Rockwell Razors 2C Review

Looking to ditch your plastic razor and get a quality, long-lasting safety razor?

The Rockwell Razors 2C is a terrific beginner-friendly razor that delivers close and smooth results.

In this review, we’ll be taking a detailed look at the build quality, design, and performance of the Rockwell Razors 2C to see if it’s the right safety razor for you.

Let’s get started!

Product Specifications

Features	Rockwell Razors 2C
Comb	Closed (Adjustable)
Composition	Chromed Zinc Alloy
Country of Origin	China
Number of Pieces	3
Price	$40.00
Shave Performance	Varies Based On Plate
Grip	Knurled
Blade Compatibility	All double-edge safety razor blades
Weight (oz)	3.53
Weight (g)	100
Length (in)	3.74
Length (cm)	9.5

Weight

The Rockwell Razors 2C is slightly heavier than most other safety razors on the market. It weighs 3.53 ounces, which is nearly a full ounce heavier than the Merkur 34C (2.72 oz). This extra weight can be attributed to the larger head and thicker handle diameter.

Despite the heavier frame, the 2C is still a maneuverable razor, thanks to its well-balanced design.

Additionally, the increased weight makes it effortless to slice through thick, coarse hair relatively easily. Not much extra pressure is necessary when shaving with the 2C.

To get an idea of how the 2C compares to other safety razors, check out the chart below:

Length

The 2C is a touch smaller than most other safety razors compared to other safety razors. But, standing at 3.74″ (9.5cm), it provides terrific control for general shaving or edging of goatees, sideburns, and mustaches.

However, the shorter length will make it tricky for men with larger hands to hold. If you have large hands, you may want to consider the Merkur 38C or perhaps the Parker 96R – both of which are about .25 to .5 inches longer than the 2C.

Here’s how the 2C compares to other safety razors in terms of length:

Composition

With a chromed zinc alloy body, the 2C isn’t an heirloom-quality razor. Instead, many wet shaving enthusiasts liken zinc alloy to Zamak, a type of “pot metal” used to make low-cost shaving tools.

But honestly, we don’t think the zinc alloy is all that bad, given that this razor is intended for beginners and not professional barbers. We’d suspect that the 2C should easily last you a few years of daily shaving without any significant wear and tear – which will still yield significant savings over the long run and lessen your environmental impact.

Grip

You’ll find a diamond knurling pattern along the handle length that provides a secure grip. The knurling is a bit more aggressive than the Merkur 34C, which makes it easier to hold the razor in place.

Country of Origin

Given that the 2C only retails for $40, Rockwell Razors needs to keep costs low. To do this, they’ve chosen to manufacture their razors in China. While this may be a turn-off for some, we think it’s a smart move. Even when reading customer feedback, most people didn’t find any problems with the build quality of the 2C.

Number of Pieces

Crafted from three pieces, the 2C is easy to clean and maintain – just rinse it off with warm water after each use.

Shave Performance

The Rockwell 2C is a great razor for those looking for a mild to moderate shave. The razor glides smoothly over the skin and provides a close shave without causing any irritation. Even when setting the base plate to the more aggressive setting, the 2C still doesn’t irritate the skin.

Here are a few more notes about the shave performance of the 2C:

• Razor Burn: Given the mild aggression, if you have sensitive skin and normally experience irritation or razor burn with your existing cartridge razor, the single blade of the 2C should help reduce overall irritation. However, if irritation persists, consider working on your shaving technique, try alternate blades, or consider applying aftershave balm or lotion to help soothe the skin.
• Closeness: The 2C takes a few with the grain passes to achieve smooth results. So some patience is required.
• Razor Bumps: With only one cutting edge to the blade, razor bumps will not be an issue as the hair will never be cut below the skin’s surface.
• Shaving Cream: We found that a slick and well-cushioned shaving cream allows the 2C to perform significantly better. Consider investing in a traditional shaving cream such as Proraso or Taylor of Old Bond Street. A shaving brush is also recommended.
• Blade Angle: When getting familiar with any new safety razor, some trial and error are required to find the best blade angle. The 2C is no different. We found the best angle for us was 30 degrees to remove hair cleanly without irritation. Expect to get it perfected by shaving 4 or 5.

Changing the Base Plate

The signature feature of the 2C is the base plate. By setting it to 1 or 3, you can easily adjust the aggressiveness of the razor. However, changing this mid-shave is quite cumbersome. So if you are a guy who likes to change the aggressiveness for the first and subsequent passes, this could be a bit of a pain.

We recommend that you consider the Rockwell T2, Merkur Progress, or even the Parker Variant, as they have a twist-to-open mechanism that makes changing the aggression much easier.

Blades & Compatibility

The Rockwell 2C comes with five Swedish stainless steel starter blades. This should last you roughly a month before you need to purchase more.

Given that the 2C is compatible with all double-edge safety razor blades, consider trying out some of the more well-known brands, including Feather, Astra, and Derby blades.

Peer Reviews

Aside from our review and research, we wanted to get an idea of what other people were saying about the Rockwell 2C. So we looked at online shave stores, forums, and more reviews. Here’s what we found:

What People Liked

The Rockwell Razors 2C seems to be a hit, with most people who have tried it. Positive reviews mention the quality of the product and its weight. They were also quite happy with the shave experience that the 2C provides.

What People Didn’t Like

Negative reviews mostly seem to be from people who either didn’t like the color of the razor or found it to be too mild. However, we think these are minor complaints, given that the 2C is intended for beginners.

Overall

The majority of reviewers seem to be happy with the Rockwell Razors 2C. However, if you are looking for a new razor, this may be a good option to consider based on the feedback from others who have already tried it.

Price

The Rockwell Razors 2C provides tremendous value. At $40, it’s among the cheapest safety razors currently available. For context, here’s how the price of the 2C compares to other safety razors:

Colors

The Rockwell Razors 2C is available in three colors: rose gold, white chrome, and gunmetal chrome. The razor has a sleek and modern design and is perfect for those looking for a stylish and functional safety razor.

It is nice to see Rockwell offer a few different colors, as this usually isn’t found with other safety razors, especially those priced under $50.

Other Rockwell Models

Aside from the 2C, Rockwell makes a few other safety razors. Here’s a quick overview of each:

• Rockwell 6C: Nearly identical to the 2C, the 6C features two additional base plates for more options on aggressiveness. The 6C is $20 more than the 2C, but remains a great choice if you are looking for more options (full review).
• Rockwell T2: The T2 is a twist-to-open safety razor that allows you to easily change the aggressiveness of the razor. Made from a combination of zinc alloy, stainless steel, and brass, the T2 should last a fair amount of time (full review).
• Rockwell 6S: Crafted from stainless steel and made in the USA, the 6S is a potential heirloom-quality razor. It’s also the most expensive razor that Rockwell makes. It’ll last you a lifetime, but it’s not for everyone.

Here’s a table summarizing the differences between the Rockwell Razors 2C, 6C, 6S, and T2:

Razor Name	Comb	Composition	Grip	Country of Origin	Number of Pieces	Price	Shave Performance	Blade Compatibility
Rockwell Razors 6S	Closed (Adjustable)	Stainless Steel	Knurled	USA	3	$120.00	Varies Based On Plate	All double-edge safety razor blades
Rockwell Razors 6C	Closed (Adjustable)	Chromed Zinc Alloy	Knurled	China	3	$60.00	Varies Based On Plate	All double-edge safety razor blades
Rockwell Razors T2	Closed (Adjustable)	Chromed Zinc, Brass, Stainless Steel	Knurled	Parts from China and US. Assembled in Canada	1	$150.00	Varies Based On Adjustment Setting	All double-edge safety razor blades
Rockwell Razors 2C	Closed (Adjustable)	Chromed Zinc Alloy	Knurled	China	3	$40.00	Varies Based On Plate	All double-edge safety razor blades

Other Entry-Level Razors

Aside from the 2C, there are a few other entry-level safety razors that you may want to consider. Here’s a quick overview of each:

• Merkur 34C: Made in Germany and featuring mild aggressiveness, the Merkur 34C is one of the most popular safety razors on the market (full review).
• Merkur 38C: Often referred to as the barber pole, the 38C is a longer and heavier alternative to the 34C. A good pick if you have larger hands (full review).
• Parker 99R: An even more affordable option, the Parker 99R is a great choice for those looking for a budget safety razor. It’s not as well made as the 2C, but it’s a great option if you are on a tight budget (full review).

Here’s a table to summarize the differences between the Rockwell Razors 2C, Merkur 34C, Merkur 38C, and Parker 99R:

Razor Name	Comb	Composition	Grip	Country of Origin	Number of Pieces	Price	Shave Performance	Blade Compatibility
Merkur 38C	Closed	Brass	Swirl	Germany	2	$61.00	Mild to moderate aggressiveness	All double-edge safety razor blades
Parker 99R	Closed	Brass	Swirl	India	1	$32.00	Mild aggressiveness	All double-edge safety razor blades
Merkur 34C	Closed	Brass	Knurled	Germany	2	$36.00	Mild aggressiveness	All double-edge safety razor blades
Rockwell Razors 2C	Closed (Adjustable)	Chromed Zinc Alloy	Knurled	China	3	$40.00	Mild To Moderate	All double-edge safety razor blades