Does it count as a haul if I made it for myself. 

                   

Saturday January 1, 2022
Razor: Unmentionable
Blade: Unmentionable
Brush: Saponificio Varesino 2.0 Bamboo
Soap: Saponificio Varesino 70th Anniversary
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: Saponificio Varesino 70th Anniversary
Fragrance:
Consecutive Daily Shaves - # 1151
   

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I was very surprised last week to get this copper beauty in from Fluffy. I am going to start a new thread here as the adventure to get a knot in it starts. This handle feels great in my hand and has a magnetic base. I have not measured the openikng to see what size knot is needed.

What is everyone going to put in theirs???

           

I'll start a thread here, as it seems the appropriate place (other than the SOTD threads). I plan to learn how to use a single edge unmentionable starting in January. Also, I have been getting my bestest shaves with single edge razors, most of which are vintage GEMs and Schick injectors. As I learn a new skill, all advice is start slow and only 1 pass. I am toying with using mostly GEMs, as I have a few and really, really like them! While shaving the yesterday with the 100+ year old GEM Damaskeene, "GEMuary" popped into my noggin and stuck there. DecemBoar has been a lot of fun, so I may do many shaves in January using a GEM or Sabre as the main tool after my lesson. If I do, I will post them here unless mods think it is more appropriate to be in the SOTD thread. I won't do both.

I currently have two Wolfman WR-3 heads and a handle from a pass-around in the UK.

Wolfman have been around for a few years making high quality machined unmentionable razors.
They are infamous for their high prices and long waiting lists.
They now have started making the WR-3, a single edge razor taking GEM blades.

Here is a picture (courtesy of Crossan@TSR):



On the left is the closed comb version, on the right, is a prototype of the open comb version.
The head on the left is about $270, the handle is another $120 (US - the company is in Canada).
So we are talking almost $400 for the complete razor. That's quite a price tag.

I have received both in the mail today and have had a shave with the closed comb version.

Here is what I posted on the UK forum:

Preamble

It's been slightly more than 6 years since I have used a Wolfman razor.
I was part of this Wolfman WR1-DC pass-around in late 2015:
https://www.theshavingroom.co.uk/communi...ads/34585/
The WR1-DC is an open/closed comb combination unmentionable razor.
By coincidence, I'll shave with closed and open combs again.

First impressions

The machining on the handle and the closed comb head is - as expected - impeccable.
That Wolfguy certainly knows how to machine a piece of metal.
(The open comb head is not finished to the same degree, but it is a prototype. So that's OK)
The way the knurling on the handle reflects light when you spin it in your
hands is impressive. Flawless and mesmerising.
Next impression: The heads are rather large. The decision to have the
threaded post go behind the blade is an odd one. It clearly shows that the
razor was designed by someone coming from a DE background. I'll see how that
will affect the shave.

I checked blade loading with both heads. The tiny little dot on the OC head is
awkward. I prefer the way the closed comb head works. However, after years of
mostly using SE razors: There is a reason SE razors aren't three-piece designs.
Two plates, a handle and a plastic washer. Unscrew, take apart, change the blade, re-assemble, screw handle back on?
Changing a blade in a 1912 or a Micromatic will take a tenth of the time. Or less.
Both heads seem to hold the blade firmly though.

First shave

For the first shave, I picked the closed comb head, as that's what you can (sort of) actually buy.
Holy cow. That thing is good.

- Wolfman WR-3 0.40 gap with safety bar
- Wolfman WR-7H handle
- GEM stainless steel blade (1st use)
- Jayaruh 305 brush
- Proraso Green shaving cream
- Superdrug Forest Green ASL

It's the expensive-meets-dirt-cheap shave.
I won't bore you with a detailed pass-by-pass shave report.
My usual four pass routine - WTG, XTG, GTX, ATG.
First of all: the size of the head is not an issue. Under the nose - not a problem at all.
The knurling on the handle is in an odd place - not where I would hold the
handle. The handle was fine though, maybe a bit on the heavy side.
That's where my criticism stops.
The Wolfman is smooth and efficient. If you are used to GEM razors you'll hit
the correct angle straight away. I expected to say "my Micromatic can do that
at a fraction of the price", but honestly - it can't. This was one of the best GEM blade
shaves I have ever had. Full-on BBS without effort.

I'm impressed. That razor is really good.
There are however some elephants in the room, which I will talk about another time.

Next time I'll try the open comb.

Good day, eh!

When I was trying to get a comfortable setup with the Vector, I picked up some AC blades to try. The Schick Prolines were the best for me in the Vector. But the Vector and I had a short, but somewhat intense 5-month relationship. No matter what I did, riding cap or guard, I could not get my end-goal of a Really Comfortable Shave (full disclosure: I "borrowed" RCS from another user on another forum, as I like it as a goal better than the DFS or BBS ) While thinking about which razor to use next week, I realized that I never tried the other blades in either the Hawk or the General. Any thoughts on these blades? Or whether you noted certain blades work better in one AC razor versus another? I have used the Prolines exclusively since late Spring. But I do have two different Kai blades that were touted in another neighborhood, and recently picked up some Feathers, the Pros shown here and the super pros, which I understand are probably more than I want to deal with! However, I decided that since the Hawk and the General work for me (achieving RCS), maybe I should tinker with other blades and see if something else works better. Or at least as good and I can use up the packs I have. Thanks for any comments/advice/tips and even jokes!    

After being visited by the three Christmas Spirits all in one night,, Scrooge is a changed man, and needs to prepare himself for going out.


Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much; and shaving requires attention, even when you don't dance while you are at it. But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a piece of sticking-plaister over it, and been quite satisfied.

A Christmas Carol, Stave IV, p. 70.

Hi guys long time no see. Where are y’all buying your GEM blades now days. I seem to remeber someone on Etsy but I can’t dig that far back in my brain lol

This arrived in my stash from stuff I've bought from ebay past few months. Set is in remarkably good condition but missing the Thursday blade holder. The instruction manual was easy to follow and understand how it works. The  blades are clean of rust and the strop is in good condition. I've applied some neatsfoot oil to condition it.
I will pass the blade gently over a 12k naniwa stone and strop it after honing and see how well it shaves. Fill post a report.