Errol
Razor Review Guru
Wilde & Harte Osterley (England)
This Wilde & Harte Osterley was purchased from Bullgoose Shaving this year, so is from the current production. An email to Bullgoose confirmed that the head used on all W&H DE models is the same, however the head of the Eltham does have scalloped edges. When I pushed the buy button, I hadn’t realized just how different the head of the Wilde and Harte Osterley was to the older Eltham model I tested last week; this now gives me the opportunity to compare the older W&H model head against the current offering on a similar profile handle. The Osterley’s head features a plate with a flat back and a raised square section on its top; blade clamping is taken care of by the cap mating against this raised section, however clamping occurs well inside the extremities of the cap. Like the Eltham, the handle features a bulbous section at the forward end and a slender tail section, but the sectional profile of the handle is round. Very light machine marks are present on the underside of the cap and the top of the plate; this machining has been so well executed that the marks almost look like a satin finish at a quick glance; all remaining surfaces of the Osterley are highly polished.
It always has me puzzled when the blades supplied with a new razor are Feather. Many users are simply frightened of Feather blades, but I associate them with mild performing heads. In for a penny, in for a pound, look out Feather blade you’re my first choice for the Osterley. Many blades, and that includes this Feather throw up some weird and less than wonderful results on their initial passes, but once they get over that initial startup period deliver true results. There was a little surprise when the Osterley delivered a shave of slightly under Karve CB Level #D efficiency and the shave was smooth as silk. One thing that was evident between the blades was their level of performance, so I would recommend trying a variety of blades before settling on a favourite in this razor. With muscle memory of the right hand becoming accustomed to finding a usable hold on the strangely profiled Osterley handle, I had a lot less trouble clasping the handle then with the Eltham, however I am still not a fan of this handle. This razor delivers a great shave; I could live with it.
Blades Used – Feather and Gillette Platinum Plus
Material –Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 110.7g
Head Width – 43.46mm
Handle Length – 94.48mm
Handle Diameter – 16.38mm
Availability – Bullgoose and Wilde and Harte
Final Word – Stunning looks
This Wilde & Harte Osterley was purchased from Bullgoose Shaving this year, so is from the current production. An email to Bullgoose confirmed that the head used on all W&H DE models is the same, however the head of the Eltham does have scalloped edges. When I pushed the buy button, I hadn’t realized just how different the head of the Wilde and Harte Osterley was to the older Eltham model I tested last week; this now gives me the opportunity to compare the older W&H model head against the current offering on a similar profile handle. The Osterley’s head features a plate with a flat back and a raised square section on its top; blade clamping is taken care of by the cap mating against this raised section, however clamping occurs well inside the extremities of the cap. Like the Eltham, the handle features a bulbous section at the forward end and a slender tail section, but the sectional profile of the handle is round. Very light machine marks are present on the underside of the cap and the top of the plate; this machining has been so well executed that the marks almost look like a satin finish at a quick glance; all remaining surfaces of the Osterley are highly polished.
It always has me puzzled when the blades supplied with a new razor are Feather. Many users are simply frightened of Feather blades, but I associate them with mild performing heads. In for a penny, in for a pound, look out Feather blade you’re my first choice for the Osterley. Many blades, and that includes this Feather throw up some weird and less than wonderful results on their initial passes, but once they get over that initial startup period deliver true results. There was a little surprise when the Osterley delivered a shave of slightly under Karve CB Level #D efficiency and the shave was smooth as silk. One thing that was evident between the blades was their level of performance, so I would recommend trying a variety of blades before settling on a favourite in this razor. With muscle memory of the right hand becoming accustomed to finding a usable hold on the strangely profiled Osterley handle, I had a lot less trouble clasping the handle then with the Eltham, however I am still not a fan of this handle. This razor delivers a great shave; I could live with it.
Blades Used – Feather and Gillette Platinum Plus
Material –Stainless Steel
Blade Tab - Covered
Weight – 110.7g
Head Width – 43.46mm
Handle Length – 94.48mm
Handle Diameter – 16.38mm
Availability – Bullgoose and Wilde and Harte
Final Word – Stunning looks