So this arrived yesterday (Australian time) and I had my first shave with it a few hours ago...
Wolfman first impressions shave!
No point in beating around the bush. This razor is special. Some of that comes from the relative rarity (though becoming more common obviously), and some comes from the quality of craftsmanship that James DuFour provides (even on the ‘budget’ model, and the remainder of the experience is made up of the shave itself.
As prevadvised, my razor has the 1.05mm gap and paired with the solid H2 handle. I was bouncing around before finalising the order on whether to go for the standard gap, or up 1 or 2 levels, as well as whether to get the handle hollowed out. I confirmed my order to James and a few hours later, revised my order completely to which he was more than happy to do for me. A true customer service based person in my dealings with him.
So after putting the Polsilver blade from yesterday into the new razor, lathering up with some well known and familiar soap, I put the razor against my face.
Wow!
Finding the correct angle was simple, or in other words, is there a wrong angle? I don’t think so...
The weight of the razor was heavy, but not overly so that it was too much. In fact I became to enjoy the added weight over my other razors.
I did my normal two pass plus touch ups shave. Firstly all WTG, then a XTG/ATG hybrid, crisscross pattern on my neck, and ATG on cheeks. The audible feedback on the first pass was much higher than my karves and effortless to use. The second pass, as I have read in many reports, magically smooths out compared to pass 1. Don’t ask me why, or how, but it was. The razor just glides over the face and takes every whisker away with it. Rinsing under the tap, it cleans away without issue.
After two passes, and only because I wanted to keep using the razor, I went looking for some pick up spots. Any here? Nope- all clean. How about in this spot? Nah no need to go over that spot. Under the nose? Sure I can do some light touch ups there! But there was so little to have to go back over. Even under my chin, which has some stubborn areas, was BBS.
Colour me impressed!
Keeping in mind that this is purely my first impressions and over time, things might change, but it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t again thank a random Kiwi for his timing of putting the notice out there that the google form was live and taking responses!
What else can I say? Getting under the nose was easy. No problems there. Loading the blade, again a wonderful experience with a unique method (to me).
Anyone who wants to know anything more, hit me up and I’d be happy to provide my thoughts!
Take care!