Received my @OptionFive (referred to as O5 going forward as I'm lazy) razor yesterday and had a chance to take a closer look
First impressions are very much the same as others have already expressed - very positive. Nice, solid weight to it, great looking finish - both on the inside and outside of the razor - and everything lines up and functions w/out any issues (blade alignment, top cap release buttons, etc).
There's already been quite a few photos and videos of the razor so I'll keep it "short"
It arrives in a rather nice looking box with a good looking 'velvet'(?) lined razor cut-out on the inside to hold the razor.
Apart from the obvious - how the razor shaves - I think there will be three main aspects of it that will determine if people are attracted to it or not;
- Weight/size,
- Comfort of handle, and
- Looks
Weight
At 120gr/4.2 oz it's not a lightweight razor and that might already be a deal-breaker for you. Personally I like some heft to my razors and when picking up the O5 for the first time it 'felt right' to me.
Handle/Comfort
The handle does have a rather unorthodox shape to it and at first I questioned how I'd naturally hold it and found that, after fiddling around with it for some time, that I ended up placing my thumb on the 'neck' of it closer to the head.
It's not an uncomfortable grip but I'll get back to how it actually worked out once I've had a shave with it tomorrow
It doesn't have any knurling or roughness to the handle but I haven't had any issues with razors of similar design slipping so I'm not overly worried about that. Also, @Kevy 's great shaving review video made me worry even less about that aspect of it.
The looks
Well, this is where it gets very subjective and there really is no 'right' or 'wrong' camp as it's all based on personal preferences. I do see a rather feminine 'shape' in the razor but I think more than anything I think futuristic and SciFi.
This is the razor you would have shaved with on Moonbase Alpha.
I found myself surprisingly attracted to the looks of it.
That combined with the nice weight and near flawless finish makes me even more curious about how it will shave.
It's almost impossible not to think of some Merkur designs when you pick up the razor such as the Futur and Vision 2000.
Here's some comparison shots featuring them;
..once they were next to each other the similarities felt less apparent.
The O5 does sport a rather nifty and novel blade loading and release mechanism;
- press the two buttons on opposite sides of the handle at the same time and the top cap opens up and releases, and
- simply load the blade onto the base plate and push the top cap onto it until it locks.
The mechanism worked smooth and without any faults on my razor as I tried it a good 8-10 times.
Top cap off (this looks better than what I expected from a $60 razor by a company that is releasing its first product);
..blade loaded and very securely held by the base plate pins;
..and with the top cap back on again.
Even blade alignment and I do like that the top cap hides the blade overhang on the sides.
I know that the gold blade that you get in the razor is just a 'teaser' for their upcoming razor blade offering and I do hope that they come out with them as, well, gold razor blades looks awesome in this - and other -razors
Makes me think if "Option Five" means that they are planning to have five product lines... Razor, blade, brush and...?
Anywho, for less than $60 shipped (free international shipping) this razor so far seems to be punching significantly above it's price tag (I believe the discount code is valid until Dec 24th).
For me I of course still have to shave w/ the thing so final verdict in 12-14 hours or so
,
Had my first shave with the O5 this morning - fresh Rapira blade - and I think most of what I experienced have already been called out - which is good in a way in that it shows that there is some level of consistency in how the razor performs for people.
Some key call-outs;
* It's a rather 'loud' razor. If you like audible feedback you will love this razor,
* Even though the razor is on the mild side of things it is very, very efficient - two passes and I was clean shave (and that included personal trouble-spots like right under my chin and below my nose). Very impressive. There is a bit of a blade feel though as you shave - but not to the point that it ever made me worry.
* I did perceive the razor to be a little bit slippery when I got my hands wet. Now, it didn't slip but the sensation of that it easily could was there,
* Loving how the blade loads and unloads and might just buy razors with this mechanism going forward
* Even though it's rather sizable and with some weight to it I found it very easy to handle during the shave,
In summary:
Mild, efficient, loud and easily capable of delivering a close shave in two passes.
The way it performs and its rather unique look/features makes this razor a steal at $60.
Really looking forward to trying it out further.
Photo trivia:
The mug-brush-razor all have about 60 years, or so, separating them from the next product; 1890-1940-2016
Had my first shave with the O5 this morning - fresh Rapira blade - and I think most of what I experienced have already been called out - which is good in a way in that it shows that there is some level of consistency in how the razor performs for people.
Some key call-outs;
* It's a rather 'loud' razor. If you like audible feedback you will love this razor,
* Even though the razor is on the mild side of things it is very, very efficient - two passes and I was clean shave (and that included personal trouble-spots like right under my chin and below my nose). Very impressive. There is a bit of a blade feel though as you shave - but not to the point that it ever made me worry.
* I did perceive the razor to be a little bit slippery when I got my hands wet. Now, it didn't slip but the sensation of that it easily could was there,
* Loving how the blade loads and unloads and might just buy razors with this mechanism going forward
* Even though it's rather sizable and with some weight to it I found it very easy to handle during the shave,
In summary:
Mild, efficient, loud and easily capable of delivering a close shave in two passes.
The way it performs and its rather unique look/features makes this razor a steal at $60.
Really looking forward to trying it out further.
Photo trivia:
The mug-brush-razor all have about 60 years, or so, separating them from the next product; 1890-1940-2016
.
Well after reading all the glowing reviews here, and watching Kevys video, I just ordered one. I was a bit disapointed to be charged shipping: I did get the 10% discount, but the free international shipping offer seems to be over, or maybe that was because I selected 5-7 day priority shipping, because I'm an impatient bugger
And I've spent the last hour trying to find out whether I'll have to pay customs duty when they ship it from Switzerland to Germany, as Switzerland is not in the EU. They do have an agreement with the EU about some things though, so you never know. Until now I havn't managed to find a definate yes or no. I'll wait and see when it comes. Maybe it'll be here before Christmas: how hard can it be to send it from Montreux in Switzerland to Luebeck in Germany? I could drive down in less than a day.....
Maybe I can afford that Ferarri after all....
