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There and Back Again, A Wet-Shaver's Tale
- Thread starter Smattayu
- Start date
Thanks Chris! Initial thoughts incoming soon.
That they are, but so far they have given similar quality shaves.
Ok, 2 shaves each with the vector and O.R.E.N., and here are the initial thoughts and SOTD's. This is likely to be a long post, so if extreme patience is not your virtue, gentle reader, pass on.
First 2 shaves:
Blade: Schick ProLine
Brush: Sorrentino Turquoise
Shave soap: Sudsy Soapery White Sage & Lime
Aftershave: Captains's Choice Lime
EDT: Versace Pour Homme
Next two shaves:
Blade: Schick ProLine
Brush: Switchback 400 w/Gelousy Fan
Shave soap: Fine Platinum
Aftershave: Fine Platinum
EDP: Mancera Cedrat Boise
First impression was aesthetics. I'm pretty sure it will surprise absolutely no one that, though I appreciate the simple and unique design of the O.R.E.N., I found the Vector to be the more attractive razor.
Versatility. I like that the O.R.E.N. comes with three plates of varying aggressiveness. I'll likely end up only using one, but it's nice to have the option of choosing that one without throwing extra funds at it.
Next was blade loading. Neither one was very difficult, but the O.R.E.N. requires you to go in at a pretty particular height and angle in order to keep the edge of the blade from hitting the nibs that hold it in place(which would result in ruining said edge). They do supply a tool to make this task simpler, but it is still not my favorite loading design. The Vector is a very well machined 3 piece screw top that makes it much easier to load.
The shaves. I was able to get about the same results with both razors in terms of how smooth my face was after. While they are radically different in design they were both easy to grip and change the angle. I actually thought that the Vector would be easier to handle due to the smaller head, but that actually made finding the proper angle less intuitive for me, and the second shave ended with a lot of manly shrieking during the application of the aftershave(Fine aftershaves are infamous in my den for their unforgiving nature). It was much easier to find a good angle with the O.R.E.N., and there was considerably less irritation overall while similar results were attained. I was able to achieve BBS on all four shaves...except in 2 specific areas. The roughest part of all four shaves came on my upper lip and the point of my chin, specifically during the ATG pass. I tried every angle I could think of, but every single attempt ended up feeling like the blade was yanking the hairs out individually, and I had to go in more diagonally, which resulted in an SAS shave in those areas. I'm hoping it was the blade, but I'll find out for certain during the next shaves when I use a ProGuard, and possibly a Feather Pro after that. I think this is my first time using the ProLines, and I'll probably swap one of these into my Feather SS sometime soon to get a better idea of where they fall on sharp/smooth scale for me.
I skipped todays(yesterdays?) shave, and will be using a straight that was sent to me for tomorrows(todays?), but I'll get back to these on Sunday with the ProGuards in them. Though I will be using my own O.R.E.N. for the rest, which I snagged on sale, and which came in on...umm...Thursday I think. Darn midnight shift, I can barely tell what day it is anymore.
If you made it through this whole post without leaving for falling asleep, then congratulations! You could probably sit down with a dictionary and be entertained. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
First 2 shaves:
Blade: Schick ProLine
Brush: Sorrentino Turquoise
Shave soap: Sudsy Soapery White Sage & Lime
Aftershave: Captains's Choice Lime
EDT: Versace Pour Homme
Next two shaves:
Blade: Schick ProLine
Brush: Switchback 400 w/Gelousy Fan
Shave soap: Fine Platinum
Aftershave: Fine Platinum
EDP: Mancera Cedrat Boise
First impression was aesthetics. I'm pretty sure it will surprise absolutely no one that, though I appreciate the simple and unique design of the O.R.E.N., I found the Vector to be the more attractive razor.
Versatility. I like that the O.R.E.N. comes with three plates of varying aggressiveness. I'll likely end up only using one, but it's nice to have the option of choosing that one without throwing extra funds at it.
Next was blade loading. Neither one was very difficult, but the O.R.E.N. requires you to go in at a pretty particular height and angle in order to keep the edge of the blade from hitting the nibs that hold it in place(which would result in ruining said edge). They do supply a tool to make this task simpler, but it is still not my favorite loading design. The Vector is a very well machined 3 piece screw top that makes it much easier to load.
The shaves. I was able to get about the same results with both razors in terms of how smooth my face was after. While they are radically different in design they were both easy to grip and change the angle. I actually thought that the Vector would be easier to handle due to the smaller head, but that actually made finding the proper angle less intuitive for me, and the second shave ended with a lot of manly shrieking during the application of the aftershave(Fine aftershaves are infamous in my den for their unforgiving nature). It was much easier to find a good angle with the O.R.E.N., and there was considerably less irritation overall while similar results were attained. I was able to achieve BBS on all four shaves...except in 2 specific areas. The roughest part of all four shaves came on my upper lip and the point of my chin, specifically during the ATG pass. I tried every angle I could think of, but every single attempt ended up feeling like the blade was yanking the hairs out individually, and I had to go in more diagonally, which resulted in an SAS shave in those areas. I'm hoping it was the blade, but I'll find out for certain during the next shaves when I use a ProGuard, and possibly a Feather Pro after that. I think this is my first time using the ProLines, and I'll probably swap one of these into my Feather SS sometime soon to get a better idea of where they fall on sharp/smooth scale for me.
I skipped todays(yesterdays?) shave, and will be using a straight that was sent to me for tomorrows(todays?), but I'll get back to these on Sunday with the ProGuards in them. Though I will be using my own O.R.E.N. for the rest, which I snagged on sale, and which came in on...umm...Thursday I think. Darn midnight shift, I can barely tell what day it is anymore.
If you made it through this whole post without leaving for falling asleep, then congratulations! You could probably sit down with a dictionary and be entertained. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Nice review Eric!
Excellent review Eric. I too have been looking at the OREN Nano. All the reasons you give for leaning toward the Vector. Have me leaning toward the Oren. Go figure.
Look forward to the rest of your comparison. Have a good weekend.
Fluffy
Look forward to the rest of your comparison. Have a good weekend.
Fluffy
Thanks guys! It's been a long time since I did any kind of a shootout, and it's been fun so far.
Razor: Simmons Hardware Barber's Pet
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Fine Latigo
Aftershave: Fine Latigo
First shave with the new Fine soap today. It's a good product, though I'd say the price point of the previous soap is far better for what you get. This one, which costs more, seemed a bit less slick and the post shave wasn't quite as nice, though that is only one shave and it will take a few more to make sure it's dialed in. Three passes and some clean up netted me a delightful DFS+, and there was very little burn from the aftershave. I do absolutely love the scent, which is a clone of Knize Ten.
@Fenster was kind enough to send me some Kirinite sheets for scale making, and they are beautiful! I'm particularly loving the purple, and think I have just the razor to make scales for with that one. A Lecoultre frameback That has been sitting in the project box for a couple years. It came with some great looking coffin shaped horn scales that were warped beyond my ability to straighten, though I tried many times. I'm thinking once I clean it up properly the purple scales will really make it pop.
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Fine Latigo
Aftershave: Fine Latigo
First shave with the new Fine soap today. It's a good product, though I'd say the price point of the previous soap is far better for what you get. This one, which costs more, seemed a bit less slick and the post shave wasn't quite as nice, though that is only one shave and it will take a few more to make sure it's dialed in. Three passes and some clean up netted me a delightful DFS+, and there was very little burn from the aftershave. I do absolutely love the scent, which is a clone of Knize Ten.
@Fenster was kind enough to send me some Kirinite sheets for scale making, and they are beautiful! I'm particularly loving the purple, and think I have just the razor to make scales for with that one. A Lecoultre frameback That has been sitting in the project box for a couple years. It came with some great looking coffin shaped horn scales that were warped beyond my ability to straighten, though I tried many times. I'm thinking once I clean it up properly the purple scales will really make it pop.
I'm loving all of them. I got a couple sets of scales roughed out yesterday. One was to replace the scales on one of the new razors from the Bay. I took it out to give it a polish and throw some oil on it until I could get it on the stones, and I swear I heard them whisper "They called me Mr Glass" right before they broke into about 6 pieces. I've never seen scales so brittle before.
Zoinks Scooby what the hell.
That’s a shame.
That’s a shame.
It is, but the razor is the most important part, and it still looks fantastic
Sadly no.
Vector vs O.R.E.N., the conclusion
Razors: Blackland Vector and O.R.E.N.
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Asylum Shave Works Royal Fougere
Aftershave: Asylum Shave Works Royal Fougere
I chose a favorite soap and scent for the last couple of shaves with these razors. I truly regret not picking up backups of this soap and aftershave when it was available, and definitely regret not getting any of the matching EDP, because this stuff...smells...AMAZING! Sadly, once it's gone it's gone, so it doesn't get taken out much. But enough dwelling on things that can't be changed and on to the final thoughts on these razors.
These razors are opposites in several ways. I found that the O.R.E.N. excels where the Vector is weak, and vice versa. For instance I was unable to get a good shave on my upper lip with the vector, and even with a subpar shave in that area there was irritation, but the O.R.E.N. tackled it easily with the ProGuard. Where the Vector effortlessly smoothed out the trouble spots on my neck, The O.R.E.N. had a tougher time shaving them closely, though there was no irritation. Neither razor was a perfect shaving solution, but both were enjoyable to shave with and I'm sure I could get easy BBS shaves in the future once I got used to either one. If I were to take aesthetics out of the equation, the O.R.E.N. would be my preference, but only by a slight margin and mostly because you get three heads of varying aggressiveness for half the price.
The Vector has been disinfected and put away in preparation for the return to it's owner, but I want to use the O.R.E.N. one more time in another shootout...Coming up next: O.R.E.N. vs O.R.E.N.(?).
Does anyone else notice the difference here(besides the obvious)?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razors: Blackland Vector and O.R.E.N.
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Asylum Shave Works Royal Fougere
Aftershave: Asylum Shave Works Royal Fougere
I chose a favorite soap and scent for the last couple of shaves with these razors. I truly regret not picking up backups of this soap and aftershave when it was available, and definitely regret not getting any of the matching EDP, because this stuff...smells...AMAZING! Sadly, once it's gone it's gone, so it doesn't get taken out much. But enough dwelling on things that can't be changed and on to the final thoughts on these razors.
These razors are opposites in several ways. I found that the O.R.E.N. excels where the Vector is weak, and vice versa. For instance I was unable to get a good shave on my upper lip with the vector, and even with a subpar shave in that area there was irritation, but the O.R.E.N. tackled it easily with the ProGuard. Where the Vector effortlessly smoothed out the trouble spots on my neck, The O.R.E.N. had a tougher time shaving them closely, though there was no irritation. Neither razor was a perfect shaving solution, but both were enjoyable to shave with and I'm sure I could get easy BBS shaves in the future once I got used to either one. If I were to take aesthetics out of the equation, the O.R.E.N. would be my preference, but only by a slight margin and mostly because you get three heads of varying aggressiveness for half the price.
The Vector has been disinfected and put away in preparation for the return to it's owner, but I want to use the O.R.E.N. one more time in another shootout...Coming up next: O.R.E.N. vs O.R.E.N.(?).
Does anyone else notice the difference here(besides the obvious)?
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Lol I hear that.Good thoughts! Glad you were able to test drive both and got a good deal on the OREN. Thankfully it’s never been sold for it’s originally intended pricethat would be questionable!
3/16 SOTD
Razors: O.R.E.N.
Blade; ProGuard
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Stirling Hipster
Aftershave: Stirling Hipster
As it turns out I was sent an unfinished O.R.E.N., and the problem was rectified very quickly once I sent them an email. They emailed me a shipping label and sent out a replacement immediately. I was very happy with the customer service. I ended up not using the unfinished one, but I was too lazy to take another SOTD pic, so here we are. Another great shave with the loaner, and it is now packed up and ready to be sent back to @DeepSea. Thanks again for letting me try these shavers, John.
3/17 SOTD
Razor: Simmons Hardware Barber's Pet No 421
Brush: PAA Switchback w/Gelousy fan
Soap: PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum
Aftershave: PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum
Last shave with Gerry's razor today. It was similar to the previous shave with another DFS+, though the razor did feel a bit more tuggy this time. As hard as it was working to cut through the hair it felt like my face would be lit up when the alum block and aftershave were used, but the burn was not much more than my usual Bay Rum experiences, and that faded very quickly. I'd say you have the smoothness down but it is still not quite as sharp as the other coti edges I've used. To be honest, coti edges kind of confuse me. Every time I've shaved with one over the years it felt like I wasn't getting a good shave from it, but the results have been deceptively good, and it feels darn near impossible to get a nick from one.
Insomnia struck again, and I got about 2 hours of sleep last night. I dragged myself out of bed at the usual time anyway. Today is day 2 of my lovely 4-day weekend, and pretty much the only thing I've done so far is finish a set of scales for a recent acquisition. I think I posted the pic in my journal of the broken scales, and this is the razor with the replacements. These scales were brought to you by @Fenster, who very generously sent me a few slabs of Kirinite, some of which went towards the new set of shoes for this lovely razor.
About time to drag myself into the shower and get todays shave in. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razors: O.R.E.N.
Blade; ProGuard
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Stirling Hipster
Aftershave: Stirling Hipster
As it turns out I was sent an unfinished O.R.E.N., and the problem was rectified very quickly once I sent them an email. They emailed me a shipping label and sent out a replacement immediately. I was very happy with the customer service. I ended up not using the unfinished one, but I was too lazy to take another SOTD pic, so here we are. Another great shave with the loaner, and it is now packed up and ready to be sent back to @DeepSea. Thanks again for letting me try these shavers, John.
3/17 SOTD
Razor: Simmons Hardware Barber's Pet No 421
Brush: PAA Switchback w/Gelousy fan
Soap: PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum
Aftershave: PAA Atomic Age Bay Rum
Last shave with Gerry's razor today. It was similar to the previous shave with another DFS+, though the razor did feel a bit more tuggy this time. As hard as it was working to cut through the hair it felt like my face would be lit up when the alum block and aftershave were used, but the burn was not much more than my usual Bay Rum experiences, and that faded very quickly. I'd say you have the smoothness down but it is still not quite as sharp as the other coti edges I've used. To be honest, coti edges kind of confuse me. Every time I've shaved with one over the years it felt like I wasn't getting a good shave from it, but the results have been deceptively good, and it feels darn near impossible to get a nick from one.
Insomnia struck again, and I got about 2 hours of sleep last night. I dragged myself out of bed at the usual time anyway. Today is day 2 of my lovely 4-day weekend, and pretty much the only thing I've done so far is finish a set of scales for a recent acquisition. I think I posted the pic in my journal of the broken scales, and this is the razor with the replacements. These scales were brought to you by @Fenster, who very generously sent me a few slabs of Kirinite, some of which went towards the new set of shoes for this lovely razor.
About time to drag myself into the shower and get todays shave in. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Looks good Eric.
Purrty.
Purrty.