Your thoughts on OneBlade

Just read the bulk of comments on the OneBlade Facebook ads to see what most people think. It can get quite entertaining.

David's (onethinline's) points resonate with me, which is why I haven't ordered a One Blade. I really enjoy the magic of shaving, which means paying attention to, feeling challenged by, and enjoying, all elements of the shave. When an element of the shave becomes easy, or mindless, I shut down. One of the things I enjoy most is reaching for a razor that I know will require absolute attention to make the shave blood- and abrasion-free, while providing the closest shave possible.

Today, for example, I used my Mongoose with a Feather Super Pro, which usually (including today) gives me a weeper and some irritation on the backhand side of my neck (which is my left side, as I'm a right-hander). I know this razor has been a challenge for many of you, as well. I enjoy the challenge while trying to tame this beast. The shave is amazingly close, however, and thus worth the challenge.

I learned to tame the Ikon Shavecraft Tech, the most aggressive razor in my arsenal of 20 or so, including the ATT H2, Muhle R41 (both 2011 and 2013), FaTip, Wolfman with an increased blade gap to .74mm, etc., as well as the Mongoose. I'm currently trying to get a close shave with the MMOC, which is allegedly aggressive, but am struggling. I'm hopeful I can get there, but so far the shave's not much of a challenge, and it's not close enough. I haven't yet been able to achieve a close and challenging shave with any of my vintage Gillettes, either (including the Old Types, News, Red Tips or even my Slim set at 9).

My skin seems to be blessed with amazing tolerance for aggressive razors, perhaps because it's pretty old and I spent my teenage years in the Colorado sun as a lifeguard with Johnson's Baby Oil smeared on my face. Absolutely stupid, given what we know now, but we all did a lot of dumb things in those days out of ignorance. I guess we still do.

At $300, it makes an interesting, juxtaposed entrance to the market. It's beautiful, to be sure. But targeting that premium market may prove to be more a challenge than they think.

The relative inefficiency of the high-end single blade when compared to, say, an AoS Fusion might make competing for these individuals more of a struggle. They're looking to break beyond the hobbyists, for sure. But with accessible retail storefront, a wide selection of "customized" yet familiar products, and professionals (salesmen/saleswomen) to customize the shopping experience, I can't see why someone with that kind of expendable income would be persuaded to purchase one.

Their website calls for a new blade very shave, and at $1 a blade, a daily (5 day week) shaver would spend roughly the same a month on a pack of Fusion cartridges. It's interesting to see how it's received.

CCity, you points are valid and make perfect sense. Just as onethinline has mentioned there is something about really tuning into your razor of choice for that shave. I'd love to hear how you both feel about this in another 2-3 years though. Perhaps when your time is even more limited due to work or family duties and priorities.

Regarding the OCMM CCity, may I ask what angle you are using it at? I find it hard for anyone to say that an OCMM shave isn't close enough.

CCity, you points are valid and make perfect sense. Just as onethinline has mentioned there is something about really tuning into your razor of choice for that shave. I'd love to hear how you both feel about this in another 2-3 years though. Perhaps when your time is even more limited due to work or family duties and priorities.

Regarding the OCMM CCity, may I ask what angle you are using it at? I find it hard for anyone to say that an OCMM shave isn't close enough.

I agree--The OCMM is one of the closest shavers there is. Also, when you have been wet-shaving for many,many years, it is not the challenge of the
shave anymore to "conquer" the razor as it is to just get the closest shave you can get. Of course that is just my opinion and I know the thrill is there for the "newer" wet-shavers.

SharpSpine, thanks for your kind words. At age 59, with two grown boys who are both trying out my collection of mild DE razors, and with an eye toward retirement, I hope to have more--not less--time for this little hobby in the next several years.

As for the MMOC, I've tried both extreme steep and shallow angles, and many in-between, but can't seem to get as close as I can with several of my DEs or my Mongoose. I'm going to keep working on it, though, as the enormous blade gap coupled with the naked open comb makes it seem ripe for an amazingly close shave. To its credit, it doesn't feel meek, even though I haven't yet experienced blood or irritation after using it. Compared to my Mongoose or Ikon Tech, however, it fails to intimidate me. I love the design, and the blade, and will stick with it. Thanks for the encouragement, beisler!

P.S. beisler, you're right about being a relative noobie. I started with DEs a little over 18 months ago, and have a long ways to go. Yet another reason to reach retirement!

While I'm thinking about this topic, let me add that another factor makes me hesitate about the One Blade. One of the features of the DEs and the SEs I use is that they don't have moving parts (except for the MMOC, but I'm in a forgiving state regarding that razor). I enjoy that my razors depend on a human touch to function well, and don't rely on mechanical crutches, such as a pivot head. I also believe moving parts make for points of failure. I have a Supply Provision Single Edge on order, only because I want an "injector" and don't like the moving parts of a Schick E2 or Cobra. The thumb screw on the Supply razor allowed me to convince myself that it's not a "moving parts" razor, delusional as it may seem. This sport is boxing me into some odd positions, but I'm enjoying it...

You have probably already tried this method but I will relay it anyway. I start with the OCMM head flat against my skin. Then I drop the handle slightly which takes the very back of the razor off the skin.

Next you can experiment with two opposites; skin stretching and slack skin shaving.

Finally, with the OCMM there is something else that can prevent you from getting a good shave. The blade may not be seating properly (unlikely) or the blade nubs could be uneven. Is there a chance that you can post a closeup picture of your OCMM with a blade installed?

I have been shaving with the OneBlade for almost a week now. I haven't owned a better razor, and I have owned a variety of Gillette and Merkur DEs and couple straights. It has a great appearance and design so it looks good on display in the shave den. It is obviously made of high quality material. Ease of use is off the charts. The shave is extremely comfortable - no razor burn or irritation. As I said in a previous post, the OneBlade handles problem areas better and easier than anything I have tried. The shave is close. 2 passes give me a DFS; with a little touchup, it becomes a BBS. Easy, comfortable, close shave - what else could I want?

I've tried it with the Feather and despined Gem blades. Both have worked fine. I changed after 2 shaves, so I guess I haven't fully explored blade performance/longevity. That's a fine point that can be examined later. I will order some of both.

The high cost can't be denied, nor can the high value, at least for me. As an old friend of mine here in Southside Va says, "That'll be perfect until perfect comes along."

Brian, thanks for the hints. I've tried the shallow shaving angle you described, but find I get a closer shave if I bring the handle closer to my face to more of a 45 degree angle. I'm certain the blade is seated well, with the two blade corners neatly tucked into the stoppers. The razor is near mint condition, and works flawlessly.

To be clear, my issue is that I can't get the same close shave with the MMOC as I can with the DEs I use, or my Mongoose with a Feather Pro Super. The razor works fine, just like my vintage Gillette DEs, but none of them give me a truly long-lasting extremely close shave like an ATT H2, Muhle R41 or Ikon Shavecraft Tech. I still enjoy it, but I thought the reputedly most aggressive vintage SE would be more aggressive.