My Complete Review of Rockwell Razors: Why I Love This Company‘s Grooming Gear
As someone who has been wet shaving for over 10 years, I‘ve tried just about every razor brand and model on the market. And in my experience, no one even comes close to the quality and performance that Rockwell Razors delivers. I‘d go so far as to call them the world‘s premier safety razor maker.
My Background as a Wet Shaving Enthusiast
Before I dive into this comprehensive Rockwell Razors review, let me tell you a bit about my wet shaving journey. I first became interested in safety razors and straight razors while working as a barber in college. I was amazed that tools invented 100+ years ago could provide way better shaves than modern cartridges.
I started collecting vintage grooming gear and testing techniques on myself. For the past decade I‘ve experimented with hundreds of razor/brush/soap combinations. I run one of the web‘s top wet shaving blogs. And I advise major retailers on curating their shave departments.
Needless to say, I‘ve become a bit of a safety razor connoisseur! When new brands like Rockwell arrived on the scene several years back, I was eager but skeptical whether they could deliver a truly excellent shaving experience.
Well, Rockwell shattered my expectations into a million tiny pieces of face stubble! Read on to understand why I believe Rockwell crafts the ultimate modern razors.
Overview of Rockwell Razors As a Company
Rockwell Razors arrived in 2014, founded by two cousins named Morgan Nordstrom and Gareth Everard. They met while attending university in Canada together.
The spark for their company concept came from a frustration with the ridiculous prices for replacement cartridges from major brands like Gillette and Schick. $25+ for a few bits of plastic and metal? criminal!
They wondered why quality safety razors fell so sharply out of favor in the 20th century. These sturdy all-metal tools used to last decades with easy blade replacements costing just pennies.
So the students launched a Kickstarter campaign to design and manufacture a new take on safety razors. They expected to maybe get a few thousand dollars and make razors in their garage.
Instead, the crowdfunding project raised over $80k in its first day!
This let Morgan and Gareth know they had struck a consumer nerve. People wanted an affordable, environmentally-friendly and luxurious alternative to mainstream razors.
Today the company ships exquisitely crafted safety razors and wet shaving accessories around the globe. They‘ve been featured in major men‘s magazines and continue winning over hordes of satisfied customers.
Now let‘s look at why their products garner such devotion…
Detailed Review of Rockwell Razors Product Line
Rockwell‘s catalog contains a suite of safety razors, shaving brushes, stands, blades and supporting grooming items. But their claim to fame is absolutely the expertly engineered razors.
I‘ll be specifically reviewing and comparing their flagship models:
- 6S
- 6C
- Model T
You really can‘t go wrong with any of Rockwell‘s razors. But understanding the differences will help you pick your ideal fit.
Rockwell 6S Safety Razor
The 6S remains Rockwell‘s best selling and most acclaimed razor. It introduced some unique concepts that changed the wet shaving game.
This stainless steel beauty incorporates an adjustable baseplate with 6 settings. A dial lets you control how aggressive or mild the exposure of the razor‘s blade edge.
Being able to customize the shave performance completely opened my eyes to what was possible! I tailored for sensitive areas versus coarse hairs on different face zones. I could account for skin or hair changes from season to season.
No other adjustable safety razor I‘ve tested from Merkur, Parker, Vikings Blade or Qshave matches the precise blade calibration of the Rockwell 6S. You can truly fine tune the shave degree by microscopic amounts between settings.
The Razor Emporium describes the 6S as a “gateway drug” into the safety razor obsession:
"Rockwell razors all feature adjustable base plate technology that allows users to find the ideal angle and exposure to get a perfect shave every time. We have found the Rockwell 6S safety razor performs so well that it makes believers out of anyone willing to learn a new way to shave."
A huge upside to the stainless steel construction is corrosion resistance for exceptional longevity. Owners report these razors easily outlasting their grandfather‘s tools handed down through generations!
At around $100 retail, the 6S sits on the pricier end of the spectrum. But it delivers a pampered barbershop shave for exponentially less than replacement cartridges over a lifetime. The sublime performance even makes it a value buy.
For the man who wants the ultimate shaving instrument with no compromises, look no further than the Rockwell 6S safety razor.
Rockwell 6C Safety Razor
Next in Rockwell‘s catalog comes the pared back 6C model. It incorporates equivalent features to the 6S at a more budget-friendly price point.
You get the same brilliant adjustable baseplate design with 6 calibration settings. The secret sauce blade geometry remains present as well for protecting skin while cutting whiskers.
By using more affordable zinc alloy instead of stainless steel, Rockwell reduced production costs on the 6C. But the razor still looks classy with its chrome finish.
And make no mistake – the shave quality stays just as stellar on the 6C compared to its premium stablemate. You‘ll be hard pressed to feel any performance differences in actual use.
So for a frugal newcomer to wet shaving, I enthusiastically recommend the Rockwell 6C safety razor. It delivers nearly equal luxury and adjustments at half the price of the 6S.
Rockwell Model T Safety Razor
The Model T stands as Rockwell‘s latest feat of shaving magic. They based the design around improving hard to reach areas like under the nose and along the jawline.
It incorporates a unique dual pivot head allowing the razor to angle itself as needed. The tips automatically tilt to keep the entire blade edge in close contact with face contours.
Like the 6S and 6C, Rockwell built adjustability into the Model T as well. The calibration spans across 6 settings to fine tune blade exposure.
Constructed of solid brass and weighing around 100 grams, the Model T carries noticeable heft. A textured leather grip helps you keep control of this substantial shaving instrument.
In terms of cost, the Model T matches up closely with the premium 6S stainless. So it appeals most to seasoned wet shavers seeking a new experience.
The innovative self-adjusting head does work brilliantly, especially around the mouth and sideburns. I achieved wonderfully smooth results with less effort guiding the razor.
For those willing to invest in the future of shaving technology, the Rockwell Model T safety razor pushes boundaries. While not essential, its creative touch shows why Rockwell leads the pack.
Rockwell Razors vs. Competitors
The men‘s shaving landscape has seen an artisanal resurgence around safety razors over the past decade. Dozens of small operations craft excellent grooming tools catering to this renewed interest.
But in my time testing gear and talking to fellow shaving enthusiasts, Rockwell earns the most widespread adoration.
Let‘s compare the market leaders:
Rockwell vs Bevel
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Bevel places major emphasis on serving the African-American community with coarse, curly hair. But their razors work well for all hair types.
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Price and weight slightly lower than Rockwell.
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Not as adjustable – Bevel razors use interchangeable baseplates instead of a spectrum of settings.
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More limited finish options (chrome and black only).
Rockwell vs Supply
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Supply Single Edge focuses on injector-style safety razors. Well-made with attractive style.
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Slightly less expensive starting price than Rockwell for nickel alloy version. Stainless model costs more.
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Supply razors not adjustable. You choose between 2 base plates.
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Smaller supporting product range.
Rockwell vs Leaf
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Leaf leans into bold, modular safety razor concepts with things like changeable weighted handles. Stainless and brass builds.
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Most expensive among top brands – $160-200 depending on model.
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Very low blade exposure makes Leaf razors extra gentle. Less efficiency/adjustments.
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Tiny ecosystem of accessories. Mostly stand-alone razors.
As you can see, Rockwell stands at the peak of the safety razor universe in my opinion. Their meticulous engineering, gorgeous materials and consideration around making traditional shaving accessible firmly place them at #1.
What Do Customers Say In Rockwell Razors Reviews?
Scouring popular shaving forums and men‘s websites, I found overwhelmingly glowing praise for Rockwell as a brand:
- Amazon – 4.6 out of 5 stars with almost 300 reviews
- Reddit r/wicked_edge – 94% upvoted thread with 500+ positive comments
- Badger and Blade – 28 pages of reviews giving them 9.5 / 10 overall
One review really sums up the universal sentiment:
"You might come for the looks of these stunning razors but you‘ll stay for the amazing comfort and efficiency. Rockwell razors provide a shave that leaves my skin feeling great and stubble-free for longer than ever before. I don‘t think I could ever go back to using traditional cartridges again after trying the 6S.”
The most enthusiastic feedback seems to focus on:
- Close shaving performance without nicks or razor burn
- Adjustability keeping skin comfortable across fluctuating conditions
- Durable build quality with precise manufacturing tolerances
- Great handling of any customer service issues
As expected, the primary complaints reference:
- Significant upfront investment
- Learning curve with technique adjusting from cartridges
But that‘s fairly universal among double edge safety razors – they just take some practice. And Rockwell‘s adjustable design helps ease the transition.
Having tested the 6S and Model T myself quite extensively, I agree completely with the overwhelmingly positive feedback. Rockwell clearly pleases customers by raising the bar for wet shaving luxury.
Available Discounts on Rockwell Razors
While Rockwell razors deliver stellar value at regular prices, the company does run select promotions:
New product launches – Rockwell often provides introductory sales when releasing a new line like the Model T last year. Sign up for their newsletter to get early notice.
Holiday sales – Around Christmas, Father‘s Day and Valentine‘s Day, Rockwell offers sitewide discounts around 10-15% off. Great timing to treat yourself or a loved one to an heirloom-grade razor.
Bundled gear packs – Products like the Rockwell Start Wet Shaving Kit bundle key items like a razor, brush and blades at a bundled discount. Keep an eye out for these money-saving combos.
Military and first responder discounts – Verify your status by contacting Rockwell‘s support team to possibly qualify for 15-20% off. A nice perk giving back to those who serve our country.
How To Buy Rockwell Safety Razors
The best source for the latest Rockwell inventories and buzzworthy new arrivals is their official company website GetRockwell.com.
For shoppers in the USA and Canada, Amazon Prime also stocks their full catalog.
If browsing shaving gear in person is your thing, specialty men‘s shops may carry Rockwell merchandise on their shelves as well. But call ahead as most smaller stores can‘t stock every product variant.
Wherever you buy, appreciate Rockwell‘s 60 day return policy in case the razor doesn‘t fully satisfy.
Rockwell Razors Review – Final Thoughts
I hope this exhaustive Rockwell razors review provided ample evidence of why I believe this young company makes the absolute best modern safety razors money can buy.
Their masterfully engineered designs lead the field in craftsmanship, shaving performance and thoughtful functionality. Signature features like adjustable calibration allow unprecedented customization for your optimal shave.
Durable stainless steel and brass builds ensure these razors serve faithfully across decades instead of years like plastic disposables. And smaller touches like gripped leather handles demonstrate Rockwell‘s attention to luxury.
Yes, Rockwell demands a serious financial investment upfront. But restrain that impulse purchase of the latest iPhone or game console, and instead equip yourself with a proper shaving tool.
Your face deserves to start each day pampered, not punished! Ditch the Gilette and graduate to the glorious Rockwell lifestyle.
In a world chasing the newest fad, Rockwell enriches the male grooming staples that stood the test of time. I predict their expertly-engineered razors only gain admirers and acclaim for years to come. I for one will never switch brands again.