Wolfman WR2 Head Discussion

Thank you!
I should have read this before my response to CK89. 
So, clearly, I will have to sacrifice some comfort to achieve more efficiency with the WR2, which is logical of course. In this light, I might try the 1.45.

I have a 1.55 and it's only a small sacrifice in smoothness for a HUGE gain in efficiency, a trade off I'm more than happy to make.

Well, in that case, I might just go ahead with 1.55.
Thanks!

I love to use my 1.55 with WRH3 hollowed handle. 
The razor is around 80 grams, and makes it very easy to use.

Thank you!
I should have read this before my response to CK89. 
So, clearly, I will have to sacrifice some comfort to achieve more efficiency with the WR2, which is logical of course. In this light, I might try the 1.45.

I have a 1.55 and it's only a small sacrifice in smoothness for a HUGE gain in efficiency, a trade off I'm more than happy to make.

Well, in that case, I might just go ahead with 1.55.
Thanks!

I think either choice will serve you well

In terms of handles, I recall reading that the Darwin is one of the most ergonomic. But at 57g it is significantly lighter than the other solid handles. Is the Darwin hollow?

Can those who’ve been able to compare the SS Darwin with other SS handles please tell me whether it balances well with WR2 and whether there are other handles that balance better?

In terms of handles, I recall reading that the Darwin is one of the most ergonomic. But at 57g it is significantly lighter than the other solid handles. Is the Darwin hollow?

Can those who’ve been able to compare the SS Darwin with other SS handles please tell me whether it balances well with WR2 and whether there are other handles that balance better?

Darwin is not hollow. I am using my WR1 .91 with Darwin handle, it is pretty well balanced. 
When I use high gap aggressive razors, I prefer to have a razor less than 90 grams, to get more control.

WRH3 - 96mm  / 83g (Hollow 48g)
WRH7 - 98mm / 92g (Hollow 56g)
Darwin - 90mm / 57g

In terms of handles, I recall reading that the Darwin is one of the most ergonomic. But at 57g it is significantly lighter than the other solid handles. Is the Darwin hollow?

Can those who’ve been able to compare the SS Darwin with other SS handles please tell me whether it balances well with WR2 and whether there are other handles that balance better?

Darwin is a great handle, not available hollow....if you're very finicky, yes it looks a tad better on WR1 but it works well with WR2.
Also consider XL WRH7 hollow.

To answer your other questions..... people compare RS10 aggressive to somewhere between 1.15 and 1.25 gap.

If you buy the 1.45 you will always be thinking of the 1.55....what could have been...the natural tendency is to start with a small gap and then move upwards.
Nowadays, very hard with his current order system. If you go 1.55 it will be easier to imagine what 1.45, 1.35 etc might feel like.
Doesn't work the same if its the other way around. Just my opinion, of course.

Bear in mind that the SS 1.55 could feel a little less smooth than the same gap in Ti.

If you really want to hedge between RS10 aggressive and 1.55, I reckon the 1.35 would
make a terrific shaver as well. Im 100% sure I could use it everyday, as Ive seen what 1.55
is capable of.

In terms of handles, I recall reading that the Darwin is one of the most ergonomic. But at 57g it is significantly lighter than the other solid handles. Is the Darwin hollow?

Can those who’ve been able to compare the SS Darwin with other SS handles please tell me whether it balances well with WR2 and whether there are other handles that balance better?

Darwin is a great handle, not available hollow....if you're very finicky, yes it looks a tad better on WR1 but it works well with WR2.
Also consider XL WRH7 hollow.

To answer your other questions..... people compare RS10 aggressive to somewhere between 1.15 and 1.25 gap.

If you buy the 1.45 you will always be thinking of the 1.55....what could have been...the natural tendency is to start with a small gap and then move upwards.
Nowadays, very hard with his current order system. If you go 1.55 it will be easier to imagine what 1.45, 1.35 etc might feel like.
Doesn't work the same if its the other way around. Just my opinion, of course.

Bear in mind that the SS 1.55 could feel a little less smooth than the same gap in Ti.

If you really want to hedge between RS10 aggressive and 1.55, I reckon the 1.35 would
make a terrific shaver as well.

Thank you for the lengthy response!

Makes perfect sense about the blade gaps (the constant wondering about what could have been). And, being as difficult as it is to buy one razor in the first place, one does not have the luxury to experiment. And since I’m looking for more efficiency than RS10 AG with as little sacrifice in comfort as possible, and since two here with experience have said that the sacrifice is minimal, I guess will just go with 1.55 and see how that goes.

In terms of the handle, I’m looking for the handle with the best ergonomics and best balance with WR2. I’m not worried about aesthetics. It doesn’t matter whether it’s hollow or not. The reason I asked whether the Darwin was hollow is because it is so much lighter than the other solid handles and I was wondering what the cause may be.

Speaking of weights, the RS10 is 110g in total. And I find the weight ideal for the shave that it provides. As the efficiency increases, should the weight decrease in order to retain control of the shave? In other words, is 110g too heavy for a 1.55 blade gap?

Darwin is lighter because it has a lot of metal cut away from it, to shape the grooves.

For me two things contribute to skin irritation....razor weight and pressure applied by user.
I dont think I can control my hand pressure at all times so I like a lighter razor.

70-80 gms....most UK gillette aristocrats are that weight and it suits me fine.

Ive had not so good experiences with heavy razors like Timeless SS 95.
The new Tradere looks to be a modern classic and the only thing keeping me from it is that
it's heavy....others will probably disagree.

Darwin is a great handle, not available hollow....if you're very finicky, yes it looks a tad better on WR1 but it works well with WR2.
Also consider XL WRH7 hollow.

To answer your other questions..... people compare RS10 aggressive to somewhere between 1.15 and 1.25 gap.

If you buy the 1.45 you will always be thinking of the 1.55....what could have been...the natural tendency is to start with a small gap and then move upwards.
Nowadays, very hard with his current order system. If you go 1.55 it will be easier to imagine what 1.45, 1.35 etc might feel like.
Doesn't work the same if its the other way around. Just my opinion, of course.

Bear in mind that the SS 1.55 could feel a little less smooth than the same gap in Ti.

If you really want to hedge between RS10 aggressive and 1.55, I reckon the 1.35 would
make a terrific shaver as well.

Thank you for the lengthy response!

Makes perfect sense about the blade gaps (the constant wondering about what could have been). And, being as difficult as it is to buy one razor in the first place, one does not have the luxury to experiment. And since I’m looking for more efficiency than RS10 AG with as little sacrifice in comfort as possible, and since two here with experience have said that the sacrifice is minimal, I guess will just go with 1.55 and see how that goes.

In terms of the handle, I’m looking for the handle with the best ergonomics and best balance with WR2. I’m not worried about aesthetics. It doesn’t matter whether it’s hollow or not. The reason I asked whether the Darwin was hollow is because it is so much lighter than the other solid handles and I was wondering what the cause may be.

Speaking of weights, the RS10 is 110g in total. And I find the weight ideal for the shave that it provides. As the efficiency increases, should the weight decrease in order to retain control of the shave? In other words, is 110g too heavy for a 1.55 blade gap?
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I have the RS10 with both mild & AP and I have a WR2 DC 1.25/1.35 in Ti with a WR2 DC 1.45/1.55 also in Ti being shipped tomorrow so if you want me to do a side by side using any of the gaps I’ve mentioned I’d be glad to if it would help you to decide which WR2 gap would be a bit more efficient and without sacrificing to much of the smoothness your used to with the RS 10. It would give me a reason to do a side by side comparison. I can say only by memory ( which I don’t really like to go by as a side by side gives me a much clearer comparison) that my 1.35 SB Ti is definitely more efficient than the RS 10 AP and it is smooth but not as smooth as the RS 10 so it may fit your needs as you said you don’t mind giving up a little smoothness for additional efficiency and that’s pretty much what you’d get with a 1.35 SB. Again this is from memory and a side by side may change all that.

Let me know.

I have a 1.55 and it's only a small sacrifice in smoothness for a HUGE gain in efficiency, a trade off I'm more than happy to make.

Well, in that case, I might just go ahead with 1.55.
Thanks!

I love to use my 1.55 with WRH3 hollowed handle. 
The razor is around 80 grams, and makes it very easy to use.

That's a nice weight !

... I’m looking for more efficiency than RS10 AG with as little sacrifice in comfort as possible, and since two here with experience have said that the sacrifice is minimal, I guess will just go with 1.55 and see how that goes.

This part of your requirement is key....while Im always glad to champion a high gap choice,
I'm not sure the 1.45 and 1.55 translate into "as little sacrifice in comfort as possible"
vs. a RAW RS10 aggressive plate.