Blackland Blackbird

Hi everyone. I wanted to start a thread to see if anyone else out there is enjoying their Blackland Blackbird. I just bought one with the open comb, and have been shaving with it for the past few days. All I can say is WOW. This is one of the closet, and smoothest shaves I've ever gotten out of a DE razor, and the gap is only .58. I've always associated a close shave with an large gap, but this razor here showed me that the gap isn't the only thing that contributes to a close shave. It is very audible too, which I like. I have the solid bar coming in soon too, so I'm pretty excited to see how it shaves.

As some here have probably realized, the Blackbird is my favorite razor. To me, there’s just nothing quite like it.

I have the safety bar version in machined finish (with an 85 mm and a 101 mm handle), and the open comb in black oxide (with an 85 mm handle). I may slightly prefer the safety bar over the open comb, but just slightly. Incredible razors, the both of them!

Here’s a review I wrote around a year ago:
https://damnfineshave.com/reviews-produc...-blackbird

And a couple of photos of the birds:

Nice review. This is definitely my favorite razor also. I've been using it for about a week now, and I only have the open comb version. I ordered the solid bar, and it should be coming in this weekend or maybe Monday. So far it's been really smooth shaving. The first day I used it I got a little razor burn on my chin, but that is due to me going over an area without reapplying lather. What I really enjoy is how close this thing shaves. I can't do a 3 pass shave with any razor without my face getting extremely uncomfortable. So the most I do is a 2 pass, WTG and XTG. With this razor I can just do a WTG, and I don't really have to do a second pass. I'm looking forward to seeing what the razor stand will look like for this.

The only thing that beats a blackbird is a polished blackbird.... And maybe a bbs-1

As some here have probably realized, the Blackbird is my favorite razor. To me, there’s just nothing quite like it.

I have the safety bar version in machined finish (with an 85 mm and a 101 mm handle), and the open comb in black oxide (with an 85 mm handle). I may slightly prefer the safety bar over the open comb, but just slightly. Incredible razors, the both of them!

Here’s a review I wrote around a year ago:
https://damnfineshave.com/reviews-produc...-blackbird

And a couple of photos of the birds:

Those are some really nice pix Matsilainen

I seen a picture of a blue one on Blackland's twitter page. It Looked neat.

The only thing that beats a blackbird is a polished blackbird.... And maybe a bbs-1

I'll very likely never know about the bbs-1 but I'm hoping some day to find out whether the Sabre L2 can beat my Blackbird SB

I will say the Blackbird has really attributed to an improved technique for me. My first shave was fantastic with the razor, then it was like i took five steps back. The next few shaves felt more rough and resulted in some razor burn. But the more I kept at it, the more I realized how I needed to slow down, apply only slight pressure, and concentrate more on the angle. This was a much different experience than my Rockwell 6S. Ever since I started getting close/comfortable shaves with the Blackbird, I've been getting great shaves from more aggressive razors.

As some here have probably realized, the Blackbird is my favorite razor. To me, there’s just nothing quite like it.

I have the safety bar version in machined finish (with an 85 mm and a 101 mm handle), and the open comb in black oxide (with an 85 mm handle). I may slightly prefer the safety bar over the open comb, but just slightly. Incredible razors, the both of them!

Here’s a review I wrote around a year ago:
https://damnfineshave.com/reviews-produc...-blackbird

The 101 mm handle is fantastic...sure wish he still offered it...for both the Blackbird and Sabre...

Those are some really nice pix Matsilainen  

Thank you!

I will say the Blackbird has really attributed to an improved technique for me.  My first shave was fantastic with the razor, then it was like i took five steps back.  The next few shaves felt more rough and resulted in some razor burn.  But the more I kept at it, the more I realized how I needed to slow down, apply only slight pressure, and concentrate more on the angle.  This was a much different experience than my Rockwell 6S.  Ever since I started getting close/comfortable shaves with the Blackbird, I've been getting great shaves from more aggressive razors.

This is pretty much exactly my experience. During the very first shave, I marveled at the Blackbird’s efficiency. For quite a while, though, my shaves were a little too close, and I experienced some tingling and sensations of heat on my skin after the shaves. It was the fine-tuning of both the angle and the pressure that ended that.

My shaves with the Blackbird now feel very natural and I never have any issues with it. It seems to shave well even with subpar blades. And it has made quick work of learning how to shave with other razors. I recently started using the iKon ShaveCraft 104 Tech, which many regard as the most aggressive DE razor. I’ve had no issues with it whatsoever, and I attribute that to all that I’ve learned by using the Blackbird.

The 101 mm handle is fantastic...sure wish he still offered it...for both the Blackbird and Sabre...

Although I generally gravitate toward short handles, I have to say that the 101 mm works really well with the head it was designed for. I’m glad to have the option of using either the 85 or the 101 mm.

Shane Blackland Razors, I’ve been meaning to send you a message about this peculiar idea I had after using the 101 mm handle for a while. Now that the topic came up…

How about doing a one time re-release of 101 mm (and maybe even 70 mm) handles for those who want them for their razors? You could do it pre-order style (or in whichever manner would make most sense to you). No fancy packaging necessary, just the option of a longer (or shorter) handle for those who may want one.

Just a thought I’m throwing out there. (I know that right now, you must be very busy with the new designs.)