The General V2 Revised

The new handle looks great. Anyone know the dimensions and weight?

I also have this razor on the way. The website states that they will do their best to have it ready before March, but I'm not all too bothered with waiting. Not like I don't have any other razors to use in meantime.

I recall reading a comment somewhere comparing the looks of the new handle to an antique table leg. This influenced me a bit so I initially ordered just the head. The more I see the handle in pics however, the more I like it. I am finding it both unique and classy and recently added the handle to my order.

I too am very interested to see how this new general will match up to the vector. I am hoping the additional weight in the head will give it a bit more "momentum" to cut the stubborn hairs around my chin.

I personally don't care for the looks of the new handle and if I was to purchase the razor the new handle would be the deal breaker for me.

I personally don't care for the looks of the new handle and if I was to purchase the razor the new handle would be the deal breaker for me.

I would reckon the head on a Matte Ikon Bulldog would look and feel great.

Just to contribute more information on the GV2, I'm typically a steep shaver (blackbirds and fatips for DEs) but forced myself to try and ride the cap a little more with the GV2 and I've had some great results. For anyone unsure of the razor and the way it shaves, try this.

Ive changed my favorite blade in the General V2 to the Kai Captain Pink Mild. Im now very curious about the Vector and I'm tempted to order a polished Vector when they are back in stock. I do wish the General came in a polished version.

I still need to use my V1 General. Can't very well get this until then! :O

The General V2 has been a fantastic razor, one that ultimately had me unload my beloved blackbird. I find it smooth and often find myself shocked after a 3 pass shave at how good it was. Often BBS 12+ hours later.

I never owned the V1 so cannot compare, unfortunately.

Thanks to Marchigiano@ilRasoio, in November 2019 I've tested the new Colonial Razor "The General V2".
Even at the first contact, the razor shows everything that made me fall in love with this project in 2016.
Even without my favorite blades, the result was an excellent BBS in full comfort.
So I'm more than hopeful for the rest of this comparison test.

The new version shows the magnificent technical development work.
Although the geometry of the head is unchanged in practice.
So the transition from the V1 in recent days has been unnoticed.
The improvement plays on small but fundamental details:
• overall dimensions of the head
• axis of the handle
• topcap coverage
• blade position

For the benefit of exposure, specifications and images.
(V2 AISI 316L vs V1 Aluminum 6061)
Head depth: 6mm / 8mm
Head width: 17mm / 22mm
Head length: 50mm / 50mm
Head Weight: 32g / 19g
Section handle (Min. - Max.): 8 - 13mm / 9 - 14mm
Length handle: 87mm / 90mm
Weight handle: 63g / 25g
Handle axis distance: 3mm / 4mm
Topcap distance: 4mm / 2mm
Blade distance: 2mm / 1mm
Shaver Weight: 85g / 44g
Balancing Razor (Head - Handle on Total): 37.65 - 62.35% / 43.20 - 56.80%









The most obvious change is the marked decrease in the size of the head.
They appear to be just a few millimeters, but already by eye we can see a volume of over 42% smaller.
All for the benefit of ease of use in the most inconvenient points.

The 25% retraction of the axis of the handle clearly increases the force vector that is discharged on the blade.
So without changing the geometry, there is greater efficiency even if not so exaggerated given the type of lever.
All with the same comfort compared to the same operating angles.

Furthermore, a 50% increase in blade coverage improves the already excellent seal.
If in V1 I never felt stability problems (chattering), in this V2 the feeling is monolithic.
If I hadn't tried it I'd swear it's impossible to have the same feeling of a wedge cleaver on such a thin blade.
Instead the feeling reminds me a lot of those razors advertised for hard beards with curvy blades both in size and grinding.

To improve the whole there is also a 50% decrease in the distance of the wire from the safety bar.
This without producing an equal increase in unveiling, counterbalanced by the topcap.
Also counter-intuitively this is an advantage, producing instant but gentle feedback of the blade.

A minimal change is that of the pins on which the blade is inserted.
Now less pronounced and above all less rounded.
I would never have realized if I had not had uncertainties in the empty coupling.
Sensation never experienced before with the V1.
Not a problem, but at certain levels they are unexpected details.

In short, in theory we are faced with a marvel of engineering.
In practice it is a jewel, but above all I believe a missed opportunity.
Because the use of a less efficient material compromises some important details.

First of all the weight, which increases by almost 216%, decreasing the control.
But above all the balance that goes from a still good almost 1: 1 to an exaggerated almost 1: 2.
In fact the relative weights change in an incredible way:
• Head from 19g to 32g (approximately + 70%)
• Handle from 25g to 63g (over + 250%)

Which is why I'm talking about a missed opportunity.
In fact, the choice to meet the market in the choice of material produced a lower result.
A more efficient alloy like the original Aluminum 6061 would have made it possible to take full advantage of technical progress.
Which instead lose effectiveness sucked into a dynamic whose physics is obliged.
All this also with a clear increase in production costs.
So ultimately the quality / price ratio.

On this last point I want to be clear.
The new The General V2 SS I believe is a gem.
In today's landscape it is one of the best contenders.
In the coming days I will see better, but from the first impression I would also put it on the Blackland Vector.
That both aesthetic and technical research is certainly a touchstone.
But that's not what could have been done by choosing materially more efficiently.

I am moderately sure that it could have been a real miracle.
An instrument with a q / p ratio that is absolutely unattainable for this generation of razors.
And in a wider analysis a true revolution of the reference system.
But unfortunately it is not so ... for now.

With practice, the weight becomes less evident.
On the contrary, efficiency is clearly demonstrated.

Above all the diminished volume makes the Colonial Razors "The General V2" fast and precise.
In the hollow area of the neck and under the nose it is much simpler.
And with equal comfort, I find it slightly more effective than V1.
Thanks to the small but fundamental changes in the positioning of the blade.
Improving angle, feedback and feeling of use.

The Kai ProTuoch really make the difference.
Clearly better than the Schick Proline, in this razor with my technique.
In fact the three passes and touch-ups I find in everything definitely better.

With extreme stubbornness, and definitely wanting to find a new imperfect detail, I must point out the tips of the topcap.
As for the pins, it is not a defect, since it is irrelevant from a practical point of view.
But the right angle of the front edges, in a point where the blade is also rounded, I do not find it logical.
And in general for a luxury-end instrument it is equally unexpected.
However it is just a matter of feeling less pleasant to the touch.
Even during cleaning he did not give trouble.

Finally I've found an apt configuration.
The CSB Shaving RL05 resin handle is perfect with the head of the Colonial Razor "The General V2" in steel.
Weight, balance, size, shape: everything in the handle enhances the already excellent qualities of this razor.
It's a pure pleasure !!!

Here my SOTDs. 
https://i.imgur.com/Lo6ryjZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9u9gV1Q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DCNVitE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EF05XJz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nKZ81Fc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/F7kYeGn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jk3T1da.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/A6tMzJ9.jpg

In November 2019, after this review, Colonial Razors told me on its FB page to wait the test about an aluminium 7075 The General V2.

Code:

https://www.facebook.com/colonialrazors/posts/1731773450288859

Both brothers, Kyle and Kirk Evans (owners), liked the comment about the original handle shape.
So I'm waiting for a Colonial Razors The General V2, made in aluminium alloy 7075, with the original shape as mine V1 in black above.
Unfortunatelly the DFS member Colonial Razors is not active in here.
I'd like just to know what, if, when, the test is going on ...