In the comments on yesterday’s shave, we discussed some trade-offs between a complex razor design (TTO adjustable) and a simple razor design (the classic three-piece design: cap, baseplate, and handle. Certainly there are variations in the three-piece sign: does the razor leave the end-tabs of the blade exposed or not, is blade alignment achieved via corner brackets (the Baili BR171) or a bar or two studs (and if two studs, whether they are on the cap or the baseplate) — not to mention blade curvature/angle, blade exposure, guard type, and so on.
One advantage of the three-piece design is that handles can easily be swapped, and about 20 years ago I observed that razor handles for three-piece razors were much easier to make than the heads, and since the handles were swappable, I predicted that soon handles were be offered on their own, as after-market upgrades to the original razor, and that indeed came to pass.
I used the X3 on Italian Barber’s excellent Barberpole handle, and following the comment discussion I included in the SOTD photo the razor I’m using tomorrow, which is an Edwin Jagger head mounted on a Wolfman handle. The variety of aftermarket handles is now substantial — for example, see the range of handles that Maggard offers. (At the time, I predicted that we would also see razors heads sold separately, and that too has come to pass — and indeed caps and baseplates are also available separately.)
I very much like the Dark Chocolate shaving soap and aftershave Phoenix Artisan briefly offered, and that’s what I used today. The Omega 20102, like their 10048, is a long-lofted boar brush, and the two are close in feel and performance. Comparing today’s shave with yesterday’s, right now I would favor the Pro 48, but at other times I’ve preferred the 20102, so obviously they are quite close.
Wth excellent lather and the X3, a good outcome was assured and did in fact occur. A splash of Dark Chocolate aftershave (which has a very nice dry-down) and the day begins.