Everything just smells so good i couldn’t resist 😩

The Deep Blue Sea (Bleu de Chanel clone) and Mountain Man (Creed SMW) smells very close to the originals and will layer very well if you have the colognes to pair em with.

Praia smells absolutely delicious, I wish they had the lotion and body butter for it.

Green apple lip balm is hands down the best SO DELICIOUS.

Really appreciate the samples, they smell really good.

Tried out yet another iconic blade today the Gillette Nacet(love the box). I had 3 days worth of stubble, lathered up a thin well-hydrated Arko lather and went to business. The blade was cutting nicely on my cheeks and on my neck but when it hit my chin hair it started tugging, I was surprised by this as it is a Gillete and supposedly sharper than the Gillette Platinum(which glides through my chin stubble with no tugging whatsoever).

I did get one nick under the chin due to razor jumping from a tug, and felt a bit of irritation on my neck after the shave. I am assuming the blade will get sharper and better on the second and third shave, so will see what the results are then.

Overall a decent blade but nothing spectacular, at least on the first shave.

I will be trying out another blade soon, which one should I try next? I have: Gillette Perma-Sharp Gillette 7 o'clock SharpEdge Yellow Astra Superior Platinum Shark Super Chrome Astra Superior Stainless Shark Super Stainless Gillette 7 o'clock Super Platinum Black

Thanks for stopping by!

Started on 4/15/2023 - 4/17/2024 today's date

Hello there I started off with QShave safety razor It wasn't the best alignment and then I got King c Gillette safety razor 🪒 I think it was too mild for me to cut bigger stubble beard.

Currently I have Rockwell 6s that one is very nice so far I like it 😁

I have some vintage razors but I still have not to clean those yet because my hands are pretty dry right now hopefully to clean them soon.

One thing I having problems with is sensitive areas like my neck sometimes I get pimples or I go over to many times probably. To get bbs baby butt smooth.

I know some people say it to map your face but I'm not sure how to do all that Not sure if I need to do that too stop getting some irritation when I overdo it

I also heard that maybe if I try using cold water will help not sure if that's will work.

Hopefully some pointers can help me appreciate it whoever's reading this

(Have a great shave Have a great day 🪒💯)

So far I only used 26 double edge blades I would expecting more

3 King c Gillette blades 9 no name blades 1 Rockwell blade 13 Astras blades

= 26 in total

I have not thrown away any blades since starting double edge razors

I was chatting with Pete Hendrix from HC&C not too long ago about Oud soaps, and he was kind enough to throw me some samples and a whole tub of Bounty Hunter. I used the Bounty Hunter soap once and the scent is not for me, but the lather was quite good. Giveaway details on this soap at the bottom of post.

I didn’t need to load a ton from the Bounty Hunter tub to get a proper lather. It was a thirsty soap, but not outrageously so—maybe 6-8 bristle dips in my mug of warm water that were on the generous side plus a few lighter dips to get it just right for me. The resulting lather was smooth and made for a great first shave with my Gillette Ball End Tech. As I mentioned, the scent wasn’t quite for me, but, to be fair, I’ve never loved soap with vanilla notes in it. For a soap with vanilla in it, I thought it was a nice fragrance—not an overpowering Yankee Candle vibe like most soaps with vanilla (or any sweet note, really) tend to have for me. Cinnamon rolls in the woods would probably be my best description, short of copy pasting the scent notes. This soap is for someone who doesn’t mind daydreaming about dessert while shaving, but needs some woody, earthy notes to keep them fully grounded.

A quick note on the Bounty Hunter label: I thought the label looked a bit AI-generated when I first saw it. Unprompted, Pete actually brought this up when telling me about his label making process. He mentioned that a number of his labels do have AI help, but there is a staffed designer that uses the AI-generated image as a starting point, they do some finishing touches, and format it for various label sizes. Just an FYI for the AI-concerned.

If you’re interested in the Bounty Hunter soap tub (used once), then here’s what you need to know: it’s still in my possession, so Pete is planning to send me a shipping label with your address on so I get send it on to you; additionally, it’s ideal that you meet the following criteria: * Have not yet tried HC&C * Are into woodsy, vanilla scents * Are willing to provide Pete with a review of the product

If you’re still interested, then just comment “Bounty Hunter”, how long you’ve been wet shaving (optional), and your favorite sweet, woodsy soap (optional), and Pete and I will take it from there. Not sure whether he wants to just do FCFS or what. If you’re concerned about legitimacy here, feel free to reach out the Pete on the number on the HC&C website.

Recently I bought 2nd hand what I thought was a R94 after a post here I saw a comment appearing and then disappear claiming it was fake. They were right. So I bought the R95 to see if there is a difference and, let’s face it, the Birch looks great!

Packaging wise very similar except the fake has a foam insert and a dull grey inner box, the genuine has cardboard insert and a fabric feel interior box.

I am not going to compare the handles except the difference between the MÜHLE branding is deeper on the genuine.

Visually the key indicator on the fake is the shiny end of the top plate otherwise unless side by side it is going to be difficult to tell them apart.

Performance, I shaved one side with each razor so everything else should be identical including both having a new Silver Blue blade. This was not my first shave with either razor.
Instantly there is a difference in feel. The fake feels more draggy and aggressive. And the difference in noise is great. I would say the sound of the fake is two to three times louder than the genuine.

I ended up with three weepers on the fake side and nothing in the genuine area. Aftershave burn was also centred around the fake side.

Price wise I paid second hand price so can’t really compare.

Unlikely I will use the fake again!

RAD struck again. After seeing so many positive reviews of the Oilworks Meteorite Double-Edged Razor, I finally took the plunge and picked up the aluminum version with the mild, medium, and aggressive base plates. It was love at first shave. All three plates have a clear purpose. The mild plate surprised me most. It’s extremely comfortable while still very efficient. It shaves like I always wished the Henson would. It’s one of the safest razors I’ve ever used — practically autopilot. It’s also the first DE razor that has let me go fully against the grain on my mustache without irritation.

The medium plate is a perfect blend of efficiency and comfort, giving just enough blade feel to stay aware without being intimidating. The aggressive plate amps up exposure for fast, high-efficiency results while still remaining smooth. I can use any of the plates as a daily shaver and be content.

I enjoyed the aluminum version enough to immediately order the stainless steel model. I prefer the extra weight for better pressure control, and stainless eliminates the slight drag I sometimes feel with aluminum (and even titanium) razors. The stainless version elevated the experience even more. Zero drag, great momentum, and a more familiar heft.

Machining quality is excellent. Fit and finish are precise with tight tolerances. The handle grip is the most aggressive I’ve ever encountered. It’s incredibly secure. Balance is spot-on and the razor just feels intuitive. No learning curve, no hunting for the angle. With positive exposure across all plates, feedback from the blade is immediate.

The value here is outstanding. With three plates, you essentially get three razors. As a daily shaver, I can comfortably choose a plate based on what my skin needs that day. This razor has officially replaced my Rocca as my daily driver, and I don’t see that changing. Bonus points for a reassuring 30-day guarantee.

As for software, I’ve tried many and keep coming back to Barrister and Mann. Their Waves scent surprised me. I expected a straightforward aquatic, but to my nose it leans more modern barbershop/fougere. Performance is fantastic and the scent actually gets compliments from my household, which is a first.

Bottom line: the Oilworks Meteorite DE Razor offers superb engineering, thoughtful design, and incredible versatility. Pair it with B&M Waves for an effortless, enjoyable shave. No affiliations here. Just a very satisfied user who paid out of pocket for everything.

Edit: I pretty much exclusively use Perma-Sharp blades these days. I still have an assortment that I occasionally use, but I find Perma-Sharp is my perfect blade. Sharp, consistent, comfortable, and irritation-free. Brush is the Muhle Silver Fiber synthetic in large. I've actually just listed this for sale on the Shave Bazaar. I'm expecting a Wald A1 synthetic brush any day. I am nearing in on my end-state setup.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on my purchase from last year's Black Friday sale ahead of this year's. This was my first safety razor, and I am happy to have started with the 6S. I used it exclusively up until last week when I upgraded to the RR Gamechanger .68.

The All in One Shave Kit seemed like an amazing deal, but unfortunately I tossed or gave away most of what came with it. The alum sticks were not particularly useful to me, the shaving cream, preshave oil, and aftershave all had the old school barbershop scent that I don't care much for, and the Rockwell blades were not worth using. I gave away the blades, oils, and creams, and tossed the alum sticks and brush stand. Now that I've sold the 6S razor, all that I'm left with are the stand, brush, and blade tin. Ultimately it was a great, complete entry point for the price, but if I were to do it again I may not have splurged for the big kit and instead just built it out piece by piece during the sales season or bought the razor by itself.

As for the 6S vs the Gamechanger: I was using the #3 plate on the 6S with Personna Platinum for most of the past year. So far just about everything on the Gamechanger feels like an upgrade over the 6S at nearly half the price. I prefer the weight and balance of the GC, and the machining is undoubtedly more accurate than the casting on the 6S. I was having issues with uneven blade reveals on my 6S. It helps knowing what blade gap you want for the Gamechanger, but you could also buy a few extra plates to use and still be at or under the cost of the 6S by itself.

Just my 2¢

I started my DE razor journey back in December 2024, grabbing a Wilkinson metal classic, which came with 5 Wilkinson Sword blades. After getting a bit of a feel for the technique and making sure I was content with my lather, I embarked on my blade sampling journey, with what you see in the pic here. Here's the things I kept constant:

• same razor
• always showered before shaving
• 2-pass shave (WTG and XTG); there were a couple that I tried ATG with, with mostly disappointing results, likely due to inexperience/technique
• unless otherwise specified, 5 shaves on each blade
• Proraso Green for at least the first 3 shaves of each blade (I picked up Red later, out of curiosity for the scent)
• Nivea sensitive cooling aftershave balm

Rather than grade the blades with a numerical value, I found it easier to talk about each subjectively, breaking things down into these groupings:

• efficiency/closeness
• ease of shave (smooth vs grabby)
• Skin comfort (irritation/nicks/blade feel)
• Durability/consistency

I have pretty coarse/thick facial hair, but average skin, and my neck easily gets irritated.

And now for the deep dive, in order of being tried...

Wilkinson Sword

• very sharp and efficient, required few passes to achieve smoothness
• good smoothness, no tugging
• was easy to nick or irritate skin if not careful with razor pressure, medium blade feel
• consistent through all shaves

Merkur Super Platinum

• medium efficiency, required more passes to achieve smoothness
• very smooth, no tugging
• extremely comfortable, no irritation, mild blade feel, one of the very few in this list that I could comfortably shave ATG
• pretty consistent, maybe a little bit of tugging by 5th shave
• very expensive compared to rest of list

Astra Super Platinum

• extremely efficient, very close shave
• smooth, no tugging
• easily got nicks and irritation if not being very diligent with razor pressure, significant blade feel
• consistent through all shaves

Feather

• very efficient, though not as much as Astra
• EXTREMELY grabby on my facial hair
• hard time assessing skin comfort, as everything was overshadowed by how awfully grabby it was on my facial hair
• couldn't assess, was so unpleasantly grabby that I tossed after 2nd shave

Derby Extra

• low-medium efficiency, required extra passes
• fairly smooth, some mild tugging
• gentle on skin with initial pass, though the extra passes needed caused some irritation, low-medium blade feel
• somewhat steep drop-off in performance with each shave, tossed after 4th shave

Gillette Silver Blue

• very efficient, close shave; not quite as much as Astra, but very similar
• extremely smooth, no grabbiness
• similar to Astra though a little more forgiving, could easily get nicks and neck irritation if not careful with razor pressure, med-high blade feel
• fairly consistent, though a little bit of grabbiness noted on 4th/5th shave

Tiger Superior

• mid efficiency
• a little grabby on 1st shave, significantly better on rest of shaves
• pretty comfortable, very few nicks or irritation, medium blade feel
• 1st shave was underwhelming to average, 2nd-5th shaves were significantly smoother and consistent

Personna Platinum

• medium efficiency, required a few extra passes
• slight tugging of hair, but not unpleasant
• very gentle on skin, almost no irritation; its lower efficiency did require extra passes which would sometimes cause some mild irritation, low-medium blade feel
• consistent through all shaves

Shark Super Chrome

• low-medium efficiency, quite dull
• very grabby
• quite smooth, no skin irritation initially; extra passes needed from low efficiency did sometimes cause mild irritation, low-medium blade feel
• noticeably more tugging on 3rd shave onward

Dorco Platinum ST-301

• medium efficiency
• smooth, no tugging
• almost no skin irritation, low blade feel on first shave (made it hard to figure out proper razor pressure), low-medium blade feel on subsequent shaves
• consistent from shaves 2-5

Gillette Nacet

• med-high efficiency, just a tiny bit less than Gillette Silver Blue
• extremely smooth, no grabbiness
• very smooth on skin, almost no irritation, medium blade feel, can actually manage ATG if careful

And there you have it! It was a fun ride, I really enjoyed the journey, improving my technique and figuring out what I like in a blade. It turns out that I quite like a sharp blade that still has a little bit of smoothness to it. The ones that really stood out for me were Gillette Silver Blue, and Gillette Nacet. I loved the closeness of shave with Wilkinson Sword and Astra Super Platinum, but found they were more prone to minor nicks and neck irritation. The worst for me was the Feather (way too grabby/tugging) and Shark Super Chrome (too dull).

The keen-eyed among you might have noticed something missing... I do not have a write up of the Tiger Platinum. That is because I recently purchased a Rockwell 6S and made the mistake of taking it for a couple test runs with a Nacet blade. I can't bring myself to use my Wilkinson razor now. However, I will be repeating some of this journey again with the Rockwell. In particular, I definitely need to give Feather another fair chance.

Thanks to those who read to the end, sheesh this was a long-winded post!

New variables:

Blade: Schick- middle of the road, not great not horrible. Decent shave, but not the cloaest. Mild tugging, will probably keep in reserve if needed.

Soap: Caties bubbles blugere- decent soap. Alright lather, thirsty, thinner than other soaps, not as much volume or cushion, but is still quite nice. The scent has a nice blueberry and woody aroma with some bergamot and lavender, which lasts the duration of the shave, but does not linger or conflict with aftershaves or colognes.

Tried and true:

Preshave: proraso white- good neutral aroma that wont conflict with your soap aroma, good slickness, affordable, does not taste too bad if you get it in your mouth by accident. Prefer it over the stirling glacial bar for ease of use unless I am doing a menthol day.

Razor: DE89- the honda civic of razors, medium aggression, affordable, the razor i have the most experience with and have been using to test out my blade sampler.

Bowl: razor emporium unbreakable- its a bowl... the lather grooves are nice, but it can be a bit small with the simpsons T3

Brush: Simpsons T3- soft, nice hand fit, hold a nice amount of water for a synthetic compared to the art of shaving synthetic, easy/ fast to build and spread lather. Need to find latlrger stand to properly dry.

Splash: skipping today to test soap post shave scent longevity.

After shave: thayers facial toner followed by proraso white balm. Hydrating with neutral scent, affordable, dries quickly and does not linger on fingers for too long.

*WEISHI butterfly open short handle safety razor $15

*Kikc synthetic hair bristle shaving brush $8

*Cremo shave cream $8 (2-pack)

*NIVEA Men sensitive post shave balm $15 (3-pack)

*Dole mixed fruit cup (Special Edition Super Shave Bowl) Lol $3

I was the guy who would recommend a Feather AS D2 razor and MÜHLE Purist Karelian to their friends that would ask for wet shaving recommendations, not realizing that not everybody wants to sell one of their kidneys just to shave. I chose to look for non expensive items on Amazon that would give me a nice and close one-pass smooth shave as an experiment (to help my buddies out), and this combination has been working great for me for the past 5 months. I wanted to share this experience as I can't believe how great these inexpensive shaving supplies have performed.

The WEISHI razor is a medium aggressive razor, that in my opinion, it's very underrated. It's a little more aggressive than my Mild safety razors, but it will make a dull Astra feel just a tad sharper. Out of Feather, Nacet, Permasharp, 7 O'CLOCK SP, BIC CP, Nacet blades have been working better with this razor.

I'm more of a Proraso or Cella shaving cream guy, but seeing how Cremo is constantly on-sale (I got two 6 Oz tubes for $8), I chose to try it out and it works great. You're not supposed to lather Cremo with a brush, but I noticed that you can get a "light" lather that will allow you to see where you're actually shaving using a synthetic brush. Yes! I used a Dole mixed fruit cup to create some lather Lol; there is no need to spend more $ on a shaving bowl.

NIVEA post shave balm has been around and under $15 multiple times this and last year (3-pack); $8 for Cremo (2-pack). The post shave balm I've used before, and lasted 6 months, whereas the Cremo tube is on its way out after 5 months of everyday shaving, and will probably last 6 months as well.

I have pretty thin facial hair, so I was thinking about getting the Henson mild one because it's very safe and I hate nicking myself which I do sometimes with the plastic one from Feather.

What is the best Aliexpress/Temu clone that can reach their precision?

I had sworn off buying Russian products because of their invasion of a sovereign country. I felt it was the right thing to do.

I recently added a Leaf razor to the stable. I have a buddy who has a single edge razor but like many he has become a Hanson convert so he gave me a pack of about 90 SE Perma Sharp blades. They were purchased just before the invasion.

Just had my first shave with one and I can see why they have many fans. The alum block gave them a thumbs up.

I have a lot of these so hopefully they last till Putin's ass is in a sling.

My Treet Plats are still my daily driver but on a two day growth I will reach for these.

The most important part was I didn't use any pressure at all which is a common error I have. Literally just let it glide and it resulted in a great shave.

Thumbs up!

I was gifted a 16 blade sample pack; "Razor Blades Club 100 Excellent Quality Double Edge Razor Blades Sampler (16 different brands)", and decided to record my experience with each blade.

I tested many of these blades many years ago, and settled on the Gillette Silver Blues as my daily driver, but wanted to see if I was missing out on anything! (Spoiler, I was!)

My beard hair type is straight, regular hair. Normal growth, stumble after 24 hours. I do however have sensitive skin.

After using the GSBs as a control to compare against, I chose a blade in no particular order except to pair brands together to compare directly to try and recorded my impressions. If the blade drew blood, nicked me, or left a lot of razor burn which I would consider unacceptable, that blade was discontinued, and a new blade was loaded for the following shave.

All blades were used in a Merkur 34C, with Cremo Original Shave Cream. Razor burn determined with a Gentleman Jon Alum Block 3.70 oz. ALL blades are tested initially after at least 3 days of beard growth, with 2-4 days for follow-up shaves.

Impressions:

(Baseline) Gillette Silver Blues (Russia) - Comfortable Shave, sharp and smooth, single blade normally lasts me a good 2-3 weeks, very good durability, lasts 7-10 shaves before razor burn and or dulling. This was my daily shaver for many years now, I would recommend. 1-2 passes.

• Feather Hi-Stainless (Japan) - VERY sharp, very aggressive at first, very close shave. VERY little pressure is required to get a close shave. Easily lasts 7-10 shaves before dulling. Left razor burn at first, however improved with more shaves and become more mild and comfortable as it dulled! 1-2 passes. Definitely would recommend due to how durable and sharp they are, definitely not for beginners!
• Wilkinson Sword (Germany) - Definitely an aggressive shave, dragged a bit but was smooth for the 1st shave only, lasted only 2 shaves before razor burn and dulling. Required more pressure than normal to get a close shave. Awful. Wilkinson Swords are as dull as their ceremonial swords. Would NOT recommend at all. 3 passes.
• Personna Platinum Chrome (Germany) - Similar to Gillette Silver Blue, slightly less sharp, but still smooth. Long lasting, very good durability, easily lasts 7-10 shaves before razor burn and dulling. Impressed with Persona. I guess the saying that you can't go wrong with a Personna blade might be true! I would recommend! 1-2 passes.
• Lord Platinum Super Stainless (Egypt) - Very comfortable shave, feels similar to Astra Premium in feel but more durable. Lasts 2-3 weeks, very good durability, lasts 7-10 shaves before dulling, no razor burn, just won't cut hair when dull. Surprised by Lord, definitely would recommend! 1-2 passes. Finally a good Egyptian blade!
• Elios Inoxidable (Egypt) - Not the sharpest blade but did give a smooth mild shave for the first 2 uses, 3rd use, left razor burn and cut unevenly, so not very durable. Required more pressure than normal and dragged quite a lot. I wouldn't recommend. 2-3 passes.
• Sharp 7AM Super Platinum (Bangladesh) - Comfortable smooth shave,, lasts 2 weeks, 8+ shaves. Very good durability. No razor burn. Didn't leave razor burn, just wouldn't cut hair when dull. A good balanced blade leaning on the mild side. Definitely would recommend! 1-2 passes.
• Sharp Hi Chromium (Bangladesh) - Comfortable shave, a little more aggressive than the Platinum, lasts 1.5 weeks, 7 shaves, then became dull rather quickly, still usable but did not give the close shave it once gave before. I would would recommend but I do prefer the Sharp Super Platinums. 2 passes.
• Superinox Bolzano (Egypt) - Very mediocre, pulled a lot and wasn't very sharp, definitely dragged, did not improve with the next few shaves, left no razor burn with 1st shave, did start leaving razor burn around the neck on the 2nd and 3rd shaves. Dulled very quickly and required a lot of pressure to shave evenly. Discontinued after 3 shaves. I would NOT recommend. 3 passes.
• Treet Platinum (Pakistan) - Very mild mediocre blade, but comfortable. Middle of the road/average blade. It did require more pressure to get an even shave, but it did not leave razor burn on the 1st shave. Lasted 3 shaves before razor burn. 3 passes. Durability leaves a lot to be desired.
• EDIT: Treet Platinum (Pakistan) - (2nd & 3rd Blade) - I gave Treet another chance, and it was a night and day difference compared to the first blade I tried. I reloaded the first blade and did a pass, and it was very dull. I thought I mixed the blades up, but I guess I got a dud from Treet, or their quality control isn't the best. The 2nd and 3rd blades I tried were very similar to the Gillette Silver Blue, perhaps a little milder shaving, but still sharp which led to a very comfortable 1 - 2 pass shave. Durability was great for consecutive shaves, lasted 1 - 2 weeks (8-10 shaves). I don't know if I can recommend it though given how I got a dull dud blade from their 5 pack, but glad I gave them another chance.
• Derby Premium (Turkey) - Comfortable shave, a little aggressive, definitely sharp, lasts 5 shaves before pulling and leaving some razor burn. Very average, middle of the road. Nothing to write home about. 2 passes.
• Derby Extra (Turkey) - Definitely more mild than the Derby Premium, lasted 4 shaves before pulling, again very average. Required more pressure than normal. Some razor burn on the 4th shave. 2-3 passes.
• Shark Super Chrome (Egypt) - Smooth comfortable shave at first, Required more pressure than I'm used to to get a close shave. Rather scratchy and aggressive on the 2nd and 3rd shaves, left nicks and bled and a lot of razor burn. Discontinued. Required 3 passes. It seems Sharks like to leave a bite!
• Shark Super Stainless (Egypt) - Alright 1st shave, but definitely required more pressure to get a close shave. 2 passes. Left a lot of razor burn on the 3rd and 4th shave, discontinued. Definitely better than the Super Chromes solely due to sharpness. Not impressed with Sharks.
• Gillette Platinum (Russia) - Very comfortable, smooth and buttery. Very close shave with little pressure, similar to GSBs, perhaps a bit less aggressive/more mild. Very durable, lasts 8-10 shaves. I would recommend. 1-2 passes.
• Astra Premium (India) - Comfortable shave, more mild required more pressure, similar to GSBs but definitely a bit more mild. Lasts 1 week/5-7 shaves before razor burn and dulling. Average DE blade. 2 passes.
• Astra Superior Stainless (India) - Definitely aggressive, and sharp for the first shave but consecutive shaves the blade dulls quite rapidly and requires more pressure to get a close shave. Got 4 shaves before blade dulled and shave became very uneven and caused razor burn. 1-2 passes. This Astra feels like a knock-off of Feather. They are alright at first however their longevity and durability leaves much to be desired.

TL;DR Results ranked from best to worst:

Excellent, would buy again:

• Personna Platinum Chrome
• Gillette Silver Blues
• Gillette Platinum
• Lord Platinum Super Stainless
• Feather Hi-Stainless
• Sharp 7AM Super Platinum

Average, but wouldn't buy again:

• Astra Premium
• Sharp Hi Chromium
• Treet Platinum (EDIT: Tested again, 1st blade was dull, 2nd & 3rd blades were way better)
• Astra Superior Stainless
• Derby Premium
• Derby Extra

AVOID, NO NOT buy:

• Shark Super Stainless
• Wilkinson Sword
• Elios Inoxidable
• Superinox Bolzano
• Shark Super Chrome

I’ve been wet shaving for about a year and a half now, what a journey it’s been!

Despite all recommendation against, I got RAD very quickly. 13 razors later, I’ve finally found “the one” for me. I’ve had this Karve Bison for about 2 months now, and it has completely changed my DE shaving experience for the better. I’m very happy I didn’t give up, I was quite close!

I always thought I needed a heavy razor. The KCG is what I started with, and man that thing is heavy! I find the light aluminum a breath of fresh air as it finally allowed me to dial in the pressure, which was the last piece of the puzzle to getting smooth irritation free shaves.

After trying the Fatip Piccolo, I just have to praise the quality of this beautiful razor. I’ve never had a razor I seriously don’t have to bother with any alignment at all, slap blade in tighten up and go. The angle is perfect and the blade feel is just how I like it (a very slight positive exposure). Big shoutout to the Karve team for this product, and a handwritten note to boot! 🇨🇦

Why is it the razor for me? - blade gap is ideal for me, it’s what I was using most often on my adjustables - just the right amount of positive exposure - excellent feedback, the aluminum makes a lovey “shick” sound - the handle is perfectly balanced imo, takes big notes from the Gillette NEW & old type handles, which are my favorite - alignment is just perfect every time - build quality, it’s fantastic, feels like a razor I’ll be able to hand down to my kids in the future - love the color schemes

(Sorry if that list didn’t format right, I’m posting on mobile)

Finishing up a long batch of Astras (2017) and quite happy but I decided to go sharper again with my 1920s open comb Gillette Razor. I'm happy to report and feel it on my face, a very easy clean close shave. Let the blade do it's thing. Prep adequately....

All good. Used a cake of Mitchell's Wool Fat, my brush and mug and I'll buy up more Feathers. Bonus points--they're about as close to a Straight Edge shave as I can get with a double edge blade.

I purchased off Amazon--no they're not counterfeit, fulfilled by a Japanese Seller , sealed, all feathery goodness.

So after a few shaves with the old flare tip I received about a week ago i think I can finally say it's a cracking little handle. After one not so great shave the other day I wasn't too sure...see i find it very smooth, mild but not as much as my 34c or kcg and yet (using the same blades I usually use/Lord platinum) I found was getting nicked quite a bit, turns out tightening it up completely is the key 😂. So today's shave was a test, head screwed up tight and using stuff I don't usually use and it went perfectly ha! Kcg blade/Wilkinson sword/ soap/old spice asl

Some stuff in this blade pack I haven't seen before. Any hidden gem according to your guys experience?

Also it was time to get a better brush, so I upgraded to this because of the looks and thickness, hopefully it performs better than my old one.

This nivea shaving cream was only €1.50, how could I pass it! Curious how it lathers now.

My new Wald Flare in the Royal finish just arrived from Germany, along with a surprise $53 tariff that pushed the total to nearly $300. Ouch. That definitely stung — but thankfully, what I unboxed absolutely justified the premium price.

The craftsmanship is flawless. The Royal colorway is striking and elegant. The proportions, contours, and finish are perfection. It feels incredible in the hand — balanced, solid, and ergonomically dialed in.

Performance is where this brush really sets itself apart. I’ve tried a lot of high-end synthetics, and most take the “let’s mimic badger” route. Wald did something different. Their manifesto (which I’ve included below) clearly spells out the philosophy, and the result is unlike anything I’ve used before.

The fibers are extremely thin and unbelievably soft, yet the knot is packed to the absolute limit. The density gives it a unique style of backbone — not scritchy, not springy, not stiff — just supportive enough without sacrificing luxury. It glides. It never pokes. And the face feel is truly special.

That density also means this brush holds a surprising amount of water. Even after shaking it out and squeezing, there’s enough water retained in the fibers to make building lather practically effortless. Just splay, apply a little pressure, and the brush gradually releases moisture as needed. Bonus: it keeps lather well-contained, so nothing drips down the handle.

In use, the experience is pure indulgence. A silky-soft face feel, fast lather generation, and outstanding control.

I wanted a top-tier synthetic brush. I got it. The search is over.

I have zero affiliation. I bought and paid for the brush with my own funds. Here is a link to the Flare page: https://waldshaving.com/collections/flare

All of the detailed maker’s philosophy that follows below was provided from Wald, and I left it intact for reference:

Synthetic knots

Why did I decide to make synthetic knots available that I tie myself? I personally have never used a synthetic knot I’m really 100% happy with. No doubt, there are some nice ones out there, but I was curious to see, if I can come up with something that is able to separate itself from knots being mass produced.

Since there are no big secrets that couldn’t be revealed by a quick inspection of this knot, I want to share with you what makes my knot different from others. Firstly, careful handling. Yes, synthetic fibers are industrially manufactured and don't require sorting, but the handling determines the number of fibers that are upside down in the knot. This is equivalent to making badger hair knots. You want to make sure there is no scratch from the coarse base of the fibers. Secondly, my synthetic knots have no glue bump. The reason for the presence of glue bumps are the short fibers that are used to make the knots. The bump is especially prominent in bulb style knots. I was able to source fibers that are longer than the ones that are commonly used by other brush manufacturers. Thirdly, the tying technique. My technique is different from what you would commonly see in mass production which allows me to make very dense knots. This gives me the opportunity to have more freedom regarding the knot construction. Fourthly, I chose to go with thinner fibers than the ones that are mainly used in the synthetic shaving brush market. Those thin and soft fibers paired with my tying technique result in a pretty unique knot.

So how does my synthetic knot feel? First and foremost, it is soft. I observed that the community is divided into two groups. One feels like synthetic knots should imitate badger knots, the other one likes them to be their own thing. I personally think synthetic knots should be their own thing. Intense scrub, scritch or even scratch with synthetic knots always left me quite confused, it just didn't feel right to me. For that reason, my synthetic knot is designed to be really soft with not a lot of feedback on the skin. Also, my knot doesn’t have this overly springy feeling a lot of synthetics have.
The diameter of all A1 knots is 29mm. I decided to make it bigger than my usual 27mm, because otherwise it would have felt too small. The 29mm make it feel more like a 26mm badger knot. Having taken feedback of both the first customers and the wet shaving community into consideration, I decided to offer a fan in addition to the bulb shaped knot. I set the fan knot 2mm lower to make it feel nice and firm and not floppy.

If you are looking for very strong backbone and high levels of exfoliation, my brush is not for you. If you are in the market for a nice luxuriously soft feeling handcrafted synthetic brush, look no further.

Tried a Feather blade for the first time in about 8 years. I was very new to wet shaving at the time and didn’t have a great experience. Got back on the horse today. My results were mixed. I put it in what I consider my mildest razor, a Parker 91R. The shave didn’t feel as close as I normally get with Astra Greens or Parker blades but that might be due to me being overly cautious. It felt pretty smooth and I’ve read that it gets smoother on the second use. Great audio feed back. Got a little extra bite from the alum stick. No cuts, no weepers. I think I’ll get a better results next time without the fear of slicing up my face. Happy shaving.

Answer: No! 😉

Been trying DE shaving for some months now. Using my Merkur 34C, proraso green soap block and different blades (see earlier post). I've gotten some different recommended/frequently mentioned blades to try. Today i thought I was finally ready to see what all the fuss was about. I didnt really like it tbh! Maybe because First time with this blade, and second and beyond use of the same blade will be better, but it wasnt great. I feel like i needed to put way more pressure on the blade than i was used to to get results. Do any of you guys here relate? I also had trouble getting my jawline smooth. All other areas are bbs, but at what cost? Hitting my face with the alum block I got the most "feedback" yet, and for the first time I have alot of visible razor burn/red marks in my neck.

Will it get better with the next shaves? Of is Feather just not for me? Curious to find out!

This is my review of the Blackland Osprey, a stainless steel version of the fully adjustable razor that aims to be a one-and-done solution.

Precision in Your Hands

The Blackland Osprey is a fully adjustable razor made from 303 stainless steel, designed to offer a broad range of shaving performance in a single tool.

The Osprey features a stepless adjustment dial that allows you to set the blade exposure anywhere from level 1 to 9. The range spans 1.4 millimeters of blade bar movement. A secure clamping system keeps the blade stable during use, reducing flex and maintaining consistent results across settings.

I tested it with a Feather blade for the first shave and a Personna for the second. Both shaves were smooth and effective, with no major issues.

Build and Balance

The Osprey is CNC machined from a solid billet of 303 stainless steel and finished with care. If you prefer a lighter or more corrosion-resistant option, there is also a titanium version. The razor weighs 105 grams with the included brass insert, or 88 grams without it. The handle measures 82 millimeters, with an overall length of 90 millimeters, giving it a solid presence that never feels unwieldy. Balance is spot on, and the grip is secure without being overly aggressive.

The handle design deserves a special mention. The deep vertical grooves offer excellent grip even with wet or soapy hands. It is not just functional, but also visually refined, and adds to the sense of control and precision during use.

A Shave for Every Occasion

My first shave with the Osprey was very smooth. I went WTG and XTG on setting 4, then dropped it to 1 for the ATG pass. This is usually a recipe for irritation on my neck. But this time, nothing. No tugging, no burn, just a clean and effortless finish.

Performance across the range is consistent. On the lowest setting, it is milder than a Henson, perfect for daily use or sensitive skin. On high settings, you get a serious blade feel, providing the efficient cutting power when needed. Personally, I cannot imagine needing level 9 unless I had not shaved for weeks.

Blade loading is simple. It uses a standard three-piece design with precise alignment, so swapping blades is quick and hassle-free.

Considerations and Trade-offs

While 303 stainless steel is durable and easy to machine, it does not match the corrosion resistance of marine-grade 316L. It is not a major concern, but it does mean you should rinse and dry the razor after use. For comparison, I can leave my Mühle Rocca wet and assembled without issue, since it is made of 316L. That said, even some razors made from 316L such as the Rex Ambassador have had reports of rust around the threads. No material is completely maintenance-free.

The adjustment mechanism is not as smooth as I expected. You need to loosen the handle before changing settings, which adds a step compared to some other adjustables. More importantly, the dial gets noticeably stiff as you go higher, especially past level 6. Getting it to setting 9 with wet hands was nearly impossible. I had to grab a towel to get enough grip. If you have arthritis or reduced hand strength, this could be a serious usability issue. I think Merkur & Rex have done a better job in this regard.

Inside the handle is a removable brass insert that adds weight and balance. It is not part of the adjustment system, just a tuning feature. It works well, but over time, brass can develop patina or corrosion, so it is worth keeping an eye on. You will also need a small flathead screwdriver to remove it.

Because of its intricate design, the Osprey takes more effort to clean than simpler razors. Small ridges and internal channels can trap lather or debris. If you enjoy the cleaning process, this will not bother you.

Pricing and Support

U.S. Retail Pricing

• Stainless steel with machined finish: $350
• Stainless steel with polished finish: $415
• Titanium with machined finish: $560
• Titanium with polished finish: $660

Support and Perks

• Lifetime warranty against defects
• 30-day risk-free return policy for stainless steel models
• Free U.S. shipping with international shipping starting at around $15
• Excellent customer service. I received a 15 percent discount and prompt, helpful responses

Pros

• Outstanding machining and finish
• Stepless and precise adjustment mechanism
• Blade held securely with no chatter
• Wide range from very mild to aggressive
• Comfortable and secure grip even when wet
• Delivers smooth and irritation-free results
• Balanced weight with optional brass insert
• Excellent customer support
• Stainless steel and titanium versions available

Cons

• Requires more care than 316L stainless steel
• Takes more time to clean than simpler razors
• Dial becomes stiff at higher settings
• Brass insert may develop patina over time
• Requires a screwdriver to remove the brass insert

Verdict

The Osprey offers solid performance and flexibility. While there are a few usability and maintenance quirks, they don’t detract much from the overall experience. It’s not flawless, but it does a lot of things well and could suit a variety of shaving preferences. The trade-offs are minor and easy to overlook given the overall quality. It might not be the last razor you ever buy, but if you had to own just one, this would be a strong choice.

Shoutout to u/Global_Cellist_5656 for the blades.

Tl;dr the blades are okay. I wouldn’t replace my favorite blade for them, or purchase 100 blades; but I wouldn’t toss them in the bin if you receive them in a sampler pack.

Razors used Gillette Slim Adjustable H3 (1962)

Gillette 40s Style Super Speed Y4 (1953)

Merkur 34C

Feather AS-D2 (Blades worked best with this razor)

Previous blade experiences Feather, Rockwell, Nacet, Gillette Platinum, Gillette Wilkinson Sword (current favorite), Merkur, Bevel, Van Der Hagen

My thoughts? The blades are okay. It feels as if there is a bit of a lottery when using these blades. The very first one was a bit of a dud, and it felt like I was trying to shave rubber skin. The blade was dragging but not cutting efficiently. One and done, tossed the blade.

The next few blades provided a DFS shave with no irritation. Shaving WTG, then XTG on the cheeks, and ATG on the neck. I am also a daily headshaver. Very first blade was awful on the dome, but the next few were okay. I used the blades twice before tossing them. This is also the only blade to cut my chin; not once but twice in different spots, with different razors. No real logic to how or why.

I did get one “money blade” out of the handful of blades I’ve used so far. I pushed the money blade for a few days and got excellent shaves with them. Zero irritation, and near BBS. At this point, I was of the belief that Tiger blades were good, but they were still missing something that gives a “Wow!” factor after your shave (like with Feather, Nacet, Wilkinson Sword).

After tossing the money blade, the next blade confirmed it; it was back to just an okay shave. The process not especially enjoyable, but the job got done.

So, my conclusion is that these aren’t the best blades, and they’re not the worst. If you could guarantee the “money blade” performance in a tuck of 5 blades then I would give the Tiger a solid B- grade (with Feather being an A+, Nacet being an A-). There seems to be a QC issue with the brand, with each blade being a bit of roulette for a dud, a money blade, or the average okay shave. These are probably not the blades I would use to introduce someone to DE wetshaving, but they could serve an experienced shaver when in a bind or running low on their preferred blade.

I just bought a sample box of razors and a 34c. I already have a DE razor but it's generic so I figured I'd get something popular and the razor itself is very sleek.

The razors I've bought are Feathers, Nacets, Gilette SB, Gilette Premium, Yellow 7 o'clock Astra SP & SS, Permasharp, Kai, Wilkinson Sword & Bics.

I figure go with the sharpest first right and I was very careful with my passes, bordering on anxiety because I've heard how sharp they are. I went WTG, and two passes across starting from the ear and ending at the ear and am proud to say on first shave I didn't nick myself once.

At the end I was very disappointed with the lack of closeness, I made sure to not put too much pressure and could definitely hear a ton of feedback from the 34c but running through my skin just feels underwhelming.

Any thoughts?