Option 5 razor

Messages
669
Location
Cornwall
Heard of these?
I bought one a couple of years ago, used it once or twice and put it back in its box in my toy box. Forgot all about it. Anyway I was looking for something else yesterday evening and found it, sitting there unloved.

I used it this morning and I was pleasantly surprised. It shaved much better than I remember. Did a google search to see if the company has made any updated versions and-Nothing, Zilch. I think they've gone for good.

Like many new razors they were a topic for discussion on here but obviously the venture didn't work out. A bit like Weber razors, one of the most popular on here and were a gold standard as it were. Still use mine a couple of times a week.

Anyone else got a favourite modern razor than reached its peak only to disappear?
 
I've got an Option Five, complete in the box with the golden blade, of which more were to be available, but never were.

It is a very good razor to shave with. As I recall, the biggest gripes were about its fragility, and it doesn't feel as if it would stand a heavy drop. The shape and button-release top cap are unique.

Although I can think of a few makes (it would be wrong to name them here) that had a brief flurry of sales and interest, but have since slipped off the radar, all seem to be still going in some way or another, none have disappeared quite like O5.
 
The time to use my Option Five came around again. I found an open packet of SuperMax Super Platinums, which are one of my least favourites, but I thought "What the heck?" and stuck one in.

Teamed up with some Nanny's and a nice Plisson brush, this thing gave me an excellent shave, yet again. It really is a remarkably good shaver, despite its peculiar looks, and is now something of a museum piece. Per my previous (old-ish) post, I take great care to keep a firm hold and not drop it. Although it hasn't been heavily used, I haven't had any problems with the button release.
 
I bought one of the Option 5 razors and have used it a couple of times on my YouTube channel. Always gives me a good shave. I still have it all boxed complete with the gold blade. Funnily enough, completely out of the blue, I got a PM on my Instagram account from the guy that designed ans sold it. I asked him what happened and what his plans were for the future....never heard back from him!
 
My own quote from TSN from a post in 2017
" I had one Phil but sold it off. Good shaving that looks like a cartridge razor but the top pops off like a Futur and you insert a regular double edge blade. Nicely made of chrome and plastic and fairly heavy. Cost under $60 with USA shipping and a 10% discount. Not sure if the company is still around though. "
 
Once again, it was the turn of the Option Five. Once again, I was surprised at how well this razor shaves and handles. I must confess that, under present conditions, I have been letting standards slip, and not shaving daily as usual. However, with a Rubie blade, 2 days of whisker were gone in two passes.

I still find it odd that this maker popped up, sold what seem to be not that many of these, and then just disappeared like smoke. That's why I'm still taking care not to drop it and possibly smash it to smithereens.
 
It's Option Five time again. The box has been languishing at the back of a drawer, but I've hauled it out, and it'll be the Razor of the Next Three Days.

I'm not a great fan of razors that look too "modernistic", and especially if they share some looks with cartridge razors, but I make an exception for this one. It shaves well, the pushbutton click-on-off top cap is very good, and a much better implementation than, for example, a Futur. The mixed matte and polished finish is top quality, and well-designed.

I just need to clean it up a bit better when I put it away in its box, wherein still lies the magic golden razor blade.
 
First time I saw the Option 5 razor was on Kevys Youtube channel a few years ago.
I liked the overall style and design and I kept an eye on the usual websites for months. Eventually one got listed on ebay from a UK seller and I bought it immediately.
I was really looking forward to getting my hands on it but my expectations were blown out of the water when I opened the box and found a very obvious dent in the middle of one of the safety bars. The seller had manipulated the photos to hide the damage and hadn’t given any written disclosure about it. It’s probably the reason it was being sold.
I loaded a blade anyway and had one shave with it just to see if the damage was actually affecting the shave and it was. The increased blade gap in the area of the dent was very noticeable and it was rough and uncomfortable over the skin.
It did feel nice using the good safety bar and I think it’s a razor I’d have enjoyed after getting more familiar with it.
I could have kept it and used it in effect as a SE but I was pretty pissed off to be duped by the seller so I returned it and received a refund. Shame.
The Bombay Shaving Company razor appears to have a very similar head design and comes with an additional aggressive baseplate but as yet I've not felt compelled to pull the trigger.
 
First time I saw the Option 5 razor was on Kevys Youtube channel a few years ago.
I liked the overall style and design and I kept an eye on the usual websites for months. Eventually one got listed on ebay from a UK seller and I bought it immediately.
I was really looking forward to getting my hands on it but my expectations were blown out of the water when I opened the box and found a very obvious dent in the middle of one of the safety bars. The seller had manipulated the photos to hide the damage and hadn’t given any written disclosure about it. It’s probably the reason it was being sold.
I loaded a blade anyway and had one shave with it just to see if the damage was actually affecting the shave and it was. The increased blade gap in the area of the dent was very noticeable and it was rough and uncomfortable over the skin.
It did feel nice using the good safety bar and I think it’s a razor I’d have enjoyed after getting more familiar with it.
I could have kept it and used it in effect as a SE but I was pretty pissed off to be duped by the seller so I returned it and received a refund. Shame.
The Bombay Shaving Company razor appears to have a very similar head design and comes with an additional aggressive baseplate but as yet I've not felt compelled to pull the trigger.
That's a pity, and a bit of bad luck, but at least you weren't out of pocket.

I didn't think I'd like it, but it turned out otherwise. During the brief time it was available, I seem to recall that there were a lot of comments or complaints about its fragility. If dropped, it could dent, as yours was, or more drastically, the head could split apart along the seams. I'm very careful with mine, but there are some things, like the interior cap catches operated by the buttons, which, being plastic, may not stay the course. That's why I don't use it much, but it is a good razor when I do.
 
That's a pity, and a bit of bad luck, but at least you weren't out of pocket.

I didn't think I'd like it, but it turned out otherwise. During the brief time it was available, I seem to recall that there were a lot of comments or complaints about its fragility. If dropped, it could dent, as yours was, or more drastically, the head could split apart along the seams. I'm very careful with mine, but there are some things, like the interior cap catches operated by the buttons, which, being plastic, may not stay the course. That's why I don't use it much, but it is a good razor when I do.
Yes it was a shame. I reckon the seller was just chancing his arm to get rid of it but he had no issues with refunding me. It’s the only one I’ve seen available for sale in the last few years. I still keep an eye out from time to time but I’m not sure if I’d have the same enthusiasm to go for it today and particularly now after reading your comments about the build quality and materials used.
You’re probably quite right about its longevity and better used less frequently. Still a nice razor to have in your collection and all the better if you enjoy it.
 
Yes it was a shame. I reckon the seller was just chancing his arm to get rid of it but he had no issues with refunding me. It’s the only one I’ve seen available for sale in the last few years. I still keep an eye out from time to time but I’m not sure if I’d have the same enthusiasm to go for it today and particularly now after reading your comments about the build quality and materials used.
You’re probably quite right about its longevity and better used less frequently. Still a nice razor to have in your collection and all the better if you enjoy it.
It's an odd razor. The overall build quality and finish is excellent (if you get an unbent one), but the design has these weaknesses. Offhand, I can't think of any razor where the head and baseplate assembly is in two halves, with a seam either side. I don't know how the two halves are held together, but presumably the buttons come into it somewhere. As for plastic latches and catches, especially those which are used every time the top cap goes on and off, my experiences with these things, mainly in bicycle equipment and marine engines, makes me wonder about long-term durability.

I've only ever sold two razors, but I'd hang on to this anyway, to go with my other oddities. Perhaps it'll end up in Wait's Compendium, if it hasn't already.
 
I still have the pass-around Option 5 from 5 years ago.
I don't think I have used it since 2017.
I did like it back then, but I'm an SE shaver now.
Sell it? Or wait until it's really rare? I'll decide in another year or five.
 
I still have the pass-around Option 5 from 5 years ago.
I don't think I have used it since 2017.
I did like it back then, but I'm an SE shaver now.
Sell it? Or wait until it's really rare? I'll decide in another year or five.
I'd hang on to it, unless you want to be rid sooner than later.

I've generally used blades like Nacets, Polsilvers and other Russians in it, but I had a spare Tiger in the tank blade store, and used that. Big mistake; it shaved as rough as the proverbial bear's a**e, so it's one of those razors that's super-sensitive to blade quality and attributes.
 
Back
Top Bottom