Thread: Bartmann vs. Wapi (looking for an all stainless)

I'm looking for a very clean, sleek, industrial straight razor - the two that have caught my eye are:

5/8 Wapienica (5/8 Shave Ready Wapienica razor (Wapi's))

and

6/8 Bartmann with single bevel (6/8 Original Bartmann Japanese Style Single Bevel Square Point - stainless steel handles : Shaving Shop - luxury classic wet shaving products - straight razors)

From the photos, they seem nearly identical. Of course the Bartmann has a more impressive heritage, from what I know. But these will be used for daily shaving, in rotation, not for display.

In terms of the shave - what do you recommend?

Or, can you think of any other options that match these industrial aesthetics?

Thank you!

- Mark

I'd go with the wapi If it were me, those have a great track record at a very good price. I wouldn't bother with that bartmann surgical razor...you can do much better for that price, and it would add quite a bit of difficulty to actual use in my opinion (as far as I know these are not for shaving...but I'm no expert). What other gear do you have already?

The bartman is not a razor - at least I don't think it was made with that intention and looks like John more or less says the same thing.
I would strongly caution you to stay away from it, unless you know what you're doing.

Another option perhaps I know little about it but I think Seraphim has one maybe do a search. If your willing to go 100.00 anyway I would hold out for a Henckels Friodur.http://cgi.ebay.com/STRAIGHT-RAZOR-FIRST-CLASS-EISHARTUNG-INOX-ROSTFREI_W0QQitemZ320362298243QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9714bb83&_trksid=p328 6.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Thanks, everyone, for all the feedback. Sounds like the Bartmann is not for me. I normally shave with an Edwin Jagger - very straightforward, no complaints. But birthday's approaching, and I've been promised some new straight razors - but have been asked to pick out my wish list.

Vashaver, that ebay link you included pointed to a razor with what appear to be white plastic or celluloid scales, not metal ones. And I haven't seen any Friodurs available (i.e. shavingshop) with all metal scales or construction.

There's a Darrel Ralph custom that has a really great industrial appeal - but it's about $700, which is over my limit. If anyone has any other good suggestions, I'm certainly open!

I may just opt for the inexpensive Wapi, and then also get something completely different -- on the more ornate side of the spectrum...

I'm not entirely sure if there is anything stainless other than a Wapi currently in production.

Geneva pyramid brand is a good stainless and you can get one for pretty cheap. They're used though.

Originally Posted by gugi

The bartman is not a razor - at least I don't think it was made with that intention and looks like John more or less says the same thing.
I would strongly caution you to stay away from it, unless you know what you're doing.

They were originally made as medical razors. Sometimes for tissue slicing and other times to shave you for a hernia operation. The Japanese razors everyone seems to love have a single bevel!

John

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

I'd go with the wapi If it were me, those have a great track record at a very good price. I wouldn't bother with that bartmann surgical razor...you can do much better for that price, and it would add quite a bit of difficulty to actual use in my opinion (as far as I know these are not for shaving...but I'm no expert). What other gear do you have already?

When I purchased these I did not realize they were single bevel razors. If I had realized that, I would not have purchased them mearly because of the current razor paradime that it has to have two bevels. Older prized genuine Japanese katana swords were single bevel. Even modern Japanese fixed handle style razors are single bevel.

As a side note - since I know there is going to be resistance to them; I have them priced for just about what I paid for them - so I can turn them over and purchase something new.

John

By the way, I ended up picking up a new Dovo with stainless blade and handle. And now, I see that in the SRP classifieds a member is selling some NOS Wapis with the steel handles. I'm wondering if I should pick one up to do a side-by-side comparison of the two. Has anyone else already done this? Comparing a 5/8 Dovo to the 11/16 Wapi? The designs are nearly identical. One complaint I have about the Dovo is that the handle is thin and the metal a bit soft and flimsy. It's very easy to squeeze the handle too tightly and nick the blade as you're closing the razor. I wonder if the Wapi also has "soft" squeezable handles... Anyone?

Originally Posted by mrgad

I'm wondering if I should pick one up to do a side-by-side comparison of the two. Has anyone else already done this? Comparing a 5/8 Dovo to the 11/16 Wapi?

if you care about how they compare on the shave you should do the comparison yourself. other people's opinion wouldn't necessarily match yours.