GlazedBoker
Active Member
Just thinking about double edge razors that few wet shavers have mentioned, considered or simply have not heard or been aware of that others own and use on a consistent basis. To me it matters not if it’s old or new, vintage or contemporary design. But, more so a thread about a razor(s) that are simply not mainstream but, personally you consider it to be better than just an average razor. Construction or alloy may play a part in the equation but, is not the sole determining factor. Price, origin of manufacture and complexity of design will be a point of discussion or not as well. A post (with a pic would be much better) with a brief explanation or points on why you consider the tool at hand to be a hidden gem and worthy of more attention or consideration if still being produced or somewhat available out in the open wet shaving market. A nice discussion and opinions would serve the thread with invaluable information for collectors, enthusiasts and simply just general knowledge of something that exists but, very few know or own.
I’ll start with an excerpt copy & paste from an overall review I did recently…..
Nope, my thoughts have not changed nor wavered on what I’ve spoken previously about the Yaqi Avanti. Arguably, my thoughts perhaps have gotten stronger on the position of the best to come out of China. Two razors truly come to mind as the best to come out of China or Asian Continent. One would be the Urkanet Assassin razor and this tool right here, the Avanti Adjustable (Merkur Progress replica in SS) by Yaqi. I can’t speak for every adjustable that’s come out of the Chinese razor manufacturing group as I haven’t sampled all the adjustables made within that country. However, by looking at the quality of the grand majority of those produced and relative to sources that have put thought to screen on reviews of these razors, one can fairly assume and determine that the quality of said razors are mediocre to downright deplorable. Whether be of alloy, manufacturing processes or simply bad engineering & ideas, it’s safe to say that purchasing an adjustable razor from Chinese manufacturers is risky business indeed. Yaqi on the other hand has strived to achieve not only decent to good razor tools, they’ve undoubtedly produced some high quality shaving tools to excellent standards although be it by cloning, copying or replicating sound and proven designs from other manufacturers worldwide. Agree or disagree with that point is not why I’m writing this though it’s fair to stand on either side of that point and make an argument for or against. I believe in copyright protections including intellectual property rights to creators & inventors that gives them exclusive control to those ideas and intangible creations. On the subject of patents, once that’s done and no longer pertinent to design & manufacturing exclusivity for those that filed for such, it’s game on. The Yaqi Avanti falls under the latter as Merkur had the design patent well over 70 years ago and that patent has been null for close to 50 of those 70+ years. They produced a razor that is nearly identical to the legendary Merkur Progress but, not only replicated it in all of its aspects constructively, they vastly improved upon the design by using a superior alloy, superior manufacturing processes and without question which is the head scratcher for many, superior quality control over the original manufacturer. That is no small feat when one considers the history & longevity of Merkur as a producer of shaving tools & products. The Avanti is better in every aspect compared to the razor it pays homage to. There’s no debate and quite frankly, it isn’t even a fair contest to consider that they are equal. Don’t get me wrong, I still think that the Progress is a magnificent performer and shaves the whiskers with the best of them throughout safety razor history. It’s just undeniable that the Yaqi Avanti surpasses it in every metric conceivable. Price? That’s the only argument I will concede upon but, as the economics continue to change & adjust globally, the price point that it was initially offered for becomes more reasonable and could eventually be thought of as a bargain not so far into the near future. There will be detractors of Chinese made razors by many as a large contingent of wet shavers still considers anything coming out of the Asian Continent is inferior and of poor quality. And for the most part I do agree with that statement.
However, the old saying that even a broken watch is right twice a day has pertinent relevance with this particular razor. The thing is someone at Yaqi decided to go all out and get busy on a proven design to produce something of greater quality & value. They pulled the stops and actually produced a world class quality razor, again just a replica of an existing design that improved upon it significantly. And ultimately for the better. I’ve probably purchased about a dozen Chinese made adjustables in my wet shave journey and only one has stayed and made the cut for being an absolute gem of a razor. Love it or hate it, the Avanti by Yaqi is the Creme de la Creme in Chinese razor manufacturing capabilities in terms of razor tools being produced today in that region.
Fantastic razor…
I’ll start with an excerpt copy & paste from an overall review I did recently…..
Nope, my thoughts have not changed nor wavered on what I’ve spoken previously about the Yaqi Avanti. Arguably, my thoughts perhaps have gotten stronger on the position of the best to come out of China. Two razors truly come to mind as the best to come out of China or Asian Continent. One would be the Urkanet Assassin razor and this tool right here, the Avanti Adjustable (Merkur Progress replica in SS) by Yaqi. I can’t speak for every adjustable that’s come out of the Chinese razor manufacturing group as I haven’t sampled all the adjustables made within that country. However, by looking at the quality of the grand majority of those produced and relative to sources that have put thought to screen on reviews of these razors, one can fairly assume and determine that the quality of said razors are mediocre to downright deplorable. Whether be of alloy, manufacturing processes or simply bad engineering & ideas, it’s safe to say that purchasing an adjustable razor from Chinese manufacturers is risky business indeed. Yaqi on the other hand has strived to achieve not only decent to good razor tools, they’ve undoubtedly produced some high quality shaving tools to excellent standards although be it by cloning, copying or replicating sound and proven designs from other manufacturers worldwide. Agree or disagree with that point is not why I’m writing this though it’s fair to stand on either side of that point and make an argument for or against. I believe in copyright protections including intellectual property rights to creators & inventors that gives them exclusive control to those ideas and intangible creations. On the subject of patents, once that’s done and no longer pertinent to design & manufacturing exclusivity for those that filed for such, it’s game on. The Yaqi Avanti falls under the latter as Merkur had the design patent well over 70 years ago and that patent has been null for close to 50 of those 70+ years. They produced a razor that is nearly identical to the legendary Merkur Progress but, not only replicated it in all of its aspects constructively, they vastly improved upon the design by using a superior alloy, superior manufacturing processes and without question which is the head scratcher for many, superior quality control over the original manufacturer. That is no small feat when one considers the history & longevity of Merkur as a producer of shaving tools & products. The Avanti is better in every aspect compared to the razor it pays homage to. There’s no debate and quite frankly, it isn’t even a fair contest to consider that they are equal. Don’t get me wrong, I still think that the Progress is a magnificent performer and shaves the whiskers with the best of them throughout safety razor history. It’s just undeniable that the Yaqi Avanti surpasses it in every metric conceivable. Price? That’s the only argument I will concede upon but, as the economics continue to change & adjust globally, the price point that it was initially offered for becomes more reasonable and could eventually be thought of as a bargain not so far into the near future. There will be detractors of Chinese made razors by many as a large contingent of wet shavers still considers anything coming out of the Asian Continent is inferior and of poor quality. And for the most part I do agree with that statement.
However, the old saying that even a broken watch is right twice a day has pertinent relevance with this particular razor. The thing is someone at Yaqi decided to go all out and get busy on a proven design to produce something of greater quality & value. They pulled the stops and actually produced a world class quality razor, again just a replica of an existing design that improved upon it significantly. And ultimately for the better. I’ve probably purchased about a dozen Chinese made adjustables in my wet shave journey and only one has stayed and made the cut for being an absolute gem of a razor. Love it or hate it, the Avanti by Yaqi is the Creme de la Creme in Chinese razor manufacturing capabilities in terms of razor tools being produced today in that region.
Fantastic razor…
