Tatara Masamune DE Passaround Invite/Review - Old World Craftsmanship New Age Design

Having recently taken delivery of a sand blasted Tatara Masamune DE razor with both SB and OC baseplates and stand, wanted to share the experience with forum brethren.  Relatively unknown in the US, Tatara is a small Portuguese based company founded by 3 friends with mechanical engineering education and an appreciation for Japanese swordsmith craftsmanship.  The goal was to apply their engineering acumen and love of all things samurai to improve double edge razors in craftsmanship, design, ergonomics and technology.  Focusing on minimizing blade vibration through a unique fastening system, perpendicularity of the head to handle and tight tolerances they have achieved a classic, dare I state minimalist aesthetique in keeping with traditional Japanese design and a truly unique razor.

If one is but secure at the foundation, he will not be pained by departure from minor details or affairs that are contrary to expectation. But in the end, the details of a matter are important. The right and wrong of one's way of doing things are found in trivial matters

The first thing one notices is that the packaging screams low volume craftsmanship.  While simply boxed in high grade paperboard and - in an homage to Portuguese heritage - beautiful cork insert, the impression is one of low volume hand made craftsmanship with a nice touch of marketing sizzle.  Inside rests the most uniquely finished steel razor I have encountered; the finish has a texture and appearance imparted from the sandblasting that is so strikingly different that many of the design features are easily overlooked.  Were one to describe it, the best I can offer is it is derivative of the colour and texture of the frame/casing finish of Ducati Reparto Corse superbikes of the 90s and early 2000s.  As one stares transfixed by the finish and almost afraid to touch the razor for fear of disturbing such a unique piece of kit, other obvious design details begin to make an impression: that of being quintessentially Japanese in the sense of the simplistic elegance reminiscent of traditional samurai weaponry that presents an aura of fragility belying its inherent strength and capability.  If the soul of the samurai is the blade, then the soul of Tatara is the blade holder.  Once beyond the initial visual impression, handling the razor brings a sense of wielding a katana: the lightness and tactile sensations are almost overwhelming and quite different from anything else used to date from unique handle designs of traditional SE and DE razors to even the OneBlade.  Nothing approaches how the finish, slim handle, dimpling and weight distribution synergistically interact in a positive manner to remind the user that this is something unique.  Having acclimated to the look and feel of the razor in hand, the next obvious design element is the flat stack height of the baseplate and cap which promises maneuverability and is a welcome change from bulbous nature of recent design trends making tight areas difficult to access.  One comes to believe there is merit in the pride the designers take in the low stress riser/shouldered fastener cap and recessed thread/shimmed handle as one loosens the head assembly.  Although never dropped to test the matter (and blessedly never experienced), based on motorsports experience one could expect that this design will be far more immune to cap stud breakage than other 3 piece designs of similar metallurgy.  The hidden surface finishes were unsurprisingly very European in an Old World craftsmanship way.  2 Baseplates are offered that differ in blade gap and comb style with the SB being significantly less efficient than the OC.  The stand is thankfully a simple semi hemispherical design and has a beauty complementing the execution of the handle which as alluded is a signature element.  Assembled and presented, the Tatara Masmune is quite elegant and reflects tastefully on any home décor.  While this may be a matter of small importance, in keeping with the samurai ethos, matters of small concern should be treated seriously.

As they say: enough talk, now we shave!  Feather blades are delivered with the razor, so the first shaves were undertaken using the sharpest DE blades of which I am aware with the SB baseplate.  There is an overall impression of lightness with head bias that is surprising given the steel construction; perhaps this is due to the thin almost medical instrument feel of the handle.  Truth told there were qualms that the slim handle and dimpled design would be quite slippy when combined with slick modern soaps such as Grooming Dept and Wholly Kaw but between the sandblasting and dimples, there was never a moment of jeopardy over the course of a couple week's shaves.  The finish feels unique on the face and instead of being an impediment to smooth gliding as feared, actually seems to facilitate both short and long strokes.  Indeed this is a rather unique razor!  I was able to get a damn near BBS in 2 passes - with the grain and across the grain.  If there was a challenge, it was that this razor is highly angle dependent akin to a LASSC BBS-1 and maintaining that angle is critical to a smooth (and with the Feather blade) nick free shave.  Subsequent shaves were undertaken with Polsilvers that maintained the quality of the results with far less chance of biting.  The OC was unique in the feel afforded by the sandblasting combined with well defined teeth; even taking days between shaves, the combination was overly efficient after one pass irrespective of blade - and everything from GSB to Timor to Astra was loaded in an attempt to tame passes after the first.  A really nice combination was to execute the first pass of multiday beard growth using the OC baseplate then switch to SB for the remaining pass and touch up.  Bottom line is the shave is very pleasant and unique; every shave yielded better results as I learned the angle required for the Tatara Masamune to work its wonders.  Typically the best shave results from the first usage of a product (other than brushes which require breaking in) probably due to the care exercised from unfamiliarity with a new product; to my experience only have the LASSC BBS-1 and the Tatara Masamune required a learning curve.  Do have some patience if the first shave is less than perfect - technique here really yields dividends!

My conclusions are that this is a beautiful and unique razor forming a solid base from which to grow Tatara as a brand.  It is limited in availability, beautifully designed, well executed and yet quite affordable.  I really enjoyed this razor and would suggest 3 additional options be made available to this particular model requiring minimal additional capital:

1, Make a Dual Comb option of the current gaps available
2, Have an Open Comb and Dual Comb version of both gaps
3, Make a polished version available

So now the razor is off to other passaround testers that will join this thread and opine; some are industry people and others highly experienced with DE razors well known/regarded on the forums.  It will be interesting to read their impressions and looking forward to the feedback which will be shared with Tatara.  There are extremely limited slots available, if you would like to be included in the passaround, PM directly.  Thank you for your time and best to all forum members.

Very nice gesture on your part. May those who participate enjoy great shaves from an extremely well made razor.

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Excellent shaver! Definitely in my top.

Is it possible to compare this razor for aggressiveness and efficiency with others, for example with Timeless .68, .95, Safety Bar or Open Comb, with Blackbird?

Fair response but only in the context that the BBS-1 was mentioned: sensitivity to angle.  Nothing was mentioned regarding comparative aggression nor efficiency - intentionally so - all please understand this.

My perspective is that parametres of aggression and efficiency (amongst others) are highly subjective; one man's aggressive is another's mild.  What was attempted rather, was a comparison between the 2 supplied baseplates.

Irrespective, you have requested MY opinion and on a comparative basis to other razors having relatively higher distribution.  

As regards aggression and efficiency (only):

* In my opinion the SB baseplate would compare to a shimmed Feather AS-D2, Timeless 0,68SB, Merkur 34, Parker 89, Charcoal Goods Level 1,5 (if there was such a thing) or Rockwell with 4,5 baseplate (if there was such a thing).  Surely there are many other razors that could be added but the point hopefully is made.

* In my opinion the OC baseplate would compare to a Muhle R41 with the mildest blade humanly imaginable, Charcoal Goods Level 2,5 (if there was such a thing), Rockwell 6 baseplate with a new Feather blade or Blackbird with a new Feather blade.  It strikes me not so much that the Tatara Masamune 0,73 OC gap is excessive as the tooth profile is quite defined.  This was one of the reasons suggested Tatara produce other baseplates including the 0,73 in SB and Dual Comb

These are my opinions and yours may differ, perhaps substantially.

Thank you very much, this is quite a broad comparison, perhaps the owners of other razors will write their comparisons with Tatara Masamune.
It was news to me that I could order .73 SB version.

"This was one of the reasons suggested Tatara produce other baseplates including the 0,73 in SB and Dual Comb"

That was a suggestion to Tatara to make the range more continuous regarding efficiency and aggression without investing a lot of capital in new razor development, NOT a notification that other options are currently avaialable.

Maybe they will release this model of the razor.

We'll see. There are some other reviews from this passaround being compiled - their views may be more helpful as comparative base.

Before I give my opinion of the razor, let me rate some current DE razors I own. This may be helpful to see if my tastes line up along yours, or not. I'd say that so far, I would rate my razors as such 1 - Blackbird SB, 2 - Paradigm 17-4, 3 - Wolfman .74 gap, 4 - Timeless 95 OC

I didn't devote much attention to the SB plate as what I had heard, and what a preliminary shave confirmed - that it was just too damn mild for me. So, the remainder of my comments will focus on the OC plate.

My first impressions with the razor are as such - the design is very well thought out. The blade is clamped down near the edge, ala wolfman and timeless. This is a feature that I like as it provides stability and reduces chatter when going ATG. The blessing, and curse, of the design is how the handle protrudes through the bottom of the baseplate and helps to establish and reinforce the blade angle. The blessing being that the blade aligns perfectly, every time without issue and is clamped in place. The curse being that aftermarket handles, while usable, do detract from the original design of the razor. The finish seems nice and durable.

The shave is in one word, smooth. This razor is very very smooth. I believe it is in part due to the negative exposure this razor has. You can get away with some pressure with this shaver. Even the OC head was a touch mild with my first choice in blade, a pol-silver. The next few shaves went to a GSB, and ultimately landed on a Gillette 7 o'clock yellow. I think a feather would be a solid choice as well. I have no faults with the performance of this razor. It was right up there with my top DE's

There are a couple of things that would keep me from buying this razor. One is the handle. I think its around 85mm, which I know is a popular size, but it's too short for me. Especially since that length is also coupled with a narrow circumference as well. The second is the finish. I would prefer a more pleasing finish to the eye for the premium price they're asking. If there was a different polished option, and some options in the handle I would certainly pick this razor up. It shaves like a dream.

Thanks to Dan for the opportunity to try this razor. Please feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer.