(05-30-2018, 08:56 PM)Shavemd Wrote: (05-30-2018, 08:46 PM)LOOT Wrote: My first shave with the Karve was today. I got the E and F plates. I used the F with a Feather and went after 3 days growth. My initial impression... blade feel was decent as was efficiency but it does not cut as close as a 17-4, CG Lvl 3, Blackbird, WR1 80, or the king in my den WR1 86. It seems very forgiving and not apt to bite even with a Feather. I'd imagine with an Astra it would come close to "mindless". That's not bad because so is my Timeless 95. It is indeed very smooth though, likely approaching T95 smoothness.
I was skeptical of the matte finish but it's quite a handsome razor. It looks and feels like a workhorse. The one you might throw in a travel bag and not be too terribly concerned about nicks and scuffs. I'll likely keep it just for that purpose but it will need to shine in subsequent shaves to be reached for very often when I'm home....which is always.
I'm obviously in the minority here and maybe some more time under my belt with the Karve will change my mind about it.
With that said...for the price, it shines.
Pretty much what I have experienced It truly is a great razor in its price range and I enjoy having it but it is not kicking out my top performers. I just sold my D plate but will keep the E & F plates as they are smooth and a notch up in efficiency.
This is me, as well. I bought a 3" Karve and D plate in December. After using it five times, I decided to park it and wait for more "aggressive" base plates. I ordered an F plate on the 9th and sold the D plate. I used the F plate for the first time this morning, and am very pleased. It's only one shave, but the F plate is much more efficient on my face than the D, yet retains the D's smoothness. I put it in the Paradigm 17-4 category--a very good shave without much blade feel. Others in this category (though a step down) for me are the Timeless .95 OC and Rockwell using the #6 plate.
I still enjoy my "aggressive" razors more, as they give me an even closer shave--Charcoal Goods Level 3 OC, Blackbird OC, R41 2011, PAA DOC Evo in stainless, ATT H2 and Ikon Shavecraft Tech. But the Karve with the F plate works very well for me.