Wolfman WR1 gap advice please

Well, I had a 61 that I didnt find anything special about it. Didn't try a 67 and like I said, the 74 was "meh" too. The 80, 86, and 94 are the cream of the crop and are all quite smooth.

Not tried the .61 but the .54 is odd in the respect that the SB is comfortable but not amazing but the OC is excellent. The .80 OC is even better, ups the smoothness and efficiency. I do enjoy milder razors and really did expect to be listing the .80 on the BST but I love it.

In the end the only foolproof method is to try everything.

I think we all have our own opinions and experiences with not only Wolfman razors but all razors. I know for me there are certain razors I connect to and others are jut ok to me even though some praise them in post after post for example the RR Gamechanger or the Rockwell 6S as a couple of examples. Personally I like using a wide variety of both modern and vintage, razors that range from mild, moderate to very efficient. I think I’m done chasing the latest and greatest, the rarest or most expensive or the highest gap razor on the market just to say Ive got one. I’m a lot more selective these days on pulling the trigger on a razor. I don’t consider myself a collector any longer but there are razors I know will never leave my den both vintage and modern cause I like them and use them.
I do like reading the experiences that others are having with their razors.

Good luck to the OP on blade gap you choose.

Well, I had a 61 that I didnt find anything special about it. Didn't try a 67 and like I said, the 74 was "meh" too. The 80, 86, and 94 are the cream of the crop and are all quite smooth.

Not tried the .61 but the .54 is odd in the respect that the SB is comfortable but not amazing but the OC is excellent. The .80 OC is even better, ups the smoothness and efficiency. I do enjoy milder razors and really did expect to be listing the .80 on the BST but I love it.

In the end the only foolproof method is to try everything.

Try them all...that was my philosophy in the drop days. It was fun and kept the hobby interesting for a while. Grabbing 1 per month made it somewhat doable. Now, with the wait list, it is nearly impossible. I have little patience although the new system is much more equitable.

A well executed adjustable solves all of those issues, to me. Its just too bad there are few options in that space.

All sort of a mute point for me seeing as how I've used a DE MAYBE once in the last year, but the SS adjustables are too damn heavy for me anyway. Would love a nice design in Ti.

All sort of a mute point for me seeing as how I've used a DE MAYBE once in the last year, but the SS adjustables are too damn heavy for me anyway. Would love a nice design in Ti.

A suitable Ti adjustable is coming in the Rocnel Sailor. If he leaves the geometry alone, the majority of my Ti WR2s will be gone.

I also think, as LOOT said, the smoothness is better at the higher gaps.  I use my WR1 .74 as a daily driver and the .94 when I skip a day or 2.  The .94 is smooth enough to use daily but there is very little to shave after a few days of using the .94

A short while ago I had a conversation with LOOT about WR1 & 2 gap.  I said I’m up with James at any time, he said what are you getting?  Good question, I LOVE a couple of my WR1 base plates, but NOT all of them. He made a good point by saying if you’re shaving 2-3x a week max, you should be chasing efficiency and smoothness.  

My reply doesn’t matter, it’s irrelevant now.  The .80 DC is where the WR1 begins a smoothness the .61 .67 and .74 just doesn’t have. Personally, I would NEVER spend $300USD or $560USD and not get Open and Closed comb together, but that’s “ME.”  To wait in line all that time.....I have to have two different razors on 1 base plate.

My .54 will always have a special place here, it just fits in.....especially if I shave with something REALLY aggressive.  I need the .54 for the second pass which is a touch up of chin and around the lips. I can’t use my Blackbird without a pairing with the .54 Wolfie. IMO, the Blackbird is as efficient as a BBS-1 HOWEVER, smoothness is just not there for “ME.”  If I use the .54 alone, the 30ish degree angle is now null and void too.

What is the .54 like?  Its a cross between a .68 Timeless, CG L1 OC, and AS-D2.  Wrap all that up into 1 and you have the equivalent efficiency of a CG L1.5 (if there was such a beast), smoothness of the Timeless .68 and the “Cannot Nick Youself” speed shaving qualities of the AS-D2. Yes, the AS-D2, the very mild razor no one seems to know how to use.  Well, not everyone. The AS-D2 was not designed for use with an angle of 30, you have to shave at a 45 angle with the AS-D2, and it’s made by Feather for use with a Feather blade.

With all those qualities in 1 plate, the Wolfie .54 is multi-faceted for sensitive skin shavers, speed shavers, fair shavers like me with whiskers of a 17 year old, or the daily shaver that needs to give their face a break from aggressive razors.  You have to play with the angle to find where that blade will slice and dice “YOUR” whiskers.  But isn’t this true for ALL razors? Just because it’s a higher gap plate doesn’t mean you don’t have to find “YOUR” optimal angle of shave. Isn’t that what good technique is all about, finding what works for you and your quest for BBS?

With all that said; the WR1 .54 and .80 are keepers. I can use the .80 twice a week but not a third day, there just isn’t anything there to shave.

I’d have to agree with LOOT James on this one. In the WR1 head as the gap goes up the razor gets smoother.

I had an 80 OC, 86 DC and then got the 94.DC and when I first heard that I thought he was nuts as that’s not normally the way it goes but after having all 3 at the same time I had to concur that the . 86 was smoother than the . 80 and the . 94 was smoother than the .86.

Thanks LOOT Shavemd Dragonsbeard

Would you recommend the OC over the SB in the .86 and .94 gaps?

I’m curious to know why you wouldn’t order an .86 or .94 dualie and call it a day? Why not get 2 razors for the price of one? Let’s pretend 1 side is horrible and doesn’t work for you after you take delivery?  How do you know if it’s the OC or SB side that you really love if you only have 1 or the other? Think desert island, 1 razor, lol.

Which WR1 gap would suit me more ..74, .80 or .86? Some of My Favorite Razors include Wolfman Wr2 1.25, Charcoal Goods Lvl2, Timeless.95, Carbon Cx++, and Diamondback?? Any insight would help immensely. Prefer a daily shaver or every other day shaver, highly efficient but not at the expense of smoothness. Thank you.

I haven't shaved with an .80, but if you favor a Lv2, a Timless .95, I'd say .74 would be pleasing to you. Feel wise it is similar to my WR2 1.25 OC. I know that doesn't seem logical, but I find the 1.25 rather mild but efficient.

As for the .94 ... I had to shave with it repeatedly to 'get it.' It is much more blade forward IME, and while it does a great job, I don't think it could suit me as a daily driver. 

Of course we are not all playing with the same deck of cards. YMMV is the rule rather than the exception. 

Thanks for the feedback Jimmy. I appreciate it. What razors or blade feel would you compare .86 to? And can You run it daily?

I’d have to agree with LOOT James on this one. In the WR1 head as the gap goes up the razor gets smoother.

I had an 80 OC, 86 DC and then got the 94.DC and when I first heard that I thought he was nuts as that’s not normally the way it goes but after having all 3 at the same time I had to concur that the . 86 was smoother than the . 80 and the . 94 was smoother than the .86.

Thanks LOOT Shavemd Dragonsbeard

Would you recommend the OC over the SB in the .86 and .94 gaps?

I’m curious to know why you wouldn’t order an .86 or .94 dualie and call it a day? Why not get 2 razors for the price of one? Let’s pretend 1 side is horrible and doesn’t work for you after you take delivery?  How do you know if it’s the OC or SB side that you really love if you only have 1 or the other? Think desert island, 1 razor, lol.

Thank you My Friend for convincing me to get Dual Comb, I was leaning towards OC based on feedback reviews from others but getting dual comb makes More sense to me. So I narrowed my choices to 1) Darwin handle 2) Dual Comb (Dc) 3) Hardest choice is gap now for me, narrowed it down to 2 gaps -.80 or .86? Any feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks Gents

I’m curious to know why you wouldn’t order an .86 or .94 dualie and call it a day? Why not get 2 razors for the price of one? Let’s pretend 1 side is horrible and doesn’t work for you after you take delivery?  How do you know if it’s the OC or SB side that you really love if you only have 1 or the other? Think desert island, 1 razor, lol.

That would still mean getting 2 razors. The DC to test both sides and then the OC or SB that works best. I've already tried that with my .54 DC.