I think I took 6 blades. 2 each of blades I hadn't tried before. I'll add more before I send it along. I feel no guilt. Tonight I returned to the Yuma, honestly with some trepidation after last night. Skipping the homebrew soap this time, I lathered up some TOBS St. James. It's a good cream to try new blades and razors out on, I think. I tried to exclusively shave on the short blade side (tomorrow will be the long blade side, the day after tomorrow and the day after that will be random shaving). Tonight went much better. I was able to clear 3 passes, no blood, and I lived through it all to tell the tale. It wasn't a pleasant shave, but it was a good shave. Ended with DFS. I'm looking forward to see how the rest of the shaves shape up.
@maltedmilk I am sorry if I confused the issue, I am taking from and adding to the box. Same wavelength here. My question was more along the lines of should I use a blade provided as part of the test itself. Sorry for poorly wording my post, I didn't mean to do all that. But your guidelines are spot on about the spirit of this activity! They should probably be more widely distributed! I went ahead and selected a Bolzano and just went for it. Used the handmade soap too and liked the performance. I got pics and a detailed post coming in the morning. I was very pleasantly surprised by it all. Just too tired to stay up any longer and finish it...I plan another shave or two this week.
The even box is fine. Either one is fine, I'm not picky. This is exciting. Never been in on a "razor tour" before.
It's pretty fun, next time the nationwide box goes out (it's almost done now) sign up you wouldn't believe how much awesome stuff can be packed in a flat rate usps box.
Tonight I did the big edge side. It came out better than I thought. Being adventurous, I used the nonlathering Raymond Waites nonlathering cream I reviewed as part of the set here. It was an interesting shave. I didn't realize the cream I used had some kind of a numbing agent until I was into my shave. So, no burn there and my face feels okay after using it. The shave was okay, but not DFS. But it wasn't painful and there were no cuts. Sitting here, freshly shaved with an Old Spice finish, my face feels pretty good. Beard reduced but not forgotten, remnants remain. While it's continuing to improve in its own way, I can't wait for the week to be over so I can send this Yuma packing!
Yuma Day 1 I have been wet shaving since August or so...all of my relevant experience is on a Utopia 3pc. I had about 75 consecutive days on that razor coming in to this project. I have used only Silver Blue and Voskhod in practice. Soaps have been Arko Proraso green. I have chosen a methodical approach to all this... and a hat tip to @GDCarrington and some rarely mentioned guidelines... (See my signature) I have completed two thirty day rules on that razor, and now have full confidence in my technique. I ride the cap*of the Utopia. @maltedmilk has written about this.* It is fundamental to the way I handle the Utopia. I use cold water and boar brushes. For this test I will simply shave with the Yuma as if it were my Utopia. Let's see what happens. And without further delay...I started my Yuma experience by loading a little soap into my bowl. I selected a Bolzano from the package and loaded the razor, grabbed my 48 (if the 48 can't lather it...don't bother) and basically went to town... It started like this... I put a little water in the bowl, went nuts with the 48 for half a minute...this happened: High quality, thick, dense, slick lather...so far so good. The smell was wild, fruity, coconut, sweet...gonna reevaluate that. I just had 30 days of Menthol followed by a one-off Yeti Snot detour to courtesy of @ram57. So...let's see if this mystery soap plays well with the Yuma... I lathered up and began to shave. I paid no attention to the razor in my hand. I pretended it was the Utopia. Uneven blade exposure was not a factor, I switched sides every stroke as I do with the Utopia. I pretended it was a perfect Yuma.... I did north south for my first pass. On my very first stroke I could feel it drag. Panic...give up...no. I raised the grip higher, lowered the angle, rode the cap...and within four short deliberate strokes on my right cheek was able to find the sweet spot on the Yuma. It didn't seem to matter which side I used. (Is this because I ride the cap?) At times I felt I wanted to lean on it and apply pressure, but I think the lighter mass versus the solid brass Utopia accounted for that urge. I got pass one done with only a tiny weeper on my neck (likely a pimple). No issues so far. Pass two for me is ear to nose after a full relathering. The Yuma had no issues on this pass either. I wish I had a more exciting review...but it went normally. The Yuma looks quite crude even next to a low price Pakistani Utopia. On looks alone, I never would have even tried it. It is not as smooth or easy to control as my Utopia, but it shaves ok. I got to DFS per normal. I did have a little redness/heat sensation around my mouth and chin, but I normally use PTFE blades and a heavier razor. Could be soap, could be me...I am undeterred by it though. I feel like that with practice, it would probably go away...or if soap...we can't blame the razor. The good news is that WH and TSD Iced subzero numbed it and within two hours or so I was all good to go. 30 hours later my skin looks and feels like it normally does. I am gonna do the same test again using a Bolzano, then Arko and a Voskhod for day three. Box in mail on Monday most likely. (I only shave every 48hrs normally. That's why I use a 48! I use Arko because it's awesome.) * - I have no idea how the term "ride the cap" really came about. It's succinct, and I like it. That being said...I am no shaving expert...I lay no claim to the term, but if @maltedmilk wants to say I was around when that term started getting kicked around, that might be more accurate. I probably read that term before I wrote it. I have read so much shaving stuff now it all runs together. How about "ride the cap" originated on TSD? .I could go for that explanation. Sorry if this post contains gratuitous spelling or grammar errors. It's 1am. I am not editing it tonight. Have a good week Gents!
Thank you. I appreciate the time and effort contributed by people like you and all the regular posters on TSD. It's pretty cool how stuff like the Yuma Razor project happens here. I had no idea what a wonderful little corner of the web that TSD occupies.
Due to a pretty hectic week coming up I have rearranged the even box to move myself down the recipient list. @youngunn please send your information to @Mr. Shaverman since you will now be next in line. Here is the current order for both boxes. ODD Box BristleMe —> Bama Samurai —> Chuck F --> Shotwell --> Medicus Ille EVEN Box Mr Droid —> Mr Shaverman —> Youngunn --> Justin Linker --> FlightMedic
Thread hijack for a second... I read @maltedmilk on Iso-blue. Then Samurai Green happened. This is ISO, wintergreen, glycerin, and WH in center...I like it as AS/toner! Used it today...
Yuma Razor Test Day 2 Just completed shave 2 using Bolzano and IdC mystery soap. Pass one was a little more tuggy than last...but that seemed better after a relather...I am seeing that French style soaps require a little technique to get right. I found the smell to be more acceptable today than last I did last shave, and the soap was still a solid performer...I did not notice any irritation after the shave. I am gonna blame the irritation last shave on operator error. I would rate the soap base as excellent, I am just not wild about coconut like I am menthol...but good soap nonetheless. I find the Yuma to be an acceptable shave. Honestly I am not going to run out and buy a dozen and PIF it to newbies...but it is capable of a good shave. The areas I find lacking are mass of the handle and the finish, but have had two good DFS experiences on two passes with this razor. Yuma gets the Samurai Seal of Approval. My next test has changed a little. I am going to mount the Yuma on my heavy Utopia handle (if possible) and shave with my normal PTFE/Proraso Green setup and see how it goes... @Chuck F hit me up with shipping info soon...I am shipping on Monday. Have a good evening Gents!
Tonight's shave went well. The Yuma fully explored, I just lathered some CO Bigelow and shaved. Worked well, had a DFS. Not as good as my non-Yuma razors, am glad I don't have to use this for a daily shaver, but I did get a no thought DFS from it. I was going to shave with it tomorrow, but decided to call it Mission Accomplished! lol I've got it soaking in the Barbicide right now (Thanks @Mr. Droid ) and will send it out on Saturday. I'll be tossingin some blades for the next guys. This has been a great experiment and I'm glad to have been able to take part. Very interested to see what the rest of you think about this Galvanized Wonder.
Abrupt change....I am considering my Yuma test complete. I am still gonna mount it on the Utopia...but am gonna use TSD products till Christmas...pics soon. @Chuck F - I will now likely be shipping the box on Saturday 6 December so you can get cracking on your Yuma Review. @maltedmilk - Cool Project! I like doing this kind of thing and enjoy writing about my experiences. Hit me up anytime for new projects...this was fun!
So, an interesting thing happened with the Yuma tonight. @Mr. Droid had very thoughtfully included a bottle of Barbicide along with the ratio to mix it. Since I'm planning on sending it tomorrow, I mixed up a mug of Barbicide and let the Yuma soak in it while I was at work today. Tonight, I pulled it out... Yuma turned blue. At least parts of it did, anyway. And rinsing it didn't help get rid of it. See pics below, sorry for the quality, I do what I can. It appears to otherwise unharmed. So now we've got ourselves what might be the world's first tie-dyed 3-piece razor.
Yuma Razor Pass Around - Day 3 - Utopia FrankenYuma The Yuma razor head strangely performed worse on the Utopia handle. Not as close of a shave...still acceptable, but I think my first two review posts capture what this razor is all about. It's a decent shave a a really low price! This was much fun to be a part of, and thanks to everybody here for making this happen... Gave the Yuma a ten minute soak in 91% isopropyl and boxed it up. I have included a pack of Gillette Silver Blue, a pack of Israeli Red Personna, a Feather two blade tuck, and a stick of Arko...if any one down the line has not tried Arko, you are obligated to steal the Arko.... Box is packed. My plan is to ship it out Saturday Morning. Have a nice evening Gents!
