New Mühle stainless steel razor 'Rocca'

[Nishy]

@Dr Watson I'm glad you brought this up. I found it strange that razor impressions were so paradoxical. Usually you can find differing opinions but not skewed from ultra smooth to very rough across such a widespread audience, over a short time. It reminded me of the Asylum RX which started smooth then something altered resulting in a rattle and extremely uncomfortable shaves.

So my guess is QC issues. This can now further be confirmed from your pictures. Does a difference also occur with the top caps blade cover? The part that slants down over the top of the blade.

Regarding the guys video it probably is comfortable to shave at that angle as it's probably removing very little stubble just lightly scraping the tips, as opposed to a slicing action, cutting the stubble closer to the root.

 

[Dr Watson]

So my guess is QC issues. This can now further be confirmed from your pictures. Does a difference also occur with the top caps blade cover? The part that slants down over the top of the blade.

I just checked and that part is perfectly even with no gap. I've messaged HQ Deutschland so I'll let you know what they say... This news may ruin Andreas Muller's day

 

[Grishnak]

Mate, if you haven't tried it yet then please let me save you the agony... Played it safe and loaded up a fresh Nacet today, everything else was the same. I tried every angle possible starting with the one used by the Ozzy lad in the video, I dont know if physics are different down under or what? I'm sorry but he is talking absolute bollocks. using his angle it's extremely uncomfortable and leaves a trail of weepers, I never get weepers but I sit here now with half a face full

So, after confirming that was nonsense I went back to more traditional angles and found the shave improved (comparatively) but just as awful as yesterday, rough and aggressive with no slickness, it's like the matte finish on the head causes drag or something?

CBA with it any more, two of the worst shaves of my life... Auf Wiedersehen Rocca, you wont be missed.

Thank you James.
I’m about to shave in the next ten minutes (jealous anyone? Lol) and am after a very nice BBS for Saturday.
A BBS Saturday starts with a reasonable shave today, it does not start with a tear up.
Much appreciated James.

 

[Grishnak]

Tried to see if I could see any light through the gap on my V2.
Not sure if this helps?
Can get the camera rather than the iPad and set up in the garden if required.

 

[Grishnak]

However, after taking above I stood twisting the razor held up to the final Autumn sky of the year in the garden.
There is only contact in the middle of each side.
Either the bottom or top cap move away from each other towards both ends.

Would cause the very slightest “sad” line to be given to the blade, with both ends clamped slightly less than the centre.....if that makes sense?

 

[Dr Watson]

However, after taking above I stood twisting the razor held up to the final Auntumn sky of the year in the garden.
There is only contact in the middle of each side.
Either the bottom or top cap move away from each other towards both ends.

Would cause the very slightest “sad” line to be given to the blade, with both ends clamped slightly less than the centre.....if that makes sense?

Sounds like ours are the same then. No surprise we both find it a rough, unforgiving shave... I'm 99% certain my v2 was not like this.

 

[Grishnak]

Sounds like ours are the same then. No surprise we both find it a rough, unforgiving shave... I'm 99% certain my v2 was not like this.

Mine is a V2.
And to my eye, when apart, the bottom plate is the culprit.
A warp, poor materials, poor QC,
all of the above, or intentional/ deliberate design decision?

 

[Dr Watson]

Mine is a V2.

Oh blimey, I missed that bit

And to my eye, when apart, the bottom plate is the culprit.
A warp, poor materials, poor QC,
all of the above, or intentional/ deliberate design decision?

I'm beginning to wonder if it's actually the latter AFAIK the base plate on the v2 was MIM injected same as the top cap, however on the v3 it is now milled... It must be deliberate for ours to share the same "issue" despite using two entirely different production processes.

Either way, I'll let you know once I get a reply.

 

[Grishnak]

Oh blimey, I missed that bit



I'm beginning to wonder if it's actually the latter

Either way, I'll let you know once I get a reply.

I feel the latter and that it is a deliberate design.
If I undo, and rotate only the top cap and re-tighten, it looks exactly the same, so unlikely to be a warp.
I also wonder if the “sad” blade is another way of putting some tension into the edge.

Will appreciate hearing what you find.
I may also ask you for the email address and name of who you are writing to.
Maybe I should make enquiries with them when your matter is complete.

 

[Missoni]

Sorry, I can't leave this alone until I figure it out... It's bugging me

I've tried two versions of this razor, the v2 was smooth as silk, the v3 rough as a badgers arse. Others have only tried one version and come to different conclusions, for example Wayne and Lee used the v2 and found it rough, Steve the v3 and found it smooth, with me so far? I know we always put these things down to YMMV but what if not all Rocca's are born equal? The two I've had certainly weren't.

Now, tell me what you think of this:

View attachment 37939
View attachment 37940
View attachment 37941

That is fully tightened sans blade. Notice those gaps between base plate and top cap where the blade would sit? Those are present and equal both sides of the head, all four corners, the plates only touch in the very centre for approximately 15mm, so when a blade is installed it is only being clamped in the middle 15mm... The rough shaves begin to make sense, no? I dont remember my v2 being like this, would be great if Steve or Ben could check their v3's for comparison.

The blade is only being clamped in this area:

View attachment 37942

Just a theory

...it will be interesting to see what Muhle has to say; my V3 also has the same gaps and I notice on screwing up the handle to the head, the top of the handle rubs the recess in the bottom plate as it is being tightened up. That said, I enjoy the shave's I get with the Rocca but probably the next iteration of the razor will have this sorted...odd design though...

 

[Dr Watson]

Pictures requested, and sent... Now, we wait

 

[Nishy]

We should try and organise a pass around of all 3 versions.

 

[Grishnak]

We should try and organise a pass around of all 3 versions.

All three at the same time for direct comparison?

 

[Rowlers]

We should try and organise a pass around of all 3 versions.

Nice idea, I did try and blag a V3, all I needed was a receipt/invoice and I would have had a v3 to pass around.
PM me if anyone has an invoice for a v2...

 

[Nishy]

Nice idea, I did try and blag a V3, all I needed was a receipt/invoice and I would have had a v3 to pass around.
PM me if anyone has an invoice for a v2...

Oh yes I do remember speaking to you about this Lee