Closed Completed: Pass Around - Tatara Masamune Razor

Day 1 - Shave 1
  • Tabac Original shaving stick
  • MÜHLE 25mm synthetic brush
  • Tatara Masamune OC
  • Voskhod blade (1)
  • Alum block
  • Tabac Original ASL

I opted for the open comb plate for two reasons: it was already attached to the handle and when I reach for a DE razor I currently go for the Seygus brass OC.
@Paul has included 100 Dorco Titan blades with our Tatara razor, but I don't know them and I try to keep the number of unknowns to a minimum when testing a new razor. There are also three Feather blades included in the box, but I hesitate to use a Feather as the first blade in any razor. Out of my favourite DE blades I picked a Voskhod - for me they work in pretty much any DE razor.
With my left wrist still in a cast, loading the brush from a tub of soap is awkward, so I have been using sticks lately. I picked up a Tabac stick when I went to Germany just before Christmas. Just like their regular soap, this is divine. Rich, thick, protective lather with a lovely scent. The best head start any razor can get.
With the open comb base plate there is plenty of blade feel. This normally does concern me, but when "riding the cap" the razor had a level of aggressiveness that didn't bother me. I couldn't actually ride the cap like I can with some other razors, but trying to keep the blade angle shallow made for a very decisive but pleasant stubble slicing action.
Four passes later (yes - I do four passes - I need to - I'll explain another day) and I'm pretty clean shaven without incidents. I don't get the immediate impression that this will be a very long lasting shave, but It is. Not up there with the best, but hours later my face is still reasonably smooth. The alum block and ASL give a bit of feedback, but it's not bad.
That was a very nice shave.
I suddenly realise that I hadn't paid attention to the weight or balance of the razor. I pick the razor up again and I know why: they are perfect for me. Nothing to complain about. Weight, length, balance - they are just right to the point that I didn't notice I was holding a razor. All the action happened at the business end of the razor and the rest of the razor was like the perfect waiter in a restaurant - always there for you, but you don't notice.
The first shave with the Tatara Masamune was quite successful. It may be slightly too aggressive for my taste, but not by much. Tomorrow I'll have a go with the closed comb plate.

To be continued...
 
Day 2 - Shave 2
  • Tabac Original shaving stick
  • MÜHLE 25mm synthetic brush
  • Tatara Masamune CC
  • Voskhod blade (2)
  • Alum block
  • Tabac Original ASL

For shave #2 I used the closed comb base plate and left all other elements of the shave unchanged.
On the Tatara web site they claim (if you look very closely) that the OC has a blade gap of 0.73mm, while the CC has a gap of 0.63mm.
There is indeed less blade feel with the closed comb base plate. And that changes the shave from "pretty good" to "Wow! Excellent!". Very smooth, yet efficient. Just what I need for a four pass shave.
Who in their right mind does a four pass shave? I do. If I don't go ATG I'm not smooth and if I don't do at least three passes WTG/XTG/GTX before going ATG I get razor burn. Four passes are the least irritating for me. I tried dropping one of the XTG/GTX passes, but alas! - ATG is rough. I don't mind - I get additional me-time.
Back to the Tatara. Why is it so good? I think it's a matter of weight. At 86.6g for the CC and 88g for the OC it's much lighter than most stainless steel hunks. The Feather AS-D2 comes close at 91.0 g, but most stainless steel DE razors weigh in above the 100g mark.
Talking about the AS-D2 - the best looking DE razor ever - the Tatara Masamune is up there in the same looks-league. It's also considerably more expensive than an AS-D2, but I won't discuss pricing until my final verdict.
Shave #2 was extremely good. Even closer than shave #1, with even more pleasure. I could write my final verdict now and pass it on right now, but I'll try a few more blades with the Tatara. At least Feather and the Dorco Titan found in the parcel.
I certainly won't be hogging the razor, as Igor (pronounced Eye-gor) is on his way to me and his two Bunny sisters. (Don't worry if you don't know what I'm talking about).

To be continued...
 
Tatara Masamune - more shaves - final verdict

I had a few more shaves with the Tatara Masamune.
Three shaves with the closed comb base plate, two with a Feather blade, one with a Dorco Titan blade and finally one shave with the open comb and a Feather blade.
I was planning on a few more shaves over the weekend, but today Igor arrived and my plans have changed.
What have I learned from those four shaves?
All four shaves were really good. I prefer the closed comb over the open comb. The closed comb is smoother and I'm not keen on the feel of the open comb teeth on my face. I prefer my open comb brass Seygus.
The closed comb shaves with the Feather blade were especially good. The Tatara with the closed comb is not overly aggressive and allows the Feather blade to show off its sharpness without any danger or damage. A very good combination indeed.
The Dorco Titan blade was better than expected, but nowhere near as sharp and smooth as the Feather.
The Tatara Masamune is a beautiful, well crafted and very capable razor.
The box left me cold. They always do. Leave it out and drop the price by a tenner, please.
The razor is one of the prettiest DE razors I have had the pleasure to use. Up there with the Feather AS-D2. Simple and elegant. I really do love that handle. I did want to take some pictures of a 1912 head on that handle over the weekend, but then Igor arrived.
The length of the screw on the top plate means you can't easily use another handle, but why would you?
Balance and weight are spot on for my taste. The stand is quite heavy and does the job, I just wish it was dimpled - like the handle.
Both base plates do the job, but for me the closed comb plate makes this one of the best DE razors I have used. I wouldn't buy the open comb plate - I probably wouldn't use it much.
How aggressive is it? I hate that word - it's for people and dogs - not razors. It didn't bite me, but I could tell there was a blade in it. Somewhere between a Tech and an R41 then. It did a very good job and I didn't feel I needed to concentrate like hell to survive. The open comb is more aggressive than the closed comb - it has a larger blade gap, so that's not surprising. Join the pass around if you want a definitive answer.
The price... about £141 delivered with closed comb only, no stand. That's perfectly acceptable for what you get.
Will I buy one? Of course not! It's a modern DE razor and costs more than £20. I try to stick to vintage SE razors below £20.
Lovely razor though. I'd happily swap one for any of my DE razors any day.
Razor has been cleaned and posted to @Blademonkey on TSR.
Thanks go to @Paul for the opportunity.
 
I am most interested to hear your thoughts on the Igor razor, knowing who it was made by I expect it will be nothing short of fantastic.
Do you know if this is going into production? :) P.
 
The Tatara is now with @Blademonkey
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀/riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Blademonkey (TSR)
  3. carbold (ATG/TSR)
  4. Rowlers (ATG)
  5. Salv (ATG)
  6. Holyzeus (ATG)
  7. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  8. ajc347 (ATG)
  9. p.b (ATG)
  10. Mikey J (ATG)
  11. Tomhstorey (ATG)
  12. Wayne Pritchard/2hot 2trot (TSR/ATG)
  13. Boru62 (ATG)
  14. ManicDee (ATG)
  15. Andymc133 (ATG)
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
I did PM asking about inclusion?

I don't have an issue if it's not possible but could you let me know please.
Ah yes. You didn't say which pass around and I meant to ask, but forgot.
In conclusion: yeah, no problem....
  1. sɐǝɹpu∀/riverrun (ATG/TSR)
  2. Blademonkey (TSR)
  3. carbold (ATG/TSR)
  4. Rowlers (ATG)
  5. Salv (ATG)
  6. Holyzeus (ATG)
  7. Barry Giddens (TSR)
  8. ajc347 (ATG)
  9. p.b (ATG)
  10. Mikey J (ATG)
  11. Tomhstorey (ATG)
  12. Wayne Pritchard/2hot 2trot (TSR/ATG)
  13. Boru62 (ATG)
  14. ManicDee (ATG)
  15. Andymc133 (ATG)
  16. bagman (TSR)
The list is open.
Legend: Waiting, Currently with, Completed
 
I am most interested to hear your thoughts on the Igor razor, knowing who it was made by I expect it will be nothing short of fantastic.
Do you know if this is going into production? :) P.
Pretty sure during the time of the Bunny pass around I said something along the lines of imagine how gorgeous a DE from Tom would be
 
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