Pass Around Coming soon - Tatara titanium pass around (Masamune/Nodachi)
- Thread starter Masamune
- Start date
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- pass around tatara
Masamune
Forum GOD!
No but I'm sure @TATARA RAZORS does! You could always swap the caps in the same shave.
sɐǝɹpu∀
riverrun
Fourth Shave
Trying to keep all those combinations apart becomes a bit of a problem.
Today I did:
Nodachi SB base plate
Masamune cap
Brand new Feather blade
JR 305 brush
Speick shaving cream
AS: Limacol
I think this combination is slightly better than the other way round (Masamune plate, Nodachi cap).
Not much difference in blade feel, but it felt overall more efficient.
I'll know more tomorrow morning.
I don't think I can find meaningful words to describe the minor differences.
So I won't try.
Nice and pleasant, close shave.
Next, I think I'll try the Masamune OC as well. Random top cap I assume.
After that I'll need to go back to my beloved vintage SE razors.
TBC...
Trying to keep all those combinations apart becomes a bit of a problem.
Today I did:
Nodachi SB base plate
Masamune cap
Brand new Feather blade
JR 305 brush
Speick shaving cream
AS: Limacol
I think this combination is slightly better than the other way round (Masamune plate, Nodachi cap).
Not much difference in blade feel, but it felt overall more efficient.
I'll know more tomorrow morning.
I don't think I can find meaningful words to describe the minor differences.
So I won't try.
Nice and pleasant, close shave.
Next, I think I'll try the Masamune OC as well. Random top cap I assume.
After that I'll need to go back to my beloved vintage SE razors.
TBC...
sɐǝɹpu∀
riverrun
Fifth Shave
It's been three days, so it is time for another open comb shave:
Masamune OC base-plate
Nodachi cap
Brand new Feather blade
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush
Limacol as ASL
@Masamune was right: The Masamune OC is very nice indeed.
It dealt with three days' worth without effort or issues.
Nowhere near the blade feel of the Nodachi OC, still the same efficiency
(as far as I can tell, I'll know for sure tomorrow morning)
I can see this combination as a daily driver for some.
I think I'll have another shave with yet another combination,
so that all the shaves will be a blur, before coming to a conclusion.
It's been three days, so it is time for another open comb shave:
Masamune OC base-plate
Nodachi cap
Brand new Feather blade
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush
Limacol as ASL
@Masamune was right: The Masamune OC is very nice indeed.
It dealt with three days' worth without effort or issues.
Nowhere near the blade feel of the Nodachi OC, still the same efficiency
(as far as I can tell, I'll know for sure tomorrow morning)
I can see this combination as a daily driver for some.
I think I'll have another shave with yet another combination,
so that all the shaves will be a blur, before coming to a conclusion.
sɐǝɹpu∀
riverrun
Sixth Shave and Conclusion
A busy week and another three days have passed.
Sixth Shave
I felt like trying a non-OC Nodachi-only shave.
Nodachi SB base-plate
Nodachi cap
Brand new Feather blade
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush
Limacol as ASL
This should have been as aggressive as the Nodachi OC/Nodachi cap combination, but it wasn't.
Very efficient though.
I think I rate this as being the best combination so far.
No danger, no excessive blade feel, yet leaving me with a very smooth shave.
If I were in the market for a Tatara this would definitely be the combination I would pick.
So, I guess it's time for my conclusion:
Conclusion
Just as I remember from many moons ago, Tatara makes excellent razors.
I still adore the handle and wish I could keep it.
Titanium as a material suits these razors great. I have an issue with the sheer weight of stainless steel.
The Nodachi OC / Nodachi cap combination had more blade feel than I'd recommend on a daily basis.
All other combinations were comfortable, the Masume SB / Masamune cap combo could be slightly more efficient.
I tried only 6 of the 8 possible combinations, but I think most people should be happy with any other combination.
Pros
Would I buy one myself? You can guess the answer.
@jphelan81 please PM me with your address.
A busy week and another three days have passed.
Sixth Shave
I felt like trying a non-OC Nodachi-only shave.
Nodachi SB base-plate
Nodachi cap
Brand new Feather blade
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush
Limacol as ASL
This should have been as aggressive as the Nodachi OC/Nodachi cap combination, but it wasn't.
Very efficient though.
I think I rate this as being the best combination so far.
No danger, no excessive blade feel, yet leaving me with a very smooth shave.
If I were in the market for a Tatara this would definitely be the combination I would pick.
So, I guess it's time for my conclusion:
Conclusion
Just as I remember from many moons ago, Tatara makes excellent razors.
I still adore the handle and wish I could keep it.
Titanium as a material suits these razors great. I have an issue with the sheer weight of stainless steel.
The Nodachi OC / Nodachi cap combination had more blade feel than I'd recommend on a daily basis.
All other combinations were comfortable, the Masume SB / Masamune cap combo could be slightly more efficient.
I tried only 6 of the 8 possible combinations, but I think most people should be happy with any other combination.
Pros
- Gorgeous. Tatara know how to design and machine a flawless and pretty razor.
- Most combinations simply work and give really nice and close shaves. Very pleasant.
- Titanium. Short of going plastics, this makes for razors that are not too heavy.
- The handle. Drooool. Still one of the most pleasing handles ever. I wish I could keep it.
- It's a DE razor. Sorry, but I'm an SE guy. For this trial, I went through six of my own Feather blades (they are fantastic, but only last for one shave), but I'm looking forward to going back to proper blades and nice vintage razors.
- The caps need an indication if they are Masamune or Nodachi. This really confused me to start with. Not a problem if you only have one combination.
- Screwing on the handle was not as smooth as it could have been.
- No problem if you just buy one: The number of possible combinations was a bit overwhelming. I had a hard time remembering the differences between them.
- The elephant in the room: The price. They cost HOW MUCH? Good grief. If you are considering one of those, join the pass-around and find a combination to invest your life savings in.
Would I buy one myself? You can guess the answer.
@jphelan81 please PM me with your address.
Last edited:
Probably best to skip me for now, I’ve committed to using the vector for the next few weeks and I don’t want to hold up the pass around.
Masamune
Forum GOD!
LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
It’s arrived safely guys.
I’ve only had a quick look and the obvious main difference to the steel version I own, (Masamune) or did own, (Nodachi) is the weight. The whole razor just feels so light in comparison to the steel versions, but just as well finished. The handle is one of my all time favourites still, however the real test will come tomorrow. Trying to decide whether to go Nodachi down or Masamune up on the scale!
I’ve only had a quick look and the obvious main difference to the steel version I own, (Masamune) or did own, (Nodachi) is the weight. The whole razor just feels so light in comparison to the steel versions, but just as well finished. The handle is one of my all time favourites still, however the real test will come tomorrow. Trying to decide whether to go Nodachi down or Masamune up on the scale!
LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
SOTD: 31/08/2022
Razor: Tatara Titanium Nodachi
Blade: Astra SP, 1st use
Brush: AP Shave Co. Lemon Drop G5A
Bowl: Captains Choice Copper Lather Bowl Standard Bowl
Preshave: PAA Cube Unscented Soap
Soap: Master Soap Creations Night On The Town Puck
Aftershave: Jean Paul Gautier Le Male EDT
Balm: L’Oréal All In 1 Moisturising Cream Balm
Additional Care: Osma Laboratoires Alum Block
Day 1 on the passaround and I’ve decided to go solid bar Nodachi down, followed by open comb down. Having previously had a Nodachi it’s fair to say although I enjoyed the shave I just found it a little too much for day to day use. The titanium version was by comparison from memory much better, and this is I’m guessing solely down to the weight. Though it’s still probably too much for me day to day it gave me a buttery smooth finish with ease. The lack of weight helped immensely, making it feel even more manoeuvrable than the steel version yet the lack of weight/pressure created on the head gave a slightly milder shave than the steel version. It’s incredibly efficient, and the feel and finish as with all Tatara razors is second to none. I’m not sure what else to add, I was sceptical about titanium razors benefits but this is a happy medium for me between the steel and an aluminium razor which I often find too light. However good it is it would be too much for my skin as a daily shaver but if I were to get to a point I shave every other day I’d use this happily everyday!
LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
SOTD: 01/09/2022
Razor: Tatara Titanium Nodachi cap, Masamune SB base.
Blade: Astra SP, 2nd use
Brush: Shedeleven Spalted Scottish Hawthorn AP Shave Co G5C 26mm Fan
Bowl: 3D Printed Bowl
Preshave: PAA Cube Unscented Soap
Soap: OSP Herb Garden Puck
Aftershave: PAA Awesome Sauce Aftershave
Balm: Proraso Crema Liquida Dopobarba Balm
Additional Care: Osma Laboratoires Alum Block
I have to confess when I had my Nodachi as it was black I didn’t do a lot of mix and matching with my steel Masamune. This was a terrible mistake based on todays shave. It was just spot on! Not quite as efficient as yesterday but this was a positive for me, it was less blade forward and yet still efficient and incredibly smooth. The weight is still a massive plus for me, I feel I’m still over compensating a little putting a little too much pressure on the razor due to its lightness but the shave is still amazing. It’s like everything that’s amazing about both razors already has just been elevated by the lighter weight. It’s two shaves in and I already know I’d love one of these despite being previously dismissive of the need for a titanium razor.
LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
SOTD: 02/09/2022
Razor: Tatara Titanium Nodachi base Masamune cap
Blade: Astra SP, 3rd use
Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia
Bowl: 3D Printed Bowl
Preshave: PAA Cube Unscented Soap
Soap: PAA High Jump 47 Puck
Aftershave: PAA High Jump 47 Aftershave
Balm: Baxter Of California Aftershave Balm
Additional Care: Osma Laboratoires Alum Block
Todays combination felt like quite the drop in efficiency, still buttery smooth but significantly less efficient. The end result was still a DFS just missing out on a BBS finish. On to my full Masamune tomorrow which is what I have and use normally, in the steel version. The weight is really making a bigger difference than I expected.
Nice reviews. I think without trying Tatara Titanium Nodachi cap, Masamune SB is still the best combination like the stainless version. Sounds like your enjoying the razor.