Wolfman WR2 Head Discussion

Update #2 - Decided to go 3 shims to make my WR2 1.15, a simulated 1.45.  Decided to only go 3 shims vs 4, due to many said there is a marked difference between 1.35 and 1.45.  Now into the shave:

The "1.45" definitely steps up a good notch on blade feel over the 1.35, as well in the aggressive feel during the shave (i was shaving a bit more cautious with this one, vs the brainless shave I could do with the "1.35".  Nonetheless, the 1.45 did not bite at all during the shave, it was just after the shave that I felt my face was a bit raw for about 20 mins after the shave.  This raw feeling lasted very little but it was accompanied by a Straight Razor-like BBS. After the 20 mins, all I feel is baby smooth face and I'm even wondering if the shave is so close, that I might not even grow hair again lol  

I have gotten a few Barber shaves and this would be the equivalent to that, from memory. No other DE razor has come close to this feeling, ever. (Note: I also noted the shims got a bit separated once I closed the Cap and locked the handle, so this 1.45, might be a bit more, like 1.50).

I'm so glad I only did 3 shims, now I can 100% attest the 1.45 would be my maximum upper limit on the WR2. There is no way to shave deeper than this.  Now I have narrowed my decision between 1.35 SB or 1.45 SB (or maybe a DC 1.35/1.45).

I strongly recommend to all owners of the WR2 to use shims to get an idea of how a higher gap would feel and/or perform on your face. 

I will do a few more alternate shaves between the simulated 1.35 and 1.45 to get to a final decision after.  This has been so much fun for me!

Also wanted to do a brief comparison of the simulated 1.35 and 1.45 vs the mighty Blackbird, since I know is a much-requested comparison.

The 1.35 has bit less blade feel than the blackbird, but slightly more efficient (longer-lasting BBS, bit closer shave)

The 1.45 has maybe a bit more blade feel than the blackbird (just by a touch) but its smoother during the shave. Of course, is much more efficient than the blackbird.

So in terms of Blade feel, a Blackbird would be akin to a "1.40" in the WR2; in terms of shave results and efficiency, the blackbird would be akin to a "1.30" in the WR2. That would be my best estimate. Given that, people that love the blackbird will equally love either 1.35 or 1.45 for sure.

So shimming for sure accurately recreates the higher gap experience, or is it not actually accurate but more a ballpark feel of how the higher gaps would perform?

Nonetheless, the 1.45 did not bite at all during the shave, it was just after the shave that I felt my face was a bit raw for about 20 mins after the shave. 

It's possible the rawness occurred due to the pressure being applied to the razor. I use the 1.45 and even the 1.55 pretty mindlessly,
even atg on the upper lip and it has been smooth sailing. Maybe go extreme light touch and see what happens.

Nonetheless, the 1.45 did not bite at all during the shave, it was just after the shave that I felt my face was a bit raw for about 20 mins after the shave. 

It's possible the rawness occurred due to the pressure being applied to the razor. I use the 1.45 and even the 1.55 pretty mindlessly,
even ate on the upper lip and it has been smooth sailing. Maybe go extreme light touch and see what happens.

Could be! But it was just a few mins so i don't mind at all, due to the huge benefit of getting this close of a shave. There was 0 irritation, this raw feeling Could have been the effect of a super close shave mixed with the natural skin drying properties of any soap and AS, as i have super dry skin). Really loved both the 1.35 and 1.45!

11/19 order just came up. 1.55 wr2 DC, wrh1 100mm.  hope it's not too much

That's a great razor but I would recommend you get the handle hollowed because the WRH1 could be very heavy as I already have that and I wish I would have ordered it hollow

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I love my heavy wrh2xl. I don't want it light

So shimming for sure accurately recreates the higher gap experience, or is it not actually accurate but more a ballpark feel of how the higher gaps would perform?

I've never shimmed a razor. I believe it is unlikely that the shimming can reproduce the higher gap with enough accuracy to reproduce the exact feel of the higher gapped razor. I'd be very surprised if that were the case. IMHO.

That's a great razor but I would recommend you get the handle hollowed because the WRH1 could be very heavy as I already have that and I wish I would have ordered it hollow

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I love my heavy wrh2xl. I don't want it light

So shimming for sure accurately recreates the higher gap experience, or is it not actually accurate but more a ballpark feel of how the higher gaps would perform?

I've never shimmed a razor. I believe it is unlikely that the shimming can reproduce the higher gap with enough accuracy to reproduce the exact feel of the higher gapped razor. I'd be very surprised if that were the case. IMHO.

I completely agree with you, my friend. I think shimming is maybe fun for those who do it, but not at all representative of the actual razors they’re attempting to replicate.

Here's my latest two mods. A CG handle with a partial antique finish, and my WR2 1.55 SB with the WRH3 handle modified to provide a better grip. Crazy ? I dunno, it is mine and I like the performance better this way. 

Very good experience, thank you for sharing!