The WEISHI Nostalgic Long Handle Safety Razor is presented as a budget-friendly option within the safety razor market. It is a butterfly-style safety razor with a long handle, and its affordability is noted to be reflected in both its design and performance.
Overall Assessment
The WEISHI Nostalgic received an overall rating of 6 out of 10. While it was the best performer among the budget-friendly safety razors the reviewer tested, it is described as “adequate” rather than “great”.
The reviewer personally finds it “not a bad razor for the price, but nowhere near as good as what I use and prefer”. The reviewer also explicitly states they “will go into recycling”.
Key Features and Design
Type
It is a double-edged (DE) safety razor, meaning it can be used on both sides and uses double-edged razor blades, which are the most commonly used type.
Head Style
It features a closed comb head, which has a straight edge without teeth or gaps, making it generally safer and easier to use than open comb designs. However, this may not be ideal for those with dense and thick growth.
Opening Mechanism
The WEISHI Nostalgic utilizes a TTO (turn to open) butterfly head design, which makes blade changing very easy, as it’s a single-piece unit.
A potential downside of this mechanism is that butterfly razors can be more difficult to clean, and the opening mechanism could become faulty after prolonged use.
Materials and Finish
The razor is made from brass and has a gun metal chrome finish, which is considered attractive enough, though the chrome is expected to wear over time.
Handle
The razor has a long handle, with a total length of 110 mm, which is common for long handle types. The handle offers plenty of grip, which is ideal for those new to shaving with safety razors, preventing slipping during use.
While the long handle can be great for longer strokes on the cheeks and neck, the reviewer finds shorter handles better for tricky areas like under the nose, chin, and Adam’s apple.
Weight
It weighs 76g, which is considered quite light for a long-handled razor. The reviewer generally prefers a slightly heavier razor, as more weight typically helps guide the razor, allowing it to do more of the work.
Performance and Shaving Experience
- Mild Shave: The WEISHI Nostalgic provides a mild shave. While this mildness can make it beginner-friendly, the reviewer found the shave was not close enough, even after three passes.
- Strokes Required: It often requires too many strokes to remove growth and stubble. The reviewer specifically struggled with shaving their neck due to tricky growth patterns, noting that the razor’s mildness left some stubble.
- Comparison to Premium Razors: The reviewer notes that their initial wet shaving experience with more expensive brands like the Edwin Jagger DE89 and Merkur 34c was much better, suggesting they might not have continued using safety razors if they had started with budget types like the WEISHI Nostalgic.
Pros
- Easy Blade Changing: The TTO (turn to open) razor head design makes changing blades simple.
- Excellent Grip: The handle provides a good grip that prevents slipping during shaving.
- Suitable Handle Length for Some: The long handle can suit some men, particularly those with large hands, and can be beneficial for cheek and neck strokes.
- Solid Feel: It feels “nice and weighty” and “solid,” although it is later specified as being quite light at 76g.
- Affordable: It is cheap to buy.
- Superior to Other Budget Options: Among other “cheapo razors” tested by the reviewer, the WEISHI Nostalgic performed better.
Cons
- Mild and Not Close Enough: The shave is often not close and too mild, requiring multiple passes.
- Requires Many Strokes: Too many strokes are needed to effectively remove growth and stubble.
- Handle Length Limitation: The long handle may not suit all men and is not advantageous for shaving tricky areas like under the nose or chin.
- Better Options Nearby: An additional $10 could purchase a much better razor. The reviewer would “rather add another $20 or so to buy a higher-quality model from the top brands”.
- Cleaning Difficulty: Butterfly heads can be more difficult to clean compared to two or three-piece safety razors.
- Potential Mechanical Issues: The opening mechanism of butterfly razors could potentially become faulty after prolonged use.
- Finish Wear: The chrome finish is expected to wear off over time.
- Not Ideal for Dense Growth: The closed comb design may not be best for those with dense and thick growth.
- No Brand Presence: There is no company or brand information available off Amazon; WEISHI is a Chinese brand that manufactures budget-friendly safety razors since 1993, with its information kept on Amazon. The reviewer has also updated their stance to not support these types of Chinese products and copies due to their effect on “honest hard working companies and businesses”.
Value for Money
The WEISHI Nostalgic received a value for money rating of 6 out of 10. While it is budget-friendly, the reviewer suggests that spending a bit more (e.g., an extra $10-$20) would yield a significantly higher-quality model from top brands.
Despite the reviewer’s hesitations, some consumer reviews on Amazon reportedly express satisfaction with its cost and quality.
Best Suited For
- Beginners in Wet Shaving: It is considered a decent choice for those new to wet shaving with a safety razor. Its mildness also makes it beginner-friendly.
- Budget-Conscious Individuals: It caters to guys needing to purchase a budget-friendly option.
- Temporary Use: It might be fine for new users until they decide to continue with safety razors and invest in a better-quality model.
- Women Shaving Legs: The reviewer suggests it could make a decent budget razor for women shaving their legs.
