#41

Member
Las Vegas, NV, USA
(06-08-2016, 12:38 AM)Freddy Wrote: While the photos are striking, darkbulb, after I realized you were compensated, this razor review is simply a non-starter for me.  I have truly been ticked off at Amazon doing this so freely and now here.

(06-08-2016, 01:39 AM)bakerbarber Wrote: I agree with Freddy in that I won't even read Amazon reviews with the disclaimer jargon in them even if they're neutral or negative. Bias can be subconscious. …

A pass around might have returned better equity in the long run. In the short run, somebody had to get a review out there. It would have happened organically on it's own eventually. …

Time will wash out the rest. So, if the brand lives up to its name, they shouldn't have needed to give out freebies. Praise or criticism would come on its own. Waiting a few weeks for unsolicited reviews would carry more credibility.

(06-08-2016, 04:22 AM)bakerbarber Wrote: Either way, I am still happy that someone that has the breadth and experience with a variety of different DE razors as darkbulb has got one in hand so quickly. …

I have a healthy sense of skepticism. Over recent months I've seen some garbage reviews in forums and on YouTube that I find questionable at best. Even vindictive accusations tossed about regarding black balled artisans or brands. Whether there kinds of things have veracity or not, it muddys the waters. When is a review of shaving gear just a review?  It's getting harder to tell. For me at least.

Earlier on in this thread, I guess I didn’t really even pay attention to darkbulb’s disclaimer about how this razor was sent to him for review purposes. But now I understand Freddy’s and Todd’s concern here, because I, too, am annoyed by how flooded Amazon is these days with reviews that have some kind of disclaimer attached to them. (Of course, things would be even worse if people did not attach such disclaimers to their “honest” reviews.)

In my mind, though, there is a reason why darkbulb got sent this razor for evaluation. Is he a complete newbie, who is likely to be entirely uncritical of such a product? No. Does he have the experience to make a comprehensive assessment of the characteristics of such a new razor? I believe so.

Would I like to see DFS flooded with reviews that may be biased because of the relationship between manufacturer and reviewer? Absolutely not. But right now I am happier to see some information (and great photos) about this brand-new razor than to not have any information about it at all.

Like Todd said, it is likely that unsolicited reviews are on their way in due time. Until then, I at least will happily continue reading darkbulb’s observations, keeping in mind the certain guideline about how “mileage may vary” yadda yadda…

Sorry for any further derailment. Sapidus and darkbulb, I appreciate the historical aspect you have introduced to this thread. It’s nice to see some of the roots of modern razor design (and suddenly it also makes more sense why iKon chose the name “101” for one of their ShaveCraft razors).

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Whenever I go to shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving, so I say “I’m gonna go shave, too.”
– Mitch Hedberg
#42

Member
Detroit
(06-08-2016, 05:05 AM)hrfdez Wrote: Seriously, who cares if he gets to keep the razor or return it? I don't care. I only care about the review. Thanks darkbulb

Exactly Hector. Basically what I was trying to say in a nutshell.

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- Jeff
#43
Thanks for the input on the razor, now I'm even more excited to return home and open mine.

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#44
(06-09-2016, 12:59 AM)Brett Wall Wrote: Thanks for the input on the razor, now I'm even more excited to return home and open mine.

If you don't mind I would love for you to post your thoughts on it here as well so that there are more views on the razor.

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#45

Member
Marin County, CA
I paid full retail price for this and will shave tomorrow morning. Full report when complete.

Background: 4+ years of DE/SE wetshaving (40+ razors, including vintage and current). Cold water shaver, I shave before showering. Face latherer. Visible, dark, coarse beard, usually 3 passes to BBS, some buffing often to get to that level, although it varies by razor. Beard growth in multiple directions so I vary the WTG/XTG/ATG routine depending on factors such as razor aggressiveness and blade choice.

More pics to (hopefully) build momentum:

[Image: TLJJ2uf.jpg]
[Image: GVRd13A.jpg]

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#46
(This post was last modified: 06-09-2016, 02:23 AM by darkbulb.)
(06-09-2016, 01:57 AM)Toddster64 Wrote: I paid full retail price for this and will shave tomorrow morning. Full report when complete.

Really happy to hear that especially since my review is 'tainted' by using a free review razor Wink

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#47

Member
Las Vegas, NV, USA
(06-09-2016, 02:22 AM)darkbulb Wrote:
(06-09-2016, 01:57 AM)Toddster64 Wrote: I paid full retail price for this and will shave tomorrow morning. Full report when complete.

Really happy to hear that especially since my review is 'tainted' by using a free review razor Wink

darkbulb, I, for one, am looking forward to reading more about your experiences with the razor. The shaving schedule you mentioned in an earlier post made sense — just don’t leave us hanging!  Happy2

It would be great if Brett Wall and Toddster64 could add their own experiences here, too — or a link to any separate reviews.
Whenever I go to shave, I assume there’s someone else on the planet shaving, so I say “I’m gonna go shave, too.”
– Mitch Hedberg
#48
(This post was last modified: 06-09-2016, 02:39 AM by darkbulb.)
(06-09-2016, 02:29 AM)Matsilainen Wrote:
(06-09-2016, 02:22 AM)darkbulb Wrote:
(06-09-2016, 01:57 AM)Toddster64 Wrote: I paid full retail price for this and will shave tomorrow morning. Full report when complete.

Really happy to hear that especially since my review is 'tainted' by using a free review razor Wink

darkbulb, I, for one, am looking forward to reading more about your experiences with the razor. The shaving schedule you mentioned in an earlier post made sense — just don’t leave us hanging!  Happy2

It would be great if Brett Wall and Toddster64 could add their own experiences here, too — or a link to any separate reviews.


My comment was more jokingly than serious - hence the Wink


Reviewing 'performance' is sometimes near pointless as there are so many factors that plays a role in how much the person likes a razor. The only thing you can be certain of is that you will never feel 100% like the person reviewing it.
Personally, these days, I don't base purchasing decisions on performance reviews but rather on photos, finish, build quality, company and return policies.

I do however like reading - and writing - performance reviews for fun.
I think that's also why I've always cared less about if a person is using a loaner, a free review razor, a free gift or paid for it - regardless of how the person got the razor in his hand - assuming he is not a complete lying tool - his thoughts on it will most likely be subjective and honest...and different to how a lot of people will end up feeling about the razor when they get it.

Looking forward to more reviews by more people though!


I'll be shaving tomorrow with two-days of stubble and then on Sunday/Monday with 3-4 days of growth and will post both shave report here.

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#49
Will gladly post my thoughts here, and glad to see another one pop up.

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#50

Posting Freak
Canada
(This post was last modified: 06-09-2016, 04:12 AM by celestino.)
(06-09-2016, 02:34 AM)darkbulb Wrote: Reviewing 'performance' is sometimes near pointless as there are so many factors that plays a role in how much the person likes a razor. The only thing you can be certain of is that you will never feel 100% like the person reviewing it.
Personally, these days, I don't base purchasing decisions on performance reviews but rather on photos, finish, build quality, company and return policies.

I do however like reading - and writing - performance reviews for fun.
I think that's also why I've always cared less about if a person is using a loaner, a free review razor, a free gift or paid for it - regardless of how the person got the razor in his hand - assuming he is not a complete lying tool - his thoughts on it will most likely be subjective and honest...and different to how a lot of people will end up feeling about the razor when they get it.

These are my sentiments, as well and I greatly have appreciated your review and, especially, your lovely photos, which I always enjoy.

I think this head design is one of the most unique I have seen and I would be very interesting to try this razor head and to photograph it, of course. Shy

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Celestino
Love, Laughter & Shaving  Heart


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