Ventastic
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So secretive Matt
TATARA AMAKUNI SE
- Thread starter LeeMaz
- Start date
Ok, I used mine last night for the first time and here are my initial observations:
(1) Magnets area non-issue. Works great and makes removing and loading blades super easy.
(2) Shaves very smoothly and well - Feather Pro-Guard with a 2 pass shave on a 2 day old thick and coarse beard. Very efficient.
(3) Handle and overall balance are both superb.
I think that Tatara has a winner here!
(1) Magnets area non-issue. Works great and makes removing and loading blades super easy.
(2) Shaves very smoothly and well - Feather Pro-Guard with a 2 pass shave on a 2 day old thick and coarse beard. Very efficient.
(3) Handle and overall balance are both superb.
I think that Tatara has a winner here!
p.b
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And the other format would be…?
Masamune
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Good to hear the efficiency has been improved from prototype and without losing the smoothness. I would not describe the version I have as highly efficient. Highly smooth yes.
Sorry but I can't say more. I'm still trying to organise a pass around and don't want to endanger that.
Can you compare the aggression of the Amakuni to other AC razors?
First shave with the new Tatara last night, I like to leave overnight to gage the efficiency before giving my thoughts. I used the razor with a feather pro, my usual blade of choice for SE are the prolines.
For context I tend to shave on Sundays and Wednesdays so this shave was with 3 days growth.
First of all the magnets for me are a non issue, the blade loads super easy and the magnets aligns the blade and the top cap perfectly. At no point during the shave was I worried about the top cap coming loose, it does feel strange having the handle already attached as it’s not what I’m used to, but once you put together you don’t even think about it.
The razor is really well weighted and balanced, it reminds me of the vector for how manoeuvrable the razor is and how precise you can shave under the nose or trim your sides. I found it a smooth shave and very easy to find angles, first pass was excellent and allowed me to go straight against the grain on the second pass everywhere with the exception of the area above my top lip, meaning my third pass was against the grain in that area with top ups.
With regards to efficiency, the big test is the next day on my neck area underneath my chin, it’s usually the place I can’t get all stubble off or next day I can feel it already growing back, Not the case with the Tatara which is a sign the razor has worked well for me.
It reminds me a lot of the vector, but more forgiving especially against the grain, the razor feels more solid to me, as the vector I would always be hit and miss on if I got a good shave and if I was shaving longer than a few days then I would really struggle to get a performance from the vector.
My 2 favourite SE razors are Le Faulx on Plus plate and Stando Rod, the Tatara after one shave goes into the top 3 with it being number 1 or 2nd behind the Le Faulx. I need to try the razor with a proline blade next to give myself a better idea, however the positive thing is the razor has exceeded my expectations. I think I’m getting better efficiency than the Le Faulx, but with Le Faulx I could go against the grain on second pass in all areas, however once I’m used to the Tatara I might be able to do the same.
Finally on the build quality, it’s top notch, and for me rivals Karve on quality control.
For context I tend to shave on Sundays and Wednesdays so this shave was with 3 days growth.
First of all the magnets for me are a non issue, the blade loads super easy and the magnets aligns the blade and the top cap perfectly. At no point during the shave was I worried about the top cap coming loose, it does feel strange having the handle already attached as it’s not what I’m used to, but once you put together you don’t even think about it.
The razor is really well weighted and balanced, it reminds me of the vector for how manoeuvrable the razor is and how precise you can shave under the nose or trim your sides. I found it a smooth shave and very easy to find angles, first pass was excellent and allowed me to go straight against the grain on the second pass everywhere with the exception of the area above my top lip, meaning my third pass was against the grain in that area with top ups.
With regards to efficiency, the big test is the next day on my neck area underneath my chin, it’s usually the place I can’t get all stubble off or next day I can feel it already growing back, Not the case with the Tatara which is a sign the razor has worked well for me.
It reminds me a lot of the vector, but more forgiving especially against the grain, the razor feels more solid to me, as the vector I would always be hit and miss on if I got a good shave and if I was shaving longer than a few days then I would really struggle to get a performance from the vector.
My 2 favourite SE razors are Le Faulx on Plus plate and Stando Rod, the Tatara after one shave goes into the top 3 with it being number 1 or 2nd behind the Le Faulx. I need to try the razor with a proline blade next to give myself a better idea, however the positive thing is the razor has exceeded my expectations. I think I’m getting better efficiency than the Le Faulx, but with Le Faulx I could go against the grain on second pass in all areas, however once I’m used to the Tatara I might be able to do the same.
Finally on the build quality, it’s top notch, and for me rivals Karve on quality control.
Last edited:
LeeMaz
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I’ve been kindly loaned the Amakuni by @Johnny Bravo for far longer than I should have had it over the Christmas period. I’ve been waiting for this release for a while but couldn’t help feel slightly disappointed with it from the pictures they released on its arrival. Suffice to say it’s significantly better looking in hand, and matches the design aesthetic of the brands perfectly. Like some cars look better when in front of you this is exactly the same. It just looks right and feels right when you have it in your hand.
As for the design my major concern over the magnets was unfounded. I’ve tried magnetic held razors before and this feels a solid as if it was on a thread. There’s no movement, no wiggle room it just feels solid and locked in throughout your shave. I tried it with my usual feather pro blades and Kai pink please and personally found it marginally smoother with the Kai. It took a few uses with the angled head to find the most efficient angle but it gave a close shave every time. I would say it’s solid medium efficiency wise and not as aggressive as a Vector, which for me was a positive. It’s not as close as some of my other SE’s but it’s really marginal and perfect for every day shaving. I’m glad I’ve had a chance to try it before I decided whether to buy it or not.
So will I be buying it? I guess I probably will be at some point, but it’s not an instant buy for me due to the price. I’ll be looking on the BST pages, personally I think nearly £200 it’s a tad too much for an SE razor with a head held in place with magnets. It’s an excellent piece but doesn’t do anything more special than my other crop of SE razors. A Shield or Stando are just as high-quality pieces for less money. That probably sounds more critical than it should, it’s obviously brilliant but just not the instant buy I hoped it would be. I say that but I’ll still be first in line if one comes up on the BST! It’s a quality piece but I’m sticking to razors in the £10-150 region unless someone has a Wolfman they want to give away!
As for the design my major concern over the magnets was unfounded. I’ve tried magnetic held razors before and this feels a solid as if it was on a thread. There’s no movement, no wiggle room it just feels solid and locked in throughout your shave. I tried it with my usual feather pro blades and Kai pink please and personally found it marginally smoother with the Kai. It took a few uses with the angled head to find the most efficient angle but it gave a close shave every time. I would say it’s solid medium efficiency wise and not as aggressive as a Vector, which for me was a positive. It’s not as close as some of my other SE’s but it’s really marginal and perfect for every day shaving. I’m glad I’ve had a chance to try it before I decided whether to buy it or not.
So will I be buying it? I guess I probably will be at some point, but it’s not an instant buy for me due to the price. I’ll be looking on the BST pages, personally I think nearly £200 it’s a tad too much for an SE razor with a head held in place with magnets. It’s an excellent piece but doesn’t do anything more special than my other crop of SE razors. A Shield or Stando are just as high-quality pieces for less money. That probably sounds more critical than it should, it’s obviously brilliant but just not the instant buy I hoped it would be. I say that but I’ll still be first in line if one comes up on the BST! It’s a quality piece but I’m sticking to razors in the £10-150 region unless someone has a Wolfman they want to give away!
LeChuck
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Possibly Amakuni is the first of many others..