Wolfman WR2 Head Discussion

The Wolf arrived on Monday.   To put in context it's my first WM and like many I wrestled with the which gap to choose conundrum. Having the benefit of reading this thread multiple times and the input based from many members I chose the 1.25 SB. I couldn't resist having the head in Mirror Polish. For the WR2 and stand in i chose Basic polish.  The mirror polish is, as more than one person has posted, like jewelry. Absolutely a work of art. I decided the inaugural shave would also be the first for a new Paladin along with GD Pre - Shave, Mandarin Bay and a new Polsliver, which is my blade of choice when trying a new razor. I must admit there was a bit of caution as the 1.25 would be the most aggressive razor in the den. Let's get right down to it - best shave of my life.  It just skated WTG, XTG, AGT so smoothly. Almost no blade feel except for ATG which I expected. No issues under the nose where it can somewhat tight, no irritation and finding the right the angle was intuitive. Basically, it was an amazing first date. The second shave just as good as the first. What I find somewhat funny and equally scary is that before I even finished the first shave I thought that I can easily handle a higher gap. (Let's see what happens when I try a feather.) Bring on the 2020 Ti google form!!! If the 1.25 was the highest gap James offered this would be my grail. I am one very very happy shaver and all the hoops and anticipation in getting a WM was well worth it. I echo what others have said about the higher gaps - do not be afraid that you will slice your carotid artery, bleed out on your cold bathroom floor and the last words you will hear is your better half saying I told you this shaving thing will be the end of you. Now for a few money shots:

Congrats on the new Wolf, Michael. He musta done a little extra polish on the handle and stand. They look very close to mirror, from NC.

Get a 155 when he opens a Ti order form. You'll be set. The 125 is a great gap. I've been gravitating to it a lot recently. Good blade feel and it cuts very close. The SB has no trouble going through multiple days growth...and as you noted, nonthreatening. That head checks a lot of boxes, for me.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I am no expert, nor a rocket scientist, but this business of the 1.15 being 'neutral' blade exposure ? If James says so I guess it is ... but ... I shaved with my WR2 DC 1.15OC/1.25SB this evening. A 3rd use Feather blade. Did my customary WTG with the 1.15, ATG with the 1.25.

It may be neutral, but the 1.15 cut through 3 days of growth like Grant took Richmond, and there was plenty of blade feel. In a good way.

I did not feel an appreciable difference in blade feel between the 1.15 OC and the 1.25 SB. IIRC the 1.25 is listed as 'aggressive' on the site ?

Anyway ... this stuff may as well be rocket science with all the numbers, I only know what works for me and what it feels like. 

I am no expert, nor a rocket scientist, but this business of the 1.15 being 'neutral' blade exposure ? If James says so I guess it is ... but ... I shaved with my WR2 DC 1.15OC/1.25SB this evening. A 3rd use Feather blade. Did my customary WTG with the 1.15, ATG with the 1.25.

It may be neutral, but the 1.15 cut through 3 days of growth like Grant took Richmond, and there was plenty of blade feel. In a good way.

I did not feel an appreciable difference in blade feel between the 1.15 OC and the 1.25 SB. IIRC the 1.25 is listed as 'aggressive' on the site ?

Anyway ... this stuff may as well be rocket science with all the numbers, I only know what works for me and what it feels like. 

I always shave with a minimum of 3 days growth as well and gaps 1.05, 1.15, and 1.25 all in SB handle the growth perfectly. The 1.15 has been getting the most attention lately and I agree that it has ample blade feel wether it be neutral exposure or otherwise. Just a touch more blade feel in the 1.25 but the overall feel during the shave is very similar. The only time the difference becomes overly obvious between the two is at the 24hour mark post shave where the increased efficiency of the 1.25 can be felt. All gaps are super comfortable to shave with.

Darktrader Michael

Congrats on your first Wolfman and it sure is a beauty!
Definitely try some different blades in it.

Great shaves my friend!

You guys are making me a bit worried about my choice for the .95, others said that gap is similar to the Timeless .68 and CG Level 2 for efficiency.

I am no expert, nor a rocket scientist, but this business of the 1.15 being 'neutral' blade exposure ?

+1
All these terms mean little to me....I do know when you place a 1.15 against the skin, the beard will disappear
smoothly and efficiently.

I googled neutral exposure just for kicks and it said:

"Neutral blade exposure occurs when the blade sits precisely at the juncture where the blade plane crosses the Shave plane. This is an ideal position that offers an oh-so-close shave with minimal risk of nicks, cuts, and scrapes."

That doesn't make the 1.15 a mild or timid razor...just an exceptionally safe and comfortable one.

What I did learn is that you certainly don't want negative blade exposure which makes it hard to get a close shave.
Nor do you want too positive a blade exposure which can make a razor overly aggressive.

After eyeballing the blade in the 1.1.5 and the 1.55, I would have to say that the exposure of the 1.55 isn't a whole lot
more than the 1.15....the 1.55 has a tad more blade feel which I suspect is due to the increased gap, not so much the exposure.

You guys are making me a bit worried about my choice for the .95, others said that gap is similar to the Timeless .68 and CG Level 2 for efficiency.

It is similar to the 68. I have never used the CG so I can't comment on it.

When exploring the limits of a new razor I alway go up in sharpness to find the right pairing. Start with the Polsilvers, swap out for a Kai, then a Feather. I am expecting some Wizamet Super Iridium's tomorrow. The last time I used one was when I trying to find my first blade a few years ago when I got curious about my Goodwill that I inherited. The first step on the long march into the future. I decided that the real holy grail in this hobby of ours is to finally find ones perfect set up and then, and only then, reap the ever elusive saving money thing by not using carts. That's my story and I am sticking with it counselor.

You guys are making me a bit worried about my choice for the .95, others said that gap is similar to the Timeless .68 and CG Level 2 for efficiency.

I haven't tried a .95 in a WR2, but I can say the CG Lv 2, and the Timeless .68 are equivalent on my particular face. 

So the WR2 .95 will probably suit you just fine. 

I've knocked the Lv 2 in the past, though other very experienced wet shavers have praised it. 

I dug mine out the other day. I had shaved the night before and had some stubble at the 3 PM hour, so I loaded a Wizamet and shaved. 

It did the trick. I guess my 'problem' with it is a lack of blade feel and aggressiveness. 

Precisely what others like about the Lv 2 is what I do not like.

Speaking of the SB. The Lv 2 OC is fine for me. Different strokes for different folks.

THE MAIL MAN COMETH!

My Wr2 Darwin arrived a day early from 9/6 order.

As ever from JD, a superb polish on this Razor,
This is a 1.05 - 1.45 Dual SB....