Thread: Super Three

Gentlemen,

In all the years of traditional shaving, some with the straight razor, I have spent a fortune searching for the ideal safety razor, one that I would really like and call a keeper. At last I think I have found it. Found them, I should say. It hasn't been easy. I don't know how many razors I have gone through before admitting more disappointment.

Each razor had some shortcomings, some general and some specific: excessive blade feel, too aggressive, too mild, harsh shave, too heavy, too light, and some a downright bust. A variety of Gillettes, Tradere, Joris, Fatip, Muhle R41 (the meanest razor), ATT, iKon, BBS-1, Wolfman, Mongoose, The General, Sabre, and scores of others: I tried them all and then passed them along.

In some instances, I feel I did not give the razor enough time. For instance, the Wolfman. Such a beautiful razor. Yet in the relatively short time that I had it, I was never satisfied with the shave, both the SB and OC versions. Perhaps in time I might have liked it and now I'll never know. On the other hand, BBS-1, another handsome razor made by Wolfman, was harsh from the first shave and it never settled down. And so on.

Not until recently, when I discovered, in a relatively short time, RAW RS-10, Paradigm SE Ti and OneBlade Genesis, three razors that meet almost all of my requirements for a safety shaver. The three razors are completely different in characteristic, design and shave, two of them single edge and one double.

I like each razor in its own way. Yet, if I were to rank them in preference, the lineup would be Paradigm SE, RAW RS-10 and OneBlade Genesis. The Paradigm and the RS-10 are keepers; I'm still not sure about the OneBlade — one day I like it and the next not as much. In the end, I might sell it . . . or not.

Paradigm SE is close to perfect for me. I love the design; the weight is ideal for my arthritic hands; and the shave is the silkiest of any razor I have used through the years, straight or safety. The blade feel is minimal, and shave efficient and comfortable. I might add, remarkably efficient and comfortable. I could not have asked for a sweeter single edge safety razor. My blade of choice is Feather Professional — three shaves per blade, for me.

RAW RS-10 is next in line for efficiency and comfort. The blade feel is minimal — sometimes I have to stop and check to see if I have a blade in the razor. Oh, that the shave head covers the blade tabs is a huge plus for me, as I really dislike exposed blade tabs. Fit and finish are superb, and there is some weight to the razor, but it is manageable. You can't beat a smooth and silky that the RS-10 offers — no DE razor comes anywhere near it in that respect, at least in my opinion. The Feather blade glows in the RS-10 — two shaves per blade for me.

OneBlade Genesis takes some getting used to. Actually, I find the learning curve a wee bit too long for my taste. Here is another razor with impeccable fit and finish. I like the razor's design. The pivoting shave head is quite efficient going north and south around the jaw line. On the other hand, I have yet to master the razor around the upper lip and chin. Predictably, the OneBlade is easy to use regardless of the learning curve for maximum efficiency. Some complain about the razor's proprietary Feather blades, but I don't mind it. One shave per blade does it for me.

I have had regrets purchasing some razor — many regrets, I should say — but I have no regrets buying these three. They are pricey, yes, but to me worth it, since they give me much enjoyment. Perhaps my OneBlade, too, will become a keeper. You never know about the fickle world of traditional shaving.

RAW RS-10 — top
OneBlade — middle
Paraadign — bottom

Oh dear Obie --you're making me look at the shopping sites again, now that I am predominantly DE

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Oh dear Obie --you're making me look at the shopping sites again, now that I am predominantly DE

Harold, my friend,
In this fickle shaving world, getting the bug is too easy. I must say, that Paradigm SE is an incredibly smooth and efficient razor. I absolutely love it.

They keep coming out with more and more and they get better and better.

I had the one blade and thought though it had a beautiful design with impeccable finish it gave a sub par shave. I'm awaiting the Rockwell Model T at present.

So far the Timeless is the one. It clicks all the boxes and if anyone improves on that one it will have to give a shave equalling a straight.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

They keep coming out with more and more and they get better and better.

I had the one blade and thought though it had a beautiful design with impeccable finish it gave a sub par shave. I'm awaiting the Rockwell Model T at present.

So far the Timeless is the one. It clicks all the boxes and if anyone improves on that one it will have to give a shave equalling a straight.

Spendur, my friend,
OneBlade takes time to learn. That has surprised me, I mean the learning curve. It's a fun razor to use.
I, too, like the Timeless and have had several models. All were smooth and efficient shavers. My only objection to the Timeless is the exposed blade tabs. This is something I just don't like.

My experience with two of these razors (I don't own the RAW-RS10) is similar to yours, Obie. As the workload in my office has increased, I'm frequently having to rush out of the house earlier in the morning, and have been using an SE to save time. My favorites had been a Cobra Classic and an Asylum Rx, although they are just a little too aggressive for my sensitive skin. Based on Obie's experience and recommendation, I purchased a Paradigm Titanium SE and thought I was in heaven, as it's given me the smoothest, efficient shaves that I've ever experienced from an SE. It has been a joy to use. My beard isn't as tough as yours, Obie, and I can get up to six shaves with a Feather Pro, but I usually change blades after four uses. I recently purchased a One Blade from Obie, and my experience with it is nearly the same. I find it slightly less efficient than the Paradigm and I have to do a little more buffing after two passes, but it's also a joy to use. I've been getting three shaves with each Feather FHS-10 blade and enjoy them nearly as well as the Feather Pro. Obie is such a talented writer that I have to be careful not to purchase everything he beautifully describes and recommends, but I can't thank him enough for recommended these two razors.

Richard, my friend,
Bless your heart for the kind words. Thank you. Yes, these are delightful razors, and they make the morning shave something to look forward to. Enjoy.

I normally don't like exposed blade tabs either but in the Timeless Case I thought they were well engineered and functional in that they were exposed just barely enough to assist in installing and removal of the blades. The one thing I disliked about the Rex was the enclosed blade tabs. I was always slicing my fingers removing the blade.

i'm not home right now to post a photo. however, it's been almost 8 years since i found my perfect DE. a 1959 gillette tech ball end paired with a feather blade. the absolute best shave a man can get.

Originally Posted by Pops!

i'm not home right now to post a photo. however, it's been almost 8 years since i found my perfect DE. a 1959 gillette tech ball end paired with a feather blade. the absolute best shave a man can get.

Yes, the Gillettes are great razors. True American workmanship. My favorite Gillette is still the Aristocrat. Mine is the 1946-47 version. Shaving with it is like shaving with a jewel. Now and then I take out of the rack and use it. The shave is always fine.