I just wanted to jump in on this thread and give my opinions of the Option 5.
As stated many times previously, it is a big boy
Here it is with my Merkur 34c HD :
I had a total of three shaves with this razor.
My setup remained the same for each:
BRUSH: Omega 49
SOAP: NSS
BLADE: Astra SP
This was only the second DE razor I had ever used, so my obvious comparison was with the 34c.
Firstly the balance point to me was a little close to the head but after a little alteration with my fingers I managed to find a point that was comfortable for me.
Loading a blade I initially found to be a tricky affair. I do not like the loading method and although the blade snapped into place I found myself checking then checking again to insure that it was loaded correctly.
The angle is different to the 34c but it did not take me long to find it.
Each shave was a 3 pass shave wtg/xtg/atg
The weight of the razor definitely helped the shave. I used no pressure and let the beast do its own work.
This razor is definitely more audible than the 34c and the first pass removed more stubble than the Merkur.
I found the razor was really difficult to operate around the tricky areas, particularly upper lip and the hair below the nose.
The head is simply too bulky and the blade does not sit far enough up to the edge of the head for you to reach those places.
The glide was another problem. I sometimes found the razor "skipping" a little. This may well have been my technique but I have never encountered this problem before especially with the awesome Nannies Silly Soap.
My first shave was satisfactory but my no means BBS. I think primarily it was down to my technique but as mentioned I am looking at this as a newbie and am treating it as if I was someone who just walked into a shop, bought it with the view to trying a DE razor.
I think some people will like the shape and design. It is futuristic and will probably impress a younger element and those who are used to using the 6 bladed monstrosities that you find in cartridge razors these days.
My second shave was much, much better. I had another 3 pass shave and this time it was a really close one.
In fact I would go as far to say it was the closest I have ever had at the time using a DE. It definitely beat the Merkur on this occasion as far as a BBS shave was concerned but I still found the hair below my nose was hard to access and impossible to go atg on the upper lip. I did receive a cut to the chin that I did not even realise until I went to wash. It did take a while with the aid of some alum to stop it.
My third shave was not so pleasing. On my 2nd pass I think there was blade "chatter," (forgive me if that is the wrong terminology to use) but I do not think the blade is clamped down firm enough so as a result the blade literally "chattered" across my neck resulting in several small cuts and weepers virtually the width of the blade and around an inch long.
I am really concerned with this point and I am wondering what would happen later in the razors life with wear and tear.
I stopped using it after that.
To conclude, I sincerely hope I have not put too many of you off with this razor and of course YMMV but despite the fact that I did have one shave that was truly outstanding, the negatives are too much for me to consider this for my den.
May I take this opportunity to thank
@riverrun for making this possible and happy shaving everyone
Wayne