Tatara Nodachi Ti Passaround - Titanium Makes a Shocking Improvement

Tatara Branding:

So we are back reviewing the latest offering from Tatara (鑪) named after the furnace used by Japanese smiths since the 6th century to smelt the steel for the world’s most desirable swords.  The Masamune (正宗) line is named after the greatest swordsmith in Ancient Japanese history from Sagami Province producing blades in the latter Kamakura period.  Of such renown were his swords that the most prestigious award for swordmaking, the Masamune Prize, is awarded at the Japanese Sword Making Competition to this very day (but only to a worthy candidate so not annually).  Masamunesan's swords had and retain a reputation for superior beauty and quality, which was no small feat in that steels were far from pure during his reign.  A hallmark of his swords is the nie (錵) finish, arising from martensitic crystals embedded in a pearlite matrix resulting from the tempering process and said to resemble stars in a night sky.  Nodachi (野太刀) refers to a long sword approximately 0,9m used by unmounted samurai in open field battles (particularly against cavalry).  The sheaved swords are often depicted as being slung across the back, as they were too long to be worn on the waist and the technique primarily employed was downward slashes - think Kendo.  These swords were exceedingly difficult to create due to the length requiring special tooling and advanced expert technique to heat and cool to the consistency required; even honing was accomplished uniquely by hanging the sword versus drawing across stones - one had to be quite accomplished and wealthy to afford such a weapon.  The reason for this brief history lesson will become apparent in the review that follows


This is my fourth exposure to offerings from Tatara and second passaround with a Nodachi, the first being the standard SS model; the appropriately named Masamune Nodachi Ti razor with the Nodachi SB and OC Ti baseplates.  Gaining notoriety 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.

Devotion to the study of one’s path—first acquiring the fundamentals, and then continuing to refine your knowledge and skills—is a lifelong pursuit with no end. Without becoming content with your level of accomplishment, think critically of everything, and spend your entire life traveling the path, asking, “How can I find the truth of the Way?” Never give up the quest.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai

Those familiar with traditional Japanese mores are well aware that how an item is packaged is as important as how well it is made.  Tatara products immediately grab one’s attention with the packaging that 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 handmade craftsmanship with a nice touch of marketing sizzle.  Despite the passage of years and many razors being introduced from numerous global artisans, inside rests the most uniquely finished razor 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.  This is the nie finish effect alluded to above and almost worth the price of admission alone.  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 traditionally Japanese in the sense of the simplistic elegance reminiscent of the feudal samurai weaponry that presents an aura of fragility belying its inherent strength and capability.  It was a transformational moment years ago when encountering the first Tatara and it remains just as much so today having been down the path 4 models later.  Nobody produces as unique a razor in look and design as Tatara, period with a very very hard stop.

Nodachi Ti Design Ethos:

I have been assured by Tatara that NOTHING dimensionally has changed from the Nodachi in SS to Ti: that stated, the lightness and coolness to the touch of a Tatara executed in Ti has to be experienced to be believed; one would almost suspect the razor likely to float away.  It is so unique, even other worldly, with the slim yet grippy handle and lack of heft that one can’t help but think it going to be unwieldly in use.  Even having handled numerous titanium razors, the perceived absence of heft in the Tatara is shocking and continues even after the first couple of shaves; there is no mistaking this for any other artisan’s razor ever encountered as Tatara has no design peer. 

All the previous praises heaped upon Tatara for consistently stellar engineering and design apply here: the low stack height of the head assembly in an era of ever thicker head designs, the only properly executed top cap/baseplate/handle design ever encountered where stress risers are absolutely eliminated and blade holding maximized, the handle that seems impossibly slippy to the eye but actually is amazingly grippy even in the presence of the world’s slickest soaps – it is all there as expected from Tatara – these are real deal engineers versus machinists.  If anything, the Nodachi handle in Ti is even grippier than the SS version.  Even the stand is elegant and simply executed in homage to Japanese aesthetique, a simple semi hemispherical beauty complementing the execution of the handle, integrates and completes the full kit should one desire to be immersed in the entirety of the design theme which, as alluded, is a signature element.  But, if seeking a razor immediately visually distinguishing itself from the Nodachi in SS, other than the finish colour bridging the Standard and Dark offerings of the SS model, there is nothing in the Nodachi Ti.

For full photographic details of dimensions using Mitutoyo electronic calipres, check out this post on DFS: https://damnfineshave.com/thread-tatara-...e-original







Nodachi Ti Praxis:

Having experimented with various blades in quick succession, I settled on Astra SP blades which have complimented every Tatara used to date quite well.  Whereas there is an impression of titanium lightness with the SS model, the actual Ti Nodachi is ridiculously light to the hand.  Despite experience to the contrary, there were qualms that the slim handle and dimpled design would be quite slippy when combined with slick modern soaps such as Barrister & Mann, ETHOS, Grooming Dept and Wholly Kaw but between the sandblasting and dimples, there was never a moment of jeopardy over the course of several shaves. 

What was dramatically different beyond the perception of zero heft was the complete lack of face feel.  Whereas thought Wolfman, with the introduction of the WR2 had cornered the market on DE razors being so smooth one wondered if a blade is even loaded, the Tatara Ti takes it to another level.  In my entire life have never felt anything as smooth as the Nodachi Ti despite having used numerous Wolfman WR2, Leaf and various multibladed carts but, where the titanium versions of other notably smooth razors shaved adequately if not great, the Nodachi Ti immediately, on the very first shave, equaled the best shave ever from my daily: a Wolfman WR1 0,54 DC custom – which is to state DEAD BALL’S BBS PERFECT!  The OC baseplate is frankly as smooth as the SB (when the proper angle of attack employed) so choose freely between the 2 without trepidation.  Insufficient prep, halfassed lathering, long strokes, short strokes, with the grain, across the grain, against the grain, skin stretching or not – the shaves were absolutely perfect in every way.  Those preferring extremely efficient razors with high gaps and pronounced blade feel will likely complain but the quality of the actual shave without consideration of those perceived characteristics cannot be denied.  I tried to get a bad shave just to see if it was possible and failed to do so; Hell, failed to get a Damn Good Shave, only ending BBS every single time.

Conclusion:

My conclusion is that the Nodachi Ti continues the beautiful and unique aesthetique Tatara has established but has taken brainlessly smooth yet BBS shaves to a new level.  It is amazing how a Nodachi otherwise unchanged but manufactured in Ti takes one of the best shaving razors available in terms of skin friendliness, beard cutting efficiency and maneuverability and elevates it considerably in every metric.  In all honesty, had voiced concern to the Tatara owners that they needed to work on significantly more efficient models to fill a gap in their line and appease the vocal minority of hobby shavers preferring ever more efficient razors.  Further, hitherto had a distinct bias towards heft in razors, with copper the preferred material -this Nodachi in Titanium changed that…utterly.  The Tatara owners were clearly correct in pursuing the existing razors in Ti as they are, in fact, completely different razors versus what had hitherto experienced from other artisans as the same SS razor in a lighter, more exotic and expensive material for bragging rights.  This razor changed the paradigm for me and likely it will for you too.

Passaround:

So now the razor is off to other passaround testers that will join this thread and opine; many of the participants thus far are highly experienced with DE razors, well known and regarded on the forums.  It will be interesting to read their impressions and looking forward to the feedback which will be shared with Tatara.  In an effort to initiate the distribution of this razor without delays and the surprising quick delivery from Tatara, we are going without a soap sponsor which also frees us up to trial including Canadians on this passaround due to the smaller packages requiring less expensive international shipping.  Feel free to reach out if interested in participating in the passaround which we are expanding to our Canadian friends as well as an experiment to give them the chance to try innovative kit prior to purchase - PM directly.  Thank you for your time and best to all forum members.

To be perfectly honest with everybody, we are repurposing a hard case from Aji of H&S because of the passaround going to Canada and the extra protection afforded. Aji offers these cases for sale on his site; they are outstanding as well as reasonably priced at $30:

https://www.haircutandshaveco.com/products/travel-case



Aji at H&S is a good guy and highly recommended

Thank you for the excellent write up Dan. Much appreciated

I’m interested in the pass around (NJ)

Excellent write up Dan and yes this one definitely sparks my interest.. anything Samurai as I'm a huge fan of Japanese steel.

I'm in on the pass around and as you know in NY

DanLaw Always enjoy your write ups Dan but that handle looks slippery to hold with potentially soapy and wet hands. I'd be curious how the reviewers make due without using an alum block. Also with 8 open comb teeth I wonder how people will find the shave. Just some ideas to look out for. Good luck all with the pass around.

AJSharp, thank you for providing the opportunity to reply to your concerns.  Clearly I failed to elucidate what were important aspects of the razor in the review, for which an apology is due readers.

The handle design is fitting with the other elements of Tatara, the most and best engineered and designed razor line encountered.  As stated in the review, these aren't machinists producing well executed razors based on industry standard designs but rather genuine professionally educated and employed engineers that set out to employ innovative and proper design principles into the humble DE razor, in some respects similar to how ETHOS has brought 25 years of cosmetic industry experience in product development into the shave industry only from a degreed engineering perspective.

Specifically addressing your concerns:

In the case of the handle design, you will note my comments embarking upon the review with the same trepidation of it being slippy, despite having experience that the Nodachi in SS was as grippy as any knurling encountered in duFour, H&S or Rocnel razors which set the standard for traditionally designed and manufactured DEs.  Whilst am unqualified to comment on the reasons for the grippiness of the handle even using the slickest modern soaps available from B&M, ETHOS, GD & WK, suspect the surface treatment provides the attribute.  In any case do rest assured it is GRIPPY which is particularly surprising given its surgical slim dimensions.

Regarding the tooth profile of the OC baseplate, it is critical one read the manufacturer's instructions before using any product whether it an auto, knife sharpener or razor.  The manufacturer's instructions for proper shave angle are provided in the review but to recap, they are to maintain a 24 degree angle.  At this angle, the teeth are virtually parallel to the skin and thus have hardly any impact short of channeling hair into the blade for cutting.  The fact that Tatara provided this information is further indication of the engineering orientation and approach they embody, unique to the artisan DE razor industry.  My suspicion is that those citing a lack of efficiency in Tatara products are employing a different angle than suggested based on trying it during testing: not only did the tooth profile become readily apparent but the quality of the shave was vastly inferiour than when holding the angle as suggested.  For your edification will attach the graphic.  Irrespective, am actively encouraging them to produce a more efficient (aggressive) razor option as is the rage amongst the online influencers and we should have a prototype for testing in the intermediate future.

You really should participate and give the razor a go.  Hitherto was a fan of materials, being particularly partial to copper as remains the case with H&S and Wolfman razors (amongst their material offerings) but with this Tatara, decidedly favour the Ti over the SS (not that the SS bad by any means).

Thanks for the comprehensive write up DanLaw
Excellent stuff as usual.

It's definitely a razor worth trying, however I do prefer the SS over the titanium. Neither open comb is inherently aggressive/too efficient. I've tried almost every combination with the Masamune handle in both SS and titanium. The handle is excellent for grip - I'm sure the Nodachi is as well. 

Can you say any more about the prototype? They are also thinking about a single edge - but in the early stages, so don't expect to see anything for a long while.

It’s no secret Tatara is one the best razors on the market.  The engineering alone makes it a world class razor.  Aesthetics; there is something for everyone. Aggressive or mild, long handle or short handle, straight bar, open comb, or adjustable, light or dark, no stone has been left unturned.  Step in the Tatara Titanium, this is a completely different razor from Tatara. 

Digging RIGHT in:

The Tatara Ti gave me a flawless smooth as a baby’s booty shave with no irritation on three different occasions.  Some of the Lads here will say it doesn’t take much to get me a great shave.  Whilst that may be true (I’m very fair when it comes to facial hair), there’s a difference between mild and highly efficient, mild with limited efficiency and of course more aggressive which SOMETIMES implies efficiency. WHAT MAKES THE TATARA TITANIUM DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS IS PLAYING AROUND WITH THE ANGLE! Playing around with the angles no matter how steep or shallow, OC or SB, speed shave or spa shave, different blades…… all of it gave me the same yield, a perfect shave with a feather lite instrument. 

I was fortunate enough to take this razor on holiday with me as if it were my own.  I shaved the exact same way on 3 occasions, first pass OC, second pass and detail SB.  Done and done.  I used a recommended Green Astra, then a Feather, lastly RAPIRA.  Brilliance on all 3 blades.

Whether you prefer an OC or SB, the razor is feather lite balanced at 62g either plate used.  I like my first pass with an OC, I feel the comb lifts facial hair away from skin and slices slightly better.  I like my detailing after the first pass and the Tatara Ti shines across and against the grain.

The Tatara Ti is a smooth and efficient razor with minimal to zero blade feel.  For many this instrument will be a two pass razor no matter the angle you choose to shave.  For us speed shavers an instrument that is lite on its feet and safe for shaving in the dark or standing in the shower early AM with your eyes closed, this will be the one to pick up.