The Vector, SE RAD Killer

Hi folks
Can anyone who has tried or indeed has both weigh in on the difference between the SS and Ti vector
I used the stainless vector now for about 90% of my shaves, my Pils and blackbird getting the rest, but I was considering the titanium when it is available again if there is a noticeably different (smoother + increased efficiency) shave provided

Cheers
Mark

5 Benefits of a Titanium Razor

This was the article that sent me looking for the Ti Vector, as I had the SS version and found it too much for me! So glad I took the chance because now the Ti Vector rules and my other AC-style razors have been moved to homes where they will be used more than here. I am even thinking of trying the 'bird again, as it was way too much for me in SS, but given what happened with the Vector in titanium, and what Shane has said, I am starting to think about it!

This was the article that sent me looking for the Ti Vector, as I had the SS version and found it too much for me! So glad I took the chance because now the Ti Vector rules and my other AC-style razors have been moved to homes where they will be used more than here. I am even thinking of trying the 'bird again, as it was way too much for me in SS, but given what happened with the Vector in titanium, and what Shane has said, I am starting to think about it!

Dave sits on the sidelines waiting for an awesome deal on a Ti Blackbird from Eric in the near future   

Too funny, and possibly too true!  But I have to bide my time, as the house needs a new boiler and I have been gob smacked at the estimate!

Hi Mark,

After trying both versions, I settled on the stainless model.  The difference was discernable to me, and it was the sort of difference Shane described in the article that Eric (MaineYooper) referenced for you.  But unlike Eric, I did not find the difference a game changer.  On the contrary, it was more subtle for me, and it was dwarfed by how superbly both versions shave.  FWIW if I were going to invest in a relatively expensive titanium razor (which I may do some day), the Titanium Blackbird would be at the top of my list (of any brand titanium razor).  Based on both my impression of overall shaver feedback and on the reasoning laid out in Shane's article, I would expect the contrast between the stainless and titanium Blackbirds to be more important to me.  Based on your post, it sounds like a titanium Blackbird might be something for your to think about too.  If you are looking to go more towards your PILS, maybe not, depending on which version of PILS you have.  If you are thinking of moving more towards your Blackbird, then maybe so.

Good luck on whichever road you travel.

I didn’t know the Schick P-20 would fit the Vector, thought only the P-30 would. I highly recommend the open comb plate as well.

I didn’t know the Schick P-20 would fit the Vector, thought only the P-30 would. I highly recommend the open comb plate as well.

Schick P-20 and P-30 are the same Artist Club format blade.  The P-20 and P-30 cartridges hold 20 and 30 blades respectively.  Confusion can arise because Schick also makes B-20 blades, but these are injector format, so they do not fit the Vector.  Some Vectors accept P-30s, and I have heard stories that some have been modified to to accept them.  However, the last time I looked, Schick AC blades were absent from Blackland's list of compatible blades.  OT1H I personally regard the absence as glaring.  OTOH I must admit that my Vector - which does not accept Schick AC blades - shaves superbly without them.  Perhaps I should downgrade "glaring" to "regrettable". 

Must have been the B-20 injector I was thinking of. I bought my Vector second hand, luckily the Schick blades do fit the one I have.

I didn’t know the Schick P-20 would fit the Vector, thought only the P-30 would. I highly recommend the open comb plate as well.

Schick P-20 and P-30 are the same Artist Club format blade.  The P-20 and P-30 cartridges hold 20 and 30 blades respectively.  Confusion can arise because Schick also makes B-20 blades, but these are injector format, so they do not fit the Vector.  Some Vectors accept P-30s, and I have heard stories that some have been modified to to accept them.  However, the last time I looked, Schick AC blades were absent from Blackland's list of compatible blades.  OT1H I personally regard the absence as glaring.  OTOH I must admit that my Vector - which does not accept Schick AC blades - shaves superbly without them.  Perhaps I should downgrade "glaring" to "regrettable". 

Hi, I recently bought a Vector (July 2022) directly from Blackland and it accepts the Schick P blades, so I wonder if the Vector didn’t change, but perhaps instead the blades changed some spec that makes them no longer compatible (and I got lucky and happened to get some older blades). I’m sure Shane Blackland Razors could clarify this point for us.

I didn’t know the Schick P-20 would fit the Vector, thought only the P-30 would. I highly recommend the open comb plate as well.

Schick P-20 and P-30 are the same Artist Club format blade.  The P-20 and P-30 cartridges hold 20 and 30 blades respectively.  Confusion can arise because Schick also makes B-20 blades, but these are injector format, so they do not fit the Vector.  Some Vectors accept P-30s, and I have heard stories that some have been modified to to accept them.  However, the last time I looked, Schick AC blades were absent from Blackland's list of compatible blades.  OT1H I personally regard the absence as glaring.  OTOH I must admit that my Vector - which does not accept Schick AC blades - shaves superbly without them.  Perhaps I should downgrade "glaring" to "regrettable". 

Hi, I recently bought a Vector (July 2022) directly from Blackland and it accepts the Schick P blades, so I wonder if the Vector didn’t change, but perhaps instead the blades changed some spec that makes them no longer compatible (and I got lucky and happened to get some older blades). I’m sure  Shane Blackland Razors could clarify this point for us.

Thank you for that information Emg06.  I bought my Vector in April 2022 and tried it with P-30 blades from the same cartridge from which blades worked for me in two loaned Vectors, one a stainless and the other titanium.  Moreover, aside from the Vector, I have never had problems with P-30s in any razor, so I have a lot of faith in the P-30 quality control.  I don't buy the idea that variations in P-30 blades could account for more than a small fraction of reported problems with using P-30s in Vectors.  I certainly don't buy the idea that P-30 blades out of the same cartridge can vary to a deal-braking degree, as was the case with my experience.  As for the possibility that the P-30 spec changed, without a clear explanation as to why Schick would invest the money to do that, it is not a plausible possibility IMO.  

Nevertheless, despite my shock, disappointment, and annoyance when my Vector did not work with P30s, I decided to focus on what it can do, and I kept it.  Mind you, I seriously considered returning it and looking for a P-30 friendly Vector on the BST, but at the end of the day, my Vector was worth it to me as is.  It is that good, so I skipped the BST route and kept the Vector I had.

We have a comprehensive table of all Vector-compatible blades on the Vector page which should help reduce this confusion. We also now sell Feather Pros, ProGuards, and ProSupers.

When I first received my Vector earlier this year, I bumped into the Schick issue, as I had not looked closely at the compatible blade lists from Blackland. I sent a picture to Shane and he patiently and politely pointed out to me what was on the website. These were blades from a recent purchase of a P-30 pack. I grabbed an old copy of a Proline blade that I happened to have from probably 3 years ago, along with some other samples I had ordered from that time. It fit perfectly in the Vector. I was a little disappointed at first because the Schick Prolines were my favorite. But in the long run it forced me to revisit other AC blades. Now I rotate between the Kai Captain Titan Mild Pinks (unguarded) and Feather Pros depending on what level of efficiency I am looking for that session. I am even thinking of revisiting the Pro Supers now that I have had more experience with the Vector.

The Vector titanium like the Blackbird titanium is going satin (better then polished IMHA) goes on sale this Saturday September 17.

The Vector titanium like the Blackbird titanium is going satin (better then polished IMHA) goes on sale this Saturday September 17.

Yes sir!

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