New Blackland Era

What a great thought.
I don’t know if I’ve ever used my beloved brass Blackbird for an entire week...or 2.
I’m going to begin that today. Maybe begin with a bit of polishing, then a Lab Blue, an Astra SP or maybe even a Kai.
I don’t know if there is a better razor...I guess we shall see...soon?

My Dart, however, is a little “blade forward” for me to use as a daily driver.
When I have a couple days of stubs, it’s efficient as anything.
I’d never sell my Dart.

I'm a big fan of the Dart and Blackbird heads... I like DE razors with a lot of blade feel.

Sounds like this new guy will be mild and that would be a great market to capture for Blackland as both the Dart and Blackbird are too much for newbies. IMO.

I used the Blackbird exclusively for close to 2 years and loved it, I need to get the titanium version once available. The Dart never worked well for me and felt substantially more aggressive than the BB. I would like to try one again.

Looking forward to this release on the Era from Blackland. Each razor that I own from Blackland (4) have been exceptional performers at every facet of my shave routine. If the Era can be both mild and efficient, then it's a win. And time for me to start creating space to welcome another razor to the Blackland Stable.

The Dart is odd. Some say it is very mild. Some say it is too aggressive. My take is that it was a design mistake - the rounded corner is cool, but it gets a little too close to the corner of the blade. Doesn’t matter on a flattish or convex area like cheek or jaw, but it can be treacherous in the hollows on the neck such as under the jaw, especially if the grain direction is inconvenient. A razor that is (for me) too mild but still requires the care of an aggressive razor just isn’t very useful. Personally, I think tweaking the corner radius a bit or reducing the gap in the corners (give the SB a wry smile) could make the Dart a winner as a mild razor.

Only intended as constructive criticism - the Blackbird and Vector are my favorite razors, but the Dart missed its target IMHO.

As for the Era, my guess is 5 AC blades mounted on a spool like a reel push mower. Just imagine the efficiency! Shaving could be done in seconds!

As for the Era, my guess is 5 AC blades mounted on a spool like a reel push mower. Just imagine the efficiency! Shaving could be done in seconds!

Would you recommend Weed B Gon as a preshave?

As for the Era, my guess is 5 AC blades mounted on a spool like a reel push mower. Just imagine the efficiency! Shaving could be done in seconds!

Would you recommend Weed B Gon as a preshave?

Perhaps with a post shave routine consisting of gauze pads and antibacterial lotion, applied at the local urgent care center, followed by a tall cold glass of iced tea with mint on the veranda?

The Dart is odd. Some say it is very mild. Some say it is too aggressive. My take is that it was a design mistake - the rounded corner is cool, but it gets a little too close to the corner of the blade. Doesn’t matter on a flattish or convex area like cheek or jaw, but it can be treacherous in the hollows on the neck such as under the jaw, especially if the grain direction is inconvenient. A razor that is (for me) too mild but still requires the care of an aggressive razor just isn’t very useful. Personally, I think tweaking the corner radius a bit or reducing the gap in the corners (give the SB a wry smile) could make the Dart a winner as a mild razor.

Only intended as constructive criticism - the Blackbird and Vector are my favorite razors, but the Dart missed its target IMHO.

Couldn't disagree with you anymore in the Dart's intended market & purpose. High quality construction? Check. An affordable sub $100 razor from a quality alloy that mostly everyone can afford? Check. An every day shaver that is both mild & efficient? Check.

Many love it and many dislke it just the same. I believe the only real flaw that exists between the razor & user, is the user himself. Every razor has its own design characteristics from what the manufacturer believes will be a successful product through means of R&D and prototype testing with a diverse group of shavers. Once done, design adjustments or implementations are assessed and we get to the final test and production run out.

Every razor produced has a learning curve. Some are easier than others to grasp while some require a bit more persistence to master. The razor is static and will always be a constant because its purpose is just to hold the blade as the manufacturer's design intended. The adjustment or lack thereof comes from the user quite frankly. Most have a perceived notion/belief that their shave acumen is infallible and that their experience/technique has honed their shaving skills to perfection or close near too. Thus giving those a colorful and perceived shave enlightenment but, is more so an askewed view of what's done properly vs what is not.

I know it's a matter of opinion on your behalf and that is fine as you are entitled to your own beliefs, that's what forums are for. I would have given your opinion more credibility and weight if you would have stated that the razor is flawed for you. But, your statement covers a broader range and captures the whole belief that it was designed poorly for everyone. Data & Numbers are of immeasurable value when making a statement of that magnitude and even though it's just your opinion, you encompass all shavers including the manufacturer themselves as owning and producing a tool that is poorly designed. You bring nothing to support that opinionated claim. And then the icing on the cake with a rather conflicting statement of "the Blackbird & Vector are my favorite razors". What? Glorify a product(s) and simultaneously crap on another from the same house? I know we have fickle shavers in this hobby of ours and look not to defend any particular group of those shavers nor the manufacturer as well. Blackland & those shavers can defend themselves adequately enough. I just personally find your statement a bit perplexing and misleading.

I think the range in opinions on the dart leads me to believe it is highly dependent on the users angle. Same reason why some say a 1.55 wr2 is super smooth, whereas myself couldn’t even enjoy a 1.25 and prefer 1.05

All this aside I can’t wait to see what the details on the era are all about.