Ikon B1

I have one.
To me, it's more like the OSS is a clone of the Feather AS-D2, rather than a Gillette Tech head, but not quite (disregarding the open comb side the main difference seems to be the in top cap ). Both are Tech-like designs and as such shave similarly to a Tech.
I find both sides to be equally mild, although the OC side copes better with longer growth.
Having said that, I prefer a Gillette round bottom Tech to this shave-wise, because it feels even milder, but seems to be more efficient for me. Or maybe it's just easier for me to keep the angle with the Gillette.
The B1 coating wears off somewhat, especially on the thread, but as the razor is stainless steel, it doesn't really matter much.
 
I have one.
To me, it's more like the OSS is a clone of the Feather AS-D2, rather than a Gillette Tech head, but not quite (disregarding the open comb side the main difference seems to be the in top cap ). Both are Tech-like designs and as such shave similarly to a Tech.
I find both sides to be equally mild, although the OC side copes better with longer growth.
Having said that, I prefer a Gillette round bottom Tech to this shave-wise, because it feels even milder, but seems to be more efficient for me. Or maybe it's just easier for me to keep the angle with the Gillette.
The B1 coating wears off somewhat, especially on the thread, but as the razor is stainless steel, it doesn't really matter much.
Thanks for your reply
i actually have the AS-D2 so perhaps the ikon isn't for me.
I'm really looking for something a bit more aggressive to the feather, but have to admit i did like the look of the ikon.
oh well looks like my search continues
 
I certainly wouldn't proclaim to be an expert on Ikons but I am a big fan having had quite a few of them. Especially the B1 closed which I rate as one of the best DE's out there. Oddly even though I have gone manly SE now I still hold on to an older chromed B1 because I would be lost without it in the armoury.

I am not familiar with the DLC and never tried any of the dual heads. I will say this though if the closed side is anything like the B1 closed it will take quite an aggressive stance and the open comb a lot less so. The closed just needs a bit of taming but once there it will reward with the best DE shave you could possibly wish for. The B1 open is far milder and very easy to come terms with.

Personally I'd highly recommend the B1 closed on its own if you want aggressive. Few out there get more so.

They are well made, well thought out and overall a well executed razor which delivers. In passing I have never had any of the proprietary coating wear off to date.

For a bit further reading I scribbled this together some time back.

 
I certainly wouldn't proclaim to be an expert on Ikons but I am a big fan having had quite a few of them. Especially the B1 closed which I rate as one of the best DE's out there. Oddly even though I have gone manly SE now I still hold on to an older chromed B1 because I would be lost without it in the armoury.

I am not familiar with the DLC and never tried any of the dual heads. I will say this though if the closed side is anything like the B1 closed it will take quite an aggressive stance and the open comb a lot less so. The closed just needs a bit of taming but once there it will reward with the best DE shave you could possibly wish for. The B1 open is far milder and very easy to come terms with.

Personally I'd highly recommend the B1 closed on its own if you want aggressive. Few out there get more so.

They are well made, well thought out and overall a well executed razor which delivers. In passing I have never had any of the proprietary coating wear off to date.

For a bit further reading I scribbled this together some time back.

Brilliant Read i enjoyed that & great report.
you've now brought me right back in to the game.
I was torn between this and the rockwell 6s with both being around the same price give or take.
I genuinely believe the Ikon with the open & closed base plate to have the advantage.
it would be good for me to have an aggressive razor then flip it over if i feel it's getting to much to a milder shave. like most things in life i'm still a bit confused. later on in the week i'll be heading up to dundee and will be taking a trip in to the gentleman's groom room,
it might end up the case of who has what in stock as to what i get. i'm guessing either would be a good buy
 
You lucky man. I would love to visit the Groom Room one day, and I will. I have used them a few times and think Ian is a smashing gentleman.
yeah it certainly looks class and an expensive browse lol but then again why not.
I'm in Edinburgh and the shop's in Dundee which is about a 90 minute drive & well worth it. unfortunately he only has the Ikon slant in stock and i just can't see myself going down the slant route.
 
I genuinely believe the Ikon with the open & closed base plate to have the advantage.
it would be good for me to have an aggressive razor then flip it over if i feel it's getting to much to a milder shave. like most things in life i'm still a bit confused. later on in the week i'll be heading up to dundee and will be taking a trip in to the gentleman's groom room,
it might end up the case of who has what in stock as to what i get. i'm guessing either would be a good buy
I have the iKon Standard without B1 coating as well and the safety bar side of the OSS is milder in comparison. About AS-D2 efficient and mild, on both its sides, really.
The Standard is a different animal. While it's not super aggressive, you'll need to take care with it. It is fairly efficient, though.
The iKon Tek (relatively recently renamed from iKon Tech, AFAIK) is almost daft, IMO. It's aggressive, but not particularly efficient.
On the scale of AS-D2 being lowest and potato peeler being the max:
- B1 OSS is ~AS-D2 level
- B1 Deluxe is ~AS-D2+ level, close, but a bit less mild and a bit more efficient.
- iKon Standard is maybe in 3/5 of the range, but the efficiency matches that reasonably well
- iKon Tek is within spitting distance of a potato peeler feel-wise (I imagine), but its efficiency isn't as high as that of the Standard, perhaps not even the Deluxe.

Where there's barely any blade chatter in the Standard, there's more of it in the Tek, but to no real benefit.
I find that a good pairing for the Tek base plate is a RazoRock Baby Smooth top cap. It makes it less aggressive, and while there's still plenty of blade feel, there's hardly any chatter.

If you're visiting the Groom Room, maybe ask them if they would sell you the B1 Deluxe base plate, as you could use that as a complementary base plate with the AS-D2 top cap. It's not quite as mild as the AS-D2, still fairly close, but more efficient, at least it was for me. I sold the AS-D2, as the OSS did pretty much the same thing for me, and I'm still not sure whether I'll keep it or not. Considering I have some Gillette New heads, though, I might sell the Deluxe head. I'm not sure yet.

If you're looking for something a few levels more aggressive than the AS-D2, but still reasonable, I'd suggest either the B1 Standard or the iKon ShaveCraft 103. The 103 strikes a very good balance between blade feel, efficiency and aggressiveness.
Or maybe get a PAA Ascension - I could part with the aluminium version of mine, if you'd like to get one.
 
After today's SOTD I would highly recommend the B1 standard and in terms of being aggressive it leaves the Feather behind. Personally I think it pales the R41 in terms of being effecient and that is one razor folk tend to shy away from.

I can't think of anything which delivers a better closer shave.

But I am biased
 
I have the iKon Standard without B1 coating as well and the safety bar side of the OSS is milder in comparison. About AS-D2 efficient and mild, on both its sides, really.
The Standard is a different animal. While it's not super aggressive, you'll need to take care with it. It is fairly efficient, though.
The iKon Tek (relatively recently renamed from iKon Tech, AFAIK) is almost daft, IMO. It's aggressive, but not particularly efficient.
On the scale of AS-D2 being lowest and potato peeler being the max:
- B1 OSS is ~AS-D2 level
- B1 Deluxe is ~AS-D2+ level, close, but a bit less mild and a bit more efficient.
- iKon Standard is maybe in 3/5 of the range, but the efficiency matches that reasonably well
- iKon Tek is within spitting distance of a potato peeler feel-wise (I imagine), but its efficiency isn't as high as that of the Standard, perhaps not even the Deluxe.

Where there's barely any blade chatter in the Standard, there's more of it in the Tek, but to no real benefit.
I find that a good pairing for the Tek base plate is a RazoRock Baby Smooth top cap. It makes it less aggressive, and while there's still plenty of blade feel, there's hardly any chatter.

If you're visiting the Groom Room, maybe ask them if they would sell you the B1 Deluxe base plate, as you could use that as a complementary base plate with the AS-D2 top cap. It's not quite as mild as the AS-D2, still fairly close, but more efficient, at least it was for me. I sold the AS-D2, as the OSS did pretty much the same thing for me, and I'm still not sure whether I'll keep it or not. Considering I have some Gillette New heads, though, I might sell the Deluxe head. I'm not sure yet.

If you're looking for something a few levels more aggressive than the AS-D2, but still reasonable, I'd suggest either the B1 Standard or the iKon ShaveCraft 103. The 103 strikes a very good balance between blade feel, efficiency and aggressiveness.
Or maybe get a PAA Ascension - I could part with the aluminium version of mine, if you'd like to get one.
Great Post mate cheers
 
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