Rockwell 6S Review (Incl. 6C) Buying Guide 2019

Today we do a Rockwell 6S review and buying guide. We also go into the particulars and what differs it from the sibling Rockwell 6C.

When it comes to grooming, first impressions are everything. Ladies know this and hence can spend hours in front of the mirror “perfecting” their look. However, most men don’t.

And to be honest, no one is asking them to. But even then, regardless of the little time, you’ll spend in front of the mirror, you should ensure your first impression is a killer.

It helps to have a quality shaving razor. This will help cut down the time you’ll take to get a good shave.

Now, you’ve probably been warned against buying safety razors from not-so-popular brands. There’s a lot of uncertainty that surrounds newcomers. But even then, you should give the Rockwell razor a try.

Rockwell is a relatively new brand on the market. But even then, it’s proven its worth as a wet shaving tool in the short time it’s been around. Rockwell’s commitment to product quality over the years has warmed the hearts of the consumers who’ve given it a try.

The Rockwell 6 safety razor series has 2 models – the 6S  and the 6C . There are a couple of differences between the two, but the main is the finish used.

The 6S is made from 316L space-grade stainless steel (same as Feather AS-D2 is using) while the 6C is made from a zinc alloy with a chrome finish.

Stainless Steel vs. Chrome Finish

It is true that razors with a chrome finish are great to look at. However, it’s also true that the chrome fades and chips over time regardless of how much care and maintenance the razor is afforded. The loss of “beauty” is caused by the humid and hot environment in bathrooms.

But why are chrome safety razors common and very popular? Well, they are cheap. With $20 or $40, you can get a decent safety razor with this finish. Heck, if the quality is the least of your concerns, you can get one with a tag below $20.

On the flip side, safety razor companies also use stainless steel to make their razors. It makes razors long-lasting. It protects the razor from corrosion.

From this, you now understand why the two razors Rockwell 6s and 6C have such a huge difference in price.

But an inox steel design and make is not the only thing that the Rockwell 6S has going on for itself.

It’s adorned with quite a few qualities which make it easy to fall in love with. Here’s a quick review of the safety razor.

Rockwell 6S Features

What to Expect From This Beauty

Before we dive into the expectations, here’s a little Rockwell history to give you some perspective about the product.

Rockwell Razor was created by 2 students – Morgan Nordstrom and Gareth Everard in 2014. The two launched a Kickstarter campaign. This was to raise the capital needed to commence production of the revolutionary safety razor. The target was CAD $12,000.

However, it ended up raising a whopping CAD $147,891 in just 1 day. The campaign gave the 2 students more than enough money to actualize their vision of creating a durable, functional, and affordable safety razor.

A Pioneer

The 6S is the flagship razor and the most costly. The razor quality captured the hearts of many. But despite the quality and high price tag, the 6S is cheaper than the Feather DE Safety razor.

Consumers sing its praise. The branded leather foam padded box it comes in makes it even more appealing and gives it a premium feel.

The company makes other models as well, such as the R1 , a beginner razor with a fixed and mild setting.

2C  that has 2 popular settings and Model T that has a butterfly loading and “on-the-fly” adjustable dial settings (not released yet).

All razors come with a lifetime warranty – rather unique in this market!

Includes 5 Rockwell Blades

I should start by pointing out that these blades are affordable, comfortable and recyclable. In addition to these, the blades are double-edged. With this blade design, you can shave using any razor edge to shave.

Admittedly, these are not the sharpest blades on the market. However, they are enough to provide a comfortable close shave. And given the razor’s 6 adjustable shave settings, you can achieve any trim you prefer.

With that said, while the 6S comes with Rockwell blades, it’s compatible with other blade brands as well.

As such, you’ll never have trouble finding blade replacement for your razor. Heck, you might get the Feather blades if you have a particularly tough beard. Personally, I would pick up a sampler pack  to find my personal favorite.

How Easy is it to Load the Blade?

First, the 6S is a 3 piece razor. This means that it features the top, the head’s base and handle. To load the blade, you’ll have to disassemble these parts to gain access to the blade plate. In comparison to a 2-piece or Twist-to-Open razor, this process is longer and harder.

The process of loading a blade on the 6S is similar to that of other 3-piece razors. Hold the head using a towel or paper at the sides and twist the handle to loosen it. Once you’ve detached the handle from the head, lift the base plate. This will leave you with the blade and the top cap.

You can now remove the blade. It doesn’t matter whether the blade is still sharp or dull. Always hold it from the side tabs.

Aggressiveness

The 6S does not disappoint on this front. Here’s why.

Rockwell planned this razor with a flippable base plate design. They availed these with varying exposure settings on each side (they are reversible). This design helps them save on costs while still providing optimal functionality and aggressiveness level options. The results are 6 adjustable settings.

Blade exposure is as follows:

• Size 1-3: this size is best for sensitive skin and men who shave frequently. Additionally, the minimal exposure is great for beginners who are still learning the art of wet shaving. It helps to reduce nicks, cuts, and irritations.
• Size 2-4: these sizes are best for achieving a smooth shave on regular skin. It’s also perfect for shaving beards several days old.
• Size 5-6: these two sizes are best for trimming curly and coarse hair. If you have a coarse beard or stubble, this is the best razor setting to use.

So essentially, for light shaves, low-numbered settings are better. For more aggressive shaves, higher-numbered plates are preferred.

Note: the 6S the base plate design means the razor lacks an adjustment knob as most razors do. This is a plus since you don’t have to worry about the knob wearing out with time.

This is a completely different approach to adjustable razors than for example Merkur Futur or Merkur Progress or recently on Parker Variant. But I like it!

Grip

The 6S has a strong metal handle. The handle has deep knurls and two horizontal grooves (the groove closest to the base is narrower compared to the other).

When I first laid my eyes on the handle design, I thought the knurls were gritty. But upon closer inspection, the grip was slightly more detailed. The grip is also better. The horizontal grooves at the bottom are designed to add to the grip. When holding this razor, you don’t have to constantly check where the end is – the groove will tell you.

Length

The razor itself measures 3.75 inches. The handle measures 3.45 inches. This is standard and is best for men with medium and small hands.

With this handle dimension, resting the pinky finger on the bottom of the handle feels comfortable and natural. Moreover, it will provide you with better razor control.

What Consumers & Other Reviews Are Saying

Though the 6S is high-priced, it’s still receiving some pretty decent reviews . Consumers seem to appreciate what they get. Going by this, it’s safe to conclude that there’s still a market for such high-cost razors. The catch is that the razor has to be of great quality and functional for people to invest in it.

Mild Razor

Now I know that this might sound a bit contradictory. But bear with me here. It’s a fact that the 6S is adjustable courtesy of the changeable base plates. You can vary the aggressiveness of the razor by interchanging and flipping the plates as you please. You also can opt to choose sharper blades.

However, even with the sharpest blade and highest rating, you still have to make several passes over the skin to achieve a superbly smooth and clean shave. While this means you will spend a little more time on the mirror shaving your shin and face, it also means that your chances of nicking, cutting and irritating your skin are minimal.

Why is 6S More Expensive?

You might have been clueless when we started out but surely you’ve caught on by now. The 6S has a simple and functional design. The 316L space-grade inox steel used to make the razor gives it durability and resistance to corrosion and rust. This alone is enough to charge a premium.

However, if you are looking to have the same shaving experience but for a fraction of the cost, you can prefer the 6C. This razor has a chrome finish. Rockwell can afford to charge way less for it since the price of production is lower.

Note: with time the beautiful shine of the chrome will fade and chip. But if you don’t mind this, then the 6C is a great alternative.

Precision Craftmanship

Rockwell’s superior craftsmanship is evident in many places on the razor – the knurling, top plate and interchangeable base plates are some of them.

The knurling shaped in a diamond style has deep grooves complemented by two horizontal grooves for a solid grip. With this knurling, the razor will not slip off even when your hands are wet.

The 6S is without a doubt a high-quality product – one that provides consumers with value for their money. And actually, in comparison to other razors with similar characteristics, the 6S price tag is a bargain.

But despite this, I acknowledge that not everyone can afford it. However, if you aim to make a purchase that will not have you back on the market shopping for a new safety razor in the near future (or ever), you should seriously consider investing in this razor.

It’s a one-time investment. Other recurring expenses including blades, shaving brushes and shaving creams (in comparison to cartridge razors) will not cost you a fortune in the long run.

Rockwell 6C

Essentially, the Rockwell 6C is the same as the 6S. The difference (as earlier pointed out) is the material used to make the frame and the finish. The 6C weighs 100 grams. This makes it lighter than the Rockwell 6S which comes in at 120 grams. Also, the 6C doesn’t come in a leather box like the 6S. Instead, its packaged in a branded carton box.

The 6C has a chrome or gunmetal finish.

The 6C also has 3 adjustable base-plates with 6 settings. The grip is good and the aggressiveness is right-on.

Where to Buy Rockwell Razor

You can get the razor  on Amazon. Click here for 6C . And here’s the best part – the Rockwell Razor has a lifetime warranty. This says a lot about the confidence Rockwell has in its products. With such trust, what’s to stop consumers from trusting them as well?

Wrapping Up