New Blackland Era

Got mine a couple days ago.
Yes, the packaging was messy, but the razor, 2 plates and stand are fine.
Somehow the threads on the top cap were slightly “gritty”.  Wiped the threads with a towel, much better.  No idea what it was or why…

Shaved with the 4 plate to begin, with a couple days growth.
I typically use Voshkhods or Lab Blues, so I started with the Blues provided with the razor.
The 4 plate/Blue was very efficient.  2 pass/touch up.  Not sure if I enjoyed the blade combo, it was a bit harsh…but that could also have been me, or the DG Dayman soap.  (Probably the former.)
The O rings are a thoughtful touch.  (It’s easier if you roll them down the handle to the first indent, then the second and third…
They roll over newly planted rings easier than rolling over the slot?)

The 3 plate/Blue the next day was great for a 24 hour shave, as I expected.  
Still not sure of the blade combo.  Typically I use the Lab Blues in a less efficient razor, so again, if it works out I think the Era will prove to be more efficient than I expected…I’m going to try out a Voshkhod with the 4 next, I’m thinking it’ll smooth out the harshness, for me.
(And Ethos DFS Colonia, which is always a winner!)

As with most new razors, I’ll give the Era a few different blades to try for the week. 
My initial impression is that this will be a super razor once I dial in a blade.
Once dialed in, I think this could be a comfy daily driver…
IMHO efficient beyond expectations, maneuverable, good aural feedback and a Goldilocks, not too heavy, not too light razor.

FWIW…if you’re looking for this to be a hand-polished razor, it’s not…but I didn’t expect that.  It may even develop a slight patina?  

Very interested for more gents to chime in with first impressions!!

Mine came in yesterday and I was able to use it today. Just a quick first impression...

First to note, I use Gillette Platinum blades for every shave/every razor so I don't have to worry about multiple variables.

Anyway... I started with the 3 plate, which was nice for me, but wanted a little more juice... so I switched to the 4 plate for my second pass and I think that is the sweet spot for me. I like to know where the blade is at all times without being harsh, and this provides that perfectly. Very easy shave and great result.

Can't wait to use it next time, starting with the 4 plate for the first pass.

I need to be up at 0-dark-30, so this is just a quick rundown of my first Era shave, earlier tonight (Tuesday night). 

I was pleasantly surprised with the balance and feel of the razor.  Mine balances exactly in the middle of the six rings, which suits me fine.  I had expected to need the O-rings, but had no trouble comfortably shaving without them.  Color me happy to be wrong on this one.  The #4 and #5 plates were sold out when I jumped on the train, so I ordered mine with the #3 plate.  It delivered a BBS, but I  do want to try the #4 and perhaps the #5 plate too.  OTOH sometimes a little experience with a razor is all you need to get everything you want from it.  Time will tell.

All-in-all another very well done project.  Kudos to Shane!    

Could a shaver whose favorite razor is the Blackbird enjoy shaving with the Era?  
I can get a close and irritation free shave in just one pass from the Blackbird.  
Could I get that with the Era, even using their most aggressive 5-SB baseplate?  
Or would I just be wasting my time and money courting frustration?

I love the Blackbird and I can tell you I have gotten some AMAZING shaves out of the Era Level 4, 5, and OC level 5.

To me, you can put the Era on autopilot but it’s extremely efficient across the plates I have mentioned. BBS every time with very little effort.

Could a shaver whose favorite razor is the Blackbird enjoy shaving with the Era?  
I can get a close and irritation free shave in just one pass from the Blackbird.  
Could I get that with the Era, even using their most aggressive 5-SB baseplate?  
Or would I just be wasting my time and money courting frustration?

Only one real way to find out is to give it a try.

It's likely you won't be getting a shave like the Blackbird with the Era even with the most aggressive plate. Shane markets it as having less of the categories than the Blackbird. Just came to share some tidbits of my shave with the Era Lvl 3 SB and Titanium Blackbird. I have a SS Blackbird as well and have found it quite efficient and blade forward, but harsh on my face. I was intrigued by reports of titanium taming it down but keeping the attributes of the Blackbird, and while I've only had one shave with the Blackbird on my right side, I have to agree. Had about a week of growth and it did quite well. Had a few spots of resistance, but that's due to my shave cream I'm using I know. I could get much better glide with another. Compared with the Era Lvl 3 SB on my left side of the face it was evident which had more efficiency of the two, even when I got to my second pass. The shave angle is a bit different on the Era than what I'm usually used to, but that's no negative. I've noticed a spot under my nose that has been hard to reach recently, and I can't think of any other razor that has managed to get in there so effortlessly. Definitely less blade feel than other Blackland razors I've used (SS BB, Ti BB, Dart, Tradere). Looking at the gap and razor originally I was a bit skeptical of the claims of it not clogging, but when I saw it in person I realized it was much better than what I could see, and in use it proved excellent as well. I think Timeless still could have this a bit better, but the profile of the head makes it much easier to get in tight spots with the Era. The grip rings provide much more grip than I gave them credit for as well. I know I've only used it once, but my impressions are that I think this would be the razor I recommend for someone starting shaving. I might not get around to using this as much as I want to. I'm like the dog in Up being easily distracted. I am still interested to see how the Ti BB will be for me when I use it more everyday, and I imagine I'll keep using the Era at least a few more times. My general consensus I wanted to get across is that the Era is really good. I know I'll keep it just for the uniqueness that this is the first 3D printed metal razor, but it's not just a gimmick. It's a quality razor well worth consideration, and an excellent improvement past the Dart for sure, except perhaps the handle. I do like the handle of the dart, but the Era is nice too. It just depends what you want. More artistic with the Dart, or more utilitarian with the Era.

I did forget to say draebeard is that I'm considering adding a Lvl 5 SB plate for my Era. Just curious to see where my preferences will go with the Ti BB.

It's likely you won't be getting a shave like the Blackbird with the Era even with the most aggressive plate. Shane markets it as having less of the categories than the Blackbird. Just came to share some tidbits of my shave with the Era Lvl 3 SB and Titanium Blackbird. I have a SS Blackbird as well and have found it quite efficient and blade forward, but harsh on my face. I was intrigued by reports of titanium taming it down but keeping the attributes of the Blackbird, and while I've only had one shave with the Blackbird on my right side, I have to agree. Had about a week of growth and it did quite well. Had a few spots of resistance, but that's due to my shave cream I'm using I know. I could get much better glide with another. Compared with the Era Lvl 3 SB on my left side of the face it was evident which had more efficiency of the two, even when I got to my second pass. The shave angle is a bit different on the Era than what I'm usually used to, but that's no negative. I've noticed a spot under my nose that has been hard to reach recently, and I can't think of any other razor that has managed to get in there so effortlessly. Definitely less blade feel than other Blackland razors I've used (SS BB, Ti BB, Dart, Tradere). Looking at the gap and razor originally I was a bit skeptical of the claims of it not clogging, but when I saw it in person I realized it was much better than what I could see, and in use it proved excellent as well. I think Timeless still could have this a bit better, but the profile of the head makes it much easier to get in tight spots with the Era. The grip rings provide much more grip than I gave them credit for as well. I know I've only used it once, but my impressions are that I think this would be the razor I recommend for someone starting shaving. I might not get around to using this as much as I want to. I'm like the dog in Up being easily distracted. I am still interested to see how the Ti BB will be for me when I use it more everyday, and I imagine I'll keep using the Era at least a few more times. My general consensus I wanted to get across is that the Era is really good. I know I'll keep it just for the uniqueness that this is the first 3D printed metal razor, but it's not just a gimmick. It's a quality razor well worth consideration, and an excellent improvement past the Dart for sure, except perhaps the handle. I do like the handle of the dart, but the Era is nice too. It just depends what you want. More artistic with the Dart, or more utilitarian with the Era.

I did forget to say draebeard is that I'm considering adding a Lvl 5 SB plate for my Era. Just curious to see where my preferences will go with the Ti BB.

Nice detail here. Thanks for taking the time to get so in-depth!

Your experience comparing to the Blackbird is definitely as expected. The Blackbird, and especially Blackbird Titanium, is in another league of efficiency. It's unlikely that the Era will dethrone the Blackbird for Blackbird fans.

Could a shaver whose favorite razor is the Blackbird enjoy shaving with the Era?  
I can get a close and irritation free shave in just one pass from the Blackbird.  
Could I get that with the Era, even using their most aggressive 5-SB baseplate?  
Or would I just be wasting my time and money courting frustration?

You won't get Blackbird-esque shaves in one pass with the Era L5. The Era is quite efficient and will give you similar results, but expect it to take two passes.

I couldn't find a Lvl 5 SB era base plate in stock, but I did see a Lvl 5 OC in stock and though I usually don't like open comb, I'm going to give it a try. The combs look closer the long teeth that when I was testing out OC I preferred over short comb. Looks almost like a hybrid of the two. Glad you thought it was a good comparison Shane. I know there's much I don't know, but try to help with what I can!