Rocnel Sailor 2020 adjustable razor production model

[Str8Mug]

An amazingly good shave today. Started on 4 and finished somewhere between 2 & 3. Used a once used Feather flipped that was easy on the face and incredibly smooth. 2 fantastic passes and a clean up pass around the Adam‘s Apple area that ultimately produced a top tier BBS finish. Price is prohibitive to many and I completely understand that argument. But, if you wanted one razor for the rest of your life that can and will virtually eliminate every razor in your possession/collection, this is it. The Taiga is the only other razor that I would put on the same level of performance/craftsmanship and we can argue until the cows come home on which one of them is the better shaver. And truthfully we‘d be splitting hairs that would be insignificant concerning how those two razors work. For the vast majority you would win with either one. Some would favor the Sailor, others would lean towards the Taiga. Points of contention would mostly center on feel, balance, ease of use, efficiency and overall shave quality. Here though, I’m talking about the ‘21 Sailor. This razor delivers everything I’ve mentioned above in spades.

Simply put, it’s one of the best modern era razors ever made to date. I haven’t tried a ‘22 version and I don’t plan on it in the foreseeable future. From what I’ve read the differences in shave quality are so microscopically minut I see no need in persuing that model or any other iteration of it unless it’s a head & shoulders improvement over the ‘21 version.

Tremendously good shaving tool, period.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

This is the 2021 RSMC razor which arrived less than a week ago.

Today, on its third outing, it stayed on the lowest setting, the Dot. Today's Dot shave was quite good, too.

So far I've used several settings. Dot, I, III, IV, and V. All have felt smooth. All have felt useable. Mostly I'm likely to be someone who uses several setting most shaves.

I don't find any big downsides so far, but my feet are barely wet.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I've now used most all the numbered settings. I've done entire shaves using some of the higher numbers, up to setting #10. (Not going ATG with higher settings, but using nothing but the high setting for the shave.)

I've also used various settings - such as 2.5, 6, and the Zero Dot - during single shaves. I much prefer to use, in my sensitive areas such as under my nose, low settings.

The Zero Dot is extremely mild but also much more effective than you might suspect. I can get a good shave without going beyond the Zero Dot. I can get a good shave on setting #10. That's a huge amount of range.

In the photo above the razor is on setting #10. You can see the gap. What you can't see is how smooth the Sailor is at that high setting. (No, it's not anywhere near as smooth on #10 as it is on the Zero Dot, but it's still smooth as opposed to rough, or scary, or harsh.)

Trying to find something about the Sailor, something not to like about it, has so far been impossible.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Cheekee]

owning the 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Rocnel sailors I can honestly say I am in love with them all. Its always a special occasion for me using them and I feel lucky to own them. Before I got into DE shaving I never knew things like this existed.

I found the 2018 on sale on ebay and snagged it. Soon after I think I managed to buy one of the last 2020 models from extra shaving. Such smooth shavers. Just stunning pieces.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

owning the 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Rocnel sailors I can honestly say I am in love with them all. Its always a special occasion for me using them and I feel lucky to own them. Before I got into DE shaving I never knew things like this existed.

I found the 2018 on sale on ebay and snagged it. Soon after I think I managed to buy one of the last 2020 models from extra shaving. Such smooth shavers. Just stunning pieces.

I hope you'll write more about them, how they compare, what's happened within their evolution to make them better, etc.

I have only the 2021 RSMC, but it's a great razor.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Cheekee]

I hope you'll write more about them, how they compare, what's happened within their evolution to make them better, etc.

I have only the 2021 RSMC, but it's a great razor.

Happy shaves,

Jim

The 2018 is an interesting razor which has an eject symbol on the adjustment dial. When you undo the dial you have to be careful as the topcap can fly off at quite a rate. It has numbers and not roman numerals. It shaves really well and I would say its slightly more aggressive in feel to the 2020. The 2020 is the heaviest model with the longest handle and was the first to come with a 24 karat adjustment dial and coin inlay on the bottom of the handle. It was presented in a beautiful wooden box. It has the roman numerals which all the next sailors now have.

The 2021 has the shorter handle and the head became narrower but the shave is similar to the 2020 model. Both to me have no issues getting under the nose or chin areas. The 2022 adds the brass adjustment dial (mine isn't the MC) but its a beautiful piece still and shaves beautifully. They all clamp the blade well and I don't suffer blade chatter. They can bite at higher settings for me so I usually dont go any higher than a 4.

I am looking to purchase the next one in June which I believe has a mechanism to be able to release the handle from the body of the razor for easier cleaning. I just hope I have the funds to do so.

On a side note, if you ever get the chance to try a rocnel elite medium, its a beautiful shaver as well.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

The 2018 is an interesting razor which has an eject symbol on the adjustment dial. When you undo the dial you have to be careful as the topcap can fly off at quite a rate. It has numbers and not roman numerals. It shaves really well and I would say its slightly more aggressive in feel to the 2020. The 2020 is the heaviest model with the longest handle and was the first to come with a 24 karat adjustment dial and coin inlay on the bottom of the handle. It was presented in a beautiful wooden box. It has the roman numerals which all the next sailors now have.

The 2021 has the shorter handle and the head became narrower but the shave is similar to the 2020 model. Both to me have no issues getting under the nose or chin areas. The 2022 adds the brass adjustment dial (mine isn't the MC) but its a beautiful piece still and shaves beautifully. They all clamp the blade well and I don't suffer blade chatter. They can bite at higher settings for me so I usually dont go any higher than a 4.

I am looking to purchase the next one in June which I believe has a mechanism to be able to release the handle from the body of the razor for easier cleaning. I just hope I have the funds to do so.

On a side note, if you ever get the chance to try a rocnel elite medium, its a beautiful shaver as well.

Thank you.

I hear you about the Elite medium.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Str8Mug]

Pure shaving bliss this morning. Hadn’t used the Sailor in some time and wanted to get an easy yet close shave. Could have pulled out a few others that could and obviously do the same thing as the Sailor does. The thing is though is that despite the bulk & heft of this razor, in hand the experience translates into totally the opposite of what one should expect and actually waits for. Cumbersome, heavy and no continuity in transitions from left to right, ATG, WTG & XTG passes. I use both hands when I shave equally and when I first used my Sailor and held it, it felt like a Cadillac Escalade. Though refined and luxurious looking, it felt a bit overkill. In comparison, my Taiga is more like a BMW X5 M Competition in feel and looks. Not as refined looking or as opulent but, it‘s a performer. In theory, the Sailor should not be as comfortable & efficient feeling as the Taiga. Nor should it feel 2nd nature in the hands. And yet, despite the size and weight it is totally equal to the Taiga in every aspect pertaining to the feel and end results of a shave. When it’s on the skin and one applies that first stroke, all the negative thoughts on how it’s supposed to feel goes right out the window and the proverbial “What The Hell” signage comes to mind like a neon sign at 3am when Joe’s Tavern closes the doors. In the beginning for me, I kept telling myself during each stroke and pass that this should not be happening and yet, it was. Shave after shave without a single deviation of the Sailor’s purpose. What is that purpose? A masterfully created razor designed to exude jewel like qualities in form and function with over the top opulence in shaving gear. Does one need a Sailor to receive the finest of shaves known to mankind? Absolutely not but, most things that we men have in our lives is because we WANTED it, not because we needed it. If one seeks opulence adjoined to performance and world class craftsmanship and the singular feel that you have arguably the best razor in existence, there is no peer for the Rocnel Sailor when you encompass all the qualities and its engineering designed into this razor.

It’s a beaut to look at and even better to shave with. Great shaves to all…

 

[Str8Mug]

A fine, fine shave this morning with the Sailor. Two full passes and a slight buff on the chin and neck and presto, a full on BBS finish. No irritation, no nics or cuts. Just super soft and elastic feeling skin. Used a fresh Feather blade and went from 2 to 1 on the dial, WTG & ATG. Weight is never thought of nor the bulkiness on appearance. It just becomes an extension in the hands for the means to complete ones shave & grooming exercise. Wonderful shave and shaver.

Great shaves to all…

 

[Str8Mug]

The Sailor is just simply superb. Ran the Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow in this beast and there was simply whisker removal at its most comfortable level with superb efficiency. This thing is built like a tank yet feels like an extension of your hand as if it were a blade itself. Superb razor & shaver.

 

[Estariol]

The Sailor is just simply superb. Ran the Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow in this beast and there was simply whisker removal at its most comfortable level with superb efficiency. This thing is built like a tank yet feels like an extension of your hand as if it were a blade itself. Superb razor & shaver.

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Even though no facial hair and skin are the same, my opinion is that you write the most "no-nonsense-no-bullsh*t", but at the same time the most detailed reviews and shave reports i've read so far. I read and enjoy all your posts, and i say this as a straight razor shaver.