Today a lot of
razors are outliers (they have unusual blade gaps, exposure, geometry, etc.). They cater to smaller segments for a more extreme experience. When I saw the handle of the Cx that was my first thought.
Handle: The handle is the most dramatic feature of this
razor. The knurling is aggressive but not prickly. The parts that feature the reduction in width are logical and felt comfortable in my hand. I found those reductions helpful when I turned the
razor upside down for the ATG pass. They also helped reduce the weight which for me improved the performance.
Head: I found no issue with the finish. Typically I prefer a machined finish which is more cost efficient without effecting the performance (for me, I know many don't agree). However, it's hard to ignore the aesthetic response of holding a polished
razor in your hands. I like the nod to the vintage Gillette tech
razors with the pre-war triangle ports. The laser engraving is quite comprehensive. Obviously they take pride in branding and I appreciate the serial number. Also, kudos for domestic production. The top cap has a low profile and blade tabs that are extra long which is helpful when loading a blade. The bottom plate had a solid bar that is very comfortable and unobtrusive. Overall, a quality design that is beautiful to look at.
Packaging: Fine for me. I never really cared about packaging as long as the
razor arrives safely. The tube and hemp-type cloth pouch amps up the experience to some degree.
Experience: I have been very fortunate to try a large volume of
razors over my lifetime. Between vintage and modern production I have enjoyed learning the history and passion behind these small pieces of art. As I said initially,
razors that feature something extreme or unique seem to dominate my attention. Turns out the Cx is not that
razor. It was built for comfort with an eye for the details. Nothing dramatic or crazy. No big ah-ha moment just enjoyable performance over the long term. In the end that's what kept me interested. No weepers, no irritation, good blade feel, good efficiency, intuitive shave angle, striking design, the goldilocks of
razors for me which is harder to find that anything else. In the end, if you forced me to find a fault with the design I don't know what I would say. It's just one of the most comfortable
razors I have used and unlike anything else I own. Today I placed an order for my own Cx. Well done to
Carbon Shave.