Weekly Razor Review

Atelier Durdan recently advised that they were discontinuing wooden handles. I don't feel the shaving world has had long enough to accept the quality of the wooden handle, once you've used one you'll understand. I therefore would like to ask Atelier Durdan to reconsider their decision to discontinue wooden handles; keep them available.
 
Errol said:
Atelier Durdan recently advised that they were discontinuing wooden handles. I don't feel the shaving world has had long enough to accept the quality of the wooden handle, once you've used one you'll understand. I therefore would like to ask Atelier Durdan to reconsider their decision to discontinue wooden handles; keep them available.
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Plus 1 for the wooden handles, the Padauk on my AD Fiery Mane, well until you’ve used one you don’t know what your missing IMHO. Great review @Errol 👍
Ps; I believe the wooden handles are available 2 weeks twice a year (at present) during the Custom order periods?
 
Errol said:
Atelier Durdan Numéro 7 – Walnut Handle – 1.3 mm Gap (France)



In my quest for the perfect razor I decided that I would order an Atelier Durdan Number 7 razor in stainless steel and fit a matching Atelier Durdan titanium handle. I knew the stainless steel head on the Numéro 7 was super light and a titanium handle should balance the combination out nicely. At the time I went to order, Atelier Durdan advised that they had gone into partnership with a local wood turner and would be offering a metal framed wooden handle. My plans for a titanium handle went out the window at that time and I ordered this Numéro 7 with a walnut handle; all premium polished and with a 1.3mm gap plate. This would have been one of the very first wooden handles Atelier Durdan ever sold.

As I assembled my new pride and joy, I could not wipe the smile from my face; even with stainless steel fittings, the walnut handle was lighter than the titanium handle would have been. And the grip offered by the natural walnut was nothing short of outstanding. I suspect that the walnut has been given some form of protective coating, but it looks and feels totally natural. After a couple of assembling/ disassembling the razor, I started to notice that the walnut sleeve was moving on its shaft; not fully rotating but enough to make the razor unusable. My email to Atelier Durdan received an immediate response, he would make a video to show me how to strip the handle and if that failed offered a replacement handle. Despite my best efforts to strip the handle, I could not get enough purchase on the stainless steel fittings as the thread locker done its job. All I managed to do was mark the end fitting and put an indent in the walnut sleeve; a replacement handle was on its way, and I asked that no thread locked be applied. It was probably climatic difference between France and here that caused the wood to shrink.

Now fitted with its replacement handle it’s time to proceed. The walnut sleeve on the replacement handle has not moved from the time I received it, so I’ve never had cause to strip it. As for the head/ handle balance of the razor, it was as good as you’re ever likely to experience. There were to be no surprises with the quality of the shave, it was fantastic, but I knew that it would be. Karve CB level #D efficiency with a controlled amount of positive blade and I was in heaven. It’s not every day that a razor that delivers such a well-balanced shave presents itself, so you must enjoy it while you can. When the walnut on the handle was wet, the grain could be felt and this added to the grip level. I have been a titanium handled razor tragic for ages but now that I’ve sampled wooden handles, I could quite easily change allegiance and become a devotee of the wooden handle. After every shave I came away fully contented; I could have gladly just continued down the Atelier Durdan Numéro 7 and its walnut handle path forever.

Blades Used – Sputnik and Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow
Material – 316L Stainless steel and walnut handle
Weight – 52.2g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 43.00mm
Handle Length – 90.54mm
Handle Diameter – 15.06mm
Availability – Atelier Durdan
Final Word – An exceptional razor
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Excellent review, I love Number 7, I am also a fan of wood (y)
 
Yaqi Précise (China)



There was no handle listed with the Précise, it came as head only so I checked out the listing to see if I can find a suitable titanium handle. No luck, but I stumbled onto a Yaqi stainless steel handle on special for under $2.00, it looks good and will do the trick. Another stuff up by Errol as I must not have fully read the advertisement for either the Précise head or the handle; the head arrived with a satin finish and the handle is polished, but not to that overdone stage Yaqi is known for. Assembled, there is nothing to complain about, the combination matches well. Blutt do not look like they are about to restart production any time soon so it’s a great time to check out this Yaqi version, I just hope Yaqi have done a precise reproduction of the BR-1. This Yaqi far exceeds what has come to be expected from Yaqi products; it has quality machining, good thread engagement, sharp definition that has not been wiped out by over polishing and as already mentioned that premium satin finish, must be the Blutt influence. Yaqi have done it once, let’s just hope they can supply future products up to this standard. It’s a superlight cap complete with wide blade clamping areas, elongated blade posts, and just like the BR-1, overhangs the plate. Nothing stands out as anything much different to the BR-1; right down to the nicks out of the leading edge, wide blade clamping and elongated blade posts are features. No complaints about the handle, it has a sleek appearance, and because it has not been over polished, looks like it will do an admirable job.

This is without a shadow of doubt, the best razor I have ever used from Yaqi, and it operates very close to the performance of the original BR-1. With its efficiency just under Karve CB Level #D and such smooth operation, I’m going to make the call and suggest that it is equivalent to the Blutt .99 plate but if someone suggests different, I’m not going to argue. I’m pleased now that I slotted the Précise into the schedule as soon as it arrived and didn’t leave it till later; what a mistake that would have been. This whole package is superior; an accurate reproduction, quality machining topped off by the near perfect shave, what a pleasure. Hopefully Yaqi have now entered a phase where we can expect reproductions to perform close to the original, rather than the lookalikes delivered previously. Blutt never released a titanium BR-1, so I’m in if Yaqi ever release a titanium Précise.

Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Derby Extra
Material – 316L Stainless Steel
Weight – 90.4g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 43.02mm
Handle Length – 85.07mm
Handle Diameter – 11.99mm
Availability – AliExpress
Final Word – A quality reproduction
 
"A quality reproduction" - you mean a Chinese knock off?

Is Blutt, Is Best :)
 
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