Yes!
Finally went with a forwarder that I had used a long time ago but back then, they had quite a few restrictions which they seemed to have worked out.
And I have finally have stuff that I can’t normally get where I am, at least not without paying exorbitant prices for and I mean loco crazy prices, eg; someone quoted me US$66 for Col Conk’s Bay rum aftershave, I gave them the 🖕.
You don’t want to know how much they were asking for Pinauds.
And now that I have a direct way to ship any aftershave that has alcohol in it. I’m going to get everything that wanted to get but can’t because of shipping restrictions. Hello Soap Commander Aftershave splashes!
Rockwell’s R1
The Rockwell R1 is a TTO razor, meaning its a Twist To Open, also known as a butterfly or silo razor. TTOs are generally marketed to new users as they have almost zero assembly required.
You open it up, drop a razor blade in, close it back and you are good to go.
However, many TTOs aren’t really designed for the new user, especially the ones made in India and China with aggressive blade gaps, sometimes positive blade exposure and worse, shoddy manufacturing.
The R1 looks a lot like the Weishi Classic or the Vikings Blade Chieftain so they might be the same, or at the very least from the same OEM. Or Rockwell got the parts from said OEM.
I don’t own either of the above, so I cannot compare.
There is zero branding and the razor itself is devoid of any brand markings.
The R1 while feeling a little “Cheap” (it is after all only $15.00) is actually well built. There is no wiggle, no blade chatter and as you can see from the above pictures, the blade alignment along both X and Y axis are perfect.
Do note that, at the time of posting, I believe you cannot buy the R1 separately as a stand alone razor from Rockwell anymore (they will only sell it to you as a gift set of R1 Razor, Brush, Shaving Cream and 5 Blades).
Rockwell also claims that the R1 is similar to the R1 plate on the 6C/S but it is not. It is more closer to the R2 or falling somewhere in between. This is a very mild razor and not as “nick proof” as the R1 plate on a 6C/S.
As you can see from the picture, there is a substantial blade gap. It will handle heavy growth and not clog up.
What is interesting though is that while there is quite a blade gap, the curvature of the blade and blade exposure on this razor puts it somewhere between a R1 and R2 plate on a 6C/S in aggression.
I would recommend this to a new user, someone who needs a gentler shave or for the more advanced user when you need a razor to tame extremely sharp or harsh blades.
I have to say that the new formulation is quite different from the old puck. (I did play with the old formulation soap before this shave)
Scent strength is just a tad up but there is a marked difference in slickness. Its very slick now, if thirsty, has good residual slickness too and the post shave is extremely good for the price I paid for the soap. Its actually well beyond what I expected.
I’ll be using this for my night shaves for a while to really get a feel for it but my honest first impression is that it’s artisan soap good.
The aftershave though, scent strength and longevity are a little lacking. Perfect for the evening shave though. Light and last “just enough”, but price point is a little on the high side considering its performance when compared to other aftershaves at the same price point.
I do like that this is a Rose forward Bay Rum.
And yes, Feathers + a mild razor = Perfect BBS.
- Bowl : Colonel Conk Santa Fe bowl for large pucks
- Brush : Friendship Shaving’s Macy G4 Synthetic by Frank Shaving
- Pre-shave : Shower
- Soap : Colonel Conk’s Bay Rum (new formulation)
- Razor : Rockwell R1 w/Feather blade (1)
- Post Shave : Colonel Conk’s Bay Rum, Nivea Men Post shave Balm
Steve's Wet Shaving in Singapore 