Timing is everything and yesterday a new razor arrived just in time to kick off this focus. I am not a collector of DE (I do collect straights) razors and I bought this one in support of it's creator. I really liked his OCD engineering approach to replicating and iconic razor, the Toggle. The Toggle was once the holly grail of DE collecting and prices went crazy as the Toggle love intensified. Like many of the 'hot' items in our hobby interest wained as new razors appeared. It took a long time for Eric to bring his vision to life, he started when Toggles were 'in' but as time dragged on interest wained in Toggles. I want to see him realize his dream and I support craftsmen so I jumped in participated.
I intentionally did not read any of the reviews while I waited for the razor crawly it's way to Korea in Covid induced slower shipping times. Main people rave about the 'fit and finish' and fine craftsmanship of the 'in' DE stainless steel razor and people wait years to receive theirs. With all do respect to the fit and finish of the Janus Toggle is on the same level but the mechanism, engineering and multiple parts giving me the feeling that this razor is special.
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On to the first shave of this weeks focus:
Zoologist perfumes is an artisan perfumer and the since Chiseled Face is working with them I ponied up the bucks and bought a tub of the soap. I do enjoy the scent and own the perfume but in the past the performance was just OK. Another hot new item is a Heritage Shaving Brush with a gel boar knot. The feeling of this knot is unique and it feels broken in... but it does feel different from a broken in boar. The retro style is cool to my eyes.
I loaded the Janus Toggle with a KAI blade as they were included with the razor and opened her up to 9, all the way. The Chiseled Face performed better than I remember, maybe it is because I used cool water??? The Janus is bigger, heavier and more aggressive than original Toggle. The mechanisms all 'click' are smooth and exact. The angle was very easy to find and the razor comfortable in hand.
I am four pass shaver and for the final pass, ATG I turned the razor down to 7. My face was über smooth and not even a peep from the alum, just epic.
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