RazoRock SS Lupo 72 Review – Classy and Stylish DE Razor
RazoRock SS Lupo 72 Razor
A Sleek and Stylish DE razor with a closed-comb design. Handle works with any other RazoRock DE razor head. I found it a solid, mildly aggressive razor with a good price point for a stainless steel razor.
Pros
Sleek and Stylish Design
Interchangeable RazoRock Handles
Mild Blade Aggression
The closed-comb design is good for sensitive skin
Cons
Small drainage holes, challenging to properly clean
Doesn’t do well with 3+ days of growth
Back into the heavy stuff today.
Our following razor review comes to us from RazoRock: the Lupo SS 72 DE Razor. In the past, we have looked at two of RazoRock’s other safety razors: the RazoRock BBS and the RazoRock Hawk V2.
For this razor, we will take a look at something somewhat more aggressive on the RazoRock scale, and see if it meets our expectations.
The Brand: We’ve reviewed a few RazoRock products in the past on our site. You could say we have made them quite the regular guest. RazoRock is also known as Italian Barber.com. They are a purveyor of fine toiletries for men and women, with everything from hair care products, shaving, skincare, and even body wash.
Description and Features
The Lupo 72 is a mildly aggressive razor head with a larger safety bar across the closed-comb. It is a part of the RazoRock series of interchangeable heads for several different types of razor handles.
It’s named SS Lupo 72 because of its 0.72 blade gap and the SS stands for stainless steel. This razor is an upgrade from the standard Lupo that’s made from aluminum (still available).
- Material – The entire razor is made from machined 316L Marine Grade Stainless Steel. This grade of steel is also used for Medical Implants.
- Three Parts – The Razor unscrews into three different parts for loading in a new blade.
- Closed-Comb – The Closed Comb with Safety Bar allows for more aggression in the blade profile while still protecting sensitive skin.
- Replaceable DE Blade – Like all safety razors, the Lupo 72 uses replaceable DE blades.
- Switchable Handles – The Lupo 72 has multiple options for handles: Bulldog, Super Knurl, HD, UFO, Bamboo, Barber Pole, and Titanium Halo.
- Aggression – The Lupo 72 has a Medium aggression rating with a blade gap of 0.72 mm.
- Dimensions – The dimensions and weight will vary depending on what handle you order for your razor. For this review, I used the Bulldog handle: 90mm x 13 mm, which weighs 80 g (2.8 oz), which is the heaviest handle available from the selection. The head weighs 26 g (0.92 oz)
Recommended Blades
Any DE razor blades can work with the Lupo 72 head, but for my own, part I would recommend something along the lines of Muhle or Parker brand DE razors.
Remember, this is the part that is actually going to do the cutting. Don’t skimp.
Shaving Experince
For this review, I performed my normal shaves a total of 4 times. Each time, I made three passes: one with the grain, one across the grain, and one against the grain.
At various times, I also added some pre-shave to see how the razor dealt with pre-shave cream and oil, as well as shaving soap.
How Does It Perform with 3+ Days of Growth?
In the case of the Lupo 72, the medium aggression and closed-comb did not do all that well with a large amount of growth. It tended to get gummed up easily and needed multiple rinses to clean it out for cutting again.
With pre-shave, this was an even more pronounced problem. I had to go back over places in my beard multiple times to get the smooth shave I typically like. I suppose I have become spoiled by the shavettes I use for my regular shaves.
Remember, dragging a razor over the skin multiple times is never a good thing. Just going to add to the chance you could cut yourself or irritate your already irritated skin.
If you are going to use the Lupo 72 on more than about 3 days’ worth of whiskers, I would definitely recommend a good pre-shave and soap.
Daily Growth?
This is where the Lupo 72 really excelled.
It is perfect for daily or every other day use. Medium aggression is great for getting through denser growth, but the safety bar keeps your skin nice and protected.
I would definitely recommend the Lupo 72 for someone who is going to be a daily or semi-daily shaver.
How Easily Does It Perform with the Contours of the Face?
This is also where that large safety bar is going to come in handy. The Lupo 72 moves easily over the jaw, throat, and Adam’s Apple without causing any nicks or cuts.
The only time I actually drew blood was when I had to go back over something because it didn’t get everything on the first pass. Otherwise, the razor was great at making sure to get the hard-to-reach places around my jawline.
Blade Aggression
RazoRock rates their Lupo 72 at around Medium Aggression, and one can certainly tell the difference when coming from the Hawk and the BBS.
There is definitely more “blade feel” on this razor than the others.
I would still recommend something with somewhat more aggression if you want to shave after 3 or 4 days’ worth of growth, but this one does better than some of the milder options.
Handle and Grip
Like with the Super Knurl I used with the BBS review, this Bulldog grip works exceedingly well at holding onto the grip of the razor without it slipping around in your hands.
I have always had an issue with safety razors slipping in my wet and soapy fingers, but with the grip on these RazoRock handles, I don’t have to worry about that at all.
The handles of these razors are top-notch, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to try something that feels professional in every way.
Weight and Balance
The weight of the Lupo 72 is nice and hefty. You can feel the density of the steel used to make it, as well as the solidity of the handle. This razor feels less like a cute toy and much more like a real tool than any of the plastic cartridge razors on the market.
The Balance of the razor is about an inch below the head of the razor itself, right where you would theoretically be holding the razor while shaving. This gives it the perfect pivot point when shaving from any angle.
Look and Design
The look of the razor is something out of a classic shaving picture. It would be easy to see this razor in something like a Norman Rockwell painting.
The Design is classic and timeless, always stylish and always looking good.
The only major issue I have with the design comes from the drainage holes on the underside of the razor. While they look like they would be good at their job, they do get gummed up with soap or pre-shave rather easily.
I didn’t have this issue with the BBS or Hawk V2. Those had just one long troth, but the Lupo 72 has four holes instead. The reduced surface area seems to be just enough to cause a problem. Though it is nothing catastrophic. Just a bit of extra rinse time is all that is called for.
Value for Money
On the surface, this may seem like an investment. The whole razor with grip together is going to set you back about $70 USD, and as we have discussed in the past, that is a whole 7 pizzas.
Looking closer, though, I see that investment is a real investment. With heavy Marine Grade steel, this razor is built to last you. Providing it doesn’t get lost, this razor is going to last you at least most of your lifetime.
I’m not going to say, “This is the last razor you will ever need,” but I will definitely say this is going to last you for at least several years, if not a decade.
However, to mitigate the cost, you can simply order the head components. If you already have a handle you like, getting an upgraded headpiece is only going to cost you about $30 USD to $50 USD.
Final Thoughts – Who Is It Best Suited For?
Overall, I really like this razor. It feels timeless and professional, with a slick finish. This razor can easily become any wet shaver’s go-to piece, especially if this is your everyday shave.
This razor is really not for the newcomer to the wet shaving scene. The price alone is a hurdle, especially if you don’t know what kind of razor you even like yet.
However, if you are a seasoned shaver who already knows what they like AND you are looking to try something new, then the Lupo 72 is right up your alley.
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