RazoRock Next Level Review: The 85mm Plate, 20 Shaves In

How’s it going? Den Razor Review series, and I’m covering the RazoRock Next Level. The 85mm plate is the one I bought, and only the one I bought.

A little background on where this fits in my collection. I have three plates of the Game Changer, three of the Lupo, four of the Super Slant. The BBS and Mamba I only have one plate each. With most of those, buying multiple plates made sense at the price point. With the Next Level, because the plates run close to a hundred dollars each, I decided to start with the 85mm and make adjustments from there.

RazoRock offers six different plates for the Next Level. The NL112 and NL135 both have neutral exposure. The NL85 has a +0.025 positive exposure, and then there’s the NL112+, which has the same 1.12mm gap but with +0.102 positive exposure. If I pick up another plate down the road, it’ll be that NL112+. But for now, I’m sticking with the 85mm. That’s what we’re reviewing.

One more note before we get into the format. I bought this with the 100mm hollow handle. After about 20 shaves, I’ve found I prefer the 85mm handle. Same handle, shorter and solid. I used the 100mm hollow for this review to keep the format consistent, but at the end I’ll tell you what I actually recommend. I’ve shaved with this razor close to 20 times now. I’m a daily shaver, and I’ve run it with a bunch of different blades. Let’s go.

Efficiency

Blade gap is .85mm, which works out to .033 of an inch. Positive exposure at .025, so it’s there, but just barely. Blade feel? Almost none. Just enough to register.

The angle matters with this one. Optimal shave angle is 30 degrees. If you ride the cap, the way this head is beveled, you’ll lift the blade right off the skin. Ride the guard and you’ll get some chatter. There’s a window between 30 and 35 degrees, but 30 is where it performs.

I did head-to-head shaves. The Game Changer .84 is more efficient than the Next Level .85. More blade feel, feels more aggressive. The Next Level is smoother but doesn’t shave as close. Same story against the Lupo at .72mm. The Lupo is both more aggressive and more efficient.

Efficiency score: 6 out of 10. Super mild. Uber mild. For the guys who want that, great.

Symmetry

The head is ultra thin. If you’re trying to get under the nose or into any tight spot, this one handles it. Blade tabs don’t stick out at all. Weight and balance on both handles is exactly where you want it. Whether I’m running the 100mm or the 85mm, the balance is right.

Symmetry score: 10 out of 10.

Tolerance

If you look at this head, you can see the inspiration from the Gillette New Deluxe and the Wolfman WR2. The Lupo and Game Changer are both based on Wolfman geometry, but this one also incorporates something from the Deluxe. Look at those posts and the way the blade sits in there. Set the blade, put it together, forget about it.

I could only get this thing to chatter by pushing past 35 degrees while riding the cap, which isn’t how the razor is designed to be used. Hold it at 30 degrees, where it’s supposed to run, and there’s zero chatter. Because I could only induce chatter by misusing the razor, I’m keeping this score perfect.

Tolerance score: 10 out of 10.

Durability and Construction

316L stainless steel. Head and handle, both. $112.

I review a lot of razors and I’m still amazed at how many companies are charging premium prices for 303 or 304 stainless. 316L is 15 to 40% more expensive to produce than 303. When I see a 303 razor, I expect to pay 15 to 40% less than I would for a 316L. There are companies out there charging $200 for 303 steel. Some are charging $300. RazoRock is giving you 316L for $112.

Durability and construction score: 10 out of 10.

Friendliness to New Wet Shavers

This one gets dinged on price. For a first safety razor, I recommend spending $30 to $50. This one is $112. You can pick up just the head for a little under $100 and mount it on any handle you already own, but the price is still what it is. A lot of guys would be very happy with this as their first razor if the budget allows. As a second or third razor, when you know what you’re getting into, it becomes a much better buy.

Friendliness score: 6 out of 10.

Value

$112 for 316L stainless steel. Wolfman razors run around $350, and there’s a wait. There are 303 stainless razors out there priced at $200, $300. Nobody in the 316L safety razor game does value better than Joe at RazoRock. Razor after razor, the guy delivers.

Value score: 10 out of 10.

About the Name

I like this razor. Every single shave has been enjoyable, and I’m genuinely happy with my purchase. But the “Next Level” name, in my humble opinion, doesn’t fit.

When the Game Changer first came out, I thought the name was a little cocky. It’s based on the Gorilla razor and they’re calling it the Game Changer. I didn’t buy one until it had been out about a year. Once I tried it, I got it completely. Back then it was cheaper, I think around $80 (don’t quote me, I’m terrible with time), and to get a razor of that quality at that price was genuinely a game changer. Joe at RazoRock did a gut punch to his competitors. That name was earned.

This one? I don’t feel like it’s a next-level shave. It’s on par with what I’m already getting. Where it gets closest to next level for me is the blade clamping and the way the head is set. That engineering is legitimately impressive. But the shave itself scores a 6 for efficiency. It doesn’t outperform the Game Changer or the Lupo in that regard.

What’s in a name, though? It’s a damn fine razor. Every shave has been good. I’ll eventually buy the NL112+. I want to experience that higher exposure. But for now, the 85mm is doing its job.

Last thing: go with the 85mm handle. The 100mm hollow is just too long. You want something more nimble. Same handle, just shorter and solid. That’s the one.

You guys take care. It’s the little big things.