This Whacker is fitted with Rooiboswilg scales with a popular heavy blade shape and size. Rooiboswilg is another tree from the 'Combretum' genus, timbers that are mostly very hard, fine grained and termite resistent. Fine grained wood always delivers beautiful patterning, more so the older the tree and harder the conditions it endured. The tang and heel design ensures this razor sits very comfortable in hand, despite its fairly heavy weight. This is a solid razor and the half hollow grind makes short work of offending hair growth! The blade has a working area of about 66 mm, with an overall razor length of 171 mm in the closed position. The blade has a height of 27 mm and weighs 95 grams, and has a half hollow grind.
The barbers notch looks great on this design and is used as a means to open a closed razor, often a one-handed operation for barbers on the job.
The Bundu Whacker is range of razors that are meant to fill a void in the market, and as with many new product lines, cost to customer was the biggest criteria. Our main aim is to collaborate with Andre from Grobler Cutlery to produce a handmade razor for around 2-3 k. Off course we had to limit the time spent on fit and finish, but believe us when we say these razors are going to find regular use from novice and experienced shavers alike because they shave well and are very comfortable in hand. Despite the limitations we had on allowable input costs of these razors, the coolness factor was certainly not lost, these are some damn pretty creations and I personally prefer them over most vintage razors I have used, and even some new razors from larger manufacturers. They are all created from raw materials and unique in appearance.
The feedback from these razors is mostly quite good, a couple of factors such as grind type, the thickness of the blade, blade shape and blade size are some of the factors that will increase or lessen the audible feedback from cutting your beard. If you are new to straight razor shaving please note that feedback from a blade is NOT to be interpreted as a blunt blade, many first timers may think so, or may even be intimidated by the sound of hair getting slashed, but one learns to appreciate it fairly quickly. Razor feedback adds an additional dimension (hearing/sound) that will provide valuable information as you get to know your razor. One such advantage is to be able to identify where the razor keeps on running over freshly cut stubble without it seeming to cut all of it , this is a clear indication that you need to change the direction of your shave (or stretch your skin) if you want to get a very smooth shave, in all likeliness your hair is growing in directions where going across or against it is required to get smooth as a cue ball.
The razor is shave ready, lather up and see her dance!