Post by spidey9 on Mar 4, 2017 17:10:40 GMT -6
For many years there were no modern SE's. Anyone wanting a single edge razor was forced to go vintage. Not necessarily a bad thing, since vintage SE's were (and continue to be) plentiful and cheap, not to mention excellent shavers. Still, any time there is a market, real or perceived, products will soon follow.
For anyone who has been on an island with no Internet for the past few years, here is a brief summary of what is available.
Above is an assortment of modern SE's, most with custom handles.
It started with the Cobra, around late 2008 or so. This was the first safety razor to use the the Feather Artist Club style blade, originally intended for the Artist Club razors, which are essentially straight razors with replaceable blades. Actually, it was the first new single edge razor of any type to appear in many years.
These blades are quite possibly the sharpest blades on the planet and have great longevity. The only blade I can compare them to would be the Personna 74 Tungsten injector which are next to impossible to find. It is doubtful that the current crop of razors would exist had these AC blades not been so good. In construction they're similar to an injector blade but about 1/2" longer.
Another advantage of the AC blades is that they are available in several levels of aggressiveness - it's almost like having an an adjustable razor.
The Cobra was manufactured in small quantities and has always been difficult to obtain. It was only a matter of time until competitors appeared.
First there was the Mongoose (note the clever name relative to the Cobra) in 2013. While the Cobra might have been a descendant of the injector razor, the Mongoose was a classic 3 piece design modified to take the AC blade. Like the Cobra it was manufactured in limited quantities and acquiring one entailed getting on a list and waiting.
Last year the floodgates opened. We saw the release of the Hawk, the General, the Alumigoose, El Jefe, the ATT SE1 and SE2, the Asylum Rx, the Claymore and the Rocnel SE50. Even better, the price barrier was broken, with the Hawk starting at a mere $25.
Here is a brief description of each, listed from least aggressive to most, more or less.
Alumigoose - Aluminum version of the Mongoose. The currently available version (V2) is quite mild. Currently sold out but more expected. Available in satin or matte black finishes, around $100.
Razorock Hawk - AC shaving on a budget. All aluminum, similar to Alumigoose, available in satin or black, $25. A stainless steel version is being introduced. Currently sold out but more expected.
The General from Colonial Razors - All aluminum with a curved cap available in satin or black. I find the General to be somewhat more aggressive than the Hawk or Alumigoose, but still buttery smooth and forgiving. $59. Satin heads are available as of this writing for $25. Brass and stainless steel versions are in the works.
Mongoose - all stainless steel, in the middle of the aggression scale, $180.00. At least one retailer has some heads available.
Above The Tie SE1/SE2 - Single edge razor with curved cap from Above The Tie, also moderately aggressive. SE2 is an open comb version, the only open comb razor of this type available, and is more aggressive. $185, several handles available (or head only), available now from ATT and other retailers.
Ikon El Jefe - AC blade razor from Ikon, it had a problem with undersize blade tabs, requiring a little fiddling to get the blade aligned properly. Sold as "blems" for $20 head only. Currently unavailable, future status uncertain.
Claymore - Heavy stainless steel 3 piece made in the UK. I've never owned or used one of these so I cannot comment further.
Rocnel SE50 - Very heavy stainless steel razor from Turkey, featuring a unique sliding mechanism. Like the Claymore I've never owned or handled one so cannot comment further.
Cobra Classic - Old school construction (cast brass, heavily nickel plated) and quite aggressive. The King Cobra was similar with a removable handle. Currently unavailable, future production uncertain at best. Expect to pay $300 or more if you are lucky enough to find one on the used razor market.
Asylum Rx - High end razor from Bullgoose Shaving, precisely machined from stainless steel with a channel design that locks the blade like a bank vault. Possibly the most aggressive razor of this type, it can bite if you get careless or lose focus. Currently available from Bullgoose for $230.
There you have it: a Whole New World of single edge shaving. As always, aggressiveness ratings are highly subjective and YMMV.
--Bob
For anyone who has been on an island with no Internet for the past few years, here is a brief summary of what is available.
Above is an assortment of modern SE's, most with custom handles.
It started with the Cobra, around late 2008 or so. This was the first safety razor to use the the Feather Artist Club style blade, originally intended for the Artist Club razors, which are essentially straight razors with replaceable blades. Actually, it was the first new single edge razor of any type to appear in many years.
These blades are quite possibly the sharpest blades on the planet and have great longevity. The only blade I can compare them to would be the Personna 74 Tungsten injector which are next to impossible to find. It is doubtful that the current crop of razors would exist had these AC blades not been so good. In construction they're similar to an injector blade but about 1/2" longer.
Another advantage of the AC blades is that they are available in several levels of aggressiveness - it's almost like having an an adjustable razor.
The Cobra was manufactured in small quantities and has always been difficult to obtain. It was only a matter of time until competitors appeared.
First there was the Mongoose (note the clever name relative to the Cobra) in 2013. While the Cobra might have been a descendant of the injector razor, the Mongoose was a classic 3 piece design modified to take the AC blade. Like the Cobra it was manufactured in limited quantities and acquiring one entailed getting on a list and waiting.
Last year the floodgates opened. We saw the release of the Hawk, the General, the Alumigoose, El Jefe, the ATT SE1 and SE2, the Asylum Rx, the Claymore and the Rocnel SE50. Even better, the price barrier was broken, with the Hawk starting at a mere $25.
Here is a brief description of each, listed from least aggressive to most, more or less.
Alumigoose - Aluminum version of the Mongoose. The currently available version (V2) is quite mild. Currently sold out but more expected. Available in satin or matte black finishes, around $100.
Razorock Hawk - AC shaving on a budget. All aluminum, similar to Alumigoose, available in satin or black, $25. A stainless steel version is being introduced. Currently sold out but more expected.
The General from Colonial Razors - All aluminum with a curved cap available in satin or black. I find the General to be somewhat more aggressive than the Hawk or Alumigoose, but still buttery smooth and forgiving. $59. Satin heads are available as of this writing for $25. Brass and stainless steel versions are in the works.
Mongoose - all stainless steel, in the middle of the aggression scale, $180.00. At least one retailer has some heads available.
Above The Tie SE1/SE2 - Single edge razor with curved cap from Above The Tie, also moderately aggressive. SE2 is an open comb version, the only open comb razor of this type available, and is more aggressive. $185, several handles available (or head only), available now from ATT and other retailers.
Ikon El Jefe - AC blade razor from Ikon, it had a problem with undersize blade tabs, requiring a little fiddling to get the blade aligned properly. Sold as "blems" for $20 head only. Currently unavailable, future status uncertain.
Claymore - Heavy stainless steel 3 piece made in the UK. I've never owned or used one of these so I cannot comment further.
Rocnel SE50 - Very heavy stainless steel razor from Turkey, featuring a unique sliding mechanism. Like the Claymore I've never owned or handled one so cannot comment further.
Cobra Classic - Old school construction (cast brass, heavily nickel plated) and quite aggressive. The King Cobra was similar with a removable handle. Currently unavailable, future production uncertain at best. Expect to pay $300 or more if you are lucky enough to find one on the used razor market.
Asylum Rx - High end razor from Bullgoose Shaving, precisely machined from stainless steel with a channel design that locks the blade like a bank vault. Possibly the most aggressive razor of this type, it can bite if you get careless or lose focus. Currently available from Bullgoose for $230.
There you have it: a Whole New World of single edge shaving. As always, aggressiveness ratings are highly subjective and YMMV.
--Bob