It’s not objectively better, just different.
A straight razor isn't for everybody, however, I had a good bit of fear instilled by years of "You'd cut your face off" and that sort of thing. However, realizing that men have used on for thousands of years made me stop and think, "If it was that bad, no one would have done it." Then, I remembered that Gillette was probably behind a lot of the propaganda because they wanted to sell safety razors. After that, I considered that I have cut myself, sometimes badly, with a safety razor. So, with a great deal of anxiety, I bought a razor from a professional razor honer who was thinning his collection. I watched a lot of videos and it really looked easy. I lightly and carefully laid the razor on the left side of my face and made a short stroke. Viola! It was a revelation! It wasn't scary at all, anymore. I still had to be careful, and I was, because I didn't have my skills built yet. In my first year I only had 4 weepers and I had one tiny cut that hardly bled at all. That's it! So much for scary dangerous. I enjoy the meditative quality that focusing on each stroke brings and the entire shave ordeal is a pure pleasure, so much so that I wish I didn't get such good shaves so I could shave twice a day like I have to do with a safety razor.
I find the artist clubs shave differently to to shavettes with the half DE blade, just my 2c.
) rather than that it just dripping off the brush.
I can say the same about the Vector. Or the Sabre. But again, they are not for everyone.
That's how it works...thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it.. just let me think on it as I dont wanna waste your time
I dont get the fascination with old school razors, I have two a slim and birth year 73 Gillette black beauty. I admire the workmanship that went into these razors, especially in a bygone era. Also love the nostalgia that comes with using them but IMHO they dont come close to the quality of shave you get from a precision made and well designed razor. I truly love my Wolfman but for me personally i reckon the BlackBird comes in at #1 (by a whisker)
but for some reason they are not for everyone. I think its the positive blade which gives you blade feel, personally i like it because it lets me know where exactly the blade itself is on my face, probably a little like a straight, and I can control the angle better than when I cannot feel blade. I reckon the trick to being successful with the BB is the lather. If you have a good lather to lubricate the blade feel you shouldn't have any issues at all. When I say blade feel, i dont mean any scraping or anything like that, you just know the blade is on your face and the shave with the BB is 100% smooth and comfy and the small blade gap comes into play to stop any cuts, weepers etc.
I had a timeless razor and although i liked it, it just didnt do it for me. Used to get some small blood spots when going ATG, but it was certainly a smooth shave.. Basically held onto it until the BB came along. Mind you this was a 95 gap, so if you going for a milder razor the 68 should be fine. Another thing i didnt feel with the timeless was the weight and hefty (large) head. If you go bronze the smaller gap (38 i think) I have heard is very mild, and the larger gap (78 I think) is quite aggressive and from what I have read, not overly smooth.. so do some research on these before forking out the big $$.. they do look amazing though for sure
I have read here that the slicker the lather the better but i would say yes, no and maybe to that. Yes you def need a slick lather or the blade will rub on the face but for me the lather also needs to have some volume as this gives me protection. A fine line between pleasure and pain, as they say. I like mine to have a Greek yogurt consistency (No Bias
@Errol has written a positive review on the BB and @nav1 is fully in love with them.. If you need any more info on these feel free to ask away mate
A straight razor that is properly honed will easily give BBS shaves without irritation once your skills develop. A true straight is more gentle than a shavette (which I also have). I don't know, but @rbscebu may have an inexpensive, already sharpened Gold Dollar he might sell you. I can't say. The steel isn't as good, but it is fine for learning.
I can say the same about the Vector. Or the Sabre. But again, they are not for everyone.
As a previous owner of the Bronze Timeless in SB and OC I can relate but be warned that bronze may look nice when its shiny but boy is it a pain to keep presentable as the finish was a magnate for water stains! I own brass and copper and admire the metals as they patina but for whatever reason bronze leaves spots that take a bit of effort buffing out in comparison but YMMV.
I was late to the Blackbird party having enjoyed the other razors from Blackland and agree 100% with @StratMan @Errol @Gargravarr @SpeedyPC @nav1 that you should consider Blackland as Shane is continuously innovating and offers great customer service to match his premium products!
Blackland will always be the KING, I myself fully trusted Shane and his premium products! ..... However, I'm not getting the new Blackland adjustable razor as the handle really doesn't suit my style.
nice one mate 