Today I was honored to receive two custom Ti DE handles to review for the maker, one William Quiles. Check this work:
![[Image: zuhepe4y.jpg]]()
![[Image: yjeha2ad.jpg]]()
The two handles came packed inside of plastic cases with cloth tucked into the ends where the threads rest when the handle is inserted. They came out easily and are VERY nice-looking:
As you can see, I quickly grabbed my Ikon OSS and started comparing and contrasting.
The Ikon is definitely heavier, however it is longer than either of Will's handles, if a little smaller in diameter.
At initial sight in photos I was concerned that the texturing on the handles wouldn't be aggressive enough to match up with the stellar grip provided by Ikon, however Will has done a good job of creating some grabby edges on the taller handle. The shorter handle has less aggressive lines and as such may present a bit more difficulty. However, keep in mind that I haven't shaved with either of these yet. I'll obviously have more precise opinions later.
The machining on William's handles oozes quality, and The finish is attractive. I think these would look amazing if the raised areas were blasted or anodized!
After a little grope session I went and grabbed my new (to me) Weber DLC head and matched it up with the longer handle--which is the one I'm most attracted to thus far.
![[Image: ru2ytagu.jpg]]()
I must say that the threads on Will's handles work perfectly with both my OSS head AND my DLC, and the combos look and feel great!
![[Image: nu4u6eha.jpg]]()
![[Image: yvyry8as.jpg]]()
*****
So here's my first shave!
• Astra Platinum blade in Weber DLC head on custom titanium razor handle made by William Quiles (Second shave on blade)
• Hot shower
• Proraso white pre-shave cream at end of shower
• Hot water soak of AOS super badger travel brush
• Lather with Proraso white shave soap from ceramic bowl
• First pass WTG
• Rinse
• Re-lather
• Second pass ATG
• Hot water rinse
• Cold water rinse
• Alum block
• witch hazel
• Aqua Velva blue
I enjoyed shaving with this setup. The DLC head feels about as aggressive as the Ikon SB head and my shave is pretty equal to the SB in smoothness with just two passes.
This is the longer of the two handles sent by William for me to test. It has a very sexy machine pattern with concave ridges that add to the tactile quality of the handle.
The handle was very easy to control and felt good in the hand despite being a little lighter than the Ikon bulldog handle. I was able to spin the razor easily between my index finger and thumb so that i could present alternate blade-edges, and I never once felt as though the handle might slip or slide out of my fingers.
I really like the way this handle felt in my hands, and I find myself enjoying the way it looks with my Weber head. I had expected their to be a noticeable weight difference between the all-steel Ikon Bulldog and even the larger of William'a handles, but any different was negligible in actual use.
![[Image: zuhepe4y.jpg]](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/zuhepe4y.jpg)
![[Image: yjeha2ad.jpg]](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/yjeha2ad.jpg)
The two handles came packed inside of plastic cases with cloth tucked into the ends where the threads rest when the handle is inserted. They came out easily and are VERY nice-looking:
As you can see, I quickly grabbed my Ikon OSS and started comparing and contrasting.
The Ikon is definitely heavier, however it is longer than either of Will's handles, if a little smaller in diameter.
At initial sight in photos I was concerned that the texturing on the handles wouldn't be aggressive enough to match up with the stellar grip provided by Ikon, however Will has done a good job of creating some grabby edges on the taller handle. The shorter handle has less aggressive lines and as such may present a bit more difficulty. However, keep in mind that I haven't shaved with either of these yet. I'll obviously have more precise opinions later.
The machining on William's handles oozes quality, and The finish is attractive. I think these would look amazing if the raised areas were blasted or anodized!
After a little grope session I went and grabbed my new (to me) Weber DLC head and matched it up with the longer handle--which is the one I'm most attracted to thus far.
![[Image: ru2ytagu.jpg]](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/ru2ytagu.jpg)
I must say that the threads on Will's handles work perfectly with both my OSS head AND my DLC, and the combos look and feel great!
![[Image: nu4u6eha.jpg]](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/nu4u6eha.jpg)
![[Image: yvyry8as.jpg]](http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/yvyry8as.jpg)
*****
So here's my first shave!
• Astra Platinum blade in Weber DLC head on custom titanium razor handle made by William Quiles (Second shave on blade)
• Hot shower
• Proraso white pre-shave cream at end of shower
• Hot water soak of AOS super badger travel brush
• Lather with Proraso white shave soap from ceramic bowl
• First pass WTG
• Rinse
• Re-lather
• Second pass ATG
• Hot water rinse
• Cold water rinse
• Alum block
• witch hazel
• Aqua Velva blue
I enjoyed shaving with this setup. The DLC head feels about as aggressive as the Ikon SB head and my shave is pretty equal to the SB in smoothness with just two passes.
This is the longer of the two handles sent by William for me to test. It has a very sexy machine pattern with concave ridges that add to the tactile quality of the handle.
The handle was very easy to control and felt good in the hand despite being a little lighter than the Ikon bulldog handle. I was able to spin the razor easily between my index finger and thumb so that i could present alternate blade-edges, and I never once felt as though the handle might slip or slide out of my fingers.
I really like the way this handle felt in my hands, and I find myself enjoying the way it looks with my Weber head. I had expected their to be a noticeable weight difference between the all-steel Ikon Bulldog and even the larger of William'a handles, but any different was negligible in actual use.