief about and yet my beard grew out exactly like it was after the Shave Off with both sides being the same. It's been just about 20 hrs since I shaved with both and I'm at a solid DFS on all my face except a couple of spots on my cheeks that are still BBS level 1 smooth. Not many razors in my den can do that and do it so effortlessly and without having to give it my undivided attention like the Ikon Tech which can do it but it's nowhere near as smooth as either the WR2 and especially the Janus.
So yeah I wonder how much he can increase the gap on the higher settings without losing the smoothness it exhibits right now. I have a phone meeting on Friday with him and I'm going to bring this up. We don't always agree on everything but I'm right with you on this as you said if one razor can cover the full spectrum of let's say all the Wolfman gaps for example or any other brand of razor and yet still be as smooth as it is then I think he has a winner for sure and yes another good point is what you said about the cool factor because it's true! How cool would that be! I also think the price will scare away some buyers but not all and therefore keeping a certain amount of exclusivity to the razor if that's important to some and I like the fact each one is numbered and you can order any one of 8 different choices of combos of finish and trim. He said he would send photos of the production model with the knurling to get a better idea of what it will look like when it goes on sale.

So yeah this is a good topic for conversation with Eric on Friday so thanks for the input.

Jared it's a very efficient razor but for me it's a lot smoother and because it's so light it's also very manuverable. I've been trying to find one but they are hard to find. the French auction site is the best place to look.

Here is the solid bar. It retains most of the exposure of the Caged Head but is way smoother and far easier to zip around. I find it equally efficient or more so. Toggles are a dime a dozen compared with these.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Based on what I've read. The 1.25 on 9 should jump to about 1.27 or 1.28.  Reckon you'd notice a .02 bump?  Only reason I say 1.28 is because 1.25 seems to be equal to 1.35WR2. How is the regrowth, btw?  If he jumped it to 1.28...and .95 or .96 on #5...it would give the razor just a little more room for the the masochists. If he would consider that modification, he could, in theory, cover and exceed an entire WR1/WR2 lineup.  NOW...he has something special.  NOW...it's worth the price and brings that little bit of extra cool/brag factor, to me. The head will handle 1.28 and maintain smoothness...or at least not lose enough to impart harshness.

Edit...man I wish he'd have done this months ago.  It would have made his journey so much easier.

Excellent points James and I got some text messages from Eric this morning with the gap chart and letting me know he's 100% open to any feedback, criticism or suggestions from myself or any members that can offer him some. He said he has thick skin and doesn't take anything personally. Which I happen to like when a designer/manufacturer will take the time to listen to their potential customers. I was a little hard on him when he mentioned he was opening up an Instagram account as I told him he's a little late coming to the party but I also said it's a good thing.

So the prototype I shaved with had the 1.24 gap and the production version is supposed to have a 1.25 and that was right there with the WR2 which honestly I'm still in a little disbelief about and yet my beard grew out exactly like it was after the Shave Off with both sides being the same. It's been just about 20 hrs since I shaved with both and I'm at a solid DFS on all my face except a couple of spots on my cheeks that are still BBS level 1 smooth. Not many razors in my den can do that and do it so effortlessly and without having to give it my undivided attention like the Ikon Tech which can do it but it's nowhere near as smooth as either the WR2 and especially the Janus.
So yeah I wonder how much he can increase the gap on the higher settings without losing the smoothness it exhibits right now. I have a phone meeting on Friday with him and I'm going to bring this up. We don't always agree on everything but I'm right with you on this as you said if one razor can cover the full spectrum of let's say all the Wolfman gaps for example or any other brand of razor and yet still be as smooth as it is then I think he has a winner for sure and yes another good point is what you said about the cool factor because it's true! How cool would that be! I also think the price will scare away some buyers but not all and therefore keeping a certain amount of exclusivity to the razor if that's important to some and I like the fact each one is numbered and you can order any one of 8 different choices of combos of finish and trim. He said he would send photos of the production model with the knurling to get a better idea of what it will look like when it goes on sale.

So yeah this is a good topic for conversation with Eric on Friday so thanks for the input.

Eric has his own account here. If he is really interested in hearing feedback, as you say, why do I need you as an intermediary? He can post his own info. He can field his own questions. If you have his ear, use it to tell him to represent his own product. I'm glad you are doing the reviews or I'd be totally an "Out", so I appreciate the value you bring. Your input should be limited to performance only, IMO. You've done all for me you need to do regarding the Janus. By all means, continue your evaluation, but you and I have shared enough razors that I do value your opinion on performance. I'm sure it's a great razor...but I'm not sure he cares for feedback...unless it's filtered through you. If he does care, there are 150 or so posts here on his razor. He could start by reading those.

James again I'm in total agreement with you on those points as well. Eric should have been in that thread every day and I hope he knows that now and i'm going to address that with him also on Friday. I know from talking to him that his life is a little overwhelming as far as time goes but man when your trying to get a product to market you have to make the time even if it means 100 hrs a week and 7 days a week. I've been there and done that and your right I don't want to be an arbitrator or conciliator between his potential customers and himself. Like I said in my honest opinion he either needs a partner that has marketing and sales experience or hire someone to do it. Not all people are good at all things that's for sure. I learned that lesson a long time ago.

....he could, in theory, cover and exceed an entire WR1/WR2 lineup.

I never considered that....but there are 9 settings available.....Im just wondering how those 9
turns can cover 5 WR2 gaps and 7 WR1 gaps....down to the differences between how those two heads
perform.

It would probably be easier to capture the breadth of, say, Charcoal Goods, Lvls 1-3 in the spectrum from 1-9.

Frank-

Thank You for sharing your thoughts on the Janus vs. the WR2 1.35. I don’t own, and have never shaved with a WR2 1.35, but I own a Ti WR2 1.25 which I love. I’ve also shaved with a Wolfman WR1 .94 in the past, so at least I have an idea of the level of efficiency you’re talking about. Efficient as well as Smooth are the magic words to me.

Initially I had zero interest in this Razor, but after hearing your thoughts on this latest Shave Off, I have to say I’m very intrigued. I was also never really interested in an adjustable Razor because I thought I would probably find a setting that shaved well for me and never move it. A good Friend of mine pointed out that I don’t have a set shave schedule, so an adjustable may actually be ideal for someone like me. If I Shave three days in a row I’m covered, if I have four days of growth I’m also covered. He even pointed out that I could adjust for touch up passes, something else I hadn’t considered.

I also wish that Eric was more involved with the discussion, instead of having to go through one or two people who have been selected to test the Razor and give their thoughts. I’m assuming that this would have also helped him significantly with his Kickstarter Campaign. People would have had their questions answered from the start instead of so many unanswered questions about his product. Eric would have also had the opportunity to listen to all of the feedback he received from many people in the wet shaving community. I don’t want one or two people in the community being a mouthpiece for him, I would like to see that he is more involved and speaks for himself. Right now I have the feeling that he is an Engineer that is fascinated with the design of the Toggle, yet doesn’t really know anything at all about Wet Shaving or his intended customer base and what they are looking for or want in a Razor. It seems as if he has gone about everything backwards, and that his intended customers would actually have valuable feedback should he care to listen.

I’m looking forward to your thoughts on your next Shave Off! Thanks for putting in all the time to share your impressions of the Janus.

....he could, in theory, cover and exceed an entire WR1/WR2 lineup.

I never considered that....but there are 9 settings available.....Im just wondering how those 9
turns can cover 5 WR2 gaps and 7 WR1 gaps....down to the differences between how those two heads
perform.

It would probably be easier to capture the breadth of, say, Charcoal Goods, Lvls 1-3 in the spectrum from 1-9.

In terms of efficiency, the WR1 and WR2 heads overlap. Let's just talk about WR1's...there are 8 gaps from .54 to .94. Frankie just ran the Janus on 9 and it's in the same zip code as the 135. It sounds to me like the Janus already has the WR1 and WR2 covered pretty well. If he'll bump up the gap a bit, I think he could come close to WR2 1.45 gap. That puts the Janus as the apex. Any engineer can appreciate being #1...at least it would seems like he would. He's already got something special...kick it in the ass real hard and he will have an exceptional instrument. Seems like a no brainer to me.