Yaqi Avanti. A Stainless Progress, finally....

Remarkably good shave this morning with the Yaqi Avanti. Nothing new to report other than I went to setting #5 to begin the shave and finished it on #3.5 or thereabouts for a drama free 2 pass shave & simply a superb finish. The Bic Chrome Platinum performed brilliantly in this razor and just the overall feel and comfort level that the Avanti provides is, dare I say it, yes world class. But, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as many of the shave products today, specifically razors of quality alloys are being produced with stricter standards & tolerances. Let’s face it, the competition is fierce in the premium razor field and within the adjustable realm it’s no different for one can argue that from an engineering aspect/perspective, it’s the pinnacle of razor production & innovation. Not saying that the Yaqi Avanti is at the top level of the premium adjustable shaver group but, it sure as hell shaves like one.

Great shaves to all…

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GlazedBoker said:
Remarkably good shave this morning with the Yaqi Avanti. Nothing new to report other than I went to setting #5 to begin the shave and finished it on #3.5 or thereabouts for a drama free 2 pass shave & simply a superb finish. The Bic Chrome Platinum performed brilliantly in this razor and just the overall feel and comfort level that the Avanti provides is, dare I say it, yes world class. But, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as many of the shave products today, specifically razors of quality alloys are being produced with stricter standards & tolerances. Let’s face it, the competition is fierce in the premium razor field and within the adjustable realm it’s no different for one can argue that from an engineering aspect/perspective, it’s the pinnacle of razor production & innovation. Not saying that the Yaqi Avanti is at the top level of the premium adjustable shaver group but, it sure as hell shaves like one.

Great shaves to all…

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Is there any noticeable suction/drag when using the razor?
 
Boycie83 said:
Is there any noticeable suction/drag when using the razor?
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Not at all my friend. It shaves nearly identical in feel to the Merkur Progress. It glides effortlessly and exhibits superb smoothness on both face & neck. I don’t know if you’ve shaved with a Progress or not but, if you have then the Avanti is its equal with the added benefit of a more precise blade alignment & rigidity. To me at least it has those added benefits.

Cheers amigo… (y)
 
GlazedBoker said:
Remarkably good shave this morning with the Yaqi Avanti. Nothing new to report other than I went to setting #5 to begin the shave and finished it on #3.5 or thereabouts for a drama free 2 pass shave & simply a superb finish. The Bic Chrome Platinum performed brilliantly in this razor and just the overall feel and comfort level that the Avanti provides is, dare I say it, yes world class. But, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone as many of the shave products today, specifically razors of quality alloys are being produced with stricter standards & tolerances. Let’s face it, the competition is fierce in the premium razor field and within the adjustable realm it’s no different for one can argue that from an engineering aspect/perspective, it’s the pinnacle of razor production & innovation. Not saying that the Yaqi Avanti is at the top level of the premium adjustable shaver group but, it sure as hell shaves like one.

Great shaves to all…

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How does it compare to your Osprey?
 
Johnny Bravo said:
How does it compare to your Osprey?
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Equally as smooth as the Osprey. My Ti Osprey has a slight advantage in weight as it is more nimble and can get anywhere with a bit more ease. Additionally, the Osprey Ti feels a bit warmer or softer on the skin. Compared to the Stainless Osprey, they are quite similar in feel & execution. With the SS Osprey gaining a slight edge in overall feel & balance over the Avanti. However, the Avanti obliterates both of the Osprey versions with it's ability to go way beyond the gap specs that both provide. How useable is that advantage I can not say with certainty as I haven't gone past the #5 setting yet on the Avanti. But, I will take it to one of those extreme gap sizes and compare shave performance gain over comfort or potential loss of comfort for the utmost in shave efficiency & blade feel. The Osprey offers I think more than enough in useable gap options with setting 9 still being quite useable but, it clearly is outgunned when it comes to total gap options that the Yaqi Avanti ultimately offers.

We'll see in the very near future....
 
GlazedBoker said:
Not at all my friend. It shaves nearly identical in feel to the Merkur Progress. It glides effortlessly and exhibits superb smoothness on both face & neck. I don’t know if you’ve shaved with a Progress or not but, if you have then the Avanti is its equal with the added benefit of a more precise blade alignment & rigidity. To me at least it has those added benefits.

Cheers amigo… (y)
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Thank you, chap. I've had a few of the other Yaqi adjustables in the past and they were well made but I moved them on because of drag. I'm a fan of the Progress and have one in the den. I'm one of the few who like the plastic knob.

jphelan81 said:
Translation: if the answer is no I am buying one.
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I'm tempted, Jon. I'll probably wait until the 7.11 sales. It will be my first shaving related purchase since July!
 
GlazedBoker said:
Equally as smooth as the Osprey. My Ti Osprey has a slight advantage in weight as it is more nimble and can get anywhere with a bit more ease. Additionally, the Osprey Ti feels a bit warmer or softer on the skin. Compared to the Stainless Osprey, they are quite similar in feel & execution. With the SS Osprey gaining a slight edge in overall feel & balance over the Avanti. However, the Avanti obliterates both of the Osprey versions with it's ability to go way beyond the gap specs that both provide. How useable is that advantage I can not say with certainty as I haven't gone past the #5 setting yet on the Avanti. But, I will take it to one of those extreme gap sizes and compare shave performance gain over comfort or potential loss of comfort for the utmost in shave efficiency & blade feel. The Osprey offers I think more than enough in useable gap options with setting 9 still being quite useable but, it clearly is outgunned when it comes to total gap options that the Yaqi Avanti ultimately offers.

We'll see in the very near future....
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Thank you for the in-depth reply, I have been toying about getting an Osprey Ti, but I might actually give this a look as it is a hell of a lot cheaper.
 
Perhaps consider that if you buy an adjustable you might keep it on the same setting all the time so it has been a total waste of time. That's what he[[ened to me quite some time ago with my Qshave Progress clone which I threw in the bin.
 
Anthorn said:
Perhaps consider that if you buy an adjustable you might keep it on the same setting all the time so it has been a total waste of time. That's what he[[ened to me quite some time ago with my Qshave Progress clone which I threw in the bin.
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I don't believe that changing the settings every shave was the point of them, quite the opposite in fact.
I believe they are supposed to just be a razor that will fit anybodies preferences,so technically that one razor will suit everyone regardless of hair type or preferred blade feel.
If you are a daily shaver or a every other day shave then they can accommodate without the need for 2 or three razors.
That's just my opinion of course and wish I had started with an adjustable because I would have saved a ton of cash by learning roughly by the setting I settled on what type of razor to buy should I have fancied shopping rather than splashing around with too mild or razors that just didn't shave right for me.
 
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Anthorn said:
Perhaps consider that if you buy an adjustable you might keep it on the same setting all the time so it has been a total waste of time. That's what he[[ened to me quite some time ago with my Qshave Progress clone which I threw in the bin.
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I dont keep my Progress on the same setting all of the time, but i do have an established range of settings that work for different occasions.

I use setting 4 or 5 for clearing heavy growth if i haven't shaved for 3 or more days, or if i want a really close shave. It's a really close shave, but it can bite :)

I tend to normally shave every 2nd day, so use setting 3 for that and its comfortable and close.

If i have to shave every day i will turn it down to setting 2, which feels like a similar shave to my DE89 fixed blade.

If i need a quick top-up shave before going out of an evening, having shaved in the morning, i use setting 1 and its as quick and safe as using a cartridge shaver, for me.

So i do appreciate the flexibility of an adjustable, but also appreciate they are heavier and bulkier than a fixed gap razor.
 
My opinion - and only mine - each to their own - the Avanti pretty much exemplifies why I boycott Yaqi - such a shameless copy. Okay, this is based on a classic razor that's been kicking about for decades but their copies of - for instance - Blackland razors could potentially put off the manufacturers that are spending money on R&D and innovation. Their copy of the Progress even has the wee triangle alignment mark on the cap. Since I'm making myself unpopular - I don't get the fetish for stainless steel razors - most of my favourites are aluminium - that's just my choice - but you commonly read posts saying - It'll last a lifetime - yes, so will aluminum if you look after it. What are you planning to do with the razor? - cheers - I.
 
Digimonkey said:
My opinion - and only mine - each to their own - the Avanti pretty much exemplifies why I boycott Yaqi - such a shameless copy. Okay, this is based on a classic razor that's been kicking about for decades but their copies of - for instance - Blackland razors could potentially put off the manufacturers that are spending money on R&D and innovation. Their copy of the Progress even has the wee triangle alignment mark on the cap. Since I'm making myself unpopular - I don't get the fetish for stainless steel razors - most of my favourites are aluminium - that's just my choice - but you commonly read posts saying - It'll last a lifetime - yes, so will aluminum if you look after it. What are you planning to do with the razor? - cheers - I.
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Your not making yourself unpopular at all, your opinion is as valid as everyone else's.
 
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