Homelike Start DE Razor

[HomeLikeShaving]

Good evening

START (AISI 316) is available for sale!

https://homelikeshaving.ru/t-obraznye-britvy/start/

A little later we will add Satin razors.
We draw attention to the position of the narrow top plate (18.6 mm) - for those who want to feel the blade fully with the same smoothness of the razor

https://homelikeshaving.ru/verhnyaya-uzkaya-plita-kryshka-t-obraznoj-britvy-start-polir.html

 

[Wayne]

Thanks for letting us know. Just otdered a 1.18 polished plate.

 

[LewisW]

First shave done and I used the 1.18 plate as I have 3 days of growth.
And what a fantastic shave. Seriously this is the best razor I have used in as long as I can remember.
This has the smoothness of the Carbon with incredible efficiency. More efficient than the Nodachi. It looks fantastic, the finishing is as good as, if not better than the Gamechanger et al. The blade tabs are covered.
The handle is a little slippy, but a touch of Alum eliminates the issue.
The 1.18mm maybe a touch too much for daily, but for 2+ days growth it is outstanding. I'll go again tomorrow with a lesser plate...

@HomeLikeShaving you have created a fantastic razor...

Fortunately the Start has an M5 thread so you can put on a handle with better grip.

 

[Str8Mug]

Shave #2 tonight with the 1.3 START sb prototype configuration and it was just as good if not better than yesterday’s shave. A nice 2 pass shave with light touch up work around Sir Adam. Used the same blade which was the Gillette Black Ninja and the Bear Tallow soap. A really nice feel in shave action where you get nice blade feel yet it maintains nearly the same smoothness from the 1.18 plate. As Homelikeshaving stated in one of the posts, the top cap is slightly narrower to give a bit more blade reveal/exposure without having to go big on gap size. I still believe the cutting edge is close to neutral but, it could have the slightest in positive blade positioning relative to the guard and cap (shave plane). I can’t really say as I haven’t used any calipers/veneers or mic’d it. It just shaves really freaking good.....

 

[Str8Mug]

A sweet and satisfying shave with the START prototype. Same blade and soap combo from the previous 2 shaves and nothing but BBS finishes in all three. Minus the 1st day where I had just the tiniest bit of irritation on my neck from some touch ups, they have been irritation free since without any cuts, nics or weepers. Good balance and weight with a very rigidly held blade between the cap and base plate that shows no flex or chatter during the shave. Cleaning/rinsing the razor is easy and quick as is the case with their production version. Caveat with the razor is perhaps maybe a bit better knurling or slightly deeper serrations in the handle to give a better tactile feel. Not that I felt that the handle would slip because it never has but, it would just add a bit more trust and confidence knowing that it won’t slip because of excess soap. It just sets you up to be in the comfort zone with a very capable razor from the get go.

Next up will be the 1.3 Open Comb variation. An increase in blade feel? More cutting action and smooth or will it be a harsher feeling shave? Can’t wait to find out....

 

[Chris]

Thanks to the BST I've acquired a polished Start set, looking forward to trying it out!

 

[Str8Mug]

Thanks to the BST I've acquired a polished Start set, looking forward to trying it out!

Congrats and happy shaves. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. Hopefully you find a plate or two that makes it worthwhile....

 

[Chris]

Congrats and happy shaves. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. Hopefully you find a plate or two that makes it worthwhile....

I've been using the .84 GC a lot recently, so I'm hoping the .90 Start plates will be a good fit, with the .69 for when I want a mild shave. I don't think the 1.18 will get much use, if any.

 

[jimthecamera]

the 0.90 is a good compromise-even in oc still very smooth yet very efficient-no blade feel from it all -like you- never got around to the 0.69 nor the 1.18 but read that other users- find the 1.18 no more aggressive- yet superbly efficient-have fun experimenting on receipt

 

[Str8Mug]

I've been using the .84 GC a lot recently, so I'm hoping the .90 Start plates will be a good fit, with the .69 for when I want a mild shave. I don't think the 1.18 will get much use, if any.

I agree with @jimthecamera in that don't discount the 1.18 plate. It's a heck of a smooth feeling plate. Paired with a sharp blade, it's Samurai steel in a stealthy Ninja set up. It might be a bit much for some as a daily but, every other day or two and it shows it's thoroughbred like cutting prowess. Again, experimenting is half the fun and all is based on how you feel with it. Good luck....

 

[Chris]

I'll definitely give the 1.18 a go at some point, I'll post back if I survive!

 

[Str8Mug]

Shave #4 and first with the START prototype 1.3 open comb. Identical in fit, feel and precise fitment of all three components. Precise blade alignment that is very rigid and supported equally identically to the safety bar version. Only difference being it’s an open comb and the polish finish. Used the same Gillette 7 O’Clock SP (Black Ninja) and the only change was the software in the soap plus aftershave. By the way, the WSP BlackBeard in Formula T is truly a phenomenal performing soap with a scent that is intoxicatingly awesome. Nearly perfect cold weather scent that produces a vanilla, honey and tobacco flower type scent with a sort of amber like vibe floating in and out when applying the lather that is divine. This soap is a performer as is all of Lee’s soap creations. Quality stuff. Anyways, back to the shave and it was a good one. A 2 pass affair with the slightest of touch ups on the chin and it was over. For starters, I think this START open comb razor exhibited a bit of a smoother feel while still giving excellent feel and cutting action over the safety bar version. I could be wrong but, I felt as though if felt more forgiving on my face for some reason yet it still gave me just the slightest touch of blade feel. The razor just went through the whiskers with ease and authority. Smooth, smooth and smooth. More shaves to follow just to confirm my initial experience with this capable razor and the 1.3 gap plate. Amazing how a razor can up the feel in blade and cutting efficiency with the increase in gap yet still be as smooth or smoother than a straight/safety bar version. I’m liking what HomelikeShaving is doing here....

 

[Str8Mug]

Shave #5 was another good and efficient shave. I’ll be honest, last night’s shave was so good and close, I really didn’t have my normal nearly full 24hr. growth. But, I had enough for a complete ATG pass and a shake down buff on the chin. Yes, yesterday evenings shave was that close yet very comfy and the razor again is quite soft on the face for bringing a tiny bit more of blade feel to the game. I have not felt any tenderness for shaving five straight days with the increased efficiency in how both these razors perform. There is a definite upgrade in blade feel as the narrower top cap gives one just a tad bit more blade exposure on the skin. Neither one of these razors are intimidating at all and just do what they’re supposed to do. And that’s giving one a comfortable yet highly efficient feeling shave. I’m going to skip a day and get one more shave in with both giving each one a side just as a comparison. Not a single bad shave so far. Impressive indeed....

 

[Chris]

I received my polished Start set yesterday and am very impressed. As others have remarked the polished finish isn't up there with Timeless and Wolfman but the price isn't either. Comparing it directly to my Razorocks the Start has a better finish but it's more tool than jewellry. The only visible machining marks are under the top cap, which is no cause for concern, and the tolerances are excellent with everything fitting together very well indeed with no wiggle. I love the design, it looks sort of vintage and the shape of the plates from the side remind me of vintage Gillettes, especially the OC plate which looks a lot like a New. I also received the stand, normally I don't bother with stands but this one is really nice, it's simple and elegant in its design. I think there's something clever gone on with the shaping of the hole in that the razor seems to centre itself and then balance on its end without touching the sides. Perhaps it tapers slightly toward the bottom. The bottom also has a hole in it to let water out if any gets in which is a nice touch.

I like the packaging too, it's nicely done but it's foam and cardboard. IMO packaging is to protect the razor in transit, I don't want a hand-tooled rosewood case for it, I want my money going into the razor not the box it comes in. The foam cut-outs are an extremely tight fit though and I needed to use a spudger to get the plates out. They're now in at an angle with the end nearest the finger hole just barely pushed down.

I've been using my .84 GC for the last couple of weeks, so went for the .90 SB plate for last night's shave which I figured would be quite similar to what I've been used to with the GC. This does not feel like a .90. I know that blade gap is only one factor, one of my favourite razors is the PILS which has a gap approaching 1mm, but there was little blade feel which for me is a good thing. The razor is extremely smooth, "smooth and efficient" gets used a lot for the recent crop of razors however it is entirely appropriate here, it scythed through my stubble with no discomfort and did a fine job of removing it without feeling like my skin was going to go too. This level of efficiency with this little blade feel is something I've hardly ever come across, something about the geometry of the Start obviously works for me. The end result was, as best I can tell, similar to the .84 GC but the Start achieved it in greater comfort and that was only my first go. Once I've gotten it dialled in I think it has the potential to be something special.

I'm looking forward to trying the other plates and I think the versatility of the Start will make it the one I reach for when I'm going on holiday. I notice that Homelike are now making this in 316 stainless instead of 304 for the same price which is a nice upgrade, albeit IMO unnecessary unless you're storing your razor in the ocean.

 

[Str8Mug]

Shave no.#6 with the both of these prototypes. And an amazingly efficient yet smooth shave. I skipped a day to get a bit more growth and see if I can get a full 3 pass shave in just to get more shave time in and just because I’ve been liking the shaves with these two very much. I have bad news in that regard as I failed to get a 3 pass shave with either one of them. A straight up 2 pass plus a buff on the chin and a clean up pass around Sir Adam. I brought in 2 fresh Dorco blades named appropriately Titan. Sharp, smooth, comfy and cheap these new blades from Dorco. Not a big fan of the Dorco brand but, these have been a pleasant surprise. Love the packaging and presentation of this steel. Used Shannon’s Lady Luck for the suds and not a single thing to complain about. Just smooth and easy passes with both of these well made razors. I will say that I confirmed my belief in that for me the 1.3 OC proved to be just a bit more smoother on my skin over the 1.3 SB. Not by much, but noticeable at least to me. Why? Don’t have the slightest idea. Perhaps it has to do with the open comb allowing a tad bit more of lather to remain and add to the OC versions ability to glide some. Or possibly the better polish finish adding to give less drag on the skin. Or, maybe the Earth’s tilt on it’s axis with the Moon’s gravitational pull on the tides in conjunction with the Magnetic Poles of our planet aligned everything right for me. Honestly, who the heck knows and who cares. All I want is a good, comfortable yet efficient feeling shave. And I think that’s what the far majority of de wet shavers look for as well. These two definitely do that......