CarbonShavingCo. New company & razor in the works....

West Coast razor arrived today. I’ve loaded it with a Polsilver for tomorrow’s shave.

new updated list:

East:
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)
Asafiev (Pennsylvania)
shaveSymptomatic (Florida)
gregcss (Virginia)
Shavemd (Ohio) * removed per user's request
ANG69 (Massachusetts) * removed per user's request
Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire)
Hardrock (North Carolina)
dmiller622 (Tennessee) * removed due to rudeness
vadim (Maryland)
MarsEnglish (New Jersey)
Dragonsbeard (New York)
w_mcnabb (Texas)
chaddy (North Carolina)

West:
TheHunter (Arizona)
HoosierShave (Indiana)
gvw755 (Washington State)
Captainjonny (Washington State)
Einar (Wisconsin)
Kehole (California)
Dayman (Georgia)
Oasisdave (California)
bobmsp (Minnesota)
draebeard (Washington)
jmudrick (California)
IanG153 (California) * removed at user's request

Sorry for taking so long to post up my first shave with the Carbon Shaving razor.  It just so happened I was testing the new SS razor from Stirling and I thought I would have more time with it and sneak in a shave or two with the Carbon as well but got a message from Rod at Stirling saying he needed it back because it was scheduled for polishing and would I mind getting it back to him asap so I thought I'd get a quick Shave Off in with the Hyper aggressive baseplate up against a Ikon Tech.  So that was yesterday morning and after a very close BBS shave from those two razors I didn't have my normal 2 days growth I prefer to have when doing a shave review or Shave Off  but I thought this would be a chance to see how the Carbon performs as a daily driver. BTW I have a fairly dense beard with some tough coarse hair and my beard grows fast so it wasn't like I had no stubble to shave. Anyway I've been looking forward to shaving with this after meeting Sean and the Carbon team at the Maggard Shave Meet up in Michigan and I have to say we had a good talk and they are all nice people. When the razor was first released there was a lot of controversy on the fit and finish and the price but I decided to form my own opinion knowing I'd see the razor at the Maggard show. Well since the price reduction and seeing the razor and the people behind it I'm finally getting the chance to shave with it thanks to Sean and Andrew for putting together the pass around. 
So opening the case there wasn't any surprises as I had already seen it and for me it's the only thing I have to honestly say I'm not fond of and the reason why is probably just me but I don't like my razors being flopped around in their cases and I like them separated as well. Like when you get a TImeless, Charcoal or Blackland for example. Maybe it's just me but I gotta be honest in my feelings. The east coast razor I got looks good and although the finish is not at Wolfman level it was very nice. I had the razor in hand a few times at the Maggard show and when I first saw photos of it I'm like that is not me but when I picked it up at the show I was like it feels nothing like I thought it would and actually didn't mind it at all but still wondered what it would be like doing an actual shave with it. Well that happened just a few minutes ago and I have to say it was easy to use. I just had to adjust the way I'd hold a razor and once I did I had no problems whatsoever. I did notice that the head was very light so the razor as far as balance goes and it felt just a little bit handle heavy but not over the top so and I'm going to try one of my TBam handles on it while I have it in my den.

So on to the shave.  Loaded a twice used Feather in it and lathered up using Oleo Soapworks No. 11 soap which is a barbershop scent I like. I load heavy and the soap gave me a nice coating for this shave. I decided to do a 2 pass shave going WTG and ATG as I like to test a razor doing both of these passes. Also like to only do 2 passes when evaluating a razor as there are many razors that I could get a BBS shave with if I did 3 passes or a lot of buffing etc but I want to see what a razor can do in two passes with no buffing. 

First pass going WTG I noticed with the first couple of strokes that this razor is smooth and the blade feel is at a moderate level as well as the audible feedback which was a few steps down from the two efficiency monsters I shaved with yesterday morning. After getting through with my left side face and neck I'm liking the razor and it's smooth and it seems to be taking down my stubble nicely. My left side btw is my easy side and very unlike my right side which has a very nasty cowlick on my neck along with some weird beard pattern on my  neck under my ear and along my jawline close to my ear. So finished up the left side and went over to the right side. From the sideburns down to my trouble spots was pretty much like my left side. Stubble being taken down and  nice smooth face feel. Then when I got to my lower jawline I heard the audible feedback go up a notch as it struggled a bit but there was no blade chatter and it got through it ok. Next challenge was my neck so I went right after my cowlick and I must say not bad! It didn't wipe the area clean on the first pass but it definitely took down some stubble. So I finished up the WTG pass and relathered to start my ATG pass. So started at the base of my neck on my more difficult right side and headed N and I'm impressed at how smooth the razor is and it had no problem going through my cowlick or other tough to shave spots on my right side. So nice pass and the left side was no different. I did notice that the blade feel went down a notch on this pass but was still there which I like. Finished up the ATG pass, rinsed and dried my face as I wanted to do a face feel to see what the results were. So I'd say 90% of my face was BBS smooth with the exception of the stubble on my cowlick and under my jawline. Both on my right side. With that said those areas were a solid DFS so I got a very nice work shave so I'm convinced at this point that the Carbon would be a nice daily shaver but has the efficiency to take down 2 days growth even though it may take 2 or 3 passes depending on your beard. I'm gonna let my beard grow for a full 2 days for the next shave and see how that goes. Also still feel that the razor is just a tab handle heavy and I can't help but to wonder what the razor would be like with a different handle on it so on the next shave I'm going to try using my TBam Ti handle and see how that affects the balance.

So at this point I got a good shave out of the Carbon  and I like the razor especially the head! 

I'll be back with the next report in 2 days!

That was a great review, and I look forward to your follow up. Earlier in the pass-around, I liked the performance of the Carbon head, but did not like the handle. After my first shave, I replaced the Carbon handle with a Tibam Sample 12 (100mm x14mm) for my next several shaves. I found the 100mm titanium handle to give the razor nearly perfect balance and in my judgement enhanced the overall ease of shaving with it. I look forward to your assessment of a lighter handle which could be a better match for the Carbon head.

I've now had 3 shaves with the Carbon razor and I've been pleased with it. There's not much to add to what's already been said about the packaging. I like it, personally. I would be a little concerned with the razor rattling around in the burlap as the razor moves through the mail system, but this one's been sent several times and it doesn't seem worse for wear.

The finish on the razor is quite nice from my perspective. (Full disclosure - I'm relatively rough on my shaving gear compared to some other users - everything gets a good rinse after I'm done, but nothing more - so I'm not as critical as others may be.) The finish on the head was bright and smooth. The knurling on the handle is sharp and clean.

As far as the shave goes, I'd say that it shaves about the same as a Paradigm 17-4. The razor feels extremely smooth to the face and the rounded edge of the safety bar is gentle. There is some blade feel, but it's not overwhelming. My first shave was so-so but I blame that largely on the shaving cream that I used that day. My last two shaves have been with a much better soap and the results have been excellent.

I'm still trying to figure out if I like the handle or not. From an aesthetic perspective, it doesn't do much for me one way or another. It looks interesting and unusual but I'm not particularly drawn to it. I'm not used to the feel of the handle in my hands yet but it's not off-putting in the least. This morning I tried to use it gripping the handle lower than I usually do. The balance was excellent with this even though it felt a little strange (i.e., not intuitive) this way since it's not my normal grip. I'll keep experimenting.

All in all, I'm glad that I had a chance to try the Carbon. As a Minnesotan, I'm always glad to see local businesses make a go of it. My answer to the ultimate question - would I buy it? - is probably yes. It is a close, comfortable shaver and well built. The handle, while different from what I'm used to, is something that would probably become natural to use. It's performance is solid. From a pricing standpoint, it seems to shave at the same level as many similarly priced competitors that I've used. So, for me at least, it would come down to the intangibles. Does it appeal to me as much as something else I'm looking at? Do I want to support this company for its values? Does it fit in to my current collection of razors? etc.

I'm going to enjoy the razor a few more times and then send it on. Thanks to Carbon Shaving for sharing their razors!

Well I just got in another shave with the Carbon razor and this time I put my Tibam Titanium handle on it and I have to say although I like the standard handle I like this combo even better as it improved maneuverability noticeably and I liked the balance which of course is a personal thing. I got a nice two pass shave going WTG and then ATG and I ended up with an entry level  BBS on 90 % of my face and neck and the other areas that were not where a solid DFS and those areas are more my trouble spots. So all and all a very nice comfortable shave. With that said in an earlier post someone mentioned he thought the Carbon was as efficient at a Paradigm 17 4  and he may be right but going by just memory I'm thinking just the opposite so rather than make any strong statement on efficiency I've decided to do a Shave Off using the Carbon and the 17 4 and I'll see how that goes when matched side by side.

Overall a good shave tonight with the Carbon!

As I mentioned in my last post using the Carbon SS razor I did the  Shave Off between the Carbon vs the Paradigm 17 4 and it was all around good shave! I'm very familiar with the Paradigm 17 4 and I've had it since they were first released and it's still one of my favorite SS razors in the mid efficiency category. I did a simple 2 pass WTG and ATG pass using both razors and as I did in the last Shave Off I split my face into 4 sections so that each razor got one difficult section and one easy section on both sides of my face as my right side is a lot more difficult to shave than my left side. I loaded both razors with a fresh Polsilver blade went at it starting with the Paradigm on my right side and began to head S and as normal it's just one smooth yet decisively efficient razor and a pleasure to use. Blade feel is on the low side for a razor that took down a good amount of stubble on this pass. I found that the 17 4 was a little smoother than the Carbon and more so around my mouth. Both razors get under the nose no problem. So finished that pass and continued downward with the Carbon and on my neck on my nasty cowlick once again the razor did a nice job on it for the first pass. No problem going over my Adams apple so a good pass from the Carbon. I did notice right away within the first few strokes that the Carbon has a little more blade feel than the 17 4 but not by a whole lot but definitely noticeable and for some that's a big bonus depending on your preference when it comes to blade feel. So finished up the pass and went right over to my left side right under my sideburns and started my N to S WTG pass. My left side was a very easy for the Carbon and it was a nice pass and I'll note that it was on this pass where I noticed the 17 4 was a bit smoother around my mouth. Finished up and grabbed the 17 4 for the finial WTG pass on my neck and this was a very fast easy pass and I remembered why I like this razor so much. BTW Audible feedback on the first pass and the Carbon sang a little louder song than the 17 4 just so you guys know who care. 

So on to the ATG pass and I started with the Carbon at the base of my neck on my right side and started S to N and this was a very good pass for the Carbon as it seemed to clean up what little stubble was left from the first pass and again I was impressed. Also as you see in the photo I went back to using the handle that comes with it and I have no really issues with it and I like it but I have to say I liked the way the razor felt a little bit better with the Tibam Ti handle I used in the last shave but you know I"ve learned that sometimes it just takes more time with a razor and a perfect example of that is the 17 4 because I remember when I got it I prejudged the handle and said I don't like it and a friend of mine who also had it said give it some time and I think it will grow on you and he was absolutely right. I enjoy the standard handle a lot so I'm sure I'd like the stock handle on the Carbon with more shave time.  Finished up the ATG pass and with the 17 4 I worked my way up my face going ATG and again so smooth and on this pass it's also noticeable that the audible feedback quiets down where as the Carbon seems to maintain nice steady feedback throughout the entire shave. Great pass from the 17 4 and went right over to the base of my neck on the other side and this was the fastest pass of all I make as it was extremely easy for the Paradigm to get through whatever stubble was left from the last pass. Same with the Carbon on the last ATG pass on my face on the left side. Both did a excellent job and I had what I'd call a nice Sunday Shave. The whole Acqua Di Parma set up helped to make it even better as it was a hot muggy day here in NY and a perfect day for a citrus scent. 

So all and all a very good shave from both razors and after rinsing my face and drying it I did a face feel and basically it was very close. I'd say the efficiency on both these razors is very close and the 17 4 I found to be a tad smoother. So because it's really not only hard to find a 17 4 but if you do be prepared to shell out about double what the Carbon sells for brand new. An there's the good news. The Carbon is obtainable and is less expensive and their very close in how they shave. So in my opinion you can't go wrong picking up a Carbon SS razor. 

I'm pretty much done with my evaluation of the razor and I don't want to hold up the pass around so I'll pack it up and get it to the next person on the list. I'd like to thank Sean and Andrew for putting this together and giving me a chance to use this very nice razor. 

I had another couple of shaves with the Cx and enjoyed them both.  On Saturdays, I do a three-pass shave rather than my usual two for the weekdays.  Saturday's shave was extremely close and without any irritation.  

All in all, I found the Cx to be a great shaver.  The razor went out in the mail to draebeard in today's mail, so he should receive it in a few days.

Bob

East coast Carbon shipped to w_mcnabb who’s the next person on the list.

Thanks again for the pass around and a chance to try out the Carbon SS Razor.

new updated list:

East:
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)
Asafiev (Pennsylvania)
shaveSymptomatic (Florida)
gregcss (Virginia)
Shavemd (Ohio) * removed per user's request
ANG69 (Massachusetts) * removed per user's request
Nh wet shaver (New Hampshire)
Hardrock (North Carolina)
dmiller622 (Tennessee) * removed due to rudeness
vadim (Maryland)
MarsEnglish (New Jersey)
Dragonsbeard (New York)
w_mcnabb (Texas)
chaddy (North Carolina) * removed per user's request

West:
TheHunter (Arizona)
HoosierShave (Indiana)
gvw755 (Washington State)
Captainjonny (Washington State)
Einar (Wisconsin)
Kehole (California)
Dayman (Georgia)
Oasisdave (California)
bobmsp (Minnesota)
draebeard (Washington)
jmudrick (California)
IanG153 (California) * removed at user's request