Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

For the next week I'll be using a razor that is new to the market. This is the Colonial Razors CR7, an aluminum DE razor. It is available with three base plates.

I just took a look at that razor... Seems like it's possibly something in my wheelhouse. I'll be watching your review to see if my hunch is true.

This week I am using two razors, both from Oliworks, the M3teorite and the Oliblade.



I had some issues with the Sensitive Skin during DecemBoar, getting weak lathers, when I am used to creamy lathers with structure. At the time, I wondered if it was the soap, the boars, my technique, or a combination of those parts. So my initial thought is to use synthetics this week, but I may break out a badger or even a boar by the end of the week. 
Each razor, by the way, received a fresh blade so I don't have to worry about that during the week. I do plan to use both razors every day for comparison.

Today, I chose a newer brush, the CaYuen Workshops' Kryptonite with a Muhle STF XL knot put into the handle.


From my notes this morning:

A little late but happy to see the Oliblade back in your den… is it what you remember it to be?

For the next week I'll be using a razor that is new to the market. This is the Colonial Razors CR7, an aluminum DE razor. It is available with three base plates.

I just took a look at that razor... Seems like it's possibly something in my wheelhouse. I'll be watching your review to see if my hunch is true.

First shave completed this morning with the #2 plate. Super smooth, both in use and as the end result. Tomorrow I will compare it to the aluminum Overlander, as that's what you are using most? 

I am very impressed with this razor. One criticism at the moment is that I wish that the knurling extended further down the handle. Might just be me and the way I held the handle! More tomorrow.

For the next week I'll be using a razor that is new to the market. This is the Colonial Razors CR7, an aluminum DE razor. It is available with three base plates.

I just took a look at that razor... Seems like it's possibly something in my wheelhouse. I'll be watching your review to see if my hunch is true.

First shave completed this morning with the #2 plate. Super smooth, both in use and as the end result. Tomorrow I will compare it to the aluminum Overlander, as that's what you are using most? 

I am very impressed with this razor. One criticism at the moment is that I wish that the knurling extended further down the handle. Might just be me and the way I held the handle! More tomorrow.

I noticed that too, but I figured it might be "just enough" for fingers to still catch. Interesting choice on their part.

I looked far and wide, it doesn't appear that they have published any stats on exposure, gap, etc. Bummer.

Love the reported outcome, so far. I do use the Overlander exclusively, so that will be greatly appreciated to hear a comparison. Thank you!

A little comparison shave this morning between the aluminum Overlander and the Colonial Razors CR7. Used plate 3 on the right cheek, and plate 2 for the rest of the shave, and the aluminum OL with a PPC, with 4 shaves on it, was used on the left side. It seemed that plate 3 felt very similar to the OL. With plate 2 I barely feel the blade. I cannot imagine what plate 1 will feel like! 

I found this very surprising, as I was anticipating that the OL would be similar to plate 2. I only used plate 3 for a single WTG pass on my cheek to experience how much blade feel it would give. Turns out, it felt more like the Overlander! Switching the plate from 3 to 2 for the rest of the shave for the comparison. With the Overlander, it is so smooth and effortless for me and gives me exactly the closeness I want without any irritation. With the CR7 plate 2, I get the closeness (not sure yet if it will be as close as the OL, time will tell me today) but almost no blade feel. 

I made a point yesterday regarding the CR7's handle. In the photo above, on the left is the CR7. You see the pattern/knurling goes from the head down about half the handle's length. I tried to examine how I hold and maneuver a razor and found that what I experienced yesterday from the plain bottom of the handle is from my ring finger (mostly) and a little from the pinky. I am gripping the handle on the patterned upper part with my index finger, middle finger, and thumb. The thumb and middle finger act as my pivot point, and my index and ring fingers are used to adjust the angle. So, when I use my ring finger, it feels like it is sliding a little on the unpatterned part of the handle, but since I am gripping higher up the handle, I don't feel as if the razor is going to slip out of my grasp. 

Finally, here are the stats on the Overlander and the CR7, from their respective websites.
Overlander
Overall length - 98mm (3.85")
Handle length - 90mm (3.55")
Handle thread - #10-32
Blade gap - 0.73mm
Blade exposure - 0.07mm
Mass - 37 grams

CR7
Mass - 44.6 grams on my kitchen scale
Overall length - 3.75" with my 40 y/o Stanley tape measure (remind me to tell the story of how I acquired that tool!)

While no numbers are given for the CR7, my experience is that plate 3 probably has an exposure about the same as the Overlander.

Sorry Eric, I am easily confused... Am I reading this right...

It sounded like you found the feel of P3 to be equal to the feel of the OL, and P2 is less blade feel? So, The CR7 on P2 is smoother than the Overlander, and similar in efficiency?

Thanks!

Sorry Eric, I am easily confused... Am I reading this right...

It sounded like you found the feel of P3 to be equal to the feel of the OL, and P2 is less blade feel? So, The CR7 on P2 is smoother than the Overlander, and similar in efficiency?

Thanks!

Reading my post just now I see your point. It is now about 14 hours after the shave. The Overlander side has less stubble. WTG feels too close to call, but ATG and jawline on the CR7 side definitely has more scratch/stubble. 

Immediately after completing the shave, and for the next several hours, I would say that the CR7 plate 2 gave a comparable shaving result, but I didn't detect the blade as much. I knew it was shaving, but I seemed more aware of the blade on the Overlander side. I only did that first pass on only the cheek with plate 3, and I would have been confused as to which razor was shaving if not for the handle differences (and of course looking in the mirror!).

Would I give up the Overlander? No. I need to get more shaves with the CR7 and use my Overlander more as well. For me, the Overlander is perfect. Wednesday, I plan to use plate 3 for the entire shave and repeat that on Thursday. With the Overlander daily shaves are never irritating, no matter how many or how few hours have passed since the last shave. We'll have to see how the CR7 measures up to that.

Stylistically, I think the Overlander wins, especially with so many handle and color options. But having another awesome razor is a win in my book!

The Rest of the Week

At least this is what I am planning!



This morning, I used the #1 plate and also used my new brush. Fantastic all around! Plate #1 is very mild and required a bit of buffing to get me close-shaven. I meant to stop that as I got up late and will be shaving again early tomorrow for work. Oh well. I don't see myself reaching for this plate often but given that there was (and still is as of yesterday) 22% bundle discount, I went for all three plates.

The brush did a remarkable job, which does not surprise me. I chose this knot, the Shave Forge High Mountain White, because I have the 22mm version in a vintage Ever Ready handle and absolutely love that knot. This 24mm one is in the same category. It blooms up to the size of a 26mm synth and feels great on my face. I have had (and sold) two 26mm badgers, Manchurians, and the reason I moved them on was they felt too big. I know some guys love a big knot, and others love a smaller knot. I must be related to Goldilocks, because I find the middle just right!

For the workdays this week, I plan to use plate #3. And plate #2 my days off. The Canada Shaving Soap is doing great!

Stunning looking brush Eric, it came out great. Look forward to reading the rest of the week's reviews.

Today was the first full plate #3 shave, and it was pretty darn good. It has been about 20 hours since my last shave, using plate #1, and I anticipated more stubble than what I found this morning.

What kept this from being great is a patch on my neck that was getting irritated during the second and third passes. I didn't mention it yesterday, but I know I spent too much time buffing yesterday. I had intended a simple shave with plate #1, knowing I'd be shaving soon thereafter, and got carried away trying to get as smooth as possible with that plate. The irritation isn't horrid, just enough to be prickly at the soap rinse. It calmed down with the cold water rinse and application of my Recovery Splash (Zingari Man, great stuff!).

I do expect to experience full wonderfulness tomorrow, with my normal shaving interval being in place! I am predicting that plates #2 and #3 become my go to plates for non-work and workdays respectively.