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Post by mjclark on Jan 8, 2016 9:15:39 GMT -6
I acquired a Cobra Classic to compare it with the most excellent Mongoose. Like the Wilkinson Empire and ER 1924 it was love at first shave - intuitive, beautiful and an incredible shaver. I'm very interested in other people's experiences with the Cobra Classic. What blade do you use? With a standard Pro blade, the Cobra is like an awesome supercharged E2 but with the Pro Supers it's quite different - lots of blade feel and that exhiliarating sensation of blade flex (like my Spitfire R41). In exchange for the best shaves of my life, all the Cobra asks of me is no pressure. What prep do you use? My Artist Club razors like a nice slick and astringent soap but I've got great results with the Cobra using a moisturising and cushioning cream. And what grip do you use? Although beautiful, the ergonomics of the handle are not intuitive. The notches are at the front but I naturally grip the sides so I'm having to consciously make an adjustment for this. There's no getting away from the interstellar awesomeness of this razor and I'm keen to hear how others use it. So go on, what are your Cobra Classic confessions?
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Post by xxvaleria on Jan 8, 2016 11:53:43 GMT -6
Actually, Marcus, I also prefer the Cobra Classic. To me it shaves like an Injector razor, which I prefer, because of the head geometry. A Mongoose, while a good razor, handles more like a DE. I also have the King Cobra, but I don't like it as much as the Classic. It is really too big and cumbersome and not as nimble as the Classic. I agree that the Classic handle is not at all intuitive, but I have managed to figure it out and now am comfortable with it. You can't hold it with two or three fingers, but it works if you curl your fingers around it a little and always keep a finger or thumb on the serrations of the handle. The blade flex is apparent, but has never caused me any problems. It feels strange, but is quickly gotten used to. All in all, I prefer the Classic to the other two. I have used it with the Feather Pro and Pro Guard blades. It works excellently with both. I haven't tried the Pro Super, but I don't feel any need to.
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Post by mjclark on Jan 9, 2016 6:08:53 GMT -6
Thanks - useful information about the grip. And I agree the Mongoose shaves more like a standard safety razor, especially with the Super blade it reminds me of a big Streamline The Cobra has given me equally excellent shaves with the standard Pro and the Super, but with the Super there's more of that edgey blade flex.
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SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
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Post by SharpSpine on Jan 9, 2016 7:00:36 GMT -6
The blade flex is exactly why I couldn't keep using either of the Cobras. It would give me weepers galore at best, nicks and irritation at worst.
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Post by mjclark on Jan 9, 2016 18:22:29 GMT -6
The blade flex is exactly why I couldn't keep using either of the Cobras. It would give me weepers galore at best, nicks and irritation at worst. Interesting and very much YMMV - I get more noticeable irritation and weepers with the Mongoose. Must be different techniques...
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SharpSpine
Master Shaver
My Flavor Sabre
Posts: 1,151
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Post by SharpSpine on Jan 10, 2016 22:21:19 GMT -6
The blade flex is exactly why I couldn't keep using either of the Cobras. It would give me weepers galore at best, nicks and irritation at worst. Interesting and very much YMMV - I get more noticeable irritation and weepers with the Mongoose. Must be different techniques... More likely different skin/hair combinations.
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Post by mjclark on Jan 11, 2016 1:58:36 GMT -6
Yes - along with prep and technique, I guess skin chemistry is one of the major elements of YMMV, and there's no accounting for that!
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snuff
Shave Master
Posts: 115
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Post by snuff on Jan 11, 2016 3:21:03 GMT -6
In the end all where sold because I still prefer to shave with the same blades but in a Feather DX razor. If I had to choose between the classic, king and mongoose I would say the mongoose was my preferred shave but with a much lighter handle then the standard one.
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Post by mjclark on Jan 11, 2016 4:02:33 GMT -6
In the end all where sold because I still prefer to shave with the same blades but in a Feather DX razor. If I had to choose between the classic, king and mongoose I would say the mongoose was my preferred shave but with a much lighter handle then the standard one. I used a CJB this morning and did find myself thinking "Maybe I should only shave with this razor for the rest of my life because it is simply so excellent!" But I am in love with the Cobra Classic and definitely get a better shave from it than from the Mongoose (which is still excellent). I am told that Mongoose will now no longer ship internationally due to problems with USPS insurance, so that adds twist. And there's a promise of another release of Cobra Classics at the end of the month but that doesn't really mean anything - even if they materialise they will be gone in a heartbeat. I'm in UK so I'm really pleased to have got a new Mongoose but even more pleased to have acquired a Cobra Classic.
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Post by mjclark on Jan 24, 2016 17:06:50 GMT -6
Back to the Classic tonight, but with a new technique: I was reading of someone's experiences with the Cobra Classic when it first appeared in 2009 and they suggested that the received wisdom of letting the razor's weight do the work isn't effective with the Cobra. Instead, they said, use negative pressure, pull back on the weight of the razor and let the blade do the work. So that's what I did tonight and the result was SUPERB!! The grip is making more sense now too - hold it like a bat not a wand. So the new Cobra Classic secret trick is: Make a fist and pull back on the weight
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Post by mjclark on Feb 20, 2016 8:22:18 GMT -6
Back to the Classic: Still experimenting with different grips - I can hold it like a pen for ATG. And shaving cream works so well with this razor.
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Post by mjclark on Mar 22, 2016 2:58:57 GMT -6
Lots of cushion for an amazing shave this morning: And there's a different kind of ergonomics going on with the handle - if I don't think about the grip but just grab it then it all makes sense.
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