Across all business segments, products have evolved over time as... to improve upon existing designs. Skyscrapers are constructed taller, cars...

iKon H20 Safety Razor
Written by Mike Sandoval
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Across all business segments, products have evolved over time as entrepreneurs have sought
to improve upon existing designs. Skyscrapers are constructed taller, cars are engineered to go
faster, and smart phones are thinner and more powerful with each release. In the shaving
industry, iKon Razors is one obvious example of this concept. This brand merges and modifies
existing designs to create new and innovative safety razors. The stainless steel iKon H20 Safety
Razor is a stunning hybrid of styles and features.
Tired of suffering from razor bumps on his neck, Greg Kahn found relief by putting down his
cartridge razor and turning to traditional shaving. He collected a number of quality safety razors,
but felt that he could improve upon existing designs. The first iKon Razor was completely
handmade on a milling machine and industrial lathe. Greg chose a stainless steel billet for the
cutting head, with the handle turned from a piece of 316L bar stock stainless steel rod, because
of the sustainability and durability of the material. Over the years, he gathered feedback from
wetshavers and modified razor designs based on their recommendations. The result is unique
and hybrid pieces, such as the H20 Safety Razor.
When I opened the box of the iKon H20, the first feature that I noticed was the stocky handle –
the thick and heavy design for which the iKon Bulldog is famous. The handle has the
old-school utilitarian design with precision knurling that provides a secure grip for wet and soapy
hands. The knurling is cut uniformly across the handle in a flawless diamond pattern. The
bulky handle is easy to hold and maneuver around the face throughout the shave, and the
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iKon H20 Safety Razor
Written by Mike Sandoval
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
smooth rings at the base of the handle provide the perfect point to
grip the razor to hold it
at the appropriate cutting angle during the shave.
The cutting head of the H20 is incredibly innovative. The unique "double action" head features
an open-comb design on one side and a smooth safety bar on the other. This provides two
different levels of aggressiveness in the same safety razor. The comb is helpful during the initial
first pass because it does not push the hair down, but guides the stubble up and into the blade
for a clean slice. Unlike open comb razors like the Merkur 11C where the blade rests flat against
the comb guard, the iKon has a gap between the cutting edge of the blade and the teeth of the
comb. This allows more exposure of the blade edge while still benefiting from the open comb
design. For the finishing passes, the regular bar allows a close shave while protecting the skin
from having too much exposure to the blade.
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iKon H20 Safety Razor
Written by Mike Sandoval
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
At
first
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