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Weekly Razor Review

Errol said:
RazoRock Goat (Canada)



As soon as I seen the RazoRock Goat, I’m thinking that this is a machined Weber if ever I seen one. Sure, the webs across the back of the plate have been deleted but visually there’s not a lot of difference. Razorock themselves acknowledge that the Goat is inspired by the Merkur 34C and as the Weber is modelled off the 34C also, it all stands to reason; one viscous circle. There is one long lather channel along each side of the plate and two closely spaced clamping bars on its top resulting in the blade outside the bars being unsupported. As is normal for Razorock they have engraved the back of the plate with the razors manufacturers name, model, serial number and country of manufacture. A simple knurled handle with a flair at its front was supplied with the razor. Thread engagement is not bad but it’s not good enough to go shouting the praises of RazoRock for their machining. There are machine marks visible under the polished finish but overall, the razor is well presented for a budget razor; no attempt has been made to polish the machine marks from under the cap.

Both the Weber and the Merkur 34C delivered memorable shaves so here’s hoping some of their shaving capability has rubbed off on the Goat. It did, and it’s even better. Efficiency has been stepped up to be just under Karve CB level #D and there is more blade feel, right in this little boy’s sweet spot. There was no need for touch ups and the whole experience was both smooth and comfortable. One thing the Goat did not do was to jump out of gear on the upstrokes on the neck, that made it a pleasure to use. It’s one of the better budget razors that I’d be quite content to continue using and never touch another razor, but I will.

Blades Used – Royal II and Gillette Minora

Material – Stainless Steel

Weight – 88.8g

Blade Tab – Covered

Head Width – 43.16mm

Handle Length – 81.95mm

Handle Diameter – 12.81mm

Availability – The Italian Barber

Final Word – Simple and effective
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Hey @Errol did you order a Yaqi Pilot is another 34C clone for you to review
 
@Errol, nice review on the Goat and your pics always make those razors look super desirable. I preferred the Goat Plus as it was more efficient and will await the ++ before i get one of my own.

I do have the Yaqi Pilot and it shaves super close but different from the 34. The one I like best is the Merkur INOX 1896, beautiful shaver with a fine balance of smoothness and efficiency. It is funny how so many came out with their SS versions of the 34 and they all have their own charm but the original 34 in SS is fantastic and even slays their humble zinc alloy baby shaver and the 34 S.
 
Gargravarr said:
Hey, give the poor man a break, he must be sick of reviewing baby shavers by now :LOL:
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Bladerunner7 said:
your pics always make those razors look super desirable
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Thanks @Bladerunner7 Most of my photos are take around my home area but that particular photo was taken just south of Collarenebri off the Newell Highway. Part of my pleasure of this whole experience is taking photos as I travel around.

SpeedyPC said:
Hey @Errol did you order a Yaqi Pilot is another 34C clone for you to review
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@SpeedyPC I didn't order the Pilot but that 34C in stainless steel has certainly captured my attention.
 
Errol said:
Thanks @Bladerunner7 Most of my photos are take around my home area but that particular photo was taken just south of Collarenebri off the Newell Highway. Part of my pleasure of this whole experience is taking photos as I travel around.
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it's a Beaut Errol, lovely setting.

Errol said:
@SpeedyPC I didn't order the Pilot but that 34C in stainless steel has certainly captured my attention.
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The 34 INOX SS is Nicely built and what the razor should have been originally. I always found the Muhle R89 Zamak to have better finishing and character than the 34 C but the INOX version does the razor justice. It is still a very mild shave but a tad bit more efficient due to the choice of metal and weight. You should have one in your den mate.
 
Bladerunner7 said:
Muh Man, there sure is - The Leresche # 77, the Personna Micrometric and the Darwins. it's an unending journey with the Vintage Razors, like a trip back in time over and over again.:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
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@Bladerunner7 No No No not another hole!! :LOL::LOL: Have, tried the Darwin but the other two look interesting, the Leresche IMHO is plain ugly but that Personna Micromatic looks lovely!!
Ps; @Mark1966 back me up vintage Gilletes rule!! :LOL::LOL:
 
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LesC said:
@Bladerunner7 No No No not another hole!! :LOL::LOL: Have, tried the Darwin but the other two look interesting, the Leresche IMHO is plain ugly but that Personna Micromatic looks lovely!!
Ps; @Mark1966 back me up vintage Gilletes rule!! :LOL::LOL:
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Oh absolutely! I have a Darwin, Leresche, Eclipse, Personna Micromatic, but day in and day out Gillette rule the roost.


SpeedyPC said:
Maybe YMMV
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Nah, not in this case. Clear shaving FACT.
 
Hone Type 15 Bronze



Back in 2022 when I reviewed the then new stainless steel version of the Hone Type 15, I foolishly suggested a bronze version. I don’t know that Andrew saw my review or if it was inevitable that a bronze version would be released; whatever – here it is. Andrew is all about the environment and there is no plastic whatsoever in the razor or its packaging. For the packaging, pressed and stacked cardboard has been used to protect the razor and its stand. My first problem was just trying to slide the stacked cardboard out of the sleeve; it did not want to move. Only a few short years ago, I would have simply ripped the packaging to pieces, but the new, now mellowed Errol kicked in and I persevered till I could move it out, there was just as much trouble reassembling it.

Hone razors are built solid and that simply translates to weight; there is no getting away from it, this razor is heavy. As with all Hone razors previously delivered, there is a bead blasted finish, it is dull but with use will patina up. While it is a three piece razor, it does not fit the usual mold of what a three piece razor looks like. There is an extension on the back of the plate that the handle butts up against, necessitating the handle post on the cap to be longer, no handle other than a Hone can be used. Hones are sculptured so the form of the razor moves seamlessly from the underside of the plate to the end of the handle is one continual flowing line. There is just a feint radial line where the handle rests against the shoulder of the plate extension. Different, but it certainly works. Throughout the razor great engineering prowess is displayed, then they go and let the whole process down by allowing sloppy thread engagement.

While the razor is heavy, it is that very weight that contributes so much in the delivery of a controlled and extremely smooth shave. There is no requirement for much downward pressure, the weight of the razor does most of the work, it’s simply about controlling the razor. There is not one machined groove or section of knurling on the whole razor, yet the razor never felt like it was going to slip; the bead blasted finish provides all the necessary required grip. Efficiency was around the Karve CB Level #C and with its well calculated positive blade, the results were creditable. If you are not too concerned about weight, the Hone Type 15 Bronze’s performance is exceptional for a mid-aggressive razor.

Blades Used – Gillette Super Thin and Gillette Nacet

Material – Bronze

Weight – 150g

Blade Tab – Covered

Head Width – 43.88mm

Handle Length – Approx 89.3mm

Handle Diameter – 13.48mm

Availability – Hone

Final Word – Creditable performance
 
@Errol , excellent review as always and a unique razor. I had a friend's Brass version with me for awhile and I was pleasantly surprised with how mild it was yet really efficient. I could hardly feel the blade but the razor shaved close. The WTG was a sheer joy but with 163 grams to deal with, the ATG for me was a challenge. My only gripe was that when going ATG or XTG, the handle was a bit slippery even without any soap residue on my fingers. The razor like the bronze one you've featured was definitely a Gentle Giant.

If I had to get a HONE, the Ti you reviewed awhile back would be the one. Unfortunately it was such a limited run and unobtanium now.
 
Paradigm Copper Diamondback (USA)



I’ve always been at the right place at the right time when it comes to finding the release of Paradigm razors. I seem to stumble onto them by accident and that is exactly how I discovered the Copper Diamondback. Someone had a Ti Diamondback for sale on Ebay at what I thought was an exorbitant price; I’ll check, no Ti listed but there is a Copper version, thank you, I’ll have one of them. I don’t have any copper razors but had been thinking of adding a copper razor to the collection for some time and a Paradigm will fit the bill nicely. Paradigm made it known in their advertisement that the copper Diamondback is a limited edition and that no sealant was used to protect the finish, therefore the razor would patina over time. As I was unpacking the Copper Diamondback I treated each part with Renaissance Wax, hopefully I will now have a sparkling Copper Diamondback for years to come, that rich beauty deserves to be maintained.

These are no visual changes to the copper Diamondback from previous releases of that model. Its distinctive look comes from the hexagonal handle with engraved diamonds strung out along each flat. Thread engagement is as good as you are ever going to get with any razor, a real credit to whoever machined it. There is nothing special about the cap with its radiused top and elongated blade posts on the underside that mate into blind holes in the top of the plate. Two wide blade clamping surfaces that mate with corresponding flats on the plate ensure that when tightened down, that blade is held firm. This lightweight head means only one thing, the handle contributes the majority of the weight of the razor, the copper Diamondback’s weight is well over magical 100g. Paradigm have done a creditable job with the polished finish; it is obviously machined, and the underside of the cap retains its machine marks.

Efficiency was on the high side of Karve CB Level #C and there was just the right amount of positive blade to meet my requirement for the near perfect shave. This efficiency level is higher than I recorded with the stainless steel version, you won’t hear me complain. As with other razors sharing these credentials, the shave was comfortable and certainly smooth. Being handle heavy was a minor impediment, a hole up the end of the handle would have worked wonders for weight reduction and balance of the razor. For such a visually spectacular razor that operates as perfectly as it does, the Paradigm Diamondback has at least one dedicated devotee. It was a little sad when I gave the Copper Diamondback another coat of Renaissance Wax to pack it away.

Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Gillette Super Stainless

Material – Copper

Weight – 124.7g

Blade Tab – Covered

Head Width – 43.01mm

Handle Length – 91.91mm

Handle Across Flats – 11.42mm

Availability – Out of production

Final Word – Highly rated
 
Errol said:
Paradigm Copper Diamondback (USA)



I’ve always been at the right place at the right time when it comes to finding the release of Paradigm razors. I seem to stumble onto them by accident and that is exactly how I discovered the Copper Diamondback. Someone had a Ti Diamondback for sale on Ebay at what I thought was an exorbitant price; I’ll check, no Ti listed but there is a Copper version, thank you, I’ll have one of them. I don’t have any copper razors but had been thinking of adding a copper razor to the collection for some time and a Paradigm will fit the bill nicely. Paradigm made it known in their advertisement that the copper Diamondback is a limited edition and that no sealant was used to protect the finish, therefore the razor would patina over time. As I was unpacking the Copper Diamondback I treated each part with Renaissance Wax, hopefully I will now have a sparkling Copper Diamondback for years to come, that rich beauty deserves to be maintained.

These are no visual changes to the copper Diamondback from previous releases of that model. Its distinctive look comes from the hexagonal handle with engraved diamonds strung out along each flat. Thread engagement is as good as you are ever going to get with any razor, a real credit to whoever machined it. There is nothing special about the cap with its radiused top and elongated blade posts on the underside that mate into blind holes in the top of the plate. Two wide blade clamping surfaces that mate with corresponding flats on the plate ensure that when tightened down, that blade is held firm. This lightweight head means only one thing, the handle contributes the majority of the weight of the razor, the copper Diamondback’s weight is well over magical 100g. Paradigm have done a creditable job with the polished finish; it is obviously machined, and the underside of the cap retains its machine marks.

Efficiency was on the high side of Karve CB Level #C and there was just the right amount of positive blade to meet my requirement for the near perfect shave. This efficiency level is higher than I recorded with the stainless steel version, you won’t hear me complain. As with other razors sharing these credentials, the shave was comfortable and certainly smooth. Being handle heavy was a minor impediment, a hole up the end of the handle would have worked wonders for weight reduction and balance of the razor. For such a visually spectacular razor that operates as perfectly as it does, the Paradigm Diamondback has at least one dedicated devotee. It was a little sad when I gave the Copper Diamondback another coat of Renaissance Wax to pack it away.

Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Gillette Super Stainless

Material – Copper

Weight – 124.7g

Blade Tab – Covered

Head Width – 43.01mm

Handle Length – 91.91mm

Handle Across Flats – 11.42mm

Availability – Out of production

Final Word – Highly rated
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When Paradigm release a stainless steel version again, I'm getting one into my bloody den, unless I can buy one off you @Errol

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