Ikon #102 Slant: Too Mild for My Coarse Beard

I so much wanted to like this razor. After so many glowing reviews from others I managed to buy one directly from Shavecraft with an 80mm Bulldog handle


I have tried the Ikon #102 with the following blades, Astra SP, Voskhod, Rapira Super Stainless, Rapira Platinum Lux, Baili, Croma Diamant and Polsilver Super Iridium.

This razor is very comfortable to use and with any blade produces an irritation free shave. But for me never a close shave. Never a BSS ,(or a BBS if you like babies' butts) no matter what I do.

My last shave today was with a Rapira Platinum Lux that produces for me a BSS in my Mergress, Futur, Slim and Fatip Clone Open Comb, and even in my Merkur 37C Slant. So I know this blade can produce a BSS. Just not in the Ikon #102. I know, I know slants are aggressive; many others judge this razor to be mild, yet efficient. But for me, however many passes, (3 ATG alone)buffs and j-hooks I made I just cannot get a smooth shave. And I really tried.

I'm confident in my technique, because I use some aggressive razors and get smooth shaves with no nicks, cuts, or weepers. I guess I'm more comfortable with the more aggressive razors. Or adjustable razors set to their higher settings.

So for those trying to get a close shave with a coarse beard, I'd love to recommend this razor but I can't. If you have a lighter to medium beard it would probably be great.

Anybody want to buy a lightly used, lovingly cared for Ikon #102 Slant?!?

Put it on BST. You'll probably sell it quickly.

Second that

Get the Ikon Tech for first pass, then use the #102 for subsequent passes.

Problem solved 

I promise you, that a Feather in an Ikon Tech will cut your coarse stubbles down in one pass WTG if you use a bit of buffing action.

(02-25-2016, 05:59 PM)CHSeifert Wrote: Get the Ikon Tech for first pass, then use the #102 for subsequent passes.

Problem solved 

I promise you, that a Feather in an Ikon Tech will cut your coarse stubbles down in one pass WTG if you use a bit of buffing action.

Takes me 6-8 passes with ikon tech or R41. My beard with two days growth will bring blood but those are the only two razors that I can get BBS with.

I was told by Ikon to use the regular Ikon Slant and not the 102 as it is too mild. I have been wet shaving for over a year and trust me I am still experimenting with everything you can think of. It is definitely trial and error with everything.

The iKon 102 is definitely mild. The iKon DLC is more aggressive, but less nimble under the nose area.

I have bought and sold more razors than I can count. The 102 gives me fantastic shaves. Try using a steep angle.

FWIW I have a pretty heavy beard and I get great shaves with it as well.

In my experience for the last year with the 102, before I got bitten by the vintage bug, is that it is particular about blade choice. I finally settled on the Personna Med Preps for a combo of smoothness and efficiency. I've got a thick beard and really sensitive skin, and that combo works great for me. Sorry it's not working out for you.

(02-25-2016, 05:59 PM)CHSeifert Wrote: Get the Ikon Tech for first pass, then use the #102 for subsequent passes.

Problem solved 

I promise you, that a Feather in an Ikon Tech will cut your coarse stubbles down in one pass WTG if you use a bit of buffing action.

Thanks for that suggestion! How about this: First passes with a the Ikon, subsequent with the Tech? I mention this because using the Mergress and Slim adjustables I (and others to) have contrary to my initial belief, found it better to increase the level of aggression as I move WTG, XTG and AGT. I may even buff with the Tech, crazy fool that I am!!

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and answer it.

(02-26-2016, 07:08 PM)drjenkins Wrote: In my experience for the last year with the 102, before I got bitten by the vintage bug, is that it is particular about blade choice. I finally settled on the Personna Med Preps for a combo of smoothness and efficiency. I've got a thick beard and really sensitive skin, and that combo works great for me. Sorry it's not working out for you.

Thanks! Did you find any of the Russian blades to be effective for you in the 102. For example, Astra, Rapira, Polsiver, etc? Thanks

(02-27-2016, 12:16 PM)NDMyers Wrote:

(02-26-2016, 07:08 PM)drjenkins Wrote: In my experience for the last year with the 102, before I got bitten by the vintage bug, is that it is particular about blade choice. I finally settled on the Personna Med Preps for a combo of smoothness and efficiency. I've got a thick beard and really sensitive skin, and that combo works great for me. Sorry it's not working out for you.

Thanks! Did you find any of the Russian blades to be effective for you in the 102. For example, Astra, Rapira, Polsiver, etc? Thanks

The AstraSP was a nice blade in the 102. Didn't try the others. I also used Gillette Silver Blue and Feather blades with no issues.

(02-26-2016, 05:55 PM)srgjazz Wrote: I have bought and sold more razors than I can count. The 102 gives me fantastic shaves. Try using a steep angle.

Ok. I'll try that too! Thanks!

I'd try a sharper blade like a feather. If that doesn't work, perhaps a different slant like the att s1 might work. It did for me.

If we may offer some advice as our available production lineup of designs are rather prolific. 


Our product line can be sourced from any of our authorized iKon dealers :

http://ikonrazors.com/faqs/


This is a cursory list of our production models / aggressiveness scale; this does not include the many special edition limited run designs we release every now and then , such as SBS - H20 - SK9 etc. as those designs are produced in limited amounts and not distributed to our worldwide iKon authorized vendors.



on a 1 to 5 scale


1 = mild


5 = being the top level of aggression


ShaveCraft #101 (Dual Head Design) is a               2.5
ShaveCraft #102 (Slant) is a                             *2.5
ShaveCraft Short Comb is a                                  3.5
ShaveCraft Tech is a                                            5
X3 Slant (not yet on the market so placement in this list is to be determined)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

iKon Stainless Steel Dual Head OSS is a -          2.5
iKon Stainless Steel Open Comb Deluxe is a -    3.5
iKon Stainless Steel Standard Head is a solid -   4
iKon Stainless Steel Slant is a -                         3

Great info, Greg.

For those who want a bit more aggressiveness than the 102, the OC Deluxe is a nice alternative.  I find the current OC Deluxe to be a comfortable, efficient shaver.  For me, the OC Deluxe produces effortless BBS results without breaking a sweat.

(02-27-2016, 12:14 PM)NDMyers Wrote:

(02-25-2016, 05:59 PM)CHSeifert Wrote: Get the Ikon Tech for first pass, then use the #102 for subsequent passes.

Problem solved 

I promise you, that a Feather in an Ikon Tech will cut your coarse stubbles down in one pass WTG if you use a bit of buffing action.

Thanks for that suggestion! How about this: First passes with a the Ikon, subsequent with the Tech? I mention this because using the Mergress and Slim adjustables I (and others to) have contrary to my initial belief, found it better to increase the level of aggression as I move WTG, XTG and AGT. I may even buff with the Tech, crazy fool that I am!!

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and answer it.

In my opinion, using the more aggressive razor for the last ATG pass in MY opinion and for my preference is borderlining foolishness.

Reason being:

1. An aggressive razor thrives in a face full of stubbles going WTG
2. My face simply does not enjoy an ATG third pass with a hghly aggressive razor.

Aggressive razors are designed & build to remove densely packed stubbles on the face.

(02-27-2016, 02:52 PM)iKon Wrote: on a 1 to 5 scale

1 = mild

5 = being the top level of aggression

ShaveCraft #101 (Dual Head Design) is a               2.5
ShaveCraft #102 (Slant) is a                             *2.5
ShaveCraft Short Comb is a                                  3.5
ShaveCraft Tech is a                                            5
X3 Slant (not yet on the market so placement in this list is to be determined)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

iKon Stainless Steel Dual Head OSS is a -          2.5
iKon Stainless Steel Open Comb Deluxe is a -    3.5
iKon Stainless Steel Standard Head is a solid -   4
iKon Stainless Steel Slant is a -                         3

Excellent Greg, thank-you for the clear clarification of the current iKon line up! 

I'm looking forward to the X3...

Any chance the iKon Modern might make a return?

I find my 102 to be a little more aggressive when paired with a Personna Platinum. Actually I find that blade quite aggressive with most anything. I'm now using Astra SP's because it's a lot smoother in my experience.

I too have very thick growth and sensitive skin. The 102 is one of my favorite razors in my den; it's only next to my top 1 which is the ATT S1.