Yaqi Adjustable V3 (The Final Cut)

Shave report

When testing a new razor, I generally prefer the previous days shave to be with a milder razor. Yesterdays shave was with my Gibbs so today was going to be a real toughie for the Yaqi.

I started on 3 for the ATG pass and then upped it to 4 for the WTG pass. There is some blade-feel but its matched with effeciency. My face has two touch-up areas that need doing and I thought "Why The F... Not" and  overclocked it to the max and buffed them out in a single pass. Its been a few hours and I'm not feeling too much growth.

As with most razors with this design, its a bit head heavy so the balance is slightly below the adjuster dial but really nothing to fuss about.

Overall conclusion.

The basic head design (D89/DE89/R89) is used but a number of manufacturers and is a decent albeit mildish everyday shaver. Yaqi have just given us the ability to open it up on the fly.

For the $35 cost, this is great value for money and I would say that it shoves out the Pearl as the best "bang for buck current adjustable".
Its an excellent shaver.

Lastly, I've been asked by a few of you if I am going to make a new handle for mine.
It certainly doesn't need it, but I probably will do at some point - just because its what I do.

They are sold out but I got one before they did so keep me in mind for a handle please

My Final Cut arrived from China a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. Upon close inspection, I concur with Clouds that this version fixed all of the problems with the two earlier versions (although I kind of liked the creative number sequence of v2). By making sure the bottom knob is locked to the handle, I think it solved the problem with the double adjustment of the previous versions and the current Heritage Prototype. Stronger spring that prevented one side of the adjustment plate from adjusting unevenly is a plus. My only real complaint with this version is that the numbers are not painted, but it is now Winter and so I have a lot of time indoors to add that to my minor projects.

I will not shave with this razor until the weekend as I am currently in a blade challenge on another forum. I will post a shave report at that time.

My Final Cut arrived from China a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. Upon close inspection, I concur with Clouds that this version fixed all of the problems with the two earlier versions (although I kind of liked the creative number sequence of v2). By making sure the bottom knob is locked to the handle, I think it solved the problem with the double adjustment of the previous versions and the current Heritage Prototype. Stronger spring that prevented one side of the adjustment plate from adjusting unevenly is a plus. My only real complaint with this version is that the numbers are not painted, but it is now Winter and so I have a lot of time indoors to add that to my minor projects.

I will not shave with this razor until the weekend as I am currently in a blade challenge on another forum. I will post a shave report at that time.

Nice Les, mine from Australia has made it to California so it's getting closer to KY.......Probably not by Friday though
Expected Delivery by
FRIDAY
17
DECEMBER
2021
Status
Processed Through Facility
December 12, 2021 at 10:23 am

ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS)

2 shaves in and rather disappointed. I find the razor uncomfortable and harsh. Normally, I like more aggressive razors, so I started the first shave at #4, after the first pass, dialled down to #3. Good result but not most comfortable way to get there. The Pearl Flexi remains in my view the best price/quality adjustable.

2 shaves in and rather disappointed. I find the razor uncomfortable and harsh. Normally, I like more aggressive razors, so I started the first shave at #4, after the first pass, dialled down to #3. Good result but not most comfortable way to get there. The Pearl Flexi remains in my view the best price/quality adjustable.

Interesting....exact opposite of Clouds experience. Guess it is the old YMMV

2 shaves in and rather disappointed. I find the razor uncomfortable and harsh. Normally, I like more aggressive razors, so I started the first shave at #4, after the first pass, dialled down to #3. Good result but not most comfortable way to get there. The Pearl Flexi remains in my view the best price/quality adjustable.

Interesting....exact opposite of Clouds experience. Guess it is the old YMMV 

Thoughts on this? Was thinking about ordering one of these missed the opportunities on it the earlier productions each time always like th r89 or merkur closed comb straight bar razor heads but do like my Fatboy / slim razors do have a red tip and flare tip wondering if this would compare to the old adjustables if it was worth it or not or it be a better idea ordering a short handle progress 

Interesting....exact opposite of Clouds experience. Guess it is the old YMMV

Always. There are mixed thoughts locally as well.
We are waiting for yours to arrive and get your views.

Bright09 - Two reviews - two opposite thoughts on it doesn't help anyone so I would wait. They are starting to get to the guys in the USA so we should should start seeing some more reviews pretty soon.
If you are in a rush, the Progress is a great razor.

I finally got a chance to shave with the Yaqi Final Cut tonight. I had continued this as part of my blade challenge on another forum and so the blade was a Kai with 9 shaves on it. The last two shaves with that blade were a little aggressive and so I had to adjust the angle slightly to get less blade feel. Because of that I started my WTG pass with a setting of 4.5 (I usually start most of my Gibbs clones with a setting of 4). The first two strokes immediately told me that maybe that wasn't the best idea as there was significant blade feel and a slight roughness. I immediately dialed down to 4 and it lessened the blade feel and got rid of the roughness totally. After the WTG pass, I could have stopped with just touch up and gotten a DFS+ shave, but I was testing a new razor and my personally set rule for the blade challenge was two passes, and so I did my ATG pass dialed down to 3.25 (which is normal for me). Totally no feel to the pass and I ended up with a clean BBS with almost no touch up.

The shave itself was not a surprise as I have my Clouds modified v2 (the one with the creative numbering), and so I was familiar with the shave. It was nice to be able to not check the plate alignment every time I adjusted the setting to make sure the gap was straight, and definitely good that the system was locked in place so there was not that double adjustment  of the original. For $35, this definitely falls into the "bang for the buck" category, but I still prefer my Pearl Flexi (even though it is more than double the price) only because of the brass construction and for getting things right after just one version (although I would have paid extra if they had a creative numbering adjustment plate).

Yaqi V3 Adjustable arrived today

Tuesday DecemBOAR 21, 2021
Razor: Yaqi V3 Adjustable (The Final Cut)
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: Fluffy Industries 86/Maggards Premium Boar
Soap: Stirling Texas on Fire
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: Stirling Texas on Fire
Fragrance:
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1140

So we are using a new razor today as well as the inaugural shave with the Fluffy Industries 86 Handle with a Maggards 24mm Premium Boar Knot. Using a manly brush like this calls for a Manly Soap Scent and Texas on Fire was summoned for duty. What an amazing shave I had from the brush handle (A heavy Beast) to the 1st use (1 test lather) Boar Knot to the Yaqi Adjustable. The scent was a bonus and will be enjoyed all day as I run the continuing chainsaw massacre on the hillside here.

The Brush: This handle is a heavy beast as I said but it feels great in the hand and looks amazing as well. I put a spit shine on mine and we'll see if I keep it shiny or let patina have it's way. Can't thank Ken enough for his generosity in sharing it and his creativity in his designs. The Knot had a single and short test lather after a hour soak in some water yesterday and lost 1 hair then. Today during the shave, clean up and towel strop it lost...............................again a SINGLE hair. That's amazing for a new boar knot. On top of that it feels soft already with zero pokey feeling and will only get better as it breaks in. This one is a keeper and I'm stoked I got the right knot set in this handle right from the get go.

The Razor: After reading about some saying 4 is a good starting point so I decided to follow suit. I can say I was pleasantly surprised by the shave after several strokes and thought this has some possibility. I can see how it might feel rough if set higher and will need to see as I experiment with it. That said I had a GREAT shave with it. ZERO weepers and ZERO irritation and a glass like finish after 3 passes. This one is a winner for me. Does it beat my Gibbs out ? NO. I had done the pass around with the Rex Ambassador and it to me was harsh. Then the Envoy which is supposed to be the Rex on setting 3. I didn't see that at all as the Envoy gave a great shave. Was the pass around razor before tweaking took place? Has my technique improved since then? I don't know. I don't have a Rex to compare to it now. I do know, I wasn't a new shaver when it was tested and this from memory feels a bunch better. Is the build quality as good? NO. But there is a huge price difference. Some compared it to the Pearl Flexi which I also owned and sold. The build on the Flexi is probably better as well being brass but the weight was crazy heavy on it and the shaves were so so for me. I got a better shave from the Yaqi myself and that's just me. Will be continuing to try other settings as well but setting 4 was a winner for me for comfort and closeness of the shave.
Hope everyone has a Stupendous Day !!!