TATARA AMAKUNI SE
- Thread starter LeeMaz
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LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
Spill the beans, push me over the edge!
Str8Mug
Forum GOD!
Simplicity & perhaps form befitting function but, I just see a Masamune handle with a small SE head that is disproportionate with said handle. I'm not trying to ruin it for those that see it as an attractive razor but, I find it uninspiring and rather bland with no design innovations at least within its overall aesthetics. The Vector is more fluid with its thin neck fluting to counter weight bias. Same with the Alpha Spirit with its overall excellent balance of mild yet efficient effectiveness with a nimbleness that is uniquely its own. The La Faulx is just on another level of performance, form & function and the Wolfman WR4 with its jewel like features and cutting pedigree well, hopefully you get what I'm saying here. Just doesn't do it for me.
In the end I hope all those that precur the Amakuni it lives up to their expectations and more. A successful launch to Tatara for their new razor in the SE field.
In the end I hope all those that precur the Amakuni it lives up to their expectations and more. A successful launch to Tatara for their new razor in the SE field.
Masamune
Forum GOD!
SOTD
Unreleased prototype with Kai Pink
The prototype is a very smooth and comfortable razor but it seems @TATARA RAZORS have come up with a polarising final design. My prototype is not high efficiency but is a gentle shave. I can use Feather Supers without any harshness for extra efficiency. The finished razor has been modified and is designed to be more efficient.
I didn't think that the magnets would be so controversial.
Like any new razor there is lots of competition and we now have lots of choices for the AC format.
I can't share pictures of the prototype as it contains design elements that didn't make it to the final product that Tatara would like to keep to themselves for now. Some significant changes were made to the design following testing by myself and others. Once the pass around starts I will make some comparisons but like I mentioned I won't go into specifics about the changes.
Unreleased prototype with Kai Pink
The prototype is a very smooth and comfortable razor but it seems @TATARA RAZORS have come up with a polarising final design. My prototype is not high efficiency but is a gentle shave. I can use Feather Supers without any harshness for extra efficiency. The finished razor has been modified and is designed to be more efficient.
I didn't think that the magnets would be so controversial.
Like any new razor there is lots of competition and we now have lots of choices for the AC format.
I can't share pictures of the prototype as it contains design elements that didn't make it to the final product that Tatara would like to keep to themselves for now. Some significant changes were made to the design following testing by myself and others. Once the pass around starts I will make some comparisons but like I mentioned I won't go into specifics about the changes.
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I’m surprised by the negativity towards the magnets, objectively when I think of the Vector I can’t tell you how much I used to struggle to load the blade, not so much with other SE but as long as the magnets do not lose the magnetic properties then I don’t see it as a negative. I think the bravest more controversial element is the handle design when combined with the head, side pictures make it look a bit strange but the YouTube video it looks great. Guess time will tell either way but I’m happy to have jumped in with a purchase.
p.b
Forum GOD!
I agree- modern magnets are amazingly and I’m sure will continue to work very well plus they allow the very slim head design without copying Blacklands Vector (which I’m sure we all appreciate that they are respecting their IP)
For me it’s all about the handle and its lack of elegance.
Johnny Bravo
Forum GOD!
Right here it is, the very first on hands review of the long awaited Tatara SE razor.
First things first I want to get out of the way my stance on Magnets. I think they can be useful in helping a razor but I don't like the idea of relying on them for the razor to function, should they fall out or move position you have an expensive paperweight and I feel they solve a problem that was never really there just to seem hip.
I want to be fair though and have heard these Magnets do not have a glue or epoxy but are heat pressed. I have no idea what that means I am not an engineer but I feel more confident.
I also emailed Tatara last night informing them that I brought the razor second hand and would that effect the warranty. Hats off to Tatara they confirmed they will cover any faults if they arise and that folks is what sorts the hams from the professionals, and tells me they are confident in their product and now so am I.
Now back to the razor, upon first opening the box it comes with just the razor and a care leaflet, no blades.
I popped it out and immediately got alarmed by a small rattle sound coming from the head, it turns out that the little screw that holds the head to the handle was loose and needed tightening back up.
I will post some pics below of the razor in it's parts.
As you can see in the base plate there are two little holes where the handle attaches so you won't be swapping it out for another.
Tatara should employ as someone else has already mentioned @CunningMrFox should have done the photography because the razor looks a hell of a lot better in the flesh and not just an expensive nail.
I quite like it now its in my hands and what looked like an odd oversized handle feels perfectly fine.
I did a 3 pass shave and the razor for me had very little blade feel but was shaving very well, it's not a Vector efficiency but somewhere in between the standard and lite plate, kind of more Stando rod efficiency.
Zero issues with the razor slipping, no rattle or blade chatter and the lather channels kept everything moving smoothly without clogging and needing constant rinsing.
An easy enjoyable shave, keep in mind it's only the first shave.
I know already it won't replace my Vector but it's a great razor but I am not blown away, early days yet.
I did find afterwards after washing the razor down, I usually leave everything loose to let the air pass through whilst it dries but it's not an option, the cap clicks straight back firmly into place, so you will have to let it dry in two pieces or towel dry it after use.
To summarise
A much better looking razor than the photos suggest.
Shaves perfectly fine, not odd at all and was a pleasure to use and could well be someone's grail razor.
Tatara were not lazy and kept their own look and didn't just go with some else's look with a slight change, I always give full marks for originality.
I hope this first impression helps a little and any questions or any further photos you might like to see just ask.
I am at a funeral in Sheffield tomorrow so I won't be shaving with the Amakuni, I want to make sure I am cut free so will be using my Osprey purely because I know the razor more and can dial it right down but I will report back again at the end of the week with any changes.
Sorry for the long post, I wanted to try and cover everything that might have been of interest and I am sure the others will be posting their opinions in the coming days.
As always YMMV
But I have gone from completely against it too, yes I like it and happy to give it a chance.
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LeeMaz
Forum GOD!
Thanks for the detailed review! I have survived the Black Friday period without purchase in the end, though hearing this is somewhere in between the Vector and lite version is only making me want to try it more!View attachment 157241
Right here it is, the very first on hands review of the long awaited Tatara SE razor.
First things first I want to get out of the way my stance on Magnets. I think they can be useful in helping a razor but I don't like the idea of relying on them for the razor to function, should they fall out or move position you have an expensive paperweight and I feel they solve a problem that was never really there just to seem hip.
I want to be fair though and have heard these Magnets do not have a glue or epoxy but are heat pressed. I have no idea what that means I am not an engineer but I feel more confident.
I also emailed Tatara last night informing them that I brought the razor second hand and would that effect the warranty. Hats off to Tatara they confirmed they will cover any faults if they arise and that folks is what sorts the hams from the professionals, and tells me they are confident in their product and now so am I.
Now back to the razor, upon first opening the box it comes with just the razor and a care leaflet, no blades.
I popped it out and immediately got alarmed by a small rattle sound coming from the head, it turns out that the little screw that holds the head to the handle was loose and needed tightening back up.
View attachment 157242
I will post some pics below of the razor in it's parts.
View attachment 157243
As you can see in the base plate there are two little holes where the handle attaches so you won't be swapping it out for another.
View attachment 157244
Tatara should employ as someone else has already mentioned @CunningMrFox should have done the photography because the razor looks and hell of a lot better in the flesh and not just an expensive nail.
I quite like it now its in my hands and what looked like an odd oversized handle feels perfectly fine.
I did a 3 pass shave and the razor for me had very little blade feel but was shaving very well, it's not a Vector efficiency but somewhere in between the standard and lite plate, kind of more Stando rod efficiency.
Zero issues with the razor slipping, no rattle or blade chatter and the lather channels kept everything moving smoothly without clogging and needing constant rinsing.
An easy enjoyable shave, keep in mind it's only the first shave.
I know already it won't replace my Vector but it's a great razor but I am not blown away, early days yet.
I did find afterwards after washing the razor down, I usually leave everything loose to let the air pass through whilst it dries but it's not an option, the cap clicks straight back firmly into place, so you will have to let it dry in two pieces or towel dry it after use.
To summarise
A much better looking razor than the photos suggest.
Shaves perfectly fine, not odd at all and was a pleasure to use and could well be someone's grail razor.
Tatara were not lazy and kept their own look and didn't just go with some else's look with a slight change, I always give full marks for originality.
I hope this first impression helps a little and any questions or any further photos you might like to see just ask.
I am at a funeral in Sheffield tomorrow so I won't be shaving with the Amakuni, I want to make sure I am cut free so will be using my Osprey purely because I know the razor more and can dial it right down but I will report back again at the end of the week with any changes.
Sorry for the long post, I wanted to try and cover everything that might have been of interest and I am sure the others will be posting their opinions in the coming days.
As always YMMV
But I have gone from completely against it too, yes I like it and happy to give it a chance.
Estariol
Forum GOD!
Ok here is my impression acording to your images, from a wiewpoint of someone with technical knowledge and a bit of sense for practicality:
If the two dots on the handle are protruding and the dots on the baseplate are holes, the handle can be swapped if the screw fits the handle you want to use.
Pick a handle, screw it on the baseplate, tighten it with a screwdriver.
If you are willing to fiddle a bit and want to make it a 3 piece razor, use one drop (no more, might make a mess) of cyano-acrylate glue (superglue) under the screw to keep it in place.
Johnny Bravo
Forum GOD!
No if you look at the handle yes the dots protrude but the handle head is angled.
If you put a normal handle on it will change the angle of the razor head.
I just grabbed the handle from my Excalibur.
Yes technically it can still attach but at the cost of the shave IMHO for what that is worth.
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