What are your razors that live up to the hype and those don't?

My list goes like this.

Worth the hype

DE

1. Wolfman WR2
2. Charcoal Goods Lvl2
3. Pardigm Diamondback
4. Rockwell 6S

SE

1. Blackland Sabre
2. Colonial General V1, V2


Overhyped

DE

1. Rocnel Sailor 2020

 too heavy and expensive. Its finishing doesn't match less expensive razors. not so distinctive shaving quality compared to the premium razors produced today. 

2. ATT S1

Despite so many compliments on the razor, I don't see any exceptional shaving quality of the razor. Just another average razor.

3. All of the Gillette Adjustable.

I'd had all of them except some ultra expensive examples like 5 dial toggle or Bottom Dial. Their construciton quality is no doubt top notch but their shaving quality is not something worth raving about. For me, the best of the bunch is not Toggle or Fatboy but SA, which is just an average razor.


SE

1. Asylum RX

One of the best looking razor ever made. I really wanted to love the razor but it presented me too much blade feel. Some love the razor because of its high efficiency but if a razor is that blade forwarded, it is no wonder that it is super efficient. 

2. Gem Micromatic

Same reason as Asylum RX

I also want to add Mongoose but nobody talks about the razor anymore. The hype seems to have settled down.

Nice list but I have to disagree with you on the 2020 Sailor. Yes its expensive and heavy but it is built like a tank and shaves like a dream. But as many say YMMV.

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That's easy in that every artisan razor I have used shaved me no better than various vintage Gillette DE or any Schick injector razors. The emperor has no clothes.

For me, the quality of the shave is the single most important metric, but there are other factors as well.  Shaving has continued to evolve, and has grown beyond Gillette’s astonishing legacy.  So, The type and quality of the material(s) used, the level of finish, the artistry in the design, the “inventiveness” of the design, the balance and feel in the hand, the aesthetics, the “value”of the product (which is a multifaceted metric that tries to capture and things like price and availability, the business ethics of the manufacturer, and the “quality” of the product), the presentation and packaging.  Each of these metrics has a different weight/importance.  Some have little weight, for me.  Also, sometimes the “hype” is exactly that: all sizzle and no steak.  So “living up to the hype” might not exactly be a good thing.  For purposes of this thread, however, I am assuming the OP uses the word hype to describe valid positive reviews. 

For me, some examples of modern razors that are worthy of that sort of hype are.  Charcoal Goods, Level 2; Paradigm 17-4 and Titanium II, and 2020 Diamondback; Timeless Titanium 0.95 SB; Wolfman SS WR1 0.61 OC, and WR2 SS 1.05 SB w/WRH2 hollow; Colonial Silversmith; Razorock GC84P; Edwin Jagger DE89.  Oh, definitely also the Blackland Blackbird and the H&S N075 mixed metal.  Caveats: This list is today’s snapshot; my views will continue to evolve as I gain experience. And, of course, YMMV.

IMO the Wolfman WR1 is an overrated and overpriced razor (I've never tried the WR2).  Both the Haircut & Shave Co. P076 and the Carbon Razor Co .68 outperform it, and at a much lower price.  However if you want a shiny jewel and you've got a lot of money, then by all means buy a Wolfman; it's got the bling.  

OTOH if you want a superbly efficient CNC machined razor at a reasonable price, that looks like a tool not a jewel, then there's none better than the Yates Precision Machine 921; either M plate or H plate, as suits you.  You won't be disappointed.

Disagree with the OP: for me the Fatboy is one of the best shaving DEs I’ve ever tried.

Pry these from my cold dead hands:
Karve Christopher Bradley in brass.
Blackbird SB in brass.

Excellent razors:
Tatara Nodachi in black
Parker Variant
Charcoal Goods level 2 in brass.
Razorock GC .84 and .68
Haircut and Shave mixed metal PO76
Blackland Dart
Aristocrat


Underwhelming razors:
Anything by Classic Shaving
Henson Aluminum or Ti
ATT Bronze
ATT Windsor
Timeless Ti
Timeless bronze

Overhyped

By far that is the Gillette Fat Boy. If it works for you that is one thing but is another when people tell you it is the greatest thing since sliced bread and then go on to disparage a Gillette Slim for performance at the same time. Either they never used a Slim or don't know what they are doing or talking about since the Slim and Fatboy are shave wise almost the same. The Slim's lowest setting is roughly equivalent to the 2 setting on a Fatboy and so on and so forth for the settings except the 9 on the Slim which is more aggressive than the 9 on a Fatboy.

One razor that isn't talked about much these days since it is no longer the flavor of the week is the Rex Ambassador. I think it does live up to the hype it got initially. IIRC the stated aim was to make a better version of a Gibbs adjustable. It performs like and as good or even better than a Gibbs adjustable. That is also exactly what it is from a build standpoint, the handle isn't fragile like a Gibbs, the adjustment knob is calibrated unlike a Gibbs and most importantly you don't need to modify blades like you do with a Gibbs. It maybe pricey for a lot of people but it does deliver what it was set out to do.

I love watching these threads/debates as there is NEVER agreement because it is different for everyone. I already see ones I agree with that others don't and vice versa. And everyone thinks if you don't agree with them you don't know how to shave..........I'll refrain and watch from the cheap seats 

IMO the Wolfman WR1 is an overrated and overpriced razor (I've never tried the WR2).  Both the Haircut & Shave Co. P076 and the Carbon Razor Co .68 outperform it, and at a much lower price.  However if you want a shiny jewel and you've got a lot of money, then by all means buy a Wolfman; it's got the bling.  

OTOH if you want a superbly efficient CNC machined razor at a reasonable price, that looks like a tool not a jewel, then there's none better than the Yates Precision Machine 921; either M plate or H plate, as suits you.  You won't be disappointed.

I've never tried the Wolfman, but I have to agree with the positive opinion of the Yates 921. It's a real bargain.