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WCS Lithe

West Coast Shaving recently released the first in a series of razor heads designed by Charcoal Goods . Unlike the previous collaboration where CG actually built a series of stainless steel razors for WCS, it seems that CG had nothing to do with the manufacturing or selling of these razor heads. All will feature a pent cap where the angle is mostly set and if you follow it, you should get a decent shave. The first in the series is the Lithe and the pent cap is paired with a middle level base very similar to the EJ 89. It's price point of $10 suggest it being made in China and is chrome over a zinc alloy. For the other two in the series, one will have a slightly more aggressive base plate similar to the RR Mentor or Maggard V3a, and the other will be an OC.

The resemblance of the Lithe to the plastic Alfa Razor from Czech Republic was so striking that instead of trying out the Lithe first, I immediately pulled out my Alfa and did a shave off between the two.

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The Lithe shaved the left side of my face and the Alfa, the right side. A comparison of the caps showed that the angle was almost identical, however the base plates were different. The Lithe was just a smooth bar, however the Alfa had wide scallops similar to the aggressive side of the Neilite 400. Both razors handled WTG exceptionally well and the given angle gave a very close pass. The only problem was under the nose where both suffered the same problem of getting close to the nose area.

ATG also went smoothly and was able to get the places left behind under the nose very easily as the angle now favored going under the nose. After two passes, I found that the Alfa was the more efficient shaver, although both were very good two pass plus touch up razors. The Lithe had the advantage of having weight and balance, however the Alfa was very light and nimble, not unlike any other shave offs where I compare a stainless steel razor with a bakelite.

The Lithe is a very efficient razor and at it's price point, it is worth getting. It also has a standard three post design and so mixing and matching base plates on this head is a definite possibility.
 
West Coast Shaving recently released the first in a series of razor heads designed by Charcoal Goods . Unlike the previous collaboration where CG actually built a series of stainless steel razors for WCS, it seems that CG had nothing to do with the manufacturing or selling of these razor heads. All will feature a pent cap where the angle is mostly set and if you follow it, you should get a decent shave. The first in the series is the Lithe and the pent cap is paired with a middle level base very similar to the EJ 89. It's price point of $10 suggest it being made in China and is chrome over a zinc alloy. For the other two in the series, one will have a slightly more aggressive base plate similar to the RR Mentor or Maggard V3a, and the other will be an OC.

The resemblance of the Lithe to the plastic Alfa Razor from Czech Republic was so striking that instead of trying out the Lithe first, I immediately pulled out my Alfa and did a shave off between the two.

View attachment 13272
View attachment 13273
View attachment 13274

The Lithe shaved the left side of my face and the Alfa, the right side. A comparison of the caps showed that the angle was almost identical, however the base plates were different. The Lithe was just a smooth bar, however the Alfa had wide scallops similar to the aggressive side of the Neilite 400. Both razors handled WTG exceptionally well and the given angle gave a very close pass. The only problem was under the nose where both suffered the same problem of getting close to the nose area.

ATG also went smoothly and was able to get the places left behind under the nose very easily as the angle now favored going under the nose. After two passes, I found that the Alfa was the more efficient shaver, although both were very good two pass plus touch up razors. The Lithe had the advantage of having weight and balance, however the Alfa was very light and nimble, not unlike any other shave offs where I compare a stainless steel razor with a bakelite.

The Lithe is a very efficient razor and at it's price point, it is worth getting. It also has a standard three post design and so mixing and matching base plates on this head is a definite possibility.
Thanks Les, Good read. I haven't tried either razor but I'm glad see more razors hitting the market.
 
One confusing (for me) point on the WCS site. It says:

...Like the GEM razors of old, the top cap has a pre-defined "sweet spot" to help guide new shavers to the right angle...

Did GEM even make a DE razor? I thought they were all SE(?).
 
Did GEM even make a DE razor? I thought they were all SE(?).
No, however most Gem blade razors had beveled caps which strongly suggested the proper angle to shave with. You would just lay the cap flat on your face and shave using that angle. I think even the modern Gem blade razors follow this design element. The angle, however is a slight one and not as pent as the Lithe. The Gem blade being a wider blade allowed this smaller angle and because of that, it put the angle of the blade closer to that of a straight razor and more efficient.
 
Wow.

I don't need another razor, but for $10, shipped free, I will give this razor head a try. Might be fun.

Thanks @gvw755 !
 
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