#1

Member
Austin, TX
All, I received my Blackland Blackbird razor on 11 January and have used enough [two blade cycles] to share some preliminary thoughts.

Initially, the razor arrived packed well in a tin logo box packed with straw. Included was a pamphlet with some overview information. Mine was pristine in condition although in similar packaging I have most often found the inside of the lid to also be padded with foam or bubble wrap and in this instance it was not. Seemed to work out just fine as mentioned but in the way of constructive feedback wanted to include.

The razor itself is stout. Rugged. I heard a term during my No Shave November: lumbersexual. This is the type of razor they would use. Or Hugh Glass. Anybody that does or aspires to wrestle bears, swashbuckle on the open seas or otherwise engage in Dos XX type behavior.

I was going to get the Black Oxide but opted for the Raw at the last minute and the finish is intentionally rough, with swirls and striation. Much like a Fatip but with more intent. I very much like it as it feels and looks much more like a tool.

I typically like handles in the 80-85mm range but opted for the longer handle as 70mm seemed a bit short. It is well crafted much like the razor on the whole and the ribbed nature makes for great grip. Just feels good in the hand.

Loading the blade is a breeze as is with most three piece razors with a decent amount but not extreme level of bow in the blade itself and a secure fit. First shave, I didn't find the optimum blade angle to be difficult to find but not intuitive out of the gate. Still delivered a smooth result although I could tell that the angle was too steep overall, particularly on my neck.

Once dialed in, it was smooth and gave great audible feedback. One of the loudest razors I have, which feedback I also like a lot.

During the shave, the safety bar(s) are a little "edgier" than I am used to but with the right angle you don't feel it all that much. Just a very different face feel and the first couple of shaves I noticed it more. If they were slightly buffed or rounded it would likely make for a smoother feeling shave. Meaning the shave itself is not rough by any stretch but it can feel that way oddly enough without any sign of irritation, razor burn, etc.

Next factor: Customer Service. I had originally ordered the Black Oxide. Indecision set in. Emailed Shane Blackland Razors and he immediately changed it to Raw finish. He had also offered some recommendations on handle length for pre-sales support promptly. Using the long handle, I decided that I may like to have the shorter handle- he has shipped the unit out post haste. Overall, great communication and super support. Could not be better.

Overall, I give the razor a thumbs up and am happy to have it personally and in the community as a whole. I look forward to what's next coming out of the labs at Blackland Razors!

mr. smith, Marko, Freddy and 7 others like this post
Kevin
#2

Member
Middleton, ID
Thanks for a great review.

Freddy, kwsher and hrfdez like this post
#3

Super Moderator
San Diego, Cal., USA
An excellent review, Kevin. It hit the important points of interest for most shavers. Happy2

wyze0ne, hrfdez and kwsher like this post
#4

Chazz Reinhold HOF
Nice review Kevin. I am still working on mine and the BO finish on the plate. I am actually contemplating stripping the BO finish as I feel it holds back the razor a bit. Still, I have got some nice shaves with it regardless of the BO plate.

kwsher and Blackland Razors like this post
#5
I've had this razor for about a week. I have the silver with black baseplate in the short handle. I think it is an outstanding razor. It definitely shaves differently, in angle and feel, than any other DE razor I've used. I found that the initial technique differences and short learning curve sort of cross-pollinated over to my Merkur 37c technique and I am now getting closer shaves with that one as well-a strange but welcomed development. With this razor, I am able to shave every day without neck irritation; until now, I could only shave every other day due to neck irritation. Based on that alone, for me, this razor is worth every penny I paid for it.

I also would like to put a word in about Shane Blacklander, the owner. Shane's customer service is first class. I've had numerous email communications with him since I first started eyeballing & then pulled the trigger on this razor. Shane has promptly and courteously replied and answered all of my questions. We had a little mix up when I decided at the last minute that I wanted the black baseplate. Shane immediately made it right, and then some, for me. With this quality of a product and outstanding customer service, i don't think you can go wrong with this one folks.

Blackland Razors and zacharydrake like this post
Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes...
#6

Merchant
San Diego CA
Thanks for the kind words, gents! Going forward, I'll continue to improve both my products and my business skills. The next production run will begin in a few weeks and there will be very minor tweaks to the Blackbird that I think will really help fulfill its potential. That, along with greatly improved packaging, will cement its place among the best out there.

I'd also like to share with you the new polished version:

[Image: Polished2.jpg]


These are hand polished and will be made available next week at some point for an additional cost(TBD). Aside from being a stunner, the polished version has a touch less drag than its brethren. I'll try to get some better photos once I figure out to take proper shots of such a reflective surface.

Thanks again for the support!

hrfdez, zacharydrake, EFDan and 2 others like this post
#7

Vintage Razor Fan
Southwestern NY
Great review!

I wonder if they will come out with an SE?

Blackland Razors likes this post
-Rob
#8

Merchant
San Diego CA
(01-29-2016, 09:38 PM)Blade4vor Wrote: Great review!

I wonder if they will come out with an SE?

Working on a design now. No idea yet if it will ever reach production or not.

zacharydrake, Blade4vor and kwsher like this post
#9

Member
Austin, TX
The polished looks crazy good too! Definitely interested as you get the SE design together- that could be another home run IMHO.

Blade4vor likes this post
Kevin
#10

Vintage Razor Fan
Southwestern NY
(01-29-2016, 09:40 PM)Blackland Razors Wrote:
(01-29-2016, 09:38 PM)Blade4vor Wrote: Great review!

I wonder if they will come out with an SE?

Working on a design now. No idea yet if it will ever reach production or not.

An SE with a similar design to the Blackbird would be pretty slick looking razor!  I might know where you can find some guinea pigs testers if you decide to move forward with the design.  Big Grin

Blackbird looks like a really good solid razor!
-Rob


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