Tatara Masamune closed comb DE razor - Williams Shave Stick (SA) 

Can’t believe it , no more Michael Freedberg , sad day for de shavers .

Goodbye Michael, I’ve come to watch your videos every Sunday for the past 2 years and I can’t describe the joy you’ve brought a lot of people over the last few years. I’m looking forward to having you on the podcast to break this down for people.

Sad day. I knew it would come at some point. Just not yet. You have been a part of my Sunday's for nearly 6 years, and every week I forget about some of the things that have changed in those 6 years, and I can feel like I'm in the same moment that was always special over the time I watched you. I hope you can't stay away and decide to post something from time to time. You will be missed. You are the best shaver on RU-vid.

Dear Michael. You are the one who taught me how to shave and I want to thank you for that. My father taught me many things, but as for shaving, well, I had to learn on my own and shaved with BIC disposable razors until the age of 35. The first time I used the dovo shaving kit that I bought at "Le Grand Rasoir" shop in Brussels was one of these WOOOOOW moments I'll remember all my life. Today, I am 42, I am so proud to have improved my technique over the years, and I'll never consider shaving another way. It is a 10 min moment that brings me focus and self esteem. Thank you again, Michael. I will not skip teaching my kid how to properly wet shave, that is a fact. Best of luck to you, Michael, we'll meet again.

A Hobby should not become work, totally understandable why you quit. But hopefully you will come back to RU-vid. One of the best shaving channels on this platform.

That is bad news. I will miss your profound, reliable and unbiased reviews. Wishing you all the best. Greetings from Germany!

Michael, thank you for being so generous with your time, for the content, and for your no holds barred comments on the products you have used. Stay safe, stay well, and stay happy. Lee from Thailand

Thanks for the “no blooming necessary” suggestion; I’ve changed from an enthusiastic bloomer to an even more enthusiastic non-bloomer!

Michael, I’ll tell you a funny story. I was at a very popular pharma company and spoke to a Michael Freedberg back in 2014, the same time I got into shaving. I used to watch loads of videos and started watching you. It wasn’t till months later I put two and two together and realised the person I was watching on RU-vid was the same person I had been talking to at work. What a coincidence! Sad to see you’re not doing shave videos anymore and I wish you all the best.

I just wanna say Thank You!!! I learned so much from watching your videos over the last year. I enjoyed everything from the products, your honest opinions and techniques. I wish you well!! From beautiful cold Minneapolis Minnesota...take care, best of luck!! You will be missed

Super bummed about the end of an era, but I totally understand and support your decision. Thank you for all the videos and your friendship.

I'll miss your weekly reviews, Michael, but you're ending on a superb note. I've been using a Tatara Masamune for six months now, and often wondered what you would make of it. Permit me to share my experience with you and my fellow viewers. I switched to the razor after going on a blood thinner, which forced me to find a way to reduce the incidence of nicks, weepers, and abrasions. Experiments with shims in my AS-D2 convinced me I needed to reduce blade exposure, not blade gap, to address the problem. Of the very few makers who mention blade exposure, Tatara's ─0.13mm figure stood out. Feeling like vampire bait, I decided to start at the extreme end with dreams of looking forward to my daily shaves once again. I wasn't just pleasantly surprised by the razor. I was stunned. It's been giving me the safest and closest shaves ever. I'll be reluctant to switch from it even assuming I get to go off the medication. But I've also wondered if my view would be shared by someone used to a more aggressive razor. I came to it from an AS-D2/Gillette Tech level of bite and shave daily. Maybe others would find it unable to remove whiskers well enough. Your comments suggest otherwise. So thanks for this review, even if it had to be your last. I think this razor melds comfort and efficiency so well because of the negative blade exposure, because of the blade angle and, as you note, because of the razor's solid construction. Between the head's grip on the blade and the integrated handle design, the thing operates like a single piece of metal running from the handle to the blade's edge. It's beyond zero chatter. It's zero subsonic chatter. I was so impressed that - as I know you'll appreciate - I didn't even think to insert a washer. Why break up a monolith? I'm sure another razor is out there that could have let me keep on DE shaving and not have to switch to electric or cartridge shaving. But the Masamune is the only one I know of. I haven't stopped using it since the day it arrived. It would be good to see a review of razors like this one with tight tolerances and safe and rigid positioning of the blade. Maybe this review will spawn discussion. Lastly, while I understand your reasons for ending the reviews, here's hoping we get to see you again real soon.

Oh, no. Will you keep making other kinds of videos? We're gonna miss your videos, man :(

That means, I'll start a video marathon every week on this channel, with my other wet shaving channels I follow...

This is definitely sad to hear. I'm new to wetshaving but your videos and perspective has been an amazing help! I wish you the absolute best and hope you'll end up making a video now and then! Godspeed, Michael!!

Really going to miss you Michael. you're a fine gentleman whose content I'd enjoy even if I weren't into this hobby. Best of luck to you in the future and thanks for all your contributions!

I will miss your quality and informative videos. Wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

I will miss your videos. Your my go to shave video guy. No one does it better imho. All the best!

Sorry you're leaving RU-vid as I have always enjoyed and learned from the content that you provided. You will be missed and just want to say thank for all the information and enjoyment that you provided me. Many thanks and the very best to you.

Thank you for all the insightful videos you created, the thorough and honest reviews you gave and the valuable tips you shared. I've learned a lot watching your content. You'll be missed! Take care :)

I always appreciated your reviews Michael - thank you sincerely. Not just entertaining, I see your reviews as informative, genuine and balanced, often presented in a manner which reminded us that its okay to have a different opinion; we can still get along for those differences. I certainly would love to see a review from you now and again when the mood strikes and the fun factor outweighs the chore of doing one. Happiness and all the best sir.

i've always enjoyed your thorough approach and unbiased reviews which have been a stand out at a time when other people are flogging brushes and products left and right. T

Thanks for all your reviews and efforts over the years Michael, your weekly reviews here on RU-vid will be missed.

Thanks for all the years of making interesting and informative videos. All the best in the future and you did wonders for shaving Artisans with their products. I have watched off and on over the last 3 yrs your videos and learned a lot.

Michael, thank you for years of contributions to the wet shaving world. We've all learned so much from you, and your influence on me personally as a shaver and human being should not be understated! Looking forward to the next time we can enjoy a beverage together and shoot the breeze. Cheers!

A milestone gone by. Thank you for your informative entertainment and being apart of so many peoples' shave routine.

Hey Michael. Sorry to hear you're calling time on your shaving videos. You're one of the original "wet-tubers" and your product reviews are always honest, fun and enjoyable to watch. I understand where you're coming from, it does take up a lot of time and energy putting out videos every week. I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy your shaves with no camera in your face! 😂 All the best. Kevy 🙂

Thanks for the all the helpful reviews and shaving videos. I truly enjoyed them and I hope you continue to enjoy all the plethora of products in your den without the pressure of reviewing.

Thank you sharing all that you have, I’ve learned quite a bit from your videos as well turned to some of the products you’ve reviewed. Sad to see you go, appreciate all the time and effort you’ve put into shaving and sharing your thoughts. Thanks again.

Thank you for everything, Michael! I learned how to wet shave from your tutorials, and I enjoyed watching and learning from your videos over the past 3 years. You'll be missed. I wish you the best.

Thank you for all of your contributions to our wet Shaving world. I have learned a lot and will miss you. Be well and blessings to you and your family.

Aaah Michael! A truly momentous Sunday evening in dreary, multiple storm-swept English midlands. Understandable, it is a commitment & a half to do all it takes for these videos, plus commentary engagement. Yours has been a nice, serious yet very enjoyable wet shaving UTube channel to follow. I don't know whether you might still be tempted to do the odd (!) UTube vid. upload should a new piece of hardware gear comes your way and it's worth reviewing it. Only you know. Very much to be missed Michael. All the best to you & yours and thank you. Cheerio!

Thank you for your time spent making your videos for the shaving community. Good luck in your future endeavors.

The Freedberg is out! Your videos were the best my friend. I have thoroughly enjoyed what you have given to our community in shavedom. Stay well Michael and enjoy the shaves at your own pace. Keep it fun and best wishes, sincerely.

Thanks for your video's Michael , it was you that helped me get into de shaving , although you make it look so easy but I listen to you and watched your videos and eventually I got the hang of it . I wish you all the best for the future

Thank you, Michael. I have enjoyed watching you over the past years. It was a pleasure getting to know you through RU-vid.

Best of luck in everything in your future and thank you for all you’ve done!

Sorry to hear you're ending the videos, I've always respected your honest opinions in your reviews. Thank you for your great informative reviews, and I wish you all the best.

Michael, it has been a pleasure watching your videos and your commentary. Best of luck!

OMG! Michael you will be missed BIG TIME!!!! This is a sad day! No one does videos like you! I have watched you forever and learned much! You still are and will always be The International Man of Wetshaving!

Thanks for sharing yourself with us, and know that you're welcome in my space anytime you wish to return! Since there is plenty I haven't seen yet, you really aren't going anywhere so long as RU-vid keeps the archive fires burning! Stay amazing!

Great shave. Thank you very much for all the videos.

For tomorrow's shave, I will add "just a bit more water" in your honor. My best to you! Thank you!

Michael thanks for all the terrific videos. Your videos have been something I looked forward to watching every Sunday. You are def my favorite reviewer on RU-vid and I also think that you are one of the most honest about products. You will be greatly missed and I hope that you decide to return after some time off!

I'm seriously going to miss you Michael. Started wet shaving 5 years ago and I feels like I've been watching you since my beginning. Best to you

What a great video! You’ve been a great resource for the community AND a fun presence. I’ll miss your whitty dad jokes but I’m happy to hear you will still be around. Hopefully I’ll see you again soon!

Thanks for all your videos and good information. All the best moving forward.

Michael, I think your videos have been the most instructive. Other guys who make shaving videos are likeable, but don't have much to teach. Thanks for everything, and best of luck.

Really enjoyed your videos and valued your opinions. Definitely my favourite youtuber. I have alot of respect for you calling it a day just now rather than forcing yourself to keep producing videos that your heart isn't in. All the best.

Many thanks Michael for the education you have provided me in finding my way into wet shaving. Your advice has been wonderfully helpful and full of 'top tips', delivered in such a way that anyone who feels they're maybe not mastering D.E shaving, will be encouraged to persevere. Enjoy your well earned 'retirement' and Sunday night's (and that one Saturday) will be missed. 👏

You will be missed! I started exploring the double edge razor and luxury shaving soaps world through your videos. All the best on your next steps, Michael. Cheers.

Thank you for everything! You will be missed.

Nice shave and review. Appreciate all your efforts doing the channel. Will miss your trusted thoughts on products and insights on shaving. You have been helpful so many times. Best Wishes for your future.

Sorry to learn that it's your last video. I have really enjoyed watching you every Sunday. Thanks for your contributions and best wishes.

Thank you for everything Michael. Keep well and God bless. David Bailey, from South Africa.

Hi Michael- Great shave and razor review; thank you! I can only express my immense gratitude for all of the Sunday afternoons I have been able to spend watching your thoughtful and very well prepared videos that were presented in a sincere, yet humorous and friendly manner. They will be most assuredly missed. Thank you for the wonderful, generous work you have done over so many years for so many of us. Wishing you contentment and peace in all that lies ahead. Best regards, as always, my friend!

Grande Michael!

Michael, really disappointed by your leaving!! Your weekly reviews have been very informative and entertaining. Often, your shows have resulted in my purchasing of soaps and aftershaves. You have been very generous with your time and talent!!! Thanl you!!

I've learnt so much from you, I'll miss your vids.

So sad to see you go Michael. Your channel is my favorite. Thank you for all the videos and shaving tips. You taught me a lot and you introduced me to other wet shavers and The Big Shave group. I can only hope that maybe down the road you get the urge to make videos again. Maybe once a month or on special occasions. Lol hey we can hope can’t we? Good luck in all that you do and again Thank you Mr. Freedberg. JUST A LITTLE MORE WATER !!!!!

Sorry to hear you decided to discontinue. I, for one, was very surprised to see that you, as a very experienced and very knowledgeable wet-shaver/reviewer, were not chosen among the top 10 reviewers on RU-vid. Your reviews were never less than highly informative and always enjoyable, often humorous, totally worthwhile. Your reason for discontinuing makes perfect sense. Thank you for how you really increased and helped me develop my ability to shave more efficiently and enjoyably. Very best wishes to you, Michael. Cheers.

Michael, thanks again for the videos, you have inspired me to really get better with safety razor shaving and products that work for me. I hope one day you will come back, THANK YOU!!!

Sorry to hear you're no longer doing shave videos I always enjoyed watching them

So sorry to see you go. I really enjoy your wonderful videos!!! Wishing you the best always in the future!!!

You were one of the first RU-vidrs I found when I started wet shaving. Your tutorials really help me out. Hate to see you go, take care and God bless!

I like the details you add to your videos. 👍

Not a bad way at all to hang your hat up Michael. I've enjoyed your videos since I discovered them. Thanks for all your effort in putting out great content. I hope to see you in the forums.

Thank you for all that you do in the wet shaving community! I hope you have a good break from making shaving videos and get to enjoy the items in your shave den that have been neglected!

So sorry to see you go, Michael! This is a real kick in the nuts after having watched your videos for years. I completely understand though: I wanted to start making shaving videos myself, but the amount of time it takes to record, process and upload videos is just overwhelming. Hope to see your charismatic self on RU-vid again!

Sorry to hear you are no longer making review videos. You are one of the people I watch to find out if something is genuinely good, because I know the time you put in testing products. I appreciate the effort you have put in and am enjoying a Fatip I bought on your recommendation. Enjoy whatever you do in your new spare time!

Goodbye Michael thank for all the great videos and reviews

Going to be missed thanks for the shaves.

Even though I understand it of course, I really will miss your funny and really informing tips and reviews of shavinggear! 😊 I really have enjoyed watching your vids!! 😊 I wish you lots of fun with all the stuff you still have to use but had not been able to because the lack of time and hope to bump into you sometime in the future.

I'm saddened that you are stopping videos, but I understand. Thank you for all of your insightful, intelligent shaving reviews, tips and conversation. I hope you decide to comeback at some point in time. Wishing you all the best!

Sad to see you go, Michael. I've learned quite a bit from your videos. All the best to you in the future!

thank you take care and all the best!

Ah... Aren't you a month early for April fools day? Well it's been fun, thanks for the content. Gods speed.

Hi Michael, Best wishes for the future. Thanks again for reviewing my prototype brush recently. A generous gent you are. Regards Chris

Wow! Glad you got to try that shaving stick....you will be sorely missed my friend.

You are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit.

I’ve only been a sub for a short time and I’ve enjoyed and learned a great deal from you. I wish you well in your future endeavors. ¡Adiós y vaya con dios! (A Zack Brown Band favorite song)

Nice shave, perhaps you will be back later when you miss doing these kind of videos. Take care. That is a very nice razor

Great video as usual Micheal, a sad end to Sunday evenings but completely understand, if you're not enjoying making the videos like you say it becomes a chore, I wish you and your family all the very best, I hope that your videos will be available to watch so we can still enjoy them....All the best Mark(UK).

So sorry to see you take time off but understandable since something like this should be fun. Enjoy the well deserved time off Michael!

Sorry to see you go Michael , and thank you for all the wonderful videos .

Thanks for the review, I bought this razor and while it's built really well, and I really wanted to love it, it was not as smooth as reviewers seem to say. Granted I'm new to this sort of razor, but it felt rough to me. I was using Feather blades BTW. At this point, seeing high price I'm going to return mine.

Michael i am really sad to see you go. But i am going to thank you for all the great vídeos you made for all this time. Really sad to see the best wetshave channel shutting down. :( All the best for you and accept a big hug of friendship from me in Portugal right there to you in beautifull North Carolina. Hope to see you again in a near future. Stay healthy, stay well, stay safe.

Michael, I do understand your reasoning, and respect your decision. I want to thank you for providing your opinion and comments on the new Karve razor, which helped me pick the right combination for me. I ended up choosing the B plate OC, and the C plate CC, and I am very satisfied. You will be missed in the shaving community, as your videos ARE well balanced, based on facts and performance. I learned quite a bit from you, and even met you at the 2018 Shave Meet at Maggard’s in Adrian, MI. I also want to wish you well in your new endeavors. You will always be welcomed, in the event you decide to return to the shaving community, in one form or another. Take care, Alain Montréal, Québec, Canada

Thanks for the videos! You'll be missed but I completely understand and support your decision.

Sad to see you stop making videos, but I understand the reasoning. You helped me a lot while I was learning to wet shave, and I’ll think of you every time I don’t bloom my soap :)

Really enjoyed your videos. Peace love and happiness to you. Thanks.....

Was a pleasure watching your videos - as many as you've produced, you've certainly earned the right to retire the channel. Still, don't feel afraid to make a random one-off every once in a while! ;) Take care! :)

Thank You Michael.👏👏👏. You will be missed sir. 👍🇺🇸

I get it, when the reviews become a chore, they're not worth it. But I will miss your videos and perspective on shaving products.

Hi, Michael, I can see your point in stopping because it does take a lot to find different methods and products etc and like you say the work you have to put into making these videos - good luck for the future.

Nooo Michael, you will be massively missed. Your videos are cracking and always honest. I wish you all the best for the future. Please do comeback, need my fix "welcome! From beautiful North Carolina".

Thanks for the memories.

Has the world as we know it ended? I’ve been watching your videos since returning to wet shaving about a year ago. I’ve really enjoyed your insights and opinions on our hobby. All the best in your future endeavours. Gen2Rev out 👋😢

It's a bit of a bummer that you're stopping the reviews but you leave behind a cracking catalogue of videos. Good luck and enjoy your shaves :)

Hey Micheal! I can relate and understand your reasons for no longer making videos. As a RU-vidr also, I’ve felt the same at times and considered stepping away as well. I haven’t been making videos as long as you though. Lol. It can become a job instead of a fun hobby. Wish you all the best! Thanks for all the great content over the years! -Josh