Blackland announces new Tradere Razors

JimmyH, you've tried a slew of Wolfman Razors by now....can you say which gap/s come closest to the Gen 1 OC and
Gen 2 SB...in both WR1 and WR2

Well IMO the 1st gen OC is similar to a Muhle R-41. So maybe a bit more aggressive than a Wolfman .86. The 2nd gen SB is maybe like a Wolfman .74. Hard for me to make the direct comparisons. I only know I have to shave with the OC with care. The SB is a more relaxed, yet very efficient shave. OTOH, I can shave with a Wolfman .86 OC as relaxed as with the SB. So it is hard for me to say.

Jimmy...didn't you just get a WR2 125? If so, run it side by side with OC1 and tell us what you think. I also know you said you didn't like to do reviews. Maybe make a small exception? It would be appreciated.

It doesn't have to take long. Just hit the high points. Smoothness, efficiency, blade feel. Hit those 3 and call it a day.

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Anything for the team LOOT ... almost anything ...   Okay, I first weighed the two razors, and believe it or not, they each weigh 4.2 oz on my little scale. This is the WR2 with the WHR3 98mm solid and the 1st gen Tradere OC with the original handle. I used a brand new Gillette Silver Blue in each. Usual hot tap water & soap face wash, lathered with MDC and a Simpson M7. My usual WTG followed by ATG. 

I shaved one side of my face/neck with the Tradere, and the other side with the WR2. The WR2 provided me with more audible feedback, and blade feel than the Tradere. Both were equally smooth and efficient, which is to say extremely smooth and efficient. I was using the SB on the WR2 @ 1.25. What the Tradere 1st gen blade gap is I don't know, but it there looks to be plenty to my eye. I cannot recall the last time I shaved with the Tradere OC, and I had described it above as like a Muhle R-41. The shave was nothing like that. It was effortless and smooth, no weepers from either, and BBS both sides of the face/neck with the two passes. 

Below some pix to try to compare the gaps. The WR2 SB 1.25 side against the Tradere OC.

Got this off of EBay for a premium price a couple years ago and it was and is worth every penny! Gen1 OC SN#54. I love aggressive razors and this is not that aggressive to me. I think it compares well with the OC side of my WR2 1.25 DC. I use a PolSilver or Voskhod blade with it and it is extremely efficient. Like I have said before, I have never used the original handle with it because it’s not polished. I am currently using a titanium Jurgen Hempel brownish colored handle. It did come with the original handle and the original packaging (black box with cushioning inside but I can do without the original packaging if that cuts costs a bit Shane.


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Excellent, thanks for the insight.

Is your 125OC in SS? If so, can you compare face feel of the two, please?

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Well IMO the 1st gen OC is similar to a Muhle R-41. So maybe a bit more aggressive than a Wolfman .86. The 2nd gen SB is maybe like a Wolfman .74. Hard for me to make the direct comparisons. I only know I have to shave with the OC with care. The SB is a more relaxed, yet very efficient shave. OTOH, I can shave with a Wolfman .86 OC as relaxed as with the SB. So it is hard for me to say.

Jimmy...didn't you just get a WR2 125? If so, run it side by side with OC1 and tell us what you think. I also know you said you didn't like to do reviews. Maybe make a small exception? It would be appreciated.

It doesn't have to take long. Just hit the high points. Smoothness, efficiency, blade feel. Hit those 3 and call it a day.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Anything for the team LOOT ... almost anything ...   Okay, I first weighed the two razors, and believe it or not, they each weigh 4.2 oz on my little scale. This is the WR2 with the WHR3 98mm solid and the 1st gen Tradere OC with the original handle. I used a brand new Gillette Silver Blue in each. Usual hot tap water & soap face wash, lathered with MDC and a Simpson M7. My usual WTG followed by ATG. 

I shaved one side of my face/neck with the Tradere, and the other side with the WR2. The WR2 provided me with more audible feedback, and blade feel than the Tradere. Both were equally smooth and efficient, which is to say extremely smooth and efficient. I was using the SB on the WR2 @ 1.25. What the Tradere 1st gen blade gap is I don't know, but it there looks to be plenty to my eye. I cannot recall the last time I shaved with the Tradere OC, and I had described it above as like a Muhle R-41. The shave was nothing like that. It was effortless and smooth, no weepers from either, and BBS both sides of the face/neck with the two passes. 

Below some pix to try to compare the gaps. The WR2 SB 1.25 side against the Tradere OC.

Thanks for that, Jimmy. The tough requests come later...in private, Private!

Thanks for doing the shave and report. You did a fantastic job!

So, to clarify, equally efficient and smooth. Will you comment of face feel? I did not like the face feel of the SS125OC...at all. I

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Thanks for doing the shave and report. You did a fantastic job!

So, to clarify, equally efficient and smooth. Will you comment of face feel? I did not like the face feel of the SS125OC...at all. I

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No problem LOOT. Well, face feel, I mentioned that I had more blade feel with the 1.25 WR2. That is not to say there wasn't blade feel with the Tradere, I just didn't notice it as much. Same with the audible feedback. Face feel was fine with both. No irritation, and the weight of the razors overall lends itself to more efficiency with no effort. The way a DE shave is supposed to be done.

One reason I don't like to review/compare razors is that there are so many variables. For instance, I had one day's growth to shave. I used the Silver Blues, out of a 100 pack I bought years ago, that have been consistently smooth/sharp and always irritation free. Had I used a new Feather in both I don't know if it would have been the same. 

If I was cutting through 3 days of growth it may have been different. Then there is my technique. For years I was predominantly a straight razor shaver. So my technique at that time probably was not as good with a safety razor as it is now. I rarely shave with a straight in the past couple of years. That may be why I felt the Tradere gen 1 was like a Muhle R-41 when I first got it. Traded a guy a straight razor for it .... 

Then there is my face/whiskers as opposed to everyone else's. I don't know if I have a tough beard, I've never shaved anyone else ... so everything is compared to me, and me alone. Someone in this thread said they found the Tradere gen 2 "quite mild" ... not me ... I find it as efficient as the gen 1, but smoother, a pleasure to shave with. Maybe because of the safety bar versus the OC ? Dunno, and if I shaved with it tomorrow I might change my opinion ! Helluva thing this comparison stuff.

Excellent review JimmyH

Here are a few pics of my Tradere 1st gen OC next to WR2 1.45 SS. I found the WR2 to have a little more blade feel WTG but faded quite a bit ATG to slighty less then the Tradere. Both gave an excellent 2 pass BBS and I thought it was a tie but my wife gave it a feel and blindly said the side that I knew was the WR2 felt slightly better.

Glad some people are keeping an open mind. As Shane has observed people are enjoying more aggressive razors over the last several years and he should know as he’s been building a brand and sells more razors than anyone here could ever purchase.

There has been at least 2 initial razor releases than were influenced heavily by initial users complaining that the razors were too aggressive (Tradere & Paradigm Ti 1). Unfortunately the “new improved” versions were milder and the initial releases were extremely limited in number - good luck finding one to use. Well by today’s standards they are not too aggressive but just right for many users. Let’s not prejudge this initial release and hope for something that will suite everyone. Remember Blackland is releasing 2 different versions and is known for excellent customer service.

I for one will be wishing Shane all the best in a successful release.

Excellent review JimmyH and your right all you can do is call a shave comparison like this as you experience it.

Here are a few pics of my Tradere 1st gen OC next to WR2 1.45 SS. I found the WR2 to have a little more blade feel WTG but faded quite a bit ATG to slighty less then the Tradere. Both gave an excellent 2 pass BBS and I thought it was a tie but my wife gave it a feel and blindly said the side that I knew was the WR2 felt slightly better.

Wow the Tradere pretty much stayed with a 1.45! That’s saying something in my books. Can’t wait to put it up against the Ikon Tech and CG Level 3 OC and see how that goes!
Good one Mark your the shaver/tester and Kay’s the final judge.. lol say hi to her for me!

Oh and some awesome photos Mark!

Here are a few pics of my Tradere 1st gen OC next to WR2 1.45 SS. I found the WR2 to have a little more blade feel WTG but faded quite a bit ATG to slighty less then the Tradere. Both gave an excellent 2 pass BBS and I thought it was a tie but my wife gave it a feel and blindly said the side that I knew was the WR2 felt slightly better.

Looks like you polished your Tradere handle. Looks awesome Mark! I never had that patience!


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