Blackland Adjustable: Osprey

Third use today.

I don't think I'm going to settle on a setting. Today I used it on 3 and it was again excellent throughout. Very smooth skin, and I only did two passes. Really, nothing to nitpick.

This razor is a dream for me at this point. Just demolishes my mustache and goattee area. Never had a razor do it so perfectly. If my house caught fire I think this would be the razor I grabbed before running for the hills. I thought nothing could best a super slant in efficiency and smoothness. But this does and I have no idea how or why. I've used plenty of razors that look just as well clamped but don't deliver what this one does

Update on my Osprey Ti. It was delivered last week but, I just haven’t had the time to post as I’ve been working long hours and can just barely get my shave’s in. However, I did want to take a moment to reiterate what Blackland Razors did for me as they went above and beyond the call. The razor was impeccably done and presented as is their commitment to product excellence & customer service is second to none. Not only has Shane cemented my already positive thoughts on what they believe and deliver but, it has left no doubt in my mind the great extent of their commitment in ensuring complete and total customer satisfaction. The Level of service and commitment to be honest guys is rarely seen in the wet shave market particularly in the performance/luxury market. Not saying that others wouldn’t commit to customer satisfaction. All I’m saying is that Blackland puts their money where their mouth is and that is the mark of dedication and total commitment to their brand. More importantly, customer satisfaction is priority No.1. It was a minor hiccup that I should not have made a fuss over as I knew they would come through but, Blackland & Shane showed me their true mettle and I have nothing but, respect and admiration for their zealous commitment to product precision and total customer satisfaction.

You’re The Man Shane!! 

^ D'accordo!

I used my Polished Osprey Ti for the first time today.  Very impressive thus far.  Two and a half days growth.  Started with a 7 using a Nacet blade. Very smooth and efficient.  The angle of attack (sweet spot)  has a broad spectrum.  You really can't go wrong with steep or average. face feel is great of course with titanium and it just enhances the pleasure of the shave. The blade feel at 7 was there but never uncomfortable or scary.  Second pass ATG on 5 and a few ATG touch ups on 3 and shaving nirvanna was achieved.  I llike to use a new razor for at least 6-12 shaves before deciding if it's a keeper or not.  I try different blades and different hair growth to put it threw it's paces.  So far, this is off to a great start! I have the Hi Vis numbers but still wish they were even darker.  Has anyone used the Lab Blue Personna in this razor?  If so, how are they?

Also got a Ti, first shave really left me wanting for more, so smooth…

I’m going to put it out there as I see it. I agree with the sentiment that of all the different alloys that a safety razor is made from, for me Ti is the best of the bunch. Yes, it’s almost as light as aluminum and for those that bank on the weight of a razor I can understand the reluctance to use one and it also goes without saying that of all the alloys used in producing well crafted shaving tools in Ti, it’s without question the most expensive to make for the artisan manufacturer as well as the most expensive to acquire/purchase for the consumer in the wet shave landscape. But, I would like to say that a well made tool in Ti can potentially give the best of both worlds in terms of shave effectiveness and ease of use. Yes, it’s lighter than Stainless, Brass, Copper and Bronze and yet can feel more substantial than your typical Aluminum bodied razor. Like the Osprey Ti for example. Blackland designed it in such a way that one receives the benefit of its light weight make up yet, still feel substantial in the hands. They removed, manipulated and executed a design that took advantages of the weight benefit of Ti while still managing to incorporate a robustness to it that doesn’t feel chunky nor disproportionate to its design. The handle was hollowed out to reduce weight overall on its entire length and the head still has enough material incorporated to still give it a feel of heft without having it look nor feel overly so. Blackland also added a counterweight to the handle just in case one would like to offset the weight bias or discrepancy if you prefer to user specific discretion while in use. The brilliance of the whole design though comes in its ability to adjust gap and exposure with a simple turn of the adjustment dial. A 3 pc. design that mimics the standard format of modern day or vintage razors while adding the ability to change how the shave feels and goes about its business as any other standard 3 pc. razor would do. If one goes by forward thinking and innovation first ideas, the concept is ingenious and its road to implementation is simply superb. It works like a traditional 3 pc. razor while incorporating an adjustable concept that is simple but, effective and easily workable for the consumer. To wet shaving traditionalist, the concept is irrational or even useless as some would argue that it makes no sense to remove a handle to adjust the razor. It becomes unsafe and is all a gimmick they would say. But, my argument would be the same as if it were a traditional 3 piece. One would still have to remove the handle, separate the top cap & base to insert & remove the blade during pre and post shave routine sans those who just leave a blade in the razor and never bother to maintain properly their respective shave tools in disassembling them to keep them clean and ready for the next go round. I can actually adjust and move the dial without having to detach the handle at all with just 2 turns of it and making my dial adjustment with ease. How easy is it? I simply place to fingers under the base plate, my thumb on the top cap pressing firmly and simply loosen the handle slightly. Make the adjustment and tighten the handle snug fit. All done in under 5 seconds without any difficulty excessive worrying if I’m going to slice my fingers.

In the end, it’s not made for everyone as the cost is quite prohibitive and for the traditionalist it’s unconventional with a few stating that it’s poorly designed in its execution and is unsafe for today’s shave users. Yes, if one is all thumbs I can see that being a problem indeed. Again, I’ll argue that with logic and grounded common sense (I know, there is very little of that going around here during these times & that everyone’s perspective and understanding of common sense is different) the use and application of the design is just as easy as using any other standard 3pc. razor. Granted, the likes of the Rocnel Sailor, HomelikeShaving Taiga, Rex Ambassador and the legendary line up of Gillette adjustables are slightly simpler to use by just turning a knob on the handle and proceeding on with the shave exercise. I’ll concede that argument on the basis that it took me 2-3 seconds more to make my adjustment on the Osprey. I’m not saying that the argument by traditionalist is wrong, I’m just saying that it isn’t right completely either.

We’ll just have to chalk it up to different strokes for different folks. Plus, it’s a good discussion for a forum to bring forth the pros & cons of any particular razor in its design and end use. Personally, I enjoy the heck out of the Ti Osprey for all the benefits stated above plus it’s practically the only adjustable that I have that I can make work effectively and comfortably at every stage of its adjustment range. Yes, the others do provide glorious shaves and do bring more cutting prowess once we go into the deep waters of gap and blade exposure but, the trade-off is more blade feel accompanied by an aggressive harshness that brings very little gain in optimal results that only a minut percentage of shavers can exploit and say it was a plus for them. And at those levels the error percentage goes up substantially for drawing some blood at any moment. They will bite and bite hard. The Osprey Ti & the SS for that matter have offered a full range of use from 1-9 that is just that, completely useable. It will bite as well but, it doesn’t have that attitude or proclivity to do so as easily as the others. At least that has been my experience so far with both Ospreys with the Ti giving me a better overall experience.

Just my $0.02 on the subject. Great shaves to all…

GlazedBoker you are spot on.  Although I don't have the Osprey or any Blackland product as of now,  I can confirm that Shane and Basher are top notch when it comes to Customer Service.  I regret that the Osprey, when it first came out, didn't agree with me.  I may, in the future, reconsider the Osprey as a do-all razor.

No regrets in obtaining this piece of hardware. Perfectly balanced (turn the insert if you want to adjust balance & feel) and super easy on the skin. It does it just as good as anything out there. Pricey? Yeah but, it has innovation and is backed by one of the best if not the best buy & try policy in the business. Blackland brings quality, innovation and the proverbial “think outside the box” business attitude to all their products with the Osprey being the pinnacle of that thought & creed to date. 

Simply a fantastic razor…

For those looking to try an Osprey, today could be your best bet.

I am getting the polished titanium.