It was delivered early this morning. This is the re-launch of the ATT Windsor Series kit that was acquired by Blackland razors a while back. I wasn’t expecting it for at least a couple more days but, since it was here I decided to get my initial shave in as I had put off shaving waiting for this kit to arrive. The packaging & presentation are as always with Blackland backed products very well done and executed. The razor is machined to exacting tolerances with a very good finish that is a notch better than just as machined finish. It sports a semi-polish look that is tastefully done with very few if any machining marks on all of the individual components. I got in the first initial shave with the Windsor using the “H” plate about 90 minutes ago and I’ll just say it was simply a superb shave. 2 full passes and an extended buff run at the chin and both sides of the apple. A very satisfyingly comfortable yet nicely efficient shave without a single mishap or incident. Used a fresh Schick blade as I love the performance of them and they literally work in just about every razor I’ve used them in and with the Windsor it was business as usual. Astra’s are included in the kit but, I’ll save those for another time as I wanted to use a blade that I’m sure of through and through. Weight is ideal and comparable with some of the best Ti alloy razors in my shave den with excellent balance and feel in hand. The knurling is just about perfect providing excellent tactile grip and easy movement up or down on the handle for better positioning to one’s liking. Lather channel exits are excellent providing real good removal of lather and whiskers away from the shave surface and rinsing it was just as good with a quick splash in the sink or even quicker run under the faucet. Blade feel is there but, it’s very controlled and not overly abrupt or harsh in the least. Blade edge reveal is minimal yet the cutting action is crisp, smooth and simultaneously gently effective in the best way possible. It’s not a dull shaver by any means but, the feedback it provides tells you nearly instantly if your on the angle or off it which is easy to adjust as it has an ample cutting window from riding the cap or moving closer to the safety bar. The scalloped bar provides a nice compromise for allowing the slightest of lather to squeak through during each stroke providing really good residual lather after effect still allowing the skin to feel slick for a quick subsequent pass if a straggler or two is missed. I felt no skipping of the razor & blade with very good support and rigidity along the whole razors edge. I will not lie in stating that once the blade was clamped in, I thought that there could be potential for skittish performance with blade flex & an uptick in blade resonance. However, that never came into play once during the shave with good audible feedback on what was happening between skin & steel. Blade alignment was/is perfect all the way around with perfect spacing and no wavy like distortion once all is locked in. There is just the tiniest amount of blade tab overhang on both sides equally which is not a problem for me as I’m indifferent to the thought of blade tabs or no blade tabs argument as it has little to no impact on my preference. But, for those that prefer exposed tabs there’s just enough of it for quick blade removal & handling of. And for those that fear their ear lobes are in danger should fret not as it’s truly minimal. The Windsor Ti was exactly what I was expecting and yet it surpassed my expectations somewhat with its sheer cutting ability while delivering a very composed and smooth feel throughout the entire shave. Each shave stroke inspired confidence in allowing one to get their shave in with ease as if it had been in the rotation for months or years even, it was that good. My first ATT DE razor and it has more than met my requirements. I’ll put the “M” & “R” plates through their paces soon enough but, as it stands the “H” plate is a pure pleasure & joy to use as I’m inclined to using it a few more times before taking on the others. Very impressive first shave with this re-release of the ATT Windsor by Blackland.
Shave No#2 in the books and just a superb & easy going shave. A very rewarding 2.5 pass shave that left nothing but, a real poop eating grin on my face once all was said and done. Maneuverability is first class yet a lightweight that bridges the gap from being not to light nor being too heavy, it’s right in the Goldilocks zone with providing just the right amount of heft and substance in feel. Balance with the Ti Windsor is simply superb in hand with a a feel on skin that sits second to none. Yes, I’ve said that about quite a few of the razors that I’ve sampled and I throw that saying around like it’s going out of style. However, whatever Blackland did to the Windsor series, tweaks or not and I can’t compare it to any of the previous renditions from the ATT brand when it was first released some years ago as I never tried one. This one here though is a shave stunner. I’m compelled to say that I believe and this is just my opinion, Blackland did a masterful job with this ATT Windsor Ti that I think it’s even a better production of the Blackland Tradere version that was released a few years back. And that was a pretty good razor. This Windsor though to be honest, is on another level of performance with the H plate so far. The Tradere was really good but, the ATT Windsor Ti by Blackland is simply better.
Another smoothie of a shave. The more I use this thing, the better it just gets. WTG, XTG & ATG passes are all just comfortable and yet very effective at each phase. The one thing I can’t comment on is the performance on the upper lip/mustache area as I maintain a stache. But, the head looks more than capable of getting up there under the schnoze and working its magic without much trouble. 3 shaves in with this one and it feels like I’ve had this Windsor Ti for years. A very easy & comfy razor to get acclimated to.
Here’s what I will say. My first ATT razor purchase (yes, backed by Blackland as the proprietary owner) that has proven to me that ATT had a winning razor from the outset. Is there an influence from Blackland in tweaking or improving the original design of the Windsor series? I can’t say with certainty but, one would have to assume at least in the minimum that Blackland has significant input as can be seen in the presentation, packaging and just the overall look of the product. The influence is there without question in my opinion. I could be wrong and before the acquisition ATT could have been just as good as it is now. May someone correct me if I made an incorrect or an unfair statement. Nevertheless, as my first ATT product I am extremely pleased at the overall quality of the Windsor Ti and even more so impressed with its ability to shave nearly identical from one shave to another. Of course, the user and technique have a lot to say about getting the most out of ones particular shaving tool but, when the tool is set to a degree of user friendliness that establishes a base for consistent shaves day in and day out, arguably shave perfection or a close description of perfection is more readily and consistently achieved. There are a few of those in my shave den that meet and exceed that challenge and a small part of them that actually surpass that criteria exceedingly well. In my brief stint of ownership with the ATT Windsor, I can honestly state that this razor definitely has that quality of shave perfection in action that is consistent with some of the best I’ve ever experienced. It won’t take your breath away, your mind won’t be blown nor will you achieve that moment of clarity or an epiphany of vision in your shave journey. Nope, you won’t get none of that. What you will get once in shave action and completed shave exercise is a shave that is enjoyable at every stroke, pass & buff that you can repeat to your hearts content with laser like consistency. I say this noting that I’ve only been using the H plate exclusively and I just can’t stop using it. I will eventually try the others out in due time. But, honestly, I’m just having a hell of a good shave time with this current set up. It simply is a true pleasure to use. Blackland & ATT have nailed it for me with this Windsor Ti. And I think once more shave enthusiasts get their hands on one, the popularity will only grow without question. The only thing I can point at and nitpick on is, I’m hoping that Blackland/ATT have open comb base plates in the works. The Windsor deserves it.
Great reports! I have an original ATT Windsor and it appears that the only difference is a bit of slight rounding on the corners of the plate - besides the obvious Ti vs SS and the shiny finish. I've always thought the Windsor is on par with any of my favorite other razor I have owned and use and competes well with the Blackbird. I used to have an original Weber and that was the best razor I ever used but sold it when I was cash strapped after a divorce. I never get any surprises from the Windsor and have consistent great shaves.
I’ll just say it it. The H plate is my favorite of the Windsor kit. Smooth, efficient and so darn easy to use anywhere on the face & neck. Transitions from WTG, XTG & ATG passes including buffing or clean up passes are so simple and effective while being comfortable to perform. However, I do need to try the other plates just to get a feel and see how they work. The R plate was up today with a fresh new Perma-Sharp and I was pleasantly surprised by this plates effectiveness. Blade feel is very light here (wasn’t exhorbitant on the H plate either but, more noticeable over the R plate) and yet, it delivered a very comfortable 3 pass shave without a single issue. Buffing on the chin or whatever area one desires is practically mindless. Yet, with that minimal feel in blade, it was effectively removing the whiskers with superb comfort. I thought very little of the R plate with how good it was and has gone with the H plate. But, it threw me for a very nice surprise on how well it managed a full 24 hours of stubble. It’s a bonus when one is not expecting an outcome and the actuality of the situation & result makes one say “whuuut?” And I say that in a good way. This was a nice shave and better than expected.
