Hone T15S Pass around

[sev-8]

A few more shaves in now, 3 in total with a Nacet and 2 so far with a Feather and the frugal person in me hates to say it, but the Feather feels really smooth in the T15S.

A lot of improvements since the first shave, I've gotten used to the weight and I'm more confident at switching my grip one handed, as long as the handle isn't too soapy. I'm not feeling any drag from the top plate. The only thing I'm doing differently now compared to any other razor I own is to position the middle bit of my pinky (between the joints) at point of the handle to prevent any slipping when lather has run down onto the handle.

I'm using a very cheap tube of Wars at the moment as it was the only thing I didn't pack before a move, so I'm going to try and dig out a tub of Wickhams over the weekend to see if that improves things. Overall though, the shaves are getting better and this morning's was very smooth, but it still feels like more effort than with my favourite razors.

 

[Hone]

A few more shaves in now, 3 in total with a Nacet and 2 so far with a Feather and the frugal person in me hates to say it, but the Feather feels really smooth in the T15S.

A lot of improvements since the first shave, I've gotten used to the weight and I'm more confident at switching my grip one handed, as long as the handle isn't too soapy. I'm not feeling any drag from the top plate. The only thing I'm doing differently now compared to any other razor I own is to position the middle bit of my pinky (between the joints) at point of the handle to prevent any slipping when lather has run down onto the handle.

I'm using a very cheap tube of Wars at the moment as it was the only thing I didn't pack before a move, so I'm going to try and dig out a tub of Wickhams over the weekend to see if that improves things. Overall though, the shaves are getting better and this morning's was very smooth, but it still feels like more effort than with my favourite razors.

Thank you @sev-8 , on the Feather blades... I used one in the middle of working my way through some Gillette blades I had bulk purchased a long time ago, and then struggled to finish them. I developed the 15 geometry using feathers in the end

Do you think I could help the grip on the handle in any way? Or is it something you just need to adjust too? Generally I try to avoid knurling, but interested if this grip issue is a dealbreaker for you?

 

[Masamune]

Did you ever consider a slimmed down design rather than using different metals? I don't know if the Hone geometry could be replicated in a razor closer in size to say a Tatara razor.

Clearly the weight of the standard razor - SS or brass is an issue for some. Not everyone likes Aluminium razors.

The pass around titanium Tatara I just borrowed was frankly too light. Would be great to get a Hone razor under 100g without using Ti/Al.

 

[Hone]

Did you ever consider a slimmed down design rather than using different metals? I don't know if the Hone geometry could be replicated in a razor closer in size to say a Tatara razor.

Clearly the weight of the standard razor - SS or brass is an issue for some. Not everyone likes Aluminium razors.

The pass around titanium Tatara I just borrowed was frankly too light. Would be great to get a Hone razor under 100g without using Ti/Al.

I have some design studies that I did to look at saving weight. I think the weight will also help the grip issue ultimately as well. It's in my idealog

 

[LeeMaz]

I have some design studies that I did to look at saving weight. I think the weight will also help the grip issue ultimately as well. It's in my idealog

And a AC blade version?
Any news on the video to sort the drag out?

 

[Masamune]

GEM blade first

 

[Hone]

And a AC blade version?
Any news on the video to sort the drag out?

haha, the block to the video is myself ... Not a natural in front of a camera so I am re-editing to make it less awkward haha

 

[LeeMaz]

haha, the block to the video is myself ... Not a natural in front of a camera so I am re-editing to make it less awkward haha

@Hone Judging by the demo head will the solution change the 'finish' significantly? Will newly produced versions be changed to deal with this issue? I newly finished head would be ideal as I guess it's the top cap causing most of the issues. I'm torn between waiting to see the solution that works but make the razor finish less precise and 'uniform' to getting it polished or plated by @JJ Shaves

 

[Hone]

@Hone Judging by the demo head will the solution change the 'finish' significantly? Will newly produced versions be changed to deal with this issue? I newly finished head would be ideal as I guess it's the top cap causing most of the issues. I'm torn between waiting to see the solution that works but make the razor finish less precise and 'uniform' to getting it polished or plated by @JJ Shaves

The brushed top will change the finish on those surfaces, which I think you saw on the demo version indeed. It's hard to change the effect of the texture on the drag without altering the finish. I will make sure there are some clear side by sides so people can decide if they want to do this to their razor. My personal opinion is I quite like brushed top cap contrast to the rest of the razor, I like the uniformity as well. But I feel that if the razor surfaces that are the shaving ones are different from the grip surfaces that also makes sense logically, and visually.

Going forward it's hard to achieve this exact textured finish without creating this property of the drag in the stainless. My knowledge of the texture in different hardness grades of metals has gone down a rabbit hole, there isn't a table I can reference the texture measurement and the co-efficient of friction it will have unfortunately so I have really been testing. I think I will commit to brushing the top caps and guards of all razors. I have other products that I would like to match with this batch of razors, and the grip on the handle portion works well... So I need to find the balance.

 

[LeeMaz]

The brushed top will change the finish on those surfaces, which I think you saw on the demo version indeed. It's hard to change the effect of the texture on the drag without altering the finish. I will make sure there are some clear side by sides so people can decide if they want to do this to their razor. My personal opinion is I quite like brushed top cap contrast to the rest of the razor, I like the uniformity as well. But I feel that if the razor surfaces that are the shaving ones are different from the grip surfaces that also makes sense logically, and visually.

Going forward it's hard to achieve this exact textured finish without creating this property of the drag in the stainless. My knowledge of the texture in different hardness grades of metals has gone down a rabbit hole, there isn't a table I can reference the texture measurement and the co-efficient of friction it will have unfortunately so I have really been testing. I think I will commit to brushing the top caps and guards of all razors. I have other products that I would like to match with this batch of razors, and the grip on the handle portion works well... So I need to find the balance.

Go on you can’t say ‘other products’ without giving us a hint!

 

[Hone]

So here is my video showing how I treated the head that was added to the pass around. I endeavoured to keep it short and too the point, I didn't want to make a 10 min video, but let me know if you think it works. I welcome any thoughts and comments.

 

[Hone]

Go on you can’t say ‘other products’ without giving us a hint!

Well I have been working on the brush with the changeable knot. I have been dragging my heels because it is turning into a 100eur brush, and I am not sure if that is something I could sell enough of at that price. And I don't really want to compromise on where or how I get it made. I know that something like a Simpsons shaving brush can be a lot more than that - but they have have a brand heritage and trust to back it up.

 

[LeeMaz]

Well I have been working on the brush with the changeable knot. I have been dragging my heels because it is turning into a 100eur brush, and I am not sure if that is something I could sell enough of at that price. And I don't really want to compromise on where or how I get it made. I know that something like a Simpsons shaving brush can be a lot more than that - but they have have a brand heritage and trust to back it up.

I like the idea of a matching brush and the changeable knot. Would it be available in the brass and steel?

 

[SeanC]

The passaround razor arrived safely on Friday last week and I used on both Friday (2 days growth) and Saturday (1 day growth) with a Kai blade (I'm not a fan of Feather blades, so I think this is a good compromise). TFS Italian Rhubarb has been used throughout in the interests of consistency and because it's nice and slick

Initial musings are as follows:

• The original head does indeed drag and was swapped out after one pass
• There is a marginal difference between the treated head and the rest of the razor in terms of finish, but it wouldn't bother me particularly
• The suggested angle of the razor is pretty much my natural shaving angle, so no issues there
• No issue shaving under my nose which is a common difficulty, but the wider than normal head (even Kai blades are fully enclosed) made it difficult to shave close to a mole on my face

A more detailed review will follow later this week and I will be ready to send the razor onwards on either Wednesday or Thursday

 

[mr.pol72]

I polished the entire razor except for the inside. Polishing - "satin".
As a result, if we compare the two finishes, then satin gives the best glide. But the original finish definitely gives the best protection against scratches.