I received this morning an email from Rockwell that they now have the redesigned (one-piece) T-bar for their Model T adjustable razor, and they have shipped what they believe is the production version to the first backers to get their take on the razor. If (as Rockwell believes) the response is positive, all orders will be quickly shipped. From their email:
We’re seeing a substantial increase in final (assembled) tolerance and consistency, and the Model T razors being produced are passing every aspect of our quality control, have passed stress tests, and our beta testers have confirmed the razors are shaving like a dream! We are now only awaiting confirmation from from the backers we’ve shipped to that their Model Ts are performing completely as expected (or better!). At that point, we’ll be able to manufacture the remaining T-Bars, import them, and ship out all remaining Model T razors to all backers.
The good news moved me to use my Rockwell 6S this morning, a razor that had an even more painful working out of production issues: the first try, at casting stainless steel, did not work at all, and I believe a second source for the parts also failed. But Rockwell persisted and ultimately the 6S problems were solved and the final version, shown in the photo, is one of my best razors.
Some time ago Michelangelo observed that it takes work to remove the traces of work, and that applies in many areas: we enjoy the polish of a music or dance performance, but we don’t see the hours of practice and rehearsals that produced the polish. Rockwell’s working out of problems is more visible, but the 6S today shows that their efforts paid off.
My own Model T is somewhere in the shipping queue, and I will report on my experience with it as soon as I get it. The prototype was good, and I expect the production version to be even better.
This morning my Fine Classic and Antica Barbieria Colla worked together to produce and excellent lather, and the 3R baseplate on the 6S delivered its usual perfect (and perfectly comfortable) shave. A splash of Floïd aftershave finished the job with a good fragrance and a mild menthol hit.
