Gibbs Adjustables and their offspring

[Clouds]

My Taiga has arrived

I am going to give my first impressions on it

No surprise - It looks very well made
I have both handles, in my case the Titanium handle is grippier than the stainless steel handle. This is contrary to what others have found. I don't really care what a razor weighs, but rather go on gut feel. I have had both handles on and off a few times and my gut feel is that I prefer the grippyness of the Titanium handle but the balance of the razor with the stainless steel handle.

As I've indicated before - I like my Gibbs handles somewhere between 75mm and 80mm. This in hand feels long to me.

Now the surprises.
The adjustment dial and the handle turns the "wrong" way compared to a Gibbs. It adjusts the same way as a Gillette. Its a left hand thread, so if I want to play with handle lengths I will have to buy the appropriate taps.

The Middle Plate can spin around without taking the handle off. When you put the head on and it then indexes.

​

Roll on tomorrow morning - first shave with it is going to be with the open comb, with the handle been undecided as I write this.

 

[Clouds]

First shave with my Tiaga (and also the Rubberset / Synthetic)
Taiga Adjustable / OC plate
Minora
Rubberset 400 / Synthetic Tux
Reitzers Perfect Shave Soap
Prep

After fiddling with it last night I decided to use the Stainless Steel handle.

I did my normal WTG (Setting 4), ATG and XTG (both setting 5) plus my normal two spots where I need to touch-up.

How does it shave. Extremely well.
Unlike everyone else, I didn't find it ultra smooth. Oh its smooth alright just not ultra. I suspect that its more to do with the fact that its stainless steel rather than chrome.

The Minora blade was on its third use. If I use the same razor for the life of a blade, I generally get my best shave with the Minora's on use 3 and 4, so the Tiaga had an advantage there.

I know that I am going to get asked on handle length. All I am going to say here is that after this morning's shave, I am going to experiment with it.

Its a very well made razor, absolutely no doubt on that.

Is it better than the Personna or a Aluminium Gibbs? - I do believe so.

Is it better or equal to a Chromed Gibbs? No - but it's close, very close in fact. Keep in mind I used the open-comb base and the handle is longer then I generally like. Lets see what the SB version brings.

 

[Dave in KY]

Nice thoughts so far and I didn't have the OC in the pass so that could make it less smooth for sure. Watching for further thoughts....

 

[Dragonsbeard]

Hi Claudio

I’ve read through this entire thread and you know I’m a huge fan of the Gibbs and we both share the liking of the 75 ml handle on the Gibbs. For me yes is it a bit head heavy but to me it’s part of what makes it a very maneuverable razor along with the handle length. While I agree with AJ that the Taiga wide open on prototype slightly exceeds the Gibbs in efficiency when I did a side by side with both on setting # 6 which is max on the Gibbs I found that on 3 + days growth my first WTG pass gave a little advantage to the Gibbs in both efficiency and smoothness BUT I’m splitting hairs here because the Taiga was very close behind. On the 2nd ATG pass it was basically dead even and I wound up with what I refer to as a level 2 BBS shave. Both grew out the same so I’d call it a draw. I have not yet shaved with the production model of the Taiga with the optional Ti handle or the OC baseplate so I’ll have to wait until I do to give my opinion. I think the Taiga is a winner in that it’s much closer to the Gibbs in every category when comparing it to the Rex Ambassador which I find not as smooth as either on settings higher than 3 on up where it’s starts getting a little harsh as far as face feel where as both the Gibbs & Taiga ate smooth on all settings. I’m very interested in what you come up with as a slightly shorter handle for the Taiga and my only suggestion would be to stick with SS to keep the look of the razor in line with the original.

For me the Gibbs was always my absolutely favorite Adjustable razor and only recently dropped down to 2nd place after using the upcoming Janus Adjustable prototype. With that said the Gibbs duplicate coming out by Heritage could be a very affordable alternative to any of the razors I’ve mentioned above. How it compares in shaving proneness yet remains to be determined. I keep a watchful eye on the progress of that razor and it looks like they are getting very close to releasing them and for $100 or less according to the owner’s comments on IG.

You my friend are one innovative and skilled man so again I’m waiting to see what you come up with for the Taiga. I’ve also made the suggestion to the Taiga razor maker to have a shorter handle option so we’ll see how that goes.

Hope all is well with you and yours my friend and I’m glad your on TSC!

Oh and put a damn Feather in those Gibbs and that Taiga!

 

[Dave in KY]

I keep a watchful eye on the progress of that razor and it looks like they are getting very close to releasing them and for $100 or less according to the owner’s comments on IG.

If this comes to fruition and it is all Stainless Steel I will be pleasantly surprised. Hard to see how he can keep that cost down to that on an all stainless steel one but I'm hopeful

 

[Clouds]

@Dragonsbeard

Hi Frank, thanks for your comments.

On handle length we agree but differ on weight. Brass vs Aluminium Gibbs - I prefer the brass by far.
Different strokes.

I also agree with you on the Taiga vs the Rex. My Rex is a M version but from what I have read the O versions are very much improved. Hence my reserved comments. Kudos to Matt if that is the case.

I am going to use Mr Taiga again on Sunday but this time I am using the SB plate and keeping the stainless handle. Maybe I'll even throw a Feather into it!!!!!

When I start playing with handle length, I will use brass, simply because its easier to work with. Once I have figured out what length to make it, I will then make one in Stainless Steel. (Hate the polishing of stainless - I don't know how Wolfman does it and keeps sane)

While on handle length. I've sent a few handles to Russia and I don't remember sending a standard length - always longer.

I think that every Gibbs FanBoi is keeping a watchful eye on the Heritage. I know that I want my name on one of them in the first batch. One of the last updates I read, they mentioned that the head profile was different. The profile of the Personna head is slightly different and it's a notch down, so how this difference will affect the shave remains to be seen.

BTW, The notching of the blades have become a non-event for me now that I have the Notcher.

@Dave in KY
I hope that you are right in it been stainless steel and $100 or less. I've expressed my doubts before and I sincerely hope that I am proven wrong here. BUT ...... Even if its a Zamak razor, under $100 and shaves like a Gibbs - it's going to be awesome.

As an adjustable razor fan. Sailor 3, Taiga, Janus and Heritage - what an awesome time to be around

 

[Dragonsbeard]

If this comes to fruition and it is all Stainless Steel I will be pleasantly surprised. Hard to see how he can keep that cost down to that on an all stainless steel one but I'm hopeful

Dave I’ve said the same thing..I asked him point blank on IG and I got no answer. So we will have to wait and see but if it’s SS for $100 or less then I’m getting one for sure.

 

[Dave in KY]

@Dave in KY
I hope that you are right in it been stainless steel and $100 or less. I've expressed my doubts before and I sincerely hope that I am proven wrong here. BUT ...... Even if its a Zamak razor, under $100 and shaves like a Gibbs - it's going to be awesome.

I agree and will own one if that comes about

 

[Clouds]

An update on the Taiga

On Sunday I used the SB Base Plate.
I also listened to Frank @Dragonsbeard and popped in a once used Feather and went up to about a 6 setting. At that level its smooth and efficient and on par with a Gibbs.

This morning I went back to the OC Plate and did a 2 pass - WTG and ATG with my normal two touch-ups. I started on 3 and went up to 5.
I personally don't find the OC version as smooth as the SB version but it is more efficient.

Smoothness vs Efficiency, take your pick.
Whats going to be the plate that gets my most use - I think that it will be the OC plate.
After all - it is my only OC Adjustable.

 

[Dragonsbeard]

Excellent review and info Claudio... Feather blade for the win! Lol

I can’t wait to try the OC plate. I look at the Taiga and say if I’m going to spend the money on one I’m getting the options like the OC and Ti handle as the razor will most definitely be a keeper.

 

[Clouds]

Excellent review and info Claudio... Feather blade for the win! Lol

I can’t wait to try the OC plate. I look at the Taiga and say if I’m going to spend the money on one I’m getting the options like the OC and Ti handle as the razor will most definitely be a keeper.

Thanks Frank

I'm sure that you will enjoy the OC plate. It comes with both plates but the Titanium handle is extra. I also think that you are going to want a shorter handle.

 

[Dragonsbeard]

Thanks Frank

I'm sure that you will enjoy the OC plate. It comes with both plates but the Titanium handle is extra. I also think that you are going to want a shorter handle.

Thanks for the info Claudio I thought the OC baseplate was an extra. I knew the Ti was extra but friends that have the razor recommended I get that but your right I think I’d like a little shorter handle. Like an 80 to 85 mm would be perfect. I know my Gibbs with the shorter handle is more maneuverable than the extended one. At least for me it is.

 

[AJSharp]

Sorry to be the contrarian here but I like my handles 90 mm which is exactly what I got made (thanks Claudio @Clouds) for my Gibbs which moved the balance somewhat away from the head and allows it to be more nimble in my hands. Although I love the Gibbs which has been my favorite adjustable (better than vintage Gillettes or modern Merkur/Rex etc) this Tiaga beats it in both smoothness and efficiency. The open plate comes in the package and I don't recall a functional open comb adjustable this smooth (and I am not a huge fan of open combs). Like y'all I will be pleasently suprised if the Heritage is a sub $100 stainless Gibbs clone but I am also looking forward to its release.

 

[Dave in KY]

Sorry to be the contrarian here but I like my handles 90 mm which is exactly what I got made (thanks Claudio @Clouds) for my Gibbs which moved the balance somewhat away from the head and allows it to be more nimble in my hands. Although I love the Gibbs which has been my favorite adjustable (better than vintage Gillettes or modern Merkur/Rex etc) this Tiaga beats it in both smoothness and efficiency. The open plate comes in the package and I don't recall a functional open comb adjustable this smooth (and I am not a huge fan of open combs). Like y'all I will be pleasently suprised if the Heritage is a sub $100 stainless Gibbs clone but I am also looking forward to its release.

Nice thoughts AJ and the Taiga Adjustable is on my radar when funds are there as I agree

 

[ShaveMD]

Having used the Taiga for awhile now I like the Ti handle with the OC baseplate. Getting very comfortable close shaves without irritation. It convinced me to sell the Sailor which gave really close shaves but not as smooth or mindless

 

[Clouds]

Frank @Dragonsbeard - The next use of it is going to be with the Ti handle and probably the OC.
I haven't done anything regarding the shorter handle (other than phone and get a cost of the taps, which are nearly the cost of the razor itself)

AJ @AJSharp - You are not alone in liking a longer handle, so nothing wrong with been the contrarian. After-all that's why we discuss, give input, agree and disagree. Its otherwise known as YMMV. I don't have another Adjustable OC DE razor, does anyone know of one?

 

[HMan]

Whew, thankfully I like the short handle on the Gibbs and think it suits it well. The Gibbs is already getting heavy enough for my style of shaving that moving the grip point back just feels too heavy to me.

I'll have to stick to trimming blades, and enjoy reading about these new razors that are sadly out of my league. At least based on what I'm reading, it sounds like I'm not missing a lot sticking with the Gibbs.

I really do appreciate and enjoy the reviews and thoughts though. If I ever can swing a high end razor, the Taiga is absolutely in the running.

 

[Clouds]

My Personna Micrometric was this morning guest.

This is the one that Gibbs fanbois want because its accepts standard DE blades but they are not an easy find. There are probably half a dozen that come up on Ebay per year.

This particular one must have been dropped at some point. It had a bump on the one bar, which I have tapped down and sandpapered. Its still ever so slightly there but you have to look real hard to see it.

The handle was also broken and epoxied, which as you can expect suited me perfectly. You are unable to take the twist-knob out of the handle. From what I have read, the only way to remove it is to break the handle and at this point I am not prepared to do that (since I can just turn a new one). The twist knob does not interchange with the Gibbs.

The two inserted images show the box with the cracked and epoxied handle and the business end that aligns the blade.

I've read somewhere that they are gold plated but I doubt it as this one has patinaed a bit. They also came plated in Chrome.

JMHO - As can be expected it suffers from the same head-heavy feel that the Gibbs does. This handle is standard length with a bit of "decorative" weight added at the end. The adjuster dial is lower profile when compared to the one on the Gibbs. The marker is also smaller and I struggle to see where it is. The thread pitch on the adjusting dial are the same as a Gibbs, although a little longer. With some fiddling you could interchange the handles.

All round, it feels a better made razor than a Gibbs.

​

Onto the shave.

Under orders from Frank @Dragonsbeard - I popped in a new (stropped) Feather in order to try and compare apples with apples AND:

I've never used it with a brand new Feather, so I dialed it to "N" for the first pass WTG and up to around 4,5 for the ATG pass. I didn't need the third pass, so I just did my normal two touch-ups and was rewarded with a BBS - no muss, no fuss.

It is a bit "draggier" (no surprises) than a Gibbs, but get past that and its a great shaver. I could also probably polish the head, which might also help.

Ultimately the decision on this is - Do I notch the blades or pay the premium price and accept a bit of drag.

 

[Dave in KY]

My Personna Micrometric was this morning guest.

This is the one that Gibbs fanbois want because its accepts standard DE blades but they are not an easy find. There are probably half a dozen that come up on Ebay per year.

This particular one must have been dropped at some point. It had a bump on the one bar, which I have tapped down and sandpapered. Its still ever so slightly there but you have to look real hard to see it.

The handle was also broken and epoxied, which as you can expect suited me perfectly. You are unable to take the twist-knob out of the handle. From what I have read, the only way to remove it is to break the handle and at this point I am not prepared to do that (since I can just turn a new one). The twist knob does not interchange with the Gibbs.

The two inserted images show the box with the cracked and epoxied handle and the business end that aligns the blade.

I've read somewhere that they are gold plated but I doubt it as this one has patinaed a bit. They also came plated in Chrome.

JMHO - As can be expected it suffers from the same head-heavy feel that the Gibbs does. This handle is standard length with a bit of "decorative" weight added at the end. The adjuster dial is lower profile when compared to the one on the Gibbs. The marker is also smaller and I struggle to see where it is. The thread pitch on the adjusting dial are the same as a Gibbs, although a little longer. With some fiddling you could interchange the handles.

All round, it feels a better made razor than a Gibbs.

View attachment 17763​

Onto the shave.

Under orders from Frank @Dragonsbeard - I popped in a new (stropped) Feather in order to try and compare apples with apples AND:

I've never used it with a brand new Feather, so I dialed it to "N" for the first pass WTG and up to around 4,5 for the ATG pass. I didn't need the third pass, so I just did my normal two touch-ups and was rewarded with a BBS - no muss, no fuss.

It is a bit "draggier" (no surprises) than a Gibbs, but get past that and its a great shaver. I could also probably polish the head, which might also help.

Ultimately the decision on this is - Do I notch the blades or pay the premium price and accept a bit of drag.

Nice review Claudio. I saw this one the other day and was like..............yeah nice but at that price I'll pass.......Not that it isn't worth it to someone as they are rare, but not for me. In the end, it's a razor and that's all. Happy shaves Sir !

PERSONNA Precision super rare safety razor made in Britain in bakelite case | eBay

In original bakelite case. with original blade dispenser (partially broken - see pic). made in Britain. collectible safety razors. made in England. otherwise in excellent working condition. the handle has 2 tiny cracks (see 2 last pics).

www.ebay.com

 

[Dragonsbeard]

Excellent review Claudio and I’m glad you used the Feather. When you hand strop them it takes that little bit of harshness you sometimes feel on the first use away.

I almost bought one of those a few years ago when I was collecting Gibbs razors and that set was like brand new. A member was selling it for like $350 which at the time seemed like a lot but after that I’ve seen them go for up to $800 in the shape that razor was in. I stopped collecting razors about a year or so ago and sold off most razors I don’t use it had multiples of. Now and then I’ll buy a new razor that I know I’m going to use. Taiga is one that’s on my list and a couple have been for sale but I want to wait for the next release to see if they offer any new options.

Ain’t nothing like a easily obtained BBS. I end up feeling my face now and then all day! Lol