Karve Shaving Co. A new DE Brass razor to market.

Well, I just ordered a 3.5" E. At the last minute, I decided to throw in a C plate for those days when I say I'm just going to shave quick and it doesn't need to be close (before switching to the E to finish close anyway).

I ordered a C plate a week ago, and I just emailed Chris to add an E plate as well!

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the AA and A plates are for the niche market that wants something even milder than a Tech or Mamba. There seems to be strong interest in or appreciation of everything from B to F though. Hopefully with C & E, we’ll be no more than 1 plate away from optimal.

Pulled out the Paradigm 17-4 for the first time in a month this am. Paired with a Wizamet Iridium the shave was reminiscent of the F plate yesterday. The Karve felt a bit smoother. A bit less blade feel but both great shaves and razors!

Having shaved with only the D plate for a month the Karve really shines and comes to life with the F plate.

I hope all are following their tracking numbers!

I was waiting to hear when you went back to the 17-4 for a shave for a real world comparison. Thanks for that!


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I’m going to go out on a limb and say the AA and A plates are for the niche market that wants something even milder than a Tech or Mamba. There seems to be strong interest in or appreciation of everything from B to F though. Hopefully with C & E, we’ll be no more than 1 plate away from optimal.

I think it's a matter of preference. Some people prefer mild razors and more passes. I have sensitive skin and I can only shave with the grain or I get ingrown hairs, so I like to do 2 passes with a mid aggressive razor. I tried more passes with less blade when I had the Feather AS/D2 and it did not work for me.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the AA and A plates are for the niche market that wants something even milder than a Tech or Mamba. There seems to be strong interest in or appreciation of everything from B to F though. Hopefully with C & E, we’ll be no more than 1 plate away from optimal.

I prefer my Slim on 5 or 6, and my Fatboy on 5. A pre-War Tech (triangle slots) shaves great with a GSB. I personally disliked the blade feel of the Fatip Testina Gentile. The Old Types and even a New short comb were too much for me on a typical work day morning. For a day off, when I had more time, the New or a Grande could do the trick, but still was too "exciting" for me! What I am getting at is I think I prefer less blade feel (mild? more comfortable?) in my razor.

Based on helpful comparisons from folks shaving with Slims and Rockwells (I preferred plate 4 or 5), I ordered the Karve with the B & C plates, then a week later emailed Chris and asked him to toss in a A as well. Using the blade gaps listed, I compared the Karve guards' gaps to the Slim's gaps listed in other places and to the gaps listed for the Rockwell razors and decided to cover all the gaps that I prefer with those razors. I got my shipping notification Tuesday, and I plan to report back on my shaves with the milder plates and hopefully help others who are in a similar situation.

Now I am trying to learn patience while I wait on two countries postal services to bring me the razor!

I think some distortion occurs in forums. For any fixed, single-plate razor, the public comments will eventually gravitate toward "too mild", and yet the small numbers showing up in BST tell a different story. Where there is a choice of plates, interest is all over the map.

Personally, I still use a Mamba, a GC, a Variant set anywhere between 1.5 and 8 ( the blade starts to release at 9), and a Feather DX with an unguarded blade. That spans a pretty wide range, and all have their use.

For those of you in the US, how long did it take to arrive once you received the shipping notification?

I think it varies without rhyme or reason. I placed my order on 5/4 and received a confirmation and shipping order 20 minutes later. Things were good. Estimated date of arrival was 5/16. It arrived in the LA processing center on 5/9, and then LA International Distribution Center on 5/12. On 5/13 and 5/14 it was in transit to the next USPS facility. On 5/15 it arrived back at the LA International Distribution Center. As of 5/16 it says in transit to the next facility. Who knows when it will arrive.

UPDATE:  On 5/18 the package arrived back at the LA International Distribution Center and now says it is in transit to destination. We will see.

My Karve finally arrived today. After it left LA for the second time it went Indianapolis (20 miles from my home) and bounced back and forth from there to Chicago three times. The local Post Office Supervisor tried to contact both Indy and Chicago to no avail. Two days after I escalated the issue the Postmaster it arrived at my door.

I think it varies without rhyme or reason. I placed my order on 5/4 and received a confirmation and shipping order 20 minutes later. Things were good. Estimated date of arrival was 5/16. It arrived in the LA processing center on 5/9, and then LA International Distribution Center on 5/12. On 5/13 and 5/14 it was in transit to the next USPS facility. On 5/15 it arrived back at the LA International Distribution Center. As of 5/16 it says in transit to the next facility. Who knows when it will arrive.

UPDATE:  On 5/18 the package arrived back at the LA International Distribution Center and now says it is in transit to destination. We will see.

My Karve finally arrived today. After it left LA for the second time it went Indianapolis (20 miles from my home) and bounced back and forth from there to Chicago three times. The local Post Office Supervisor tried to contact both Indy and Chicago to no avail. Two days after I escalated the issue the Postmaster it arrived at my door.

Wow, was the USPS toying with you or what? That's cruel! Talk about building up anticipation. Glad you finally got your package!

Pulled out the Paradigm 17-4 for the first time in a month this am. Paired with a Wizamet Iridium the shave was reminiscent of the F plate yesterday. The Karve felt a bit smoother. A bit less blade feel but both great shaves and razors!

Having shaved with only the D plate for a month the Karve really shines and comes to life with the F plate.

I hope all are following their tracking numbers!

I have two shaves in with the F plate on the Karve. If I had to pick a razor in my den that it approximates, it would be the 17-4. Disarmingly smooth, yet very efficient. I’m going to enjoy the Karve/F, just as I enjoy the 17-4.

All I have to add is that the plate on the Karve matters when it comes to efficiency. For me, the D plate couldn’t get the job done, but the F is an amazingly close shave. For others, the AA may be the cat’s meow. Good luck!