I dabbled in straight shaving some time ago, in fact I went overboard on buying straights from Obie and another member. While I could get a decent shave with them with patience, the truth of the matter is I disliked the time spent stropping, not to mention the eventual work I could need to do down the road with pastes, honing, cuticles ...... it all seemed like work to me.
About 6 weeks ago I picked up a Kai Captain with custom scales off our BST. I immediately started to enjoy straight shaving. So much worry and "work" was gone. I picked up a Feather DX and SS not long after and my collection of Artist Club compatible straights (I cannot bring myself to call these expensive beasts shavettes) has continued to grow. Not long ago I picked up a Kai Excelia from Bullgoose. I honestly was not sure how I would feel about this razor. I like wood and horn for my razors and that includes my straights. Metal scales????? Really????
I should note I promised Phil I would get him some product shots before use ........ but every morning the Excelia called to me. I finally gave in on Saturday, sorry Phil.
First impressions? This is one manly straight razor. it is indeed solid satin finished metal. nothing plastic in it at all. One solid metal folding straight razor. The scales themselves are fairly thin so there is a great balance like one would expect. It is not scale heavy or anything else like that. The fit is natural even in my large hands. I have used both Feather Professional as well as Feather "guard" blades so far. I did manage to get a bite the second day with the Professional, but the blade is really at the end of its useful life. I was however impressed with how it shaved with a guard blade. Overall I do not care for the guard blades as I do not seem to get as close of a shave with them as the unguarded blades, but this Kai proved me wrong. A great shave even with the guard blades.
I will eventually post a formal review after a couple more weeks of use, but at the moment this razor has moved to the forefront of my preferred straights. It's comfortable, sure, and good looking to boot.
![[Image: fRbFdEB.jpg[]]()
About 6 weeks ago I picked up a Kai Captain with custom scales off our BST. I immediately started to enjoy straight shaving. So much worry and "work" was gone. I picked up a Feather DX and SS not long after and my collection of Artist Club compatible straights (I cannot bring myself to call these expensive beasts shavettes) has continued to grow. Not long ago I picked up a Kai Excelia from Bullgoose. I honestly was not sure how I would feel about this razor. I like wood and horn for my razors and that includes my straights. Metal scales????? Really????
I should note I promised Phil I would get him some product shots before use ........ but every morning the Excelia called to me. I finally gave in on Saturday, sorry Phil.
First impressions? This is one manly straight razor. it is indeed solid satin finished metal. nothing plastic in it at all. One solid metal folding straight razor. The scales themselves are fairly thin so there is a great balance like one would expect. It is not scale heavy or anything else like that. The fit is natural even in my large hands. I have used both Feather Professional as well as Feather "guard" blades so far. I did manage to get a bite the second day with the Professional, but the blade is really at the end of its useful life. I was however impressed with how it shaved with a guard blade. Overall I do not care for the guard blades as I do not seem to get as close of a shave with them as the unguarded blades, but this Kai proved me wrong. A great shave even with the guard blades.
I will eventually post a formal review after a couple more weeks of use, but at the moment this razor has moved to the forefront of my preferred straights. It's comfortable, sure, and good looking to boot.
![[Image: fRbFdEB.jpg[]](http://i.imgur.com/fRbFdEB.jpg%5B)