Homelike Start DE Razor

Calm_Shaver

Forum GOD!
Excellent reviews of the 1.3 oc/sb prototypes @Str8Mug ... Thank You for your in-depth reviews, much appreciated. Any idea when they will be released? I have Homelike .90SB, .90Oc, and 1.18Sb.! My Favorite of the Start is the .90Oc plate.., and I would most likely go for 1.3 Oc or 1.18Oc if it is available.
 

Str8Mug

Forum GOD!
Excellent reviews of the 1.3 oc/sb prototypes @Str8Mug ... Thank You for your in-depth reviews, much appreciated. Any idea when they will be released? I have Homelike .90SB, .90Oc, and 1.18Sb.! My Favorite of the Start is the .90Oc plate.., and I would most likely go for 1.3 Oc or 1.18Oc if it is available.
Thank you my friend. I believe the 1.3 plates in both variations are still a bit of time away. They have a couple other items in the que for production. Hopefully not too far off...... :cheers:
 

Str8Mug

Forum GOD!
Shave no.#7 and the final one before going out on tour. Went back to the 1.3 sb today with the Dorco Titan Blade & Tabac. Silky smooth lather and wonderful 2 pass plus chin buff. Actually cleaned up the Sir Adam area (my toughest spot to finish) extremely well. I did give myself the slightest of irritation on the chin but, that was more due to my over zealous action of achieving a glass smooth finish than the action of the razor itself. Silly me but, I’m a chaser of skin smoothness. And at times I’m at fault of trading and achieving the skin tight smoothness for the smallest bit of discomfort. The START 1.3 plate though gives excellent feedback and a direct feel in letting you know what it’s doing and how it’s doing it. Superb shave, period.

In conclusion and to summarize my shaves with the 1.3 prototypes is quite simple. It’s a fantastic shave in either configuration. Blade feel is deceptively amped up but, not unbearable or intolerable in feel. It’s the complete opposite in my estimation. Truthfully and realistically it’s in the razors design and shave geometry that makes them so good. Achieving a greater feel in cutting efficiency while at the same time maintaining near equal smoothness to its previous plate designs is no small feat. HomelikeShaving is putting in some serious thought and work in trying to achieve the best of two mediums, smooth and efficient. And honestly, that type of ground has only been achieved by a select few modern razor designer/makers today. Form and function is what these razors bring to the table and at a price point that the average Joe can actually afford and be proud to own. There’s a plate and size for every face and beard regardless of how many times a week one might shave. It’s an impressive razor with an equally impressive shave system of plate sizes and caps to adjust your shave accordingly. Do I have any caveats? Yes, I do. One and perhaps is the most important factor is its feel. That being the handle itself. It feels good but, with some knurling on it I feel the tactile grip would be greatly improved taking out all doubt of slipping or falling from ones hands. Let’s face it and speak some truths here. Not everyone is safety conscious and there are some shavers out there that, to put it nicely are just complete klutzes or accident prone. Added grip would most certainly help in this aspect. And honestly, mistakes will happen with the best of us regardless of care or technique. For those that just seem to get into a predicament during their shave more times than not, you shouldn’t be shaving. Think the Old Shaolin Monk Buddhist Master and grow the hair. You’ll be better off. Fu-Manchu it brother...

In the end, would I buy either or? Yes, in a heartbeat. I actually prefer the open comb version as somehow it felt smoother and gentler on my face. Not by much but, it was noticeable. I’ve cleaned these two razors up and sanitized them. They are ready and boxed waiting to be shipped to the first recipient (Stateside).

Happy shaves my wet shaving brothers....

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Chris

Forum DOG!
Staff member
I had my first go with the .90 OC just now, brilliant shave with it! It doesn’t feel much different to the .90 SB, if anything it might even have felt smoother, but the efficiency is right up there. One shave is too soon to say whether it was more effective than the SB and I did only have 24 hours’ growth, but next time I’ve been lazy and skipped a day or two this will be the one to go for.

I love the design of the teeth on this one, they don’t feel sharp at all even shaving round my ears. At some point I’ll have to compare it to a New LC which it has a definite resemblance to. It’s been a while since I’ve used an OC so I was a bit cautious at first but there was no need.

So, two plates tried so far, two really enjoyed. This razor is impressing me. The grip on the handle’s fine with wet hands but I do find myself being more careful about getting soap off my fingers or it does feel a bit slippery. It’s not been a problem but it’ll be interesting to see if I favour a bulldog or my Alpha handle once the novelty’s worn off. The original handle is pretty though.
 

Chris

Forum DOG!
Staff member
I think the .90 OC is my favourite of the two plates I’ve tried so far and is likely to stay my daily for a while, I’ll try the .69 and 1.18 when I get to them. I skipped a shave yesterday so tonight was 48 hours' growth and New Blade Thursday, so a fresh Personna lab with my Outlaw synth and The Fat. This razor is so smooth! It went through my beard like a knife through butter and felt like a Tech while it was doing it. I hadn’t used The Fat for a while and had forgotten what a truly excellent soap it is.

If you’re on the fence about buying a Start razor, get one, they’re excellent.
 

SweeneyTodd

Forum GOD!
Less than a week, was able to track the package.
Now it's back in stock, I'm thinking of buying the polished START kit. Which shipping method did you select? Express Packet (air freight) seems about right to me, but I'd like to get it sooner rather than later. Also, did you get an HMRC/Royal Mail hit?
 

jimthecamera

Forum GOD!
yes-and as a bonus -the new start version is actually made of the much better and more expensive 316 surgical stainless steel -(same as Rolex use for their watches) now bought 3 sets from same seller-well packaged up-nice to deal with- and also the new taiga -and not had to pay customs as he lists contents as a $10 razor for uk customs and they cannot read the Russian language!
 

jimthecamera

Forum GOD!
sorry- I let them choose how it is sent -but was in uk after Russian customs -within a week -and with me 3 days later -completely unopened by any customs here or in russia-
 

Chris

Forum DOG!
Staff member
yes-and as a bonus -the new start version is actually made of the much better and more expensive 316 surgical stainless steel -(same as Rolex use for their watches)
I believe Rolex use 904L steel and have since the early 80's.

"Better" is subjective depending on your intended use, 316's better if your razor is regularly exposed to chlorides, sea water or industrial solvents if not 304 is just as good. There is a common misconception that 316 is a better choice for a razor and it's really unfounded.

I'm not singling you out here Jim, you hear it a lot.
 
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