Talk me down off the ledge, please!

Me too Matt. Just looking at the 6S head it appeared too thick and bulky but guys are calling this one 'that' good. Hmmm

Thanks man, I read your review (excellent & thank you, BTW) last week and it was the reason I didn't return it after the first shave! I will give it a few more tries

You got it! Since you still have some time, at least give it a few more tries.
(Side note: Now I’m really starting to wonder about the Rockwell 6S, as I’ve been seeing all its praises here, one week after another…)

I'm using the 6s right now for a few weeks solid - we're renovating the bathroom so I had to pack up my shaving stuff (geez there's a lot of it) for the duration. I picked out some stuff I think I can use for a while including the 6s. Today I used it with a Feather blade on plate 3 and its a really nice shaver. If it was the only razor on earth I'd probably be ok with that. I'll have to try it on plates 4, 5 and 6 just to see but right now I'm thinking 3 is pretty sweet.

With all the great reviews of the Blackbird, I've been considering getting one, but now you guys are making me think that I also need a 6S. A year ago I started consolidating and was down to my AS-D2, but then I needed to try a GEM, then an injector, then the new AC SEs.

Thanks a lot!

With all the great reviews of the Blackbird, I've been considering getting one, but now you guys are making me think that I also need a 6S.  A year ago I started consolidating and was down to my AS-D2, but then I needed to try a GEM, then an injector, then the new AC SEs.

Thanks a lot!

It never ends.....

Good Evening Gents -

Just got my polished Blackbird straight bar and open comb razor last week. First, the piece(s) are absolutely beautiful! Kudos to Shane & team for producing a fantastic looking razor in the USA - I'm very proud as I know it's a tough feat to pull off manufacturing in the States. Used each baseplate once so far...I've been doing the wet shaving thing for 6 years now and honestly the open comb plate was very aggressive even with a Personna Med Prep (and I LOVE my R41)...super efficient but drew some blood nonetheless and the straight bar was marginally better.

Appreciate any input, thanks guys!

Yeah, I avoided the Blackbird for this reason. It seems like many of the folks that were giving positive reviews of the Blackbird LOVED its efficiency and did not mind blade feel. When I see "blade feel" come up over and over again about a razor, I avoid it. Even a wonderfully crafted razor like the Blackbird.

After reading this thread, I am considering the Rockwell, if only because it is a stainless razor, for 99$ with TONs of adjustment meaning, it would probably shave great once I found the right setting.

Anyway good luck to you with your Blackbird. I'm not sure how long you've had it, but are you very close to the 30 days? If not, shave with it four or five more days in a row. Many times, I was on the fence about a particular razor, until I spent a ton of time with it. Believe it or not, the Wolfman was like that for me. I used it here and there, and it was fine. It wasn't until I spent 8 days straight with it, rather than using a razor rotation, that I found my favorite pressure and angle with it and it went into my top 5.

Me too Matt. Just looking at the 6S head it appeared too thick and bulky but guys are calling this one 'that' good. Hmmm

It is a very heavy razor with a bulky head. I found it to be a fine shaver, but even using plate 6, I didn't find it as effective as I would have hoped for.
Nonetheless, for its price, it might be a good option to try it.

I had my first shave with the Blackbird Polished this morning. Used the Open Comb base and a new Feather blade. Yes, there was blade feel at first, which I don't mind. I shallowed out the angle a bit, and there was much less blade feel, but still shaved smoothly. A very good shave.

About the Rockwell: I have both the 6S and the 6C. I don't like the way the 6S looks-the 6C looks better, but isn't stainless. Now, despite its plebeian, industrial looks, the 6S is a fine shaver. These days when I use it, I use the 4 plate for the first part of the shave, because the blade gap is .61mm, exactly the same as my favorite razor, the standard gap Wolfman. I then flip the base to 2 for the final pass and touchups. Extremely comfortable and a very smooth shave. I've shaved on the 5 plate and the 6 plate, and they're efficient enough for me-I shave every day-without feeling harsh at all. Given the options and the fact that it's a stainless razor, it's a good value. If you don't mind a non-stainless razor, the 6C provides a similar shave, and will be less expensive as well.

Me too Matt. Just looking at the 6S head it appeared too thick and bulky but guys are calling this one 'that' good. Hmmm

With all the great reviews of the Blackbird, I've been considering getting one, but now you guys are making me think that I also need a 6S.  A year ago I started consolidating and was down to my AS-D2, but then I needed to try a GEM, then an injector, then the new AC SEs. Thanks a lot!

This hobby of wet shaving can certainly be interesting. What often happens, when I think of consolidating, is that I end up trying even more new products, so that I can find out which products I absolutely want to keep after I’m done consolidating. What a joke, and the joke’s on me…  

It is a very heavy razor with a bulky head. I found it to be a fine shaver, but even using plate 6, I didn't find it as effective as I would have hoped for. Nonetheless, for its price, it might be a good option to try it.

I had my first shave with the Blackbird Polished this morning. Used the Open Comb base and a new Feather blade. Yes, there was blade feel at first, which I don't mind. I shallowed out the angle a bit, and there was much less blade feel, but still shaved smoothly. A very good shave.
…
I don't like the way the 6S looks-the 6C looks better, but isn't stainless. … Given the options and the fact that it's a stainless razor, it's a good value. If you don't mind a non-stainless razor, the 6C provides a similar shave, and will be less expensive as well.

Glad to hear of a successful first shave with the Blackbird — and with the open comb base, no less! Those are some zen master skills…

When it comes to Rockwell, the 6C sounds interesting, as it is probably lighter, and certainly more affordable. On the other end of the spectrum there’s now the Razor Emporium rhodium version of the 6S, which does look classier than the utilitarian standard version…

Maranello, it would be nice to hear your further thoughts about your experience with the Blackbird.

Maranello, it would be nice to hear your further thoughts about your experience with the Blackbird.
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I'm about go in round three with the standard bar BB in a few minutes..will report later today

Maranello, it would be nice to hear your further thoughts about your experience with the Blackbird.

I'm about go in round three with the standard bar BB in a few minutes..will report later today
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I waited until this AM, used it for the third time on a 3 day growth...no nicks but it certainly felt like it was ready to bite at any moment even with my lightest touch. Efficient? Most certainly, but definitely not forgiving...