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Colonial Razors - The Silversmith.

Right off the bat, great shave. No blade feel whatsoever, but very efficient. It reminds me a lot of my older Rocnel Elite razor. That one also had no blade feel but also was very efficient. I first went with the grain and I truly felt like there was no blade present. However, the whiskers were taken right off with the first pass. I re-lathered and went against the grain (I always go against the grain). Again, it took off the rest of the whiskers with ease, even in my problem areas (chin and around my left cheek). Absolutely no blade feel even against the grain but the proof is in the pudding as the whiskers were removed. I love this razor. I hope to save and buy another as a spare. I used a Treet Platinum blade, Declaration Grooming shave soap and West Coast Shaving Best Badger brush (26mm knot). I know some love the Treet blade while others do not. The blade for me is very forgiving, sharp, smooth and has never failed me. I love this razor. If you like a razor that you can feel the blade, this will disappoint. However, if you like a razor that feels very mild but is very efficient (to me the best kind of razor), you will really like this. At least in my opinion and of course, YMMV.
IMG_6985.JPG
 
Right off the bat, great shave. No blade feel whatsoever, but very efficient. It reminds me a lot of my older Rocnel Elite razor. That one also had no blade feel but also was very efficient. I first went with the grain and I truly felt like there was no blade present. However, the whiskers were taken right off with the first pass. I re-lathered and went against the grain (I always go against the grain). Again, it took off the rest of the whiskers with ease, even in my problem areas (chin and around my left cheek). Absolutely no blade feel even against the grain but the proof is in the pudding as the whiskers were removed. I love this razor. I hope to save and buy another as a spare. I used a Treet Platinum blade, Declaration Grooming shave soap and West Coast Shaving Best Badger brush (26mm knot). I know some love the Treet blade while others do not. The blade for me is very forgiving, sharp, smooth and has never failed me. I love this razor. If you like a razor that you can feel the blade, this will disappoint. However, if you like a razor that feels very mild but is very efficient (to me the best kind of razor), you will really like this. At least in my opinion and of course, YMMV.View attachment 1007632

For reference, what kind of razors do you prefer (mild or aggressive) and how would young describe your facial hair?
 
For reference, what kind of razors do you prefer (mild or aggressive) and how would young describe your facial hair?

Facial hair is medium (full beard). My face is not real sensitive. I prefer an aggressive razor as far as performance but not in feel. I do not like razors that make my face raw after a shave. In my opinion, the best razors are the ones that feel mild but yet has the efficiency of an aggressive.
 

Graydog

Biblical Innards
Right off the bat, great shave. No blade feel whatsoever, but very efficient. It reminds me a lot of my older Rocnel Elite razor. That one also had no blade feel but also was very efficient. I first went with the grain and I truly felt like there was no blade present. However, the whiskers were taken right off with the first pass. I re-lathered and went against the grain (I always go against the grain). Again, it took off the rest of the whiskers with ease, even in my problem areas (chin and around my left cheek). Absolutely no blade feel even against the grain but the proof is in the pudding as the whiskers were removed. I love this razor. I hope to save and buy another as a spare. I used a Treet Platinum blade, Declaration Grooming shave soap and West Coast Shaving Best Badger brush (26mm knot). I know some love the Treet blade while others do not. The blade for me is very forgiving, sharp, smooth and has never failed me. I love this razor. If you like a razor that you can feel the blade, this will disappoint. However, if you like a razor that feels very mild but is very efficient (to me the best kind of razor), you will really like this. At least in my opinion and of course, YMMV.View attachment 1007632

Thanks for the nice review
 
Facial hair is medium (full beard). My face is not real sensitive. I prefer an aggressive razor as far as performance but not in feel. I do not like razors that make my face raw after a shave. In my opinion, the best razors are the ones that feel mild but yet has the efficiency of an aggressive.

Thanks for the insight!
 
Thanks for the review. Mine was shipped Saturday but hasn't left PA yet, I am looking forward to trying it after your initial review.
 
Thanks for the review. Mine was shipped Saturday but hasn't left PA yet, I am looking forward to trying it after your initial review.

Sure thing. Looking forward to your review and how you feel about the razor. If you like a razor without blade feel but is efficient, this should really be towards your liking.
 
I received my Silversmith today, after it took a tour of the USA, thanks to our wonderful postal system. I loaded up a Feather ( once used ) and it lined up perfectly and clamped down snugly. As @sicemdawgs77 eloquently stated it was a very smooth yet efficient shave. I prefer the shorter handles and this fit nicely in my hand. This is the 2nd night a new razor tamed a feather blade, last night I tried the 3one6. I only have one shave in but my initial impression is colonial did it again, but now in DE, creating a very smooth yet efficient razor at a very fair price. I look forward to using this razor along with my 3one6 for the next few weeks to see how it compares to my favorites.
If you are someone who likes blade feel, like the Dart as an example, this may not be the razor for you. However if you like to hear the razor work, but not really feel it, even with a feather, I would suggest you give this razor a try.
 
I kept waiting for reviews ( and finally these above came up) and went to buy one a couple of days ago but of course they sold out.

I'm new here and read a lot of great things about Colonial.

But it seems to me the company , tho great, is a bit capricious, almost to whimsy.

Seems like everyone is waiting for the models they bought to " come back!"

Almost comical. Just about time people see a batch, and reviews start to come, they are sold out.

Then a "hiatus" or siesta, and whenever the mood strikes again. They will do a batch. Maybe of one they said they would do, or what the heck, lets do a surprise

I'm merely amused!

But I know that if you have a great product like they have, you are free to do whatever

As for me, I simply bought a KARVE tonight. At my advanced age, I choose not to wait in line for anything.
 
Got a little too much sun today but thought it would be a great test of the Silversmith. Loaded up a 2x used Feather and did a 2 pass WTG, XTG. Still a very smooth shave on some tender skin and got BBS on my cheeks and DFS on my neck and under the jawline. Didn’t want to push it and do ATG. There is very little blade feel with this razor but it still is giving me an efficient shave.
@Macbeth not trying to make excuses as I had the same issue when I wanted to get a brass General, but the 2 brothers that are Colonial have full time jobs and just do this as a hobby on the side.
 
Got a little too much sun today but thought it would be a great test of the Silversmith. Loaded up a 2x used Feather and did a 2 pass WTG, XTG. Still a very smooth shave on some tender skin and got BBS on my cheeks and DFS on my neck and under the jawline. Didn’t want to push it and do ATG. There is very little blade feel with this razor but it still is giving me an efficient shave.
@Macbeth not trying to make excuses as I had the same issue when I wanted to get a brass General, but the 2 brothers that are Colonial have full time jobs and just do this as a hobby on the side.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the comment, Shavemd.
It was just frustration on my part. My extreme health issues have forced me to "compress" time, as it seems my expectations have been seriously "altered."
I apologize for my little conniption fit. I'm usually a pretty mellowfellow.
 
Thanks for the comment, Shavemd.
It was just frustration on my part. My extreme health issues have forced me to "compress" time, as it seems my expectations have been seriously "altered."
I apologize for my little conniption fit. I'm usually a pretty mellowfellow.
No worries my friend and I am sorry to hear of your health issues. Prayers sent your way. I only responded because I felt the same way when I tried to get a brass General, it was only later that I found out that the 2 brothers only do this as a side hobby.
 
3rd shave with the Silversmith as I am alternating days with the 3one6. Hot shower Proraso Red, Israeli Red. Extremely smooth 3 pass shave. This razor has minimal blade feel and I can really whip it around. I am very impressed so far.
 
I’ve now had 2 weeks of alternating shaves with the Silversmith, one day I use an aggressive razor, next day I use the Silversmith with a Feather blade. Most days I am getting a 2 pass BBS with the Silversmith and no irritation whatsoever. When I was alternating with the milder 3one6 I needed 3 passes. I think I fell into a nice rotation of aggressive to very aggressive followed by the Silversmith to keep me clean and smooth without any irritation.
 
I’ve now had 2 weeks of alternating shaves with the Silversmith, one day I use an aggressive razor, next day I use the Silversmith with a Feather blade. Most days I am getting a 2 pass BBS with the Silversmith and no irritation whatsoever. When I was alternating with the milder 3one6 I needed 3 passes. I think I fell into a nice rotation of aggressive to very aggressive followed by the Silversmith to keep me clean and smooth without any irritation.


To top it off, the Silversmith is a better-made razor since it is solid, machined stainless steel (all three parts). We are seeing some issues with the handle from the 3one6 since it is not one solid, machined piece.
 
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