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Opinion about Rex Ambassador

lastkey

lastkey

Member
Yesterday I got a new Rex from B&B. The adjustment knob was jammed so I had to return it immediately. It is disappointing because you expect some quality control on a 350$ razor. No issues from B&B for the return, they even sent me the return label. But after checking a few posts here and there it seems like Rex may be over-hyped and prone to issues. But sometimes only problematic things are posted so it doesn't represent the true picture.

B&B is expecting new stock soon so they will send a replacement but I am considering if I should get the replacement or refund. Please advise about Rex.
 
lastkey said:
Yesterday I got a new Rex from B&B. The adjustment knob was jammed so I had to return it immediately. It is disappointing because you expect some quality control on a 350$ razor. No issues from B&B for the return, they even sent me the return label. But after checking a few posts here and there it seems like Rex may be over-hyped and prone to issues. But sometimes only problematic things are posted so it doesn't represent the true picture.

B&B is expecting new stock soon so they will send a replacement but I am considering if I should get the replacement or refund. Please advise about Rex.
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The few guys I know that got the rex didn't have any issues with quality. It's well built and well crafted.

The issue is the blade exposure makes it an aggressive razor at any setting.

Four out of six sold theirs due to this and another rarely uses his. Only one loves the way it shaves and raves about it all the time.

Last year I was lucky enough to get to try one for a couple of days and I hated the damn thing!
I hated the blade exposure on it.

Blade chatter and +ve blade exposure (Karve D plate being the only exception here) are two things I really dislike about any DE razor.
 
I had one. Bought from B&B.
Used it a few times but it tore me up. I was convinced something was wrong with it. I did some research and found out that the cap was bent slightly which meant that when a blade was clamped down, it had a bow along the cutting edge.

Contacted Matt at Razor Emporium who paid for it to be posted here to USA. Then I barely got 5 words out of him for a few emails. Finally he said “replaced top cap. Sending back today”. A few weeks go by and it arrives. Definitely new top cap as visually it was perfect.

Load a blade and shave. Much better. But still too rough for me. Or is it too efficient that it wipes every scerrick of residual slickness away? Doesn’t help when I tend to buff a bit.

So in the end I sold it and wrote it off as a razor that’s not for me. Luckily there are plenty of other razors I’ve found that shave perfectly.

Visually it’s a gorgeous razor and photos really well. But I just hated using the damn thing.

Good luck with whatever you decide though.

The above is just my experience and YMMV
 
I don't like like adjustables apart from the Vintage Gillette.

I chose the Rex Envoy path. For me with the right blade selection, it delivers smooth and efficient shaves from dailies, to a few days growth with no problems, and no adjustment issues.

This might be an option to take !

If your after an adjustable razor. Spend the money find your self a nice example of a Gillette Fatboy or Slim, both of these razors you cannot go wrong with. Around $200 should net you something in the just below mint quality.
 
If you are after an adjustable I would go with the Merker Progress, yes its zamak but at only $80 well worth it. Have heard many good things about this adjustable
 
I have a few vintage adjustable and I like them a lot. But I tried and didn't like the Parker Variant Adjustable. It was too aggressive for me even in the mildest settings. I had Feather AS-D2 but it was too mild. So I got REX being Stainless Steel and well built. But it looks like I've to look elsewhere. I'll cancel my order. Don't want to take 300+$ gamble.

Merkur Progress was an option but I've seen reviews that due to its bulky head it is difficult to use in tight areas such as below the nose.
 
The only adjustable I've had was the black-handled Gillette that was my first razor back when I was in my teens. That worked quite well IIRC, and I sometimes wish I still had it. But if you need to be able to change settings, you could probably do worse than go for a Rockwell 6S or 6C. I don't have one myself, but most people only have positive things to say about it.
 
As nice as the Rex looks I have always been put off by the reputation of being harsh, alignment issues (since resolved) and the hefty price tag.
I did own a Parker Variant which I since moved on as its head was too large to navigate under my nose and it shaved harsh on setting above #3.
I have kept the Yintal TTO Brass adjustable as it was cheap and shares similar attributes to the Variant as its hefty and shaves smooth up to #3 but the adjustment is quite finicky.
I was super keen to grab the Homelike Taiga as reviews state its super smooth and comfortable but was fearful it wouldn't get much use so passed. Regretting the decision as they've updated the model and by all accounts the original was better value with an OC head that isn't that harsh. :(
 
Seems I am in the minority here. I like mild/efficient razors and hate blade chatter/too much blade exposure.

I absolutely love my Rex on low settings: when fully closed with a blade, the red dot is on 1 - I use it on 2/2.5/3

Very efficient and smooth for me...actually my go to in recent months
 
lastkey said:
@Razor Burn Search continues! I am thinking to give Merkur 34c HD a go
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As great as the 34C is its very mild yet smooth, nimble and somewhat efficient when paired with a sharp blade.
Are you after a daily shaver as the 34C is sufficient but if you have sand paper growth like me then you'll be reaching for something more efficient???
IMHO you'd be pressed to try a knock off EJ DE89 head as the results would be similar and save your $$$ for something more sturdy.
I assume you're after the Rex due to the adjustability and shave wise its quite a leap to the 34C so maybe the 6S would suit as its a great shaver from R3-R6 plates but its quite pricey and known threading issues, otherwise its a fabulous shaver...
 
I have medium growth so I am happy with my Muhle R89, Gillette Fat Boy Adjustable, Slim Boy Adjustable, Black Beauty Adjustable. Yesterday shaved with Gillette Tech with the fat handle and Astra blade. I liked it a lot. So the search is more of trying new thing otherwise I've already enough razors even after selling 7 of them last week. :ROFLMAO: Thanks for the heads up on 34c so will pass on that one too. For 6S, I am not keen on having too many plates then picking one to suit my need.
 
alfredus said:
Seems I am in the minority here. I like mild/efficient razors and hate blade chatter/too much blade exposure.

I absolutely love my Rex on low settings: when fully closed with a blade, the red dot is on 1 - I use it on 2/2.5/3

Very efficient and smooth for me...actually my go to in recent months
Click to expand...

Yes, it looks like you are a minority, the ones who like the Rex or may be the lucky ones to get a perfectly build one.
 
lastkey said:
I have medium growth so I am happy with my Muhle R89, Gillette Fat Boy Adjustable, Slim Boy Adjustable, Black Beauty Adjustable. Yesterday shaved with Gillette Tech with the fat handle and Astra blade. I liked it a lot. So the search is more of trying new thing otherwise I've already enough razors even after selling 7 of them last week. :ROFLMAO: Thanks for the heads up on 34c so will pass on that one too. For 6S, I am not keen on having too many plates then picking one to suit my need.
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I'm not one for vintage gear but it looks like you have some good razors in your collection but don't let me put you off adding something new ;)
I owned the EJ DE89 and moved it on to keep the 34C as preferred the smaller handle and nimbleness but kept a few DE89 knockoff heads that surprisingly shave great but just don't tackle my chin/neck area as close as my more expensive razors. Easily achieve DFS shaves but patchy regrowth by lunch time :(
We're spoiled for choice with plenty of awesome razors as demonstrated by the Weekly Reviews Thread but at the end of the day it comes down to preference, budget and for some of us RAD but experiment with what you already own as you'll be surprised how much blades and prep can alter the shaving experience... Happy Shaves and look forward to seeing what you decide to do. (y)
 
alfredus said:
Seems I am in the minority here. I like mild/efficient razors and hate blade chatter/too much blade exposure.

I absolutely love my Rex on low settings: when fully closed with a blade, the red dot is on 1 - I use it on 2/2.5/3

Very efficient and smooth for me...actually my go to in recent months
Click to expand...

Like @alfredus i like the Rex and could not find to much to fault when I reviewed it. I like a bit of blade feel and a bit of efficiency and the Rex provided that also. I‘ve never heard too many complaints with the Rex so I would say that @lastkey was unlucky. If you don’t want to take up B&B’s offer, you could always try a Pearl Flexi Adjustable, now that’s an exceptionally good razor, the best of the machined adjustables.
 
Errol said:
Like @alfredus i like the Rex and could not find to much to fault when I reviewed it. I like a bit of blade feel and a bit of efficiency and the Rex provided that also. I‘ve never heard too many complaints with the Rex so I would say that @lastkey was unlucky. If you don’t want to take up B&B’s offer, you could always try a Pearl Flexi Adjustable, now that’s an exceptionally good razor, the best of the machined adjustables.
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I’ll look into Pearl. Thanks for pointer!
 
Razor Burn said:
I'm not one for vintage gear but it looks like you have some good razors in your collection but don't let me put you off adding something new ;)
I owned the EJ DE89 and moved it on to keep the 34C as preferred the smaller handle and nimbleness but kept a few DE89 knockoff heads that surprisingly shave great but just don't tackle my chin/neck area as close as my more expensive razors. Easily achieve DFS shaves but patchy regrowth by lunch time :(
We're spoiled for choice with plenty of awesome razors as demonstrated by the Weekly Reviews Thread but at the end of the day it comes down to preference, budget and for some of us RAD but experiment with what you already own as you'll be surprised how much blades and prep can alter the shaving experience... Happy Shaves and look forward to seeing what you decide to do. (y)
Click to expand...
True about choices, it’s overwhelming but strangely we come back to the ones we like even after trying new ones.
I love fountain pens and own some expensive pens (1200$+) but my favourite writers are cheaper ones I own.
 
StratMan said:
If you are after an adjustable I would go with the Merker Progress, yes its zamak but at only $80 well worth it. Have heard many good things about this adjustable
Click to expand...
lastkey said:
Merkur Progress was an option but I've seen reviews that due to its bulky head it is difficult to use in tight areas such as below the nose.
Click to expand...
IMHO and not biased at all because only my opinion is so honest and not opinionated at all :)
You could not go wrong with a Mergress or Progress. I dont find the head bulky but did find the Rockwell 6 bulky
I kept a Progress in the den as a modern adjustable but do not reach for it very often. I would take @Errol's trusted advice and try the Pearl Flexi
 
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