Pass Around Coming soon - Tatara titanium pass around (Masamune/Nodachi)

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sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
The razor has arrived safely.
It's been almost 5 years since I last shaved with a Tatara.
I'll probably start tomorrow with three days of stubble and an OC.

SeanC said:
The only thing that I would change is the caps. These to me really need to be labelled with the appropriate variant; even if it was just a M or N stamped inside.
Click to expand...
This leads me to my first question:
I find the top caps confusing...
Which is which and how do I tell them apart? Both caps seem to fit all the plates? :confused:
 
Masamune

Masamune

Forum GOD!
Hi Andreas, the cap with the threading that stops half-way is the Masamune. The Nodachi cap is a little slimmer.

Everything is designed so you can mix and match.

I'll take some pictures later to clear this up for everyone.
 
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riverrun
Masamune said:
Hi Andreas, the cap with the threading that stops half-way is the Masamune. The Nodachi cap is a little slimmer.

Everything is designed so you can mix and match.

I'll take some pictures later to clear this up for everyone.
Click to expand...
OK, that makes it clear. I hadn't noticed the difference in threads.
Two caps and four base plates... No way can I fit all eight combinations into two weeks.
So Nodaci OC and cap are the most aggressive, Masamune SB and cap the mildest?
I guess I'll start at the extremes then.
 
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riverrun
Masamune said:
That's right. I posted a table with the differences at the start of the thread.
Click to expand...
OK. I see. Found it. What about the Nodachi OC?
All those numbers... what a kerfuffle. They never translate to anything useful in my brain.
(And I'm a numbers guy) That's why I love vintage SE. You get what you get :p:
 
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riverrun
First shave

With three days' worth of stubble I opted for the nuclear option:

Nodachi OC base plate
Nodachi top cap
Brand new Feather blade.

Other ingredients:
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush (31mm synthetic, my goto brush)
Limacol "breeze in a bottle" as AS - it's very hot out there and I'm out of Alcolado Glacial.

What could possibly go wrong?
Actually, nothing.
First note: Threading the head to the handle could be smoother.
Weight: Excellent. I like light razors. Titanium is almost as good as sheet metal or plastic. :p:
Balance: Good.
Looks: Very nice.

I started carefully, expecting some R41++ danger, but quickly gained confidence and speed.
I got an excellent 4 pass shave.
There is definitely quite a bit of blade feel, but not dangerously so. Just remember: Ride the cap, 'NO PRESSURE'.
Having said that, I probably wouldn't use this combination daily (not that I shave daily these days anyway).
The Feather blade did an excellent job and I got a very close shave.
Not a lot of feedback from alum or AS either (the Limacol is quite heavy on the alcohol).

So far, so impressed.
Next time I'll use the least aggressive option (Masamune cap / Masamune SB) and see how that compares.
 
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sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
Second shave

This morning I thought I'd not need a shave today.
My face was still reasonably smooth from yesterday's shave.
In the afternoon, however, I decided to give the Masamune/Masamune combination a go anyway.

Masamune cap
Masamune SB base plate
Brand new Feather blade (I'll use a new blade for every shave for level playing field)

JR 305 brush. What else?
Speick shaving cream (level playing field)
AS: Alocolado Glacial. I found half a small bottle in my travel kit. Bliss.

The Masamune/Masamune combination has a noticeably less blade feel than the Nodachi OC combo.
It was quite capable of removing a day's worth though.
The shave was not quite as close as yesterday's one, but I'll know for sure tomorrow.

From now on I'll shave every other day.
Next combo: Middle of the road - Masamune SB plate and Nodachi cap.
 
sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
Third shave

Middle of the road.

Masamune SB base plate
Nodachi Cap
Brand new Feather blade
Speick shaving cream
JR 305 brush
AS: Limacol (no longer hot enough for Alcolado Glacial :cry: )

Just as expected.
Blade feel is right in the middle of the previous two combinations.
Efficiency seems a bit better than the average of the two.
A very nice four-pass shave left me with a very close shave.
This is a combination I would recommend for daily shaves.
Very nice indeed.

What next? Nodachi SB base plate and Masamune cap?
Probably. Slightly smaller exposure, bigger gap.
After that I should have a firm opinion.
 
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