Weekly Razor Review

[Errol]

Sbarba Stormbreaker (Italy)



I’ve got this little online friend who’s a real ferret, he’s always trying to sniff out a deal, you will know him as @Bladerunner7 “I’ve got a mate travelling to Italy in a couple of days and I’ve asked him to pick up a Stormbreaker for you. You know, the one we spoke about last year”. News to me, I’d never heard of the Stormbreaker up to that point, but I am getting old and forgetful. One way or another, I’ve ended up with a Stormbreaker in my collection that I’m about to put through its paces. First impressions are of the quality and the satin finish, there are machining marks on the blade clamping surface of the plate, but the remainder of the razor is machine mark free and a pleasing to the optic nerve, satin. A bloke named Bruno is the artisan responsible for the Stormbreaker, and I’m very impressed with the quality of his work, a great looking razor and his thread cutting ability is exceptional. Elongated blade posts are positioned on top of the plate with corresponding blind holes in the cap. There are raised sections at the forward and aft ends of the handle, but the centre is scalloped out in a flowing semi-circle complete with 20mm of cross hatched diamond pattern at its centre. A 6.8mm x 25mm deep hole in the handle is there for its attachment to a stand but it also does a commendable job in reducing weight.

Thank you Glenn, this razor is neigh on perfect for me. With its efficiency at Karve CB Level #D and a well-adjusted amount of positive blade, the shave was both smooth and so very close. For the second blade I chose a Willy’s blade. It was not till I had one shave under the belt with the Willy’s that it suddenly dawned on me that I should not have been such a tight arse and should have chosen a really good blade, something like a Gillette Minora or Wizamet Polsilver, though I cannot imagine a shave being any better than it was. The Stormbreaker done everything right, it is one of those razors where you can put any blade in and it will just continue delivering. Many razors are good but will never be considered great, however the Stormbreaker is a top tier razor, sitting proudly up there with the likes of Blutt and Charcoal Goods in performance. It is a little beauty and deserves to be in wet shaving dens right around the world, I really enjoyed that one. This razor is not generally available outside of Italy so if you’ve got a mate travelling to Italy!

Blades Used – Rapira and Willy’s
Material – 303 Stainless steel
Weight – 89.9g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 45.49mm
Handle Length – 91.16mm
Handle Diameter – 12.92mm
Availability – Sbarba
Final Word – Thoroughly recommended

 

[SpeedyPC]

Image isn't showing up, so I had to google the Sbarba Stormbreaker.

 

[Bladerunner7]

I’ve got this little online friend who’s a real ferret, he’s always trying to sniff out a deal, you will know him as @Bladerunner7 “I’ve got a mate travelling to Italy in a couple of days and I’ve asked him to pick up a Stormbreaker for you.

You saying 'dealmaker' my dear friend, ha ha ha ha ha. When opportunity struck, I had to get one each for us. Like you, I think this is one of the most unique and nicest razors I have used in the last two years. Personally while I've always felt that the Aylsworth Apex SS Plus was like an Overlander on steroids, the SBarba is like an Overlander on a daily diet of Weetbix and Vegemite

 

[mtpedals]

Rockwell Adjustable T2 Stainless Steel (USA)



Rockwell lost me when their original T Model adjustable took over two years to deliver. I think Rockwell wrote the book of excuses for the non-delivery of goods and were up to the third edition before the T model finally eventuated. I’ve never used that razor; it was a bitter pill to swallow. With the thought of another long wait for a razor ringing in my ear, it doesn’t take too much to see that I didn’t jump in boots and all at the release of the first 500 fully stainless steel T2’s, but eventually I put my hand in my pocket. Instead of going down the two bottom plate Gibbs model like most other designers, Rockwell chose to use the Gillette model for their adjustable. Its twist to open mechanism operates very smoothly and the doors open in tandem as expected. When the doors close, a small twist to firmly lock everything would be accepted as normal, not the more than 1 ½ turns the Rockwell takes. No attempt has been made to strip the T2 so I don’t know if it can be stripped or not. All my oiling was done where I thought I might be able to coax oil onto the threads, that worked reasonably well. Engraved around the rotating knob itself are the settings #1 through to #6 and a triangle on the neck of the razor provides the reference point. There should be no issues with reading the settings, they are engraved large and deep. A bead blasted finish provides a durable satin finish that is impressive to look at and is easy to maintain

Rockwell razor blades were enclosed with the packaging. I’ve never used a Rockwell blade previously and intend to keep that record intact, instead I sought out a Gillette Nacet. Old habits die hard, so it was back to setting #4 to start proceedings. Gillette Nacet blades are a respected quality, so I was bowled over when there was only Karve CB level #B efficiency on setting #4, can’t blame the blade. Jack it up to setting #5 and it was still under Karve CB level #C efficiency, setting #6 and it just made Karve CB level #C efficiency, can’t go any further; what a piss poor adjustment range. I have never been a member of the Rockwell Razor Fan Club, and after using their T2 Stainless Steel, that is not about to change anytime soon.

• #2 – Nothing
• #3 – Under Karve CB level #B
• #4 – Karve CB Level #B
• #5 – Under Karve CB Level #C
• #6 - Karve CB Level #C - pleasant amount of blade feel
• There ain’t no more.

Blades Used – Gillette Nacet and Derby Extra
Material – Stainless steel
Weight – 106.8g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 46.75mm
Handle Length – 94.14mm
Handle Diameter – 12.67mm
Availability – Rockwell Razors
Final Word – As useless as an ash tray on a motorbike

Great review, Errol. I laughed outloud when I read your final word. Thanks for all the great information and entertainment in your reviews. Love them!

 

[Errol]

MRed No 4 (France)



That little ferret friend @Bladerunner7 again, “While my mate is in Italy, I will ask him to bring back a MRed No 4 head, do you want one? They have sold out in France but there is still stock in Italy.” Again, I’m taken by surprise, I did not know of the existence of MRed razors, let alone their No 4 head. What can I say but “OK.” Glenn went on to explain that MRed handles were expensive, and I could screw any handle on the No 4 head. That was not my ideal solution so without any difficulty I found the MRed website and went searching through their extensive range of handles. Some of the handles presented were outstanding looking pieces, so I settled on a bog oak handle, and since I could also buy a head for a few Euro’s more, I purchased it with their No1 head. That’s the razor for next week.

It is plated zamac, but what an interesting head the No 4 is. Its satin finished cap sits inside extended end pieces on the polished plate, it looks very impressive and to finish off the plate, the underside ends are rounded. Large lather clearing slots are positioned down each side of the plate and while they do encroach on the blade clamping area, there should still be enough to positively clamp the blade. A special mention of the handle; it has a stainless steel fittings with the bog oak wooden sleeve. Bog oak as the name suggests, has been buried in a bog for 1000’s of years, dug up and worked into classic wooden pieces. It presents as a dark colour with a beautiful straight grain texture. The wood itself looks to have been treated with some sort of finish and being wood will provide positive grip.

There is only one way to describe the MRed No 4 and that is aggressive. Its efficiency is well in excess of Karve CB level #D and there is an abundance of positive blade feel. However, it did provide an extremely close shave, but the shave itself could not be described as uncomfortable. It did require me to remember what I was doing and concentrate on the shave; bad habits and/ or poor technique are punished severely. I speak from experience, a silly slip up on my part and I had a large gouge out of the side of my face; let me tell you that with the combination of a deep furrow, age and blood thinners, it took days to heal. This razor is above my comfort zone in efficiency, but it worked so well that I could learn to live with it. I couldn’t use it for the everyday shave, but every second day would work for me. They remain out of stock in France but while your mate is in Italy! Thanks again Glenn, you have uncovered another great weapon.

Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Derby Extra
Material – Zamac with stainless steel and bog oak handle
Weight – 88.5g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 47.16mm
Handle Length – 89.33mm
Handle Diameter – 15.56mm
Availability – Out of production
Final Word – Keep your wits about you

 

[LesC]

MRed No 4 (France)



That little ferret friend @Bladerunner7 again, “While my mate is in Italy, I will ask him to bring back a MRed No 4 head, do you want one? They have sold out in France but there is still stock in Italy.” Again, I’m taken by surprise, I did not know of the existence of MRed razors, let alone their No 4 head. What can I say but “OK.” Glenn went on to explain that MRed handles were expensive, and I could screw any handle on the No 4 head. That was not my ideal solution so without any difficulty I found the MRed website and went searching through their extensive range of handles. Some of the handles presented were outstanding looking pieces, so I settled on a bog oak handle, and since I could also buy a head for a few Euro’s more, I purchased it with their No1 head. That’s the razor for next week.

It is plated zamac, but what an interesting head the No 4 is. Its satin finished cap sits inside extended end pieces on the polished plate, it looks very impressive and to finish off the plate, the underside ends are rounded. Large lather clearing slots are positioned down each side of the plate and while they do encroach on the blade clamping area, there should still be enough to positively clamp the blade. A special mention of the handle; it has a stainless steel fittings with the bog oak wooden sleeve. Bog oak as the name suggests, has been buried in a bog for 1000’s of years, dug up and worked into classic wooden pieces. It presents as a dark colour with a beautiful straight grain texture. The wood itself looks to have been treated with some sort of finish and being wood will provide positive grip.

There is only one way to describe the MRed No 4 and that is aggressive. Its efficiency is well in excess of Karve CB level #D and there is an abundance of positive blade feel. However, it did provide an extremely close shave, but the shave itself could not be described as uncomfortable. It did require me to remember what I was doing and concentrate on the shave; bad habits and/ or poor technique are punished severely. I speak from experience, a silly slip up on my part and I had a large gouge out of the side of my face; let me tell you that with the combination of a deep furrow, age and blood thinners, it took days to heal. This razor is above my comfort zone in efficiency, but it worked so well that I could learn to live with it. I couldn’t use it for the everyday shave, but every second day would work for me. They remain out of stock in France but while your mate is in Italy! Thanks again Glenn, you have uncovered another great weapon.

Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Derby Extra
Material – Zamac with stainless steel and bog oak handle
Weight – 88.5g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 47.16mm
Handle Length – 89.33mm
Handle Diameter – 15.56mm
Availability – Out of production
Final Word – Keep your wits about you

Taking one for the team, now that’s a mate and on Anzac Day to