Thread: The Battle of the Titans

Sounds like the title to a cheap japanese horror flick huh? No, actually I thought I'd impart my pearls of wisdom vis a vis a review comparing four of what I term super razors, namely a Maestro, a Williams, a Zowada and a TI. So, away we go!

The razors in consideration here will be 1-Maestro 7/8s spanish point Damascus, Stainless with horn handles, 2-Williams 7/8s spanish point with stag handles, 3-Zowada 7/8s round point Damascus with purpleheart wood handles and 4-TI 5/8s damascus round point with horn handles. let me say from the start these are my opinions here and are based on my experiences with one of each razor and I'm calling it as I see it.

The first thing we see when we look at a razor is the cosmetics or fit and finish. This is an easy one except for the TI all the other three are flawless. They exhibit absolute perfection in the materials used and the fabrication including the scales and blades, enough said? The TI had the usual poorly pinned blade and the scales had a finish that lacked final finishing and was sad in a razor costing over $700.00. The Maestro was typical Italian-all style, very graceful and georgeous, the Williams was at the opposite pole almost a brute that yells tough rough hewn and hand made-all in a good way. You can't compare the two becaue they are so different but both in their own was was exquisite. The TI looks like any other 5/8s round point and its appreciation has to lie in whether you believe its a specially manufactured razor with some mystical properties. The Zowada is basically the same as the TI but, and its a very big but with better workmanship and fancier blade and there again the amount of skill and craftmanship that went into its manufacture and the reputation of a very well known knife maker. What I'm trying to say is the appreciation of the Zowada isn't in the visuals as much as the other two.

The next issue which many don't appreciate is the balance of the razor. If a razor has good balance even though it may be massive it will be a joy to handle while a poorly balanced razor is a pain to use and if a razor is to be misbalanced better to have more weight in the blade so the added weight helps in the shave rather than in the scales where you are having to apply more effort to the shave motion to compensate. The Maestro was perfectly balanced, The TI was perfectly balanced, the Zowada was almost there with a tad more towards the blade but no big deal, the Williams was heavy in the scales, a little more than I like but still very acceptable.

So how do these babies shave out of the box? are they shave ready? The Maestro was shave ready to a point I couldn't improve upon its performance. Whether that is the way it ships or lynn had something to do with that I don't know. Maybe he'll chime in on this. The TI Damascus was dreadful. It took me months of on and off honing to get it shave ready and though it shaves great now I say shame on TI for selling a razor at that price point that would not shave at all initially. The Williams Razor was a good shaver but not quite there. It only took about 5 minutes with a diamond pasted strop to bring it up to its full potential. The Zowada took a bit more, about 40 strokes on the coticule and about 5 minutes on the diamond pasted strops.

So the big question is how do they shave? Well let me just say that all four of these razors are the best shavers I have but then again I have about 70 other razors that are the best shavers I have. So if you get my drift here shaving quality is not (in my opinion) the main reason to spend the big bucks. If all you are interested in is having a superior shave there are plenty of razors on Eboy or new TIs or Dovo's that will fit the bill. If you can appreciate a custom grade razor and all that went into its creation and of course can fit it into your budget then that is the reason to buy one of these super razors. I will exclude the TI here as I don't believe it belongs in present company and I do not recommend you buying it unless TI comes out with a white paper or something explaining that it actually is a Damascus or wootz razor. Then I might reconsider but not until their manufacture improves.

Oh yea the shaving. All four shave wonderfully. All feel a little different but thats personal preference. As to edge holding ability at this ppint I can only comment on two the Maestro and the TI. The maestro needed touch up honing after 30 or so shaves, the TI I have clocked over 50 shaves and its still going strong as a matter of fact I would almost say the TI seems to be getting better the more I use it. The other two are too new to make any evaluations.

So, how do I score the razors, my favorite is the Maestro, its got looks, great balance, good edge holding ability, its the only stainless in the group so its rust resistant and has great maneuverability because of its balance, The Zowada feels very light on the skin and is probably the most comfortable shaver by a tiny margin but is also the most expensive so you are really paying for the nameplate. remember it has wood scales which are one piece like the maestro scales. If it had horn it probably would be even more expensive. The real steal of the show is the Williams. I have to say considering it costs almost half what the TI and Maestro cost and even less compared to the Zowada you would think it doesn't even belong in present company but in fact is the equal of them all and is a steal of a bargin at its selling price. You all owe it to yourself to get a Williams because I can all but guarantee that in a few years his razors will cost the same as the Zowada or Maestro. As far as the TI goes if I find out any of you bought one I'm going to personally come over to your house and slap you in the head!

If I left anything out here let me know and I'll address it.

Pictures? Pretty please?

Very nice review, clean and sweet. but what you sell now is not Robert's forge... but is computer melting from the avalache of orders.

nice review--thanks

was going to buy a new razor as soon as i could but me and the mrs need to clarify some priorities so i need to hold back on the spending

but i would really like the Livi honed by Mr. Abrams--

thanks again

Great review Robert's definitely next on my list after I get my claws on the JC custom in the works.

I like looking at my customs so much that I leave them out on the bathroom sink and shave with them when ever I am not honing other peoples razors. No kids in the house and I can leave the door and or window open, so no steam or rust ever. Really does make you appreciate them.

Lynn

Where did you get the Williams razor? I have a TI in the shop and am very disappointed in it.

Mason

I'm building a new website for the Williams razors. It doesn't have all that many pictures yet, but it's still a work in progress: Here is the link and thank you for asking.

http://custom.straightedgerazors.com

A nice site Robert, and outstanding razor porn!



Wayne

Duke,

Great post. I was researching damascus blades, here at SRP and on the web, just yesterday. You answered several questions that were still lingering. Thanks!!