Pass Around Masamune Nodachi
- Thread starter Nishy
- Start date
morr
Forum GOD!
First shave with the Nodachi this morning and I must say I'm impressed! I've tried the Tatara before and while undoubtedly a smooth razor, it was a bit too mild for me. The Nodachi is a different story, it's a blade forward razor but still very smooth - just the way I like it. Nodachi gets compared to Blackbird and while I agree they feel similar due to blade feel, Blackbird still has more blade feel and is probably more efficient.
In a way, I think the Nodachi is what Blackland Dart was supposed to be (Dart was a disappointment to me - although efficient, nowhere near to justify the harshness).
Back to the Nodachi, the fit and finish are of great quality. I'd prefer it were in polished or at least machined finish, it's like matte doesn't do it justice. Also, I don't like the look of the handle and the non-knurled portion can be slippery. The head of the razor feels light which makes the razor a bit handle heavy. To me, the balance is a bit off, yet it's still very maneuverable. The razor emphasizes the blade feel but in a controlled and smooth way.
Due to blade feel, comparable razors are Rex Ambassador, Weber PH, and Rockwell on 6 (Rockwell is way bulkier though).
My first impression after one shave:
The good:
- Great feedback
- Very efficient
- Very smooth
The bad:
- Balance is a bit off
- I don't really like the handle and the knurled part seems a bit short and placed too high
The ugly:
- While the construction screams quality, the finish just doesn't do it for me.
I'm looking forward to the next shave. I'll try and compare it to Weber and Rex, which honestly speaks for itself, both of these are in my top 5 razors!
In a way, I think the Nodachi is what Blackland Dart was supposed to be (Dart was a disappointment to me - although efficient, nowhere near to justify the harshness).
Back to the Nodachi, the fit and finish are of great quality. I'd prefer it were in polished or at least machined finish, it's like matte doesn't do it justice. Also, I don't like the look of the handle and the non-knurled portion can be slippery. The head of the razor feels light which makes the razor a bit handle heavy. To me, the balance is a bit off, yet it's still very maneuverable. The razor emphasizes the blade feel but in a controlled and smooth way.
Due to blade feel, comparable razors are Rex Ambassador, Weber PH, and Rockwell on 6 (Rockwell is way bulkier though).
My first impression after one shave:
The good:
- Great feedback
- Very efficient
- Very smooth
The bad:
- Balance is a bit off
- I don't really like the handle and the knurled part seems a bit short and placed too high
The ugly:
- While the construction screams quality, the finish just doesn't do it for me.
I'm looking forward to the next shave. I'll try and compare it to Weber and Rex, which honestly speaks for itself, both of these are in my top 5 razors!
As per the Carbon thread, you need to be a "full member" before you can partake in pass around, which you would know if you were to rad the OP.
morr
Forum GOD!
Second shave today in parallel with Weber PH and I must say they felt really similar. During the first pass, the Nodachi seemed a bit smoother but during ATG, Weber was more comfortable. The blade feel was fairly similar, efficiency-wise, I'd give Nodachi a slight advantage.
I shaved last night and my face still feels smooth (9 AM). Both are just wonderful and efficient razors!
I think I've had it with the Nodachi handle, for the next shave or two, I'm using it with a different one. It might be a challenge to find the right handle since the head is a bit unique, very slim but still stainless steel and I don't wont to make it too light.
I shaved last night and my face still feels smooth (9 AM). Both are just wonderful and efficient razors!
I think I've had it with the Nodachi handle, for the next shave or two, I'm using it with a different one. It might be a challenge to find the right handle since the head is a bit unique, very slim but still stainless steel and I don't wont to make it too light.
Sausage
Forum GOD!
I have not been able to fit many other handles than Tatara handles with Nodachi head. The threading seems different.
I was able to use Muhle rosegold handle. But no luck with many others.
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Could you specify which handles did not work? I would love to pair the Nodachi with the Rockwell 6S handle but have no idea if this pairing works - technically and aesthetically.
Sausage
Forum GOD!
I tried Timeless ss handle, iKon Bulldog ss handle without success. I may have exaggerated "many handles dont work" thing a bit
morr
Forum GOD!
Today's morning shave was paired against Rex Ambassador (on setting 3). Even though both razors performed beautifully, Rex was noticeably smoother. Both blades were Gillette Silver Blue on their 3rd use but the blade in Nodachi felt duller. I'm thinking fresh Feather for next shave!
Oh and I'm happy to report that my Nodachi head works just fine with Rockwell, Weber, and ATT handles!
Oh and I'm happy to report that my Nodachi head works just fine with Rockwell, Weber, and ATT handles!
morr
Forum GOD!
One more shave, this time parallel with GC 0.84 and two brand new Silver blues. IMO, these two are completely different razors as the blade feel on GC was almost negligible compared to Nodachi. While decently efficient, GC was no match for Nodachi and I've used it exclusively for the touch-up pass. Still, for this particular shave, I'd give an edge to GC, it was super smooth. I think the SB's are the perfect match for the GC.
I plan to do one more shave aginst the Blackbird and that's it for me and this wonderful razor. @chris.hale please PM me your address and I'll have it shipped to you by the end of the week.
I plan to do one more shave aginst the Blackbird and that's it for me and this wonderful razor. @chris.hale please PM me your address and I'll have it shipped to you by the end of the week.
morr
Forum GOD!
At the last moment, I changed my mind and opted for the WR2 paired against Nodachi. Lately, I've been toying with the idea of shimming my WR2, not that it needs a boost in efficiency but it's so smooth so I was curious what would larger gap bring to the table.
The result was - WOW. The WR2 was equally smooth but with added efficiency, on equal foot, if not better than Nodachi! In smoothness, they just don't compare I'm afraid, WR2 makes Nodachi feel like an R41 with dull Derby...
Ok, not really, Nodachi is still a smooth razor, it's just not a match for (shimmed) WR2.
The result was - WOW. The WR2 was equally smooth but with added efficiency, on equal foot, if not better than Nodachi! In smoothness, they just don't compare I'm afraid, WR2 makes Nodachi feel like an R41 with dull Derby...
Ok, not really, Nodachi is still a smooth razor, it's just not a match for (shimmed) WR2.
