Completed Tradere OC

[Looney12345]

Afternoon Gents,

Last night’s final shave report with the Tradere OC pass around razor. Haven’t had the chance to type this up until now.

It was my first use of my birthday brush (raffle win) ICShaving brush with a 24mm Tuxedo knot. This brush resin is gorgeous, very, very nice. The knot itself is one of, if not the best synthetic knot I’ve used, but it needs a couple more used.

I used Wickham 1912 Irish Fern, a lovely, clean smelling soap. The brush whipped up a great face lather, but I actually think it might be better suited to bowl lathering. I don’t have many brushes I like to use with bowls and I have two lovely scuttles so it’s definitely one for me to explore.

On to the razor itself. It’s been an up and down few shaves with it, sometimes a bit of irritation and too much blade feel, but that was when I didn’t have much stubble. The times I had a few days to mow through I had a really good shave, last nights was the best, using a fresh Astra SP and a few days growth a fantastic two pass shave was achieved.

Thank you to @Celar36 for the opportunity to use this lovely razor, unfortunately, it isn’t the unicorn razor that would justify the cost, but it was a great experience regardless. The razor was sent off to Nico earlier this morning and he has the tracking number!

 

[Nico1970]

The Tradere Razor package has arrived. Thanks to Olly @Looney12345 for passing on and massive fair play to Jack @Celar36 for putting this incredibly expensive razor up for pass around.

Reportage to follow...

 

[Nico1970]

First Impressions

The Tradere presents in a quite sturdy plastic box - a welcome departure from the standard issue cardboard efforts from most other manufacturers.


There are no cut-outs to the foam inserts and thus the sub-assemblies are effectively sandwiched between the top and bottom foam inserts. It's crude, but obviously works well enough - I can't see any of the stainless steel parts coming into contact with each other during transit!


Interestingly, the head is polished whilst (most of) the handle is matt. The polished head shows plenty of micro-scratches, however the matt handle shows no such signs of usage and is holding up really well.


Once out of the box and assembled, it feels substantial and tips the scales at a not inconsiderable 120g.

It's a big macho razor alright and looks like it means business.


I really like the way the top cap encloses the blade completely - not unlike the PILS in that respect.


So, overall then it certainly exhibits high-end quality and engineering. The real test starts tomorrow though...

 

[Looney12345]

First Impressions

The Tradere presents in a quite sturdy plastic box - a welcome departure from the standard issue cardboard efforts from most other manufacturers.


There are no cut-outs to the foam inserts and thus the sub-assemblies are effectively sandwiched between the top and bottom foam inserts. It's crude, but obviously works well enough - I can't see any of the stainless steel parts coming into contact with each other during transit!


Interestingly, the head is polished whilst (most of) the handle is matt. The polished head shows plenty of micro-scratches, however the matt handle shows no such signs of usage and is holding up really well.


Once out of the box and assembled, it feels substantial and tips the scales at a not inconsiderable 120g.

It's a big macho razor alright and looks like it means business.


I really like the way the top cap encloses the blade completely - not unlike the PILS in that respect.


So, overall then it certainly exhibits high-end quality and engineering. The real test starts tomorrow though...

A much better job than I.... Enjoy the shave!

 

[Nico1970]

Shave Report #1

Prep - L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic X Black Charcoal Wash "Magnetic" Effect
Soap – La Savonniere du Moulin
Brush - Simpsons Chubby 2 in Best Badger
Blade – Rapira Swedish Supersteel

If you've never tried charcoal as a face wash / scrub, I can tell you it's well worth it. It really does make your face feel deeply cleansed and refreshed.

Down to the real business and the Rapira SS blade is easily loaded into the top cap of the Tradere which has the integrated locating posts (very substantial they are too) and which securely hold the blade in place. Once the entire three piece assembly is tightened there is no movement whatsoever and, as I always like to see, to my naked eye everything is square and aligned etc.

I should mention that the blade looks as if it lies flat, however in actuality there's a very slight curvature but not much at all - it is barely discernible.

Once the shave commences - after lathering up with the Chubby 2 plus the 'donkey's milk' - it is soon clear that the Tradere needs no pressure at all! Blade feel is particularly amplified and you feel as if it could do some damage if you weren't careful.

There is a wide window of opportunity with the Tradere with seemingly no end of permutations as to angle. However, after some experimentation, I find the sweet spot for me - handle to face well in excess of 70 degrees - and crack on with the shave. I have to say it isn't an absolutely intuitive shave - by that I mean you really do have to concentrate at keeping the fairly large angle. If you lose concentration, and let the angle become shallow, you can feel the blade 'scraping' rather than cutting.

After the first pass, I put the razor down and splash some warm water over the face to wash any residual soap away. Interestingly, it feels more than a DFS - pretty impressive for only one pass with little pressure.

I lather up again and go for a second pass. Again, I have to concentrate on maintaining the optimum (70 degree +) angle and not putting any pressure on the razor. It's pretty much BBS at the end of pass number two with just the usual areas of touch up. There's no redness or irritation at all and, whilst I wouldn't describe the shave as 'enjoyable' - understandable, given that this is my first experience with it - there's no question that the Tradere is an impressive piece of kit.

I'd also say it's medium aggressive on that (very subjective) scale of ours. It's going to take a few more shaves till I see how it compares with other high end runners and riders, but we'll come to that in due course...

 

[celestino]

That handle is quite beautiful and I wish I had kept both of mine, the SB and OC when they were first sold. However, I found them to be quite uncomfortable shavers, but that was in my infancy of wet-shaving. Now, with more experience, I believe it would be quite different.
Congratulations on acquiring one.

 

[Nico1970]

Shave Report #2, #3 & #4

Forgive me for taking the lazy man's way to report on shaves #2, #3 and #4 however now that I've had a few more shaves with the Tradere I can safely say, for me, it's become a bit of an enigma. On the one hand, it shaves efficiently and closely however I would not call any of the shaves with it enjoyable. I've not 'connected' with the Tradere at all which is quite unusual for me as I'm generally like a dog with two dicks when I have something new to try out.

In fact, something that @celestino mentioned above - with the shave being 'uncomfortable' - is exactly how I'd describe it as well. Whereas, let's say, the Wolfman or the Timeless (to name but two) - in my own experience - give fantastically enjoyable shaves, the Tradere remains aloof as if it doesn't want you to get to know it. It's very strange, but that's the way I would subjectively describe it.

Still, nevermind, it could be the perfect razor for you...

Unbelievably massive fair play to Jack @Celar36 for putting the legendary Tradere up for pass around - I am truly humbled to have been afforded the opportunity of trying it out

Whoever is next on the list (it could be you @Nishy), please PM me and I'll endeavour to pass the razor on this coming Saturday.

 

[Nico1970]

The Tradere is on the move and I have advised Jack @Celar36 and Avnish @Nishy of the RM Special D barcode.

Many thanks once again Jack for putting the razor up for passaround

 

[celestino]

Martin, that is exactly what my impression of both the Tradere SB & OC heads were for me; uncomfortable.
I am not sure what it was, but it just didn't work for me.

 

[Nishy]

Tradere OC received, nice presentation case! Thanks @Celar36 for the opportunity and @Nico1970 for the excellent packaged parcel.

 

[Nishy]

First use of the OC last night. You have already seen some fantastic pictures so thoughts I'd paint a literary picture instead.

The package arrived, removing the bubble wrap, you are presented with a smart and sturdy black case, engraved label and foam insert, with an external clip lock. Mr. Bond your mission.... This razor will not self destruct in T minus 30 seconds.

The handle reminds me of a gorgeous lady in a fishtail fitted frock. The knurling glistens in my hand as I turn her, reflective sparks across my palms, with each rotation, as seen with a disco ball, as we dance cheek to cheek.

The head; sharp, crisp, slimline waist, no tab overhang, machining marks to the side; unilateral. Like a rapper with diamond and gold teeth the grills of the OC look menacing. Almost growling with selfish abandon. However the finished teeth; the gorgeous curved brunette in the passenger seat of the drop top slim, elegant and stylish. No sharp or unnecessary protrusions.

She doesn't scrape she grinds. Pushing her body against your face, rasing your hairs. Combing through. Unfortunately she is beginning to age, the over-tanned skin and crows eyes fall second place to a newer, slimmer more shiny model. The lady slightly tugs at your hairs, then she slices. The finish is close, but its back to the bar to find another. Enjoyable dance but not worth putting a ring on it.

 

[Nishy]

Quick update gents will be using the Tradere OC for the final time tomorrow and will have it in the post Thursday to the next in line. Full review to be presented post shave tomorrow.

 

[Nishy]

Well a little later than planned but had a couple more uses with the Tradere. I like the design of the razor, the head could be a little less cumbersome but it is not as bulky as the Merkur Futur or vision. Slight tugging but no scraping by the teeth. Efficient yes but doesn't cut as close as some of my other razors. Initially I thought this is down to user error but having tried various angles and pressure I end up with same to similar results. Overall a big thank you to @Celar36 for this fantastic opportunity a lovely razor, which I have enjoyed.

Matt @MPH your up next! Please PM me your address and I'll have it posted out tomorrow.

 

[MPH]

Hi everyone.

Just to say that the razor has arrived safely today. I will not get chance to use it until tomorrow, but I'm really looking forward to it!

Thanks to @Nishy and @Celar36.

Matt

 

[MPH]

Hi

First shave today. With Simpsons Silvertip chubby 2 and MdC Fougere.

I was surprised by the heft of the razor. It seems huge, and it's very weighty. I compared it with my PILs and to my surprise they are very similarly proportioned??? I don't know why, but the tradere just seems bigger.

The shave was uneventful, but I think my natural Mongoose/PILs shaving angle does NOT suit this razor. The shave feel scratchy, and my skin is quite raw afterwards. There seems to be a lot of blade on show, and the blade gap seems quite large. I am also not used to open combs, so I doubt this helps!

So.... I love the look and quality of the razor, but I will have to put more effort into my technique to get to a point of loving it. Generally I don't feel inclined to put much effort into my shave, but given the standing of this razor, I am glad to have the opportunity to do so.

More to come.....