Rockwell 6S review

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I started DE shaving around six weeks ago, and promised myself that if I was going to stick with it, I would treat myself to a stainless steel razor. One of the reasons I wanted to own a stainless steel razor, is they are very durable and wanted this to be the razor that would last a lifetime, and I think that due to the design and build that the Rockwell 6S will certainly do that.

On reading the reviews online, and reading the excellent feedback and well liked posts over on Reddit and on the Badger & Blade and also The Shaving Room forums, I figured that the Rockwell 6S sounded the perfect razor for me, for the following reasons:

Usually with a razor (unless its an adjustable) you are locked into how efficient or mild that particular razor is. With the Rockwell 6S, it comes with three base plates which are double sided, and each provides a larger or smaller blade gap, with a larger blade gap will in return allows for a more efficient (removes more growth in one pass) shave and the opposite for a smaller blade gap.

One of the baseplates has number 1 on one side and number 3 on the other side. So the number 3 baseplate would provide a more efficient shave (as mentioned before). The other baseplates are number 4 with number 2 been on the other side. And lastly, baseplate number 6 with number 5 been on the opposite side. I haven't tried baseplate 5/6 as I am still getting a feel for the razor, but I have used 1/3, 2/4. So essentially you are getting six different razors in one with the Rockwell 6S and all for an excellent price and even more so when you are getting a stainless steel razor on top of all of that.

I find with baseplate 4 gives me an excellent shave with the growth and then across the growth. I then either stop my shave after the across the growth pass or I will flip the baseplate around and use the number 2 baseplate for a more milder against the growth pass. The changing to a different sized baseplate takes no time to do (roughly 15 seconds at the very most) admittedly not as quick as an on the razor adjustment wheel like other adjustable razors have, but certainly quick and easy enough to do and I actually prefer Rockwell's various baseplates approach over an adjust from on the razor handle, as I feel that with over time, the mechanism could get gunked up and might perhaps be difficult to clean properly and I feel that it might be a more complicated system (than what Rockwell use) and with that in mind more likely to go wrong, but that's just my thoughts and I could be totally wrong :)

The head/baseplate design is absolutely perfect, and the baseplate edge glides over the face effortlessly. The Rockwell 6S is a rather heavy razor but this just helps with the quality of the shave I find, as the weight of the razor is doing all the work and no pressure is needed to be applied by yourself to give you a good shave.

The handle is a perfect length and the knurled grip is very well done and the grip from it is perfect. It remains grippy even when wet and you are never left feeling like it may slip out of your hand.

The finish of the Rockwell 6S seems very high, and I can see no issues with it. I have read a few complaints online about some of the Rockwell 6S been poorly finished, but this is MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE with mine. Perhaps there was a bad batch?

The Rockwell 6S is presented in a very nice storage box and comes complete with a pack of Rockwell's own blades (which I have not tried yet, I have only used Feather blades in it which work good for me).

I can also highly recommend the stainless steel Rockwell razor stand which is a perfect match for the Rockwell 6S razor. The Rockwell 6S and the stand look absolutely stunning together.

I have attached several photos showing the various parts, views of the 6S and also, with the different base plates, so that you can see the blade gap variation between them all.

My advice to a new comer to DE shaving and at looking at getting their first razor, would be to get the Rockwell 6S, for the following reasons:

1: You can start off on a very mild number one baseplate, which would provide you with a small amount of blade gap and a lot less chance of nicks and cuts.

2: Has your technique improves you can work up through the other baseplates.

3: And lastly, this is everything you could ask for in a razor and is possible the last razor you would ever need to buy as its stainless steel and you essentially have six razors in one.


To sum up:
This razor has absolutely everything going for it and it ticks all of the boxes and then some.
It's stainless steel, it has six levels of adjustment (essentially giving you six razors in one), glides over the face effortlessly, well made and well finished. And lastly is perfect for anyone from a complete beginner to DE shaving or even a veteran to DE shaving, it would give enjoyment and performance for them both.

If you are still reading this and debating on whether to get the Rockwell 6S, then I would say go for it, you will definitely not be disappointed!


Baseplate number 1:

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Baseplate number 2:

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Baseplate number 3:

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Baseplate number 4:

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Baseplate number 5:

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Baseplate number 6:

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Brilliant write up and accompanying photos. Exactly my thoughts. Since there are zero moving parts, this razor will shave the same through one's life time with no need of calibration or spring action going off.

The plates numbered the way they are make a shave using any type of blade a breeze. Sharp blade use 1/3, middle of the line sharpness, use 2/4 and 5/6 for an extremely close shave. In fact the selection of aggression on each plate makes it cultivate good habit of using a good choice of combination for an irritation free shave.

Each plate is valuable and usable, even if some shavers would perhaps like one particular plate and stick with it.

I love my Rockwell 6S and its making any of my blades work smooth on the face.

Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk
 
Great review, Talster.

I've got to say the 6S performs far above my expectations and seems to handle any blade I throw at it. Even though the finish looks like something out of a mechanic's toolbag, it actually is very pleasant to use and outperforms first impressions.

The handle's grip is the best I've used; easy to hold safely without any scratchy feeling - perfect.
I would never bother changing baseplates mid-shave - too much of a kerfuffle and I've not found the need.

I really like the way in which the razor seems to suck to your face as it shaves.

Weirdly baseplate#2 seems to give me the smoothest & closest shave even compared to higher baseplate numbers. It feels like that's not logical to me but anyway 6 basepate settings gives you the choice of your favourite setting and stick with it if that's what you like. As you said there should be a baseplate for anyone's choice; beginner or long time shaver.
 
My dearest pulled a surprise on me and gifted me the gun metal 6c for Valentine's Day, what a star she is.

Although still firmly using my daily, a 1961 Krona I suspect from using this razor for a week that it is very easy to fall in love with the thing.

To me it presents the merge of two great razors when using plate 5 - the Wardonia Devon and the Krona.

The way the blade is floated/held is very similar to the Wardonia and has a similar cutting angle but it is smooth as the Krona, to the point where you ask where is the blade?

It is also perfectly balanced and you can tell there is a lot of thought went into the handling.

So far I only used Indian G.Willkies blades and Indeed the hype is justified, a modern masterpiece.
 
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@Talster

Superb review, and the pictures are some of the best of any razor I've come across. The blade exposure gaps in particular are truly excellent.

Thank you.

I thought that if I could provide some close-ups of the various blade gaps from 1-6 plates, it would be useful to see this, rather than just showing the usual photos 6S from various angles.
 
That first photo is amazing. How'd you do that ??

The geometry of the Rockwell doesn't look all that exotic but it sure works.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I just laid the 6S down on my desk, and put a piece of paper underneath it, so that it would show the detail up better. I then shot the photo in the macro mode on my camera.

After that, I cropped the image to 100 percent in the area of interest, and then saved it, and what I had then was what you see :)
 
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