T8 Adjustable Titanium Safety Razor Review

Most safety razors force you to pick a lane: mild for sensitive skin or aggressive for thick stubble. TROWELL's T8 eliminates that compromise entirely with eight adjustment settings, all housed in a CNC-machined titanium body that weighs less than your phone but will outlast it by decades.

The T8 launched on Kickstarter at $150 (42% off the $259 MSRP), positioning itself against established players like the Rockwell 6C and Merkur Futur. But unlike those razors, which require you to swap baseplates or deal with clunky adjustment dials, the T8 uses a precision mechanism that clicks through settings 1 through 8 in seconds.

Why Titanium Matters for Daily Shaving

Titanium gets thrown around as a premium material, but for razors specifically, it solves three practical problems. First, it's corrosion-proof. Leave it wet on the counter, and it won't rust or patina. Second, it's 45% lighter than stainless steel while maintaining the same rigidity. That matters during a ten-minute shave. Third, titanium is hypoallergenic, which reduces skin reactions for people with metal sensitivities.

The T8 is CNC-machined from a solid block of aerospace-grade titanium, not cast or stamped. That manufacturing process costs more but delivers tolerances measured in microns. Every thread, every angle, every edge is precisely where it should be. This isn't about luxury for its own sake. Precision machining directly impacts blade alignment, which determines whether you get a clean shave or razor burn.

TROWELL offers two finishes: bead-blasted gray and mirror-polished silver. The bead-blasted version hides fingerprints and scratches better. The mirror finish looks sharp but shows every mark. Both are purely aesthetic choices, no performance difference.

Eight Settings: How the Adjustment System Works

The T8's adjustment dial sits at the base of the handle. Turn it clockwise, and the blade gap increases. Each of the eight settings clicks into place with tactile feedback, so you know exactly where you are without looking.

Setting 1 is ultra-mild, comparable to a Merkur 34C. Use this for daily maintenance shaves or sensitive areas like the neck. Setting 4-5 hits the middle ground, aggressive enough for three-day growth but still comfortable. Setting 8 opens the blade gap to match a Muhle R41, one of the most aggressive production razors available. That's for thick beards or when you've skipped a week.

Here's what adjustability actually means in practice. You can start at setting 6 for the first pass with the grain, then dial down to setting 3 for across-the-grain and against-the-grain passes. This reduces irritation because you're not forcing an aggressive blade angle on already-shaved skin. Or you can use higher settings on your cheeks (tougher skin, easier angles) and lower settings on your neck (more delicate skin, harder angles).

The adjustment mechanism itself uses a threaded collar system, similar to the vintage Gillette Slim Adjustable but re-engineered for modern CNC manufacturing. It's not going to strip or wear out from daily use. The click detents are strong enough to prevent accidental changes mid-shave but light enough to adjust with wet fingers.

How the T8 Compares to Other Adjustable Razors

The closest competitor is the Rockwell 6S, also made from stainless steel but using a different approach: three reversible baseplates that give you six aggression levels. The Rockwell costs around $100, weighs significantly more (130g vs under 100g for the T8), and requires you to disassemble the razor to change settings. That's fine at home, but useless if you're traveling or want to adjust mid-shave.

The Merkur Futur is another adjustable option at $80-100, made from chrome-plated zamak (zinc alloy). It has a smoother adjustment dial but the zamak construction means it's heavier and less durable than titanium. The Futur also has a reputation for blade chatter, an issue caused by the head design rather than the adjustment mechanism. The T8's rigid titanium construction eliminates that problem.

Vintage adjustable razors like the Gillette Slim Adjustable or Fat Boy are beloved by collectors, but they're 60+ years old. Finding one in good working condition costs $50-150, and you're gambling on worn mechanisms and blade alignment issues. The T8 gives you that same adjustable functionality with modern manufacturing precision and a lifetime warranty.

What You Need to Know About Blade Compatibility

The T8 uses standard double-edge blades, the same ones that fit 99% of safety razors. Feather blades (ultra-sharp, unforgiving), Astra Greens (smooth, forgiving), Derby (mild, beginner-friendly), or any other DE blade will work. This is critical because blade choice matters as much as razor design. An aggressive razor with a mild blade can feel gentler than a mild razor with a sharp blade.

Because the T8 is adjustable, you have more flexibility with blade selection. If you buy a 100-pack of Feathers (the sharpest commonly available blades), you can dial down the aggression to compensate. If you prefer Derby blades but find them too mild, crank the T8 up to setting 6 or 7. This adaptability means you're not locked into a specific blade brand the way you are with fixed-gap razors.

One detail worth noting: the T8's blade alignment is set during manufacturing, not during blade installation. That means you don't need to fiddle with centering the blade every time you change it. Tighten the handle until it stops, and the blade is aligned. This sounds minor but it's the kind of refinement that separates daily drivers from drawer queens.

Is the T8 Worth $150 (or $259 at MSRP)?

At the Kickstarter price of $150, the T8 sits between mid-range stainless razors and true premium options like the Timeless or Wolfman (which start at $200-300 and go up from there). You're paying for titanium construction, precision machining, and a versatile adjustment system. If you shave daily or several times a week, those benefits compound quickly.

At the $259 MSRP, the value proposition gets tighter. You're in the same price range as custom stainless razors from small makers who also offer excellent machining and blade feel. Titanium's weight savings and corrosion resistance are real advantages, but whether they justify the premium over stainless depends on your priorities.

The T8's main advantage over fixed-gap razors is adaptability. Instead of owning three razors for different situations (mild daily driver, medium for normal growth, aggressive for heavy growth), you own one. For people who travel frequently or prefer minimal gear, that consolidation has value beyond the sticker price.

Common Mistakes with Adjustable Razors

The biggest mistake people make with adjustable razors is starting at the highest setting. Setting 8 on the T8 is aggressive enough to cause irritation if you're not experienced with blade angle and pressure control. Start at setting 3 or 4, even if you have thick facial hair. You can always increase aggression; you can't un-irritate your face.

The second mistake is forgetting to adjust between passes. The whole point of an adjustable razor is changing settings during the shave. If you're doing a three-pass shave (with grain, across grain, against grain), consider dropping 1-2 settings for each subsequent pass. Your skin gets more sensitive as you remove layers of protection.

Third mistake: over-tightening the handle. The T8's threads are precision-cut, but titanium can gall (essentially cold-weld to itself) if you crank it down too hard. Tighten until the blade is secure and stop. You should be able to loosen it by hand without tools. If you need pliers, you tightened it too much last time.

Maintenance and Long-Term Durability

Titanium doesn't rust, patina, or corrode. Rinse the T8 under hot water after each shave and you're done. Every few weeks, disassemble it completely (unscrew the handle, remove the cap and baseplate) and wipe down the threads with a dry cloth. That's the entire maintenance routine.

The adjustment mechanism uses metal-on-metal contact, which means it will wear in over time. This is normal and actually improves the action. Fresh out of the box, expect some slight stiffness. After 20-30 shaves, the mechanism should be smooth and consistent. If you notice any grinding or resistance, a tiny amount of mineral oil on the threads will solve it.

TROWELL backs the T8 with a warranty, though specific terms aren't detailed in the Kickstarter campaign. For a razor at this price point, you should expect coverage for manufacturing defects but not for user damage or normal wear. Titanium is tough but not indestructible. Drop it on tile from shoulder height and you might dent the threads or bend the baseplate.

The T8 uses a standard three-piece design (handle, cap, baseplate), which means parts can theoretically be replaced if damaged. This is smarter than one-piece or proprietary designs where a single damaged component ruins the entire razor.

Who Should Buy the T8 Adjustable Titanium Razor?

The T8 makes sense for three groups. First, experienced wet shavers who already know their preferences and want one high-end razor instead of a collection. Second, people with variable beard growth or skin sensitivity who need different aggression levels for different areas. Third, travelers who want a durable, lightweight razor that doesn't require multiple backups.

It's not ideal for absolute beginners. If you've never used a safety razor before, the adjustment feature is wasted. Learn blade angle and pressure control on a fixed-gap razor like the Merkur 34C or Edwin Jagger DE89, then upgrade to something adjustable once you understand what you're looking for.

It's also not the right choice if you prefer the weight and balance of stainless steel razors. Some shavers find that heavier razors require less pressure because gravity does more of the work. The T8's light weight means you need to apply slightly more force, which can increase technique demands.

The Bottom Line

The T8 delivers on its core promise: one razor that adapts to your face, your beard, and your schedule. The titanium construction ensures it will last decades, and the precision adjustment system actually works without the fiddly baseplate swaps or clunky dials that plague other adjustable razors.

At $150 on Kickstarter, it's competitively priced against quality stainless options while offering titanium's weight and corrosion advantages. At $259 retail, you're paying a premium for those benefits, but if you value lightweight gear and material quality, the math works out. Either way, you're buying the last safety razor you'll need to buy, assuming you don't lose it or get bored and start collecting vintage razors like the rest of us.

Expected delivery is May 2026, standard Kickstarter timeline risks apply. TROWELL has limited quantities at the early bird pricing, and given that over 160 backers have already committed, the $150 tier won't last long.