Completed Yaqi SS Mellon (UK)

[slapo]

@Cheekee you're in.

1. p.b *with*
2. LeeMaz
3. semajohn
4. Boycie83
5. Cheekee
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

 

[LeeMaz]

@slapo If it’s ok I’ve dropped myself a place down the list a place. @p.b is ready to pass it on but I’m away next week so don’t want it to sit on my doorstep or at the post office until I’m back next Friday when someone else can try it out.
I hope that’s ok.

1. p.b *with*
2. semajohn
3. LeeMaz
4. Boycie83
5. Cheekee
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

 

[slapo]

@slapo If it’s ok I’ve dropped myself a place down the list a place. @p.b is ready to pass it on but I’m away next week so don’t want it to sit on my doorstep or at the post office until I’m back next Friday when someone else can try it out.
I hope that’s ok.

Sure thing.

 

[p.b]

I only used the Mellon a few times as it was superseded by the Durdan but it's a very pleasant razor. This sounds like damning with faint praise but it's not meant to be. It's a little heavier than I'd like so a handle that offsets any head-heavy feel is needed for me and while I appreciated the gentler blade feel after a particularly aggressive razor (the Stirling) it didn't have enough of a gap to pick up those whiskers that lay flat to the skin either side of my Adam's Apple other than that I managed a close four-pass shave each use and it's nicely made and looks pretty cool with the double open comb. If you're looking for a stainless steel version of the Muhle R89 with a bit more weight and open comb it's worth trying.

Thank you to @slapo for letting me try this out.

 

[slapo]

@p.b I agree on the weight - to me, it didn't really look like would be as heavy as it is (not that I mind), and the Lemonwald handle I packed with it isn't a lightweight, but it still feels a touch head heavy.
Which handle did you find paired the best with it from those you have?

I did find it to be more aggressive than the DE89 head I have (although that's from memory), but not by much and it's well manageable.
I would wish it clamped the blade closer to the edge, but there's little wiggle room and it wasn't bad ATG for me so far.

 

[p.b]

After trying ALL my handles, just in the hand rather than actually using them, I settled on the thick Timeless Ti.

 

[slapo]

1. p.b *completed*
2. semajohn *with*
3. LeeMaz
4. Boycie83
5. Cheekee
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

 

[semajohn]

Tabac Tuesday

Shower Gel - Tabac
Pre-Op - Pear Glycerine soap
Razor - Yaqi, Mellon SS
Blade - Gillette, Yellow
Soap - Tabac
Brush - Omega Evo, synthetic
Balm - Tabac
Splash - Tabac

Yaqi Mellon SS.
Felt nice on the cheeks during the first pass but had to slow down and take some care when I noticed a weep by my mouth.
The rest of the first pass was fine but received quite a few weeps on my throat during the second pass.

Post Shave
Neck feels a bit sore and the weeps quickly stopped.

Different blade and lighter handle for the next shave

 

[semajohn]

Pre-Op - Pear Glycerine soap
Razor - Yaqi, Mellon SS on a Ti handle
Blade - Voskhod
Soap - Dr Jon's, Classic
Brush - Vulfix, 404 Grosvenor badger and boar.
Moisturiser - Nivea
Splash - Dr Jon's, Classic

Riding the cap, Ti handle and short strokes gave me a satisfying shave.

Close shave with no weeps

I'll be moving on to @LeeMaz but thank you for the opportunity to try this razor.

 

[LeeMaz]

It has arrived safe and sound! I’m currently testing out a ATT SE1 for a couple of days before I inevitably purchase it! I’ll start using it on Thursday all being well as I’d like to finish giving the ATT SE 3-4 days before making a final decision.

 

[LeeMaz]

SOTD: 23/02/2023

Razor: Yaqi Mellon Stainless Steel
Blade: Astra SP, 1st use
Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia
Bowl: 3D Printed Bowl
Preshave: Bart’s Balms Lochnagar Oil
Soap: Seaforth! Sea Spiced Lime Puck
Balm: Seaforth! Spice Lime Aftershave Toner Lotion
Fragrance: Seaforth! Sea Spiced Lime Eau de Toilette

Wow, I’m not sure I’ve used a razor that seems to have this much blade exposure before! I was worried that this would lead to issues or an overly aggressive shave however it didn’t, I took care and was rewarded with a lovely close shave. Not that it was perfect, the blade didn’t feel as secure as it could despite being well clamped, there felt like there was a little flex in the blade. I thought this would be an identical shave to the Yaqi Mellon Doc in zinc alloy which I have but it seems the head is very different in design. I look forward to trying it out again but will definitely be taking my time, it’s not as capable at present as its zinc sibling or the PAA Meta.

 

[LeeMaz]

SOTD: 24/02/2023

Razor: Yaqi Mellon Stainless Steel
Blade: Astra SP, 2nd use
Brush: Boti Annual Ring
Bowl: 3D Printed Bowl
Preshave: PAA Cube Unscented Soap
Soap: Shannon’s Soaps Mars Puck
Balm: Baxter Of California Aftershave Balm
Fragrance: Channel Allure Eau de Toilette

Well that was a real night and day shave in comparison to yesterday! I played with the angle more and slightly rode the cap and was rewarded with an excellent smooth shave! It’s definitely got a different level of aggression to the chromed version but once you hit it’s sweet spot you can still get an accurate and efficient shave!

 

[slapo]

@LeeMaz Yeah, it's definitely different from the zamak version, but I think I did post about it earlier.
In any case, I think the difference is that the clamping point is just before the "teeth" of the combs, which does leave a lot of blade floating, although it has very little wiggle room. It's the bit I found disappointing about it, even though, as you chaps have observed, it can be resonably smooth.

 

[LeeMaz]

@LeeMaz Yeah, it's definitely different from the zamak version, but I think I did post about it earlier.
In any case, I think the difference is that the clamping point is just before the "teeth" of the combs, which does leave a lot of blade floating, although it has very little wiggle room. It's the bit I found disappointing about it, even though, as you chaps have observed, it can be resonably smooth.

Yes it’s a completely different beast to the zamak, however yesterday and this morning’s shave have been very good. It takes a little more thought, care and effort to get a great result, which part of me really likes on days I have the time to have a carefree slower shave. However it isn’t quite a pick up and go daily razor in the way the zamak is or PAA Meta is.

 

[LeeMaz]

SOTD: 25/02/2023

Razor: Yaqi Mellon Stainless Steel
Blade: Astra SP, 3rd use
Brush: Yaqi Napoli
Bowl: 3D Printed Bowl
Preshave: PAA Cube Unscented Soap
Soap: HC&C Unscented Puck
Balm: Liz Earle Aftershave Balm Balm
Scent Oil: HC&C Emperor Oud
Fragrance: Maison Alhambra Woody Oud EdP

Another super shave, it takes a little thought and time but the Yaqi can produce great results. However it’s not a pick up and go razor, it does require thought, time and effort on your part. However it makes a good weekend razor as it requires a little effort on your part.
The soap and oil is amazing as ever and the splash is a new purchase but pretty fantastic. I’ve never tried Tom Ford Oud Wood but this dupe smells amazing and lasts all day on my skin.

I’m not sure I need anymore time with it. It’s a good and capable head but not as good as the zamak version or the PAA Meta. I’m sure however it will be on offer for a very good price on the Yaqi/AliExpress near weekly flash sales so it may be a good option for some.