Shaving/Grooming

nope

I'm thinking about it, but I did jump in for the early-bird tier in case they hit the goal. There are two issues I see with the design that just, in general go against the advantages of DE Safety Razors, but it might be crazy enough to hit right in the middle of a DE vs. straight razor shave. One of the bigger issues I see is that it takes over control of the shave angle, so if it doesn't work for you, you can try different blades but you won't be able to resolve any issues with technique, since it pulls technique out of the equation. Which is actually a major issue to those familiar with DE shaving.

Regarding the design, it looks cumbersome when he starts using it in the video. The thing about the DE Razor is that they have worked out those angles and curves to make it so you can get into the edge of the nostril without cutting your nose off, you can hit all those spots that are tough with a Mach3, and if you know you have a particularly sensitive area you can treat it with more care. With this guy, I think a lot of it will come down to the level of resistance that spring has, cause if you have to press hard with a DE Blade, I think you're asking for trouble. If you shave daily though, this might actually work really well, though. With longer whiskers, well, I'm interested to see home the "no-clog" design works.

The cost sort of makes sense, if the head is made of machined parts. Also, they're using the "cadillac of plastics"! Based on their funding goal, though, they seem to need the funding to create dyes and cast them. I don't think the project was specific about what process they're using. I might look into it a little more and that might actually be a large part of my decision to stay in the funding pool.

It's always nice to see new products (even if it will largely be a niche product) that help to ensure that companies won't stop making the DE blades, though, so it's good to see development still occurring in that area. I kind of wish it was designed more like the Merkur sideburn trimmer, with the blade at the thin edge, but with a flexible head that would likely go for the jugular. They could have significantly reduced bulk by using a design that advocates you snap the DE blades in half, or use the siingle edge blades like the mentioned Merkur. I don't think you could use the shavette blades since I believe they're a bit wider, could be wrong on that.

My one major concern with it is that the designers don't seem to have either A, ever used a DE Safety Razor, or B seem to know why they're superior to your 17 blade moisturizing strip cartridge shave system. And if they don't understand the DE razor, that means they have limited understanding of the way the blades are designed to work. Given that the design takes away the ability to adjust your angle using your wrist, that is a truly bothersome proposition. I'm starting to think the only advantage this thing would have over a typical cartridge system is that it doesn't use proprietary blades. My $35 Edwin Jagger safety razor probably offers a better value, and since I'm used to it likely a superior shave.

Is my desire for this gadget simply because it's new, novel, and will likely be rare? Or is it that I'm really hoping it fills some sort of need I don't even know I have until I get it?

Hey, exophobe..

You probably figured I'd chime in about this I personally think it's overpriced, probably gimmicky to the point that it won't live up to the hype, and most importantly, takes a little bit away from the art of shaving.

On the first point, you can buy a really nice, near vintage razor for the price of the KS and a pretty decent condition semi-grail class razor for the retail price. I'd recommend getting a British Aritocrat (Rhodium Plated) if you want one of the best, or go for an Aristocrat Jr. for sweet mechanical action and a sweet shave, or for an awesome shave at a ridiculously low entry price, a superspeeed or rocket. I'm running out the door right now, so will write more later, but here's the rest of my diatribe, real quick:

Shaving is an art, plain and simple.. it's like anything that requires time to master. You gain a greater sense of appreciation for an art when you try to do it yourself. Any musician, artist, or barista can tell you that it wasn't until they tried to do it themselves that they truly appreciated why the masters were masters. Shaving is like this.. the tool should certainly be well made and well crafted, but the true pleasure is derived from being able to skillfully execute a craft in a manner and with a tool that allows you to control the outcome, not a spring or high-tech quintuple-bladed head.

-\Visdom

Also, a commercial that makes this thing similar to your own barber in the bathroom just gives me tv-shop vibes. It was funny sure, but a bad razor is not a joke. Sorry to sound pessimistic, but I just dont believe in it. They show almost nothing of actualy using the thing.

To answer some of these questions, video. There are a couple things that reveals, one, the slot for the blade seems to go all the way through (which I think is good), and two, the design seems to have issues keeping the blade in contact with the skin (though some of the "stickier" shaving creams will exhibit this behavior independent of the razor). The pivot point doesn't seem as egregiously wrong as it seems, but the video actually seems to be better at discouraging me from buying it than encouraging me to.

Didn't like his review, but agree that his 'five recommended razors' invalidates everything he says. Apparently all you need these days to become a 'men's hair expert' is a torso and limbs

I've been using a DE safety razor since 2011.

1950's vintage Gillette super speed
Astra blades
Decently cheap badger hair brush. Forget the name I'm not at home.
eBay stand
Taylor of Old bond street shaving creams. Sandalwood, coconut and avocado currently love them.
Polo safari and Taylor of old bond street sandalwood aftershaves.

I have quite a few vintage Gillettes, most of which are fat handle techs. I also have a Fatboy, Superspeed, Merkur 34c, Feather portable, etc. I exclusively use the Personna Reds and I've found they give me the best shave overall. there's a noticeable difference too in which razor you're using the blades in. For example, if I use the Personna's in my fat handle techs they give me the best shaves, and they're gentle on my skin. If I use them in my Merkur they shred my face. Every DE razor is designed differently and will thus hold blades differently. It's the same with the Feather portable. The key is to try and be as gentle as possible with certain DE razors, as this will make the difference between a smooth shave or a bloodied face

Great questions, Derek, and I'm glad you're getting in to the whole wet shaving experience. If you're anything like me and have an addictive personality (Who am I kidding? We're all in this boat, here..) you are about to embark on another fun, exciting, enriching, and somewhat costly hobby. I'd recommend checking out badgerandblade.com before experimenting too much without a little guidance, as there's an amazing wealth of knowledge there about wet shaving and men's grooming, in general. Just a word of caution, though, you will likely have a whole new set of little packages arriving at your house that you'll need to explain to your SO as this typically leads to acquisition disorders of the razor, aftershave, brushe, scuttle, soap, pomade, etc. variety.

I used Derbys when I first started and feel they're a great starter blade.. great quality at a great price. My personal favorites are Astras, though.. either the stainless steel or platinum variety shave wonderfully well. The SS version are sharper, but the platinums shave more smoothly. I'd give those a shot.. if you can get your hands on a sampler pack with Astras in them, I'd do that, just so you have a few blades to test out. westcoastshaving.com sells these, and I think they're available on eBay these days, too.

$200 for a razor is a lot.. Feather makes a solid, modern razor that will last generations, but I'd prefer to spend the money on an old vintage Gillette. Some people swear by the newer Edwin Jagger's, Merkurs, Razors, etc, and I have a few in my rotation, but if I'm going to spend so much for a razor, I'd probably try to find one of the grails on eBay as these are becoming more and more rare and expensive as time goes on and wetshaving gains popularity.

I've tried straights and used to do a straight shave on Sundays before I had kids.. not enough time anymore. You can get a sweet shave with one pass, but there's definitely more risk involved. Straights are super sharp, and accidentally bringing a stroke to your ear or nose will cut you, so will moving sideways (which I haven't done, yet, but know of many who have). I was slightly intimidated when I first shaved with a straight (90% of people can probably switch to a DE immediately in comparison), but it didn't take long to gain confidence and get a feel for what the blade is supposed to feel like when shaving through stubble. The most difficult thing for me to learn when straight shaving was how to hold the blade to shave different parts of my face. It feels really awkward at first and helps to watch a few videos or images of people shaving various parts of their face. You might be tempted to get a Shavette.. this is a straight with a disposable blade portion. You can learn form and feel with it, but shaving with a well sharpened, real straight, is actually easier and less rough. Keeping straights sharp are also a little more difficult, since you either need to send it out to someone who can hone it, or you need to learn how to hone it yourself. Stropping is also a technique that takes practice to perfect. All in all, straight shaving has a much steeper learning curve and involves many more skills. A dude named Tony Miller is pretty much renowned for making the most sought after strops. I'm not sure if this is still true, but this was the case a few years ago.

You've probably also heard the terms WTG, XTG, and ATG (With the Grain, Across, Against).. I typically do a three pass shave that goes WTG, XTG, and ATG to get a BBS/DFS (baby-butt smooth or damn fine) shave..The chin and under the nose were the most difficult for me, both for DE and straight shaving. One thing that helps is letting the stubble grow for a day or so, just to see which direction it all grows. You'd be surprised at what direction you find the stubble actually growing.. around the neck, Adams-apple, jawline, etc., you may find the hair swirls or sweeps in directions you didn't expect. If you know which directions are W/X/A, it will make it easier to determine which direction to shave when you're doing your passes.

Have fun

I've never stepped up to a straight razor, thought on the shavettes for a while and then just decided to stick with the DE for now. 

In any event, the DE blades I've tried, I found it really does depend on a number of factors, some of which I haven't put my finger on. My Edwin Jagger came with a Derby Extra, and it worked great, so I bought a sampler and they continued to work great. The Feather was a bit of a harsh shave (known for getting close) in the EJ, I have a bulk pack of Personna blades (the only ones still made in the USA) and they are just awful in the EJ. 

I haven't had the Standard Razor very long, and have only tried Feathers, Personna, and Astra in it. The shave is really mild with this razor, and it seems to do okay regardless of what blade I put in it. The Astra was good, the feather probably the best, and the personna was about equal to the Astra. None of them have cut up my face.

The additional variable here, is that I'm always using a different soap, and the different soaps seem to vary the results as well. I've said it before, and the unscented Imperial is my absolute favorite, but I haven't done any Taylor of Old Bond Street, or the classic Italian bars and stuff that a lot of people swear by -- it's been my effort over the last few years to support and buy American as much as possible, even though it has sometimes cost me the experience of the highly regarded brands.

If the Standard were cheaper, I would recommend it hands-down as it is an amazingly easy DE shave, and seems to behave reliably regardless of the blade. My Edwin Jagger was a good starter, but it's definitely a higher learning curve than the standard. After the beginning of the year I'll probably pick up a Merkur 34C, since I've been wanting one for some time, though conversations here have me thinking that maybe an old Gillette would be the way to go. To be honest I'll probably pick up both at some point. 

I always figured the feather razor was so expensive just like Iron Heart is so expensive. Is it worth it? to some people absolutely, regardless of your perceived value. But I felt I was coveting it more because it costs a small fortune (in razor money) than for it's actual merits, so I stopped thinking about it. If I had too much money and no desire to keep it, I'd definitely own one of them, though. The Japanese seem to be like extra-obsessive Germans when it comes to manufacturing.