Stirling Soap 316 Stainless Steel Razor

My only critique would be the handles. Rod did say that there was a 3rd handle. I'll have to look back through this thread to find it. And he did mention the possibility of additional handle designs in the future.

Was there something specific that you didn't like about the handles or are they just not appealing to you from an aesthetic standpoint?

My only critique would be the handles. Rod did say that there was a 3rd handle. I'll have to look back through this thread to find it. And he did mention the possibility of additional handle designs in the future.

Was there something specific that you didn't like about the handles or are they just not appealing to you from an aesthetic standpoint?

Mostly aesthetics.
I only used the one with the knurling on the top. The other one just didn't feel right.

OK guys, I finally have some time to write a review.

I'm a daily, 2 pass shaver (WTG and ATG). I shave at night, and have dark/coarse hair and light skin so I do chase BBS every time. I would describe my skin as "normal". Not sensitive but far from leather-like.
My current favorite razors in order are: 1.55 WR2 > Tatara Nodachi = RS-10 aggr plate > 0.95 SB timeless Ti > Dart > 2019 Rocnel Elite A. I've used quite a bit of razors and those listed are the only DE's that have made the final cut. Love all of them.

After getting off to a rough start with these razors, I ended up enjoy them quite a bit. At first I used a steeper angle than I normally do and the shaves were rough! That goes for both plates. Some irritation, lots of blade chatter and some nicks. More so for the HA plate. 

I almost gave up on them right there, but I decided to give them another go with a shallow angle. My experience was a complete 180. Using as shallow of an angle as these razors allow led to a completely drama free, close shave. The blade chatter was completely gone, no irritation, no nicks Very smooth! Even the audible feedback was tuned down significantly. The HA was smooth as well, but even when using a very shallow angle I had to be extra careful. But a drama free shave with the HA was definitely possible.

For those who are going to try these razors, I would suggest using a VERY shallow angle. If you use a steep angle, you might find these razors to be harsh. That brings me to my next point, don't give up on these after the first shave. Keep using them and be very mindful of your angle. The moment your angle gets steeper, the blade will dig and drag across your skin..not a good feeling!

Rod was correct in saying that his razors are not for newbies. In my experience they require you to maintain that same shallow angle throughout the entire shave. While it's not rocket science, it does take some practice and good dexterity.

I would recommend the standard plate for those who shave more often. The standard plate is already plenty efficient. The HA plate is especially great for those who only shave WTG. If I were a WTG shaver only, the HA would be perfect. The same shallow angle advice applies to the WTG pass also, but it's even more important when going ATG.

I appreciate that the posts are on the base plate. While I don't think it has any inherent advantage over top cap posts, it does make the Stirlings unique amongst my other razors. 

My only critique would be the handles. Rod did say that there was a 3rd handle. I'll have to look back through this thread to find it. And he did mention the possibility of additional handle designs in the future.

All in all I give both of these razor two thumbs up and will pickup a standard version in the future.

Just to be clear, by shallow angle I mean handle away from your face. Up to the point right before the razor stops cutting. That's the angle that I found success with.

Many thanks to Rod, Mandy, and Andrew for organizing this pass-around and wish them the best!

Looking forward to reading others experience with these

Thanks for the review.

What blades did you use? Are you naturally a steep angle shaver? You can run a 155 daily?

OK guys, I finally have some time to write a review.

I'm a daily, 2 pass shaver (WTG and ATG). I shave at night, and have dark/coarse hair and light skin so I do chase BBS every time. I would describe my skin as "normal". Not sensitive but far from leather-like.
My current favorite razors in order are: 1.55 WR2 > Tatara Nodachi = RS-10 aggr plate > 0.95 SB timeless Ti > Dart > 2019 Rocnel Elite A. I've used quite a bit of razors and those listed are the only DE's that have made the final cut. Love all of them.

After getting off to a rough start with these razors, I ended up enjoy them quite a bit. At first I used a steeper angle than I normally do and the shaves were rough! That goes for both plates. Some irritation, lots of blade chatter and some nicks. More so for the HA plate. 

I almost gave up on them right there, but I decided to give them another go with a shallow angle. My experience was a complete 180. Using as shallow of an angle as these razors allow led to a completely drama free, close shave. The blade chatter was completely gone, no irritation, no nicks Very smooth! Even the audible feedback was tuned down significantly. The HA was smooth as well, but even when using a very shallow angle I had to be extra careful. But a drama free shave with the HA was definitely possible.

For those who are going to try these razors, I would suggest using a VERY shallow angle. If you use a steep angle, you might find these razors to be harsh. That brings me to my next point, don't give up on these after the first shave. Keep using them and be very mindful of your angle. The moment your angle gets steeper, the blade will dig and drag across your skin..not a good feeling!

Rod was correct in saying that his razors are not for newbies. In my experience they require you to maintain that same shallow angle throughout the entire shave. While it's not rocket science, it does take some practice and good dexterity.

I would recommend the standard plate for those who shave more often. The standard plate is already plenty efficient. The HA plate is especially great for those who only shave WTG. If I were a WTG shaver only, the HA would be perfect. The same shallow angle advice applies to the WTG pass also, but it's even more important when going ATG.

I appreciate that the posts are on the base plate. While I don't think it has any inherent advantage over top cap posts, it does make the Stirlings unique amongst my other razors. 

My only critique would be the handles. Rod did say that there was a 3rd handle. I'll have to look back through this thread to find it. And he did mention the possibility of additional handle designs in the future.

All in all I give both of these razor two thumbs up and will pickup a standard version in the future.

Just to be clear, by shallow angle I mean handle away from your face. Up to the point right before the razor stops cutting. That's the angle that I found success with.

Many thanks to Rod, Mandy, and Andrew for organizing this pass-around and wish them the best!

Looking forward to reading others experience with these

Thanks for the review.

What blades did you use? Are you naturally a steep angle shaver? You can run a 155 daily?

Gillette 7 O'Clock super stainless, no, yes
I can use any of my current razors as daily shavers.

The razors arrived this afternoon, thanks shaveSymptomatic! I’ll shave tonight and Let you know what I think.

I am pretty new to wet shaving (about eighteen months) and have only used one razor (Merkur 20c) before last night. I shave every other day or so and have a very regular routine. I don’t really switch up blades or soaps, I prefer to use what works and stick with that. I was pretty nervous going in, but my wife is a nurse so I figured it the worst happened she would be able to stitch me up!

I used the standard head on my left side and the aggressive head on my right side. I used an astra blade on both. I had about five or six days of growth and heeded shaveSymptomatic  and Hdad and used a shallow angle going in. I have never been more pleased with a shave in my life! Both heads were able to get through the beard with little difficulty and with less irritation than with my Merkur. The hair on my neck grows in fairly odd and random directions, if I were to make a growth diagram it would look a little like Starry Night, but I was able to get bbs in three passes. 

I found the Austin handle (bottom knurled) to be a little easier to control when going from south to north. The Fort Worth handle (top knurled) was certainly manageable but just a little less grippy when holding at the bottom. Going north to south and east to west was equally easy for both handles. I actually prefer the look of the Fort Worth handle so I’m interested to see what the Dallas handle looks like; if it has more to grip at the bottom I might pick that one. Maybe Rod could give us a sneak peek?!

I will try again on Monday or Tuesday with a different blade to see if there is any improvement. And I might try a one pass shave after that with the better of the two blades.

I never done a review like this so if there is anything you want me to consider let me know.

It’s going to be very hard to give these things up but I’ll try!

I am pretty new to wet shaving (about eighteen months) and have only used one razor (Merkur 20c) before last night. I shave every other day or so and have a very regular routine. I don’t really switch up blades or soaps, I prefer to use what works and stick with that. I was pretty nervous going in, but my wife is a nurse so I figured it the worst happened she would be able to stitch me up!

I used the standard head on my left side and the aggressive head on my right side. I used an astra blade on both. I had about five or six days of growth and heeded shaveSymptomatic  and Hdad and used a shallow angle going in. I have never been more pleased with a shave in my life! Both heads were able to get through the beard with little difficulty and with less irritation than with my Merkur. The hair on my neck grows in fairly odd and random directions, if I were to make a growth diagram it would look a little like Starry Night, but I was able to get bbs in three passes. 

I found the Austin handle (bottom knurled) to be a little easier to control when going from south to north. The Fort Worth handle (top knurled) was certainly manageable but just a little less grippy when holding at the bottom. Going north to south and east to west was equally easy for both handles. I actually prefer the look of the Fort Worth handle so I’m interested to see what the Dallas handle looks like; if it has more to grip at the bottom I might pick that one. Maybe Rod could give us a sneak peek?!

I will try again on Monday or Tuesday with a different blade to see if there is any improvement. And I might try a one pass shave after that with the better of the two blades.

I never done a review like this so if there is anything you want me to consider let me know.

It’s going to be very hard to give these things up but I’ll try!

I'm glad you enjoyed it and that our tips helped
To me, a shallow angle made all the difference in the world with those razors.

shaveSymptomatic , I’ve always been a fan of learning from others’ mistakes so I’ll take your word for it!!

Just shaved with feather blades. I tried to go too fast, and paid the price! Couple weepers and some stinging but still a good close shave. I’ll try again a little slower next time!!

Feather blades can be rough on the first shave... atleast for me. Much smoother on the second shave!