Blackland Blackbird

Relatively speaking a 90mm handle, which is not a big change on a CAD drawing or in production to run longer pieces on a CNC for your ICC (ideal client criteria).  I define your ICC as people who do and will spend 320-350 USD on a razor, not return it, is a member of one or more of the main shaving websites, has an annual budget of more than 1000 dollars on shaving, and has been wet shaving longer than 6 months and strongly identifies as a community member by liking or posting at least 2x per month.  I will almost guarantee a mathematical model that supports a 3.5-3.6 inch handle for this customer (I am a Mathematician and I’ve actually put this into a distribution curve with a density curve  using regression one bored Sunday when I had COVID for Ti razors).  Your packaging already accommodates it so it could come down to the bead blasting process as well as the stand if it can handle the longer handle.  

Long and the short of it, I’ve owned 3 Ti Birds.  I’ve sold one and have 2.  Still wish I had my machined finish… but the real truth of it is just this.  I’ve went 3-4 months not using it, then I pull it out and get a superb 2 pass shave…

It is like…

I don’t think all of his ideal clients like 90mm handles. I have 3 blackbirds and a dart. I think the dart handle is too long, so I use a different handle. The 85mm handle on the blackbird is a little long as well, but close enough that I use it. It seems to be a good compromise in length to satisfy everyone.

Relatively speaking a 90mm handle, which is not a big change on a CAD drawing or in production to run longer pieces on a CNC for your ICC (ideal client criteria).  I define your ICC as people who do and will spend 320-350 USD on a razor, not return it, is a member of one or more of the main shaving websites, has an annual budget of more than 1000 dollars on shaving, and has been wet shaving longer than 6 months and strongly identifies as a community member by liking or posting at least 2x per month.  I will almost guarantee a mathematical model that supports a 3.5-3.6 inch handle for this customer (I am a Mathematician and I’ve actually put this into a distribution curve with a density curve  using regression one bored Sunday when I had COVID for Ti razors).  Your packaging already accommodates it so it could come down to the bead blasting process as well as the stand if it can handle the longer handle.  

Long and the short of it, I’ve owned 3 Ti Birds.  I’ve sold one and have 2.  Still wish I had my machined finish… but the real truth of it is just this.  I’ve went 3-4 months not using it, then I pull it out and get a superb 2 pass shave…

It is like…

I don’t think all of his ideal clients like 90mm handles. I have 3 blackbirds and a dart. I think the dart handle is too long, so I use a different handle. The 85mm handle on the blackbird is a little long as well, but close enough that I use it. It seems to be a good compromise in length to satisfy everyone.

Statistically - not all.

If we did a mathematical analysis of what wet shavers most often use to determine what to make, we’d just wind up with the Blackland 34c. It wouldn’t have high blade exposure or a shallow angle or an angular head and it would have some ugly knurled 90mm handle. It wouldn’t be a Blackbird. With so many great razor options, being different is a feature - not a bug. Thankfully, our goal is never to produce the scientific mean razor.

92mm is right in the sweet spot. I have several Carbon Shaving razors and all their handles are 92mm. Perfect.

Personally, I don't get all the hubbub about handle length.

I have two handles for my ATT razors that are drastically different. Centimeters different. I change them out randomly, and have never really noticed a big difference in how the razors handle. But then I (like most) have 6 or 7 razors that I rotate regularly. It's a given that you have to adjust somewhat every time you rotate one.

I like my Blackbird just the way it came. I suspect I'd like it just the same with a longer or shorter handle...but I don't feel the need to experiment (and wouldn't with any of my high-precision razors).

IMHO there is a definite advantage in having options in handle lengths. I have WRH2 in 80, 90, and 100mm for example. Sometimes with a particular head I like to switch between these options depending on how I feel on a given day.

I do have an OC steel blackbird, but not a OC Ti baseplate for my Ti bird. Although "nobody buys them", were Shane to make a limited run of long Ti bird handles I'd get the complete razor in Ti OC. 

Here, below, is an example of the spice of life ... variety. 

Please don’t take offense. When I say “nobody”, what I actually mean is that if we can’t expect to sell several hundred at least, it’s usually not worth it. The more we grow, the higher the “worth it” threshold becomes. Selling tens or dozens of a base plate or handle variant doesn’t make sense. The small numbers just don’t matter. We’re focused on far bigger projects that will move the company forward.

The best bet to get us to make anything is to drop it in the Product Suggestion Box. If enough people submit the same thing, we just might make it.

IMHO there is a definite advantage in having options in handle lengths. I have WRH2 in 80, 90, and 100mm for example. Sometimes with a particular head I like to switch between these options depending on how I feel on a given day.

I do have an OC steel blackbird, but not a OC Ti baseplate for my Ti bird. Although "nobody buys them", were Shane to make a limited run of long Ti bird handles I'd get the complete razor in Ti OC. 

Here, below, is an example of the spice of life ... variety. 

I like variety in razors, but not in handle length. I don’t like to change my grip. My first razor had a short handle, so that’s probably why I like them better. I would probably feel differently if I started with a longer handle. I also like the nimble feel with short handles.

Please don’t take offense. When I say “nobody”, what I actually mean is that if we can’t expect to sell several hundred at least, it’s usually not worth it. The more we grow, the higher the “worth it” threshold becomes. Selling tens or dozens of a base plate or handle variant doesn’t make sense. The small numbers just don’t matter. We’re focused on far bigger projects that will move the company forward.

The best bet to get us to make anything is to drop it in the Product Suggestion Box. If enough people submit the same thing, we just might make it.

No offense taken Shane. I know you're in business to make money, and make decisions from a business point of view. 

I have great respect for your abilities in designing these things. I have been shaving since the mid 1960s and have tried many razors over the years.

The Blackbird is in the top 3 or 4 that I've ever used. That you could come up with a design such as that, tweak it after the first iteration, and end up with what you did amazes me.

I'll drop a note in your suggestion box. 

FWIW, I am really enjoying using the Lite plate with my other Blackbird components after years of frustration. It hits my sweetspot.