Blackland Blackbird worth it?

[Mr Merlin]

Any consensus on whether to get the Titanium Blackbird in polished or machine finish? Is it just about looks or does the polished version make for a slicker, smoother shave. I happen to like the machined look!

 

[Hannah's Dad]

Any consensus on whether to get the Titanium Blackbird in polished or machine finish?

No real consensus - just personal preference.

 

[Mr Merlin]

No real consensus - just personal preference.

Wow that was a quick reply! You beat me before my edit! My name came up on the Wolfman list and in doing "which gap should I get" research I came across yours (and many others) enthusiastic posts for the Titanium Blackbird and you selling off your Wolfman, if I recall. So, I passed on the Wolf and now I'm going for the Bird!

 

[Hannah's Dad]

Wow that was a quick reply! You beat me before my edit! My name came up on the Wolfman list and in doing "which gap should I get" research I came across yours (and many others) enthusiastic posts for the Titanium Blackbird and you selling off your Wolfman, if I recall. So, I passed on the Wolf and now I'm going for the Bird!

I hope I didn’t steer you wrong! Both Birds and Wolfies are phenomenal shavers, and I am still likely to add a bronze WR2 to my den eventually. But the consistently great shaves I am getting from my TiBird are making me question the need for anything else.

I like the shine of polished, but as I ride the Bird very steep, I doubt there is significant difference in the shave itself.

 

[NoScrubs]

I hope I didn’t steer you wrong! Both Birds and Wolfies are phenomenal shavers, and I am still likely to add a bronze WR2 to my den eventually. But the consistently great shaves I am getting from my TiBird are making me question the need for anything else.

I like the shine of polished, but as I ride the Bird very steep, I doubt there is significant difference in the shave itself.

I have the machined Blackbird and the machined Vector. Given my eye for the design of both razors, the machined finish is my preference. I also like a razor with a little weight so the TiBird is probably not heavy enough for me. Therefore to add weight to the Vector I use the Blackbird long handle. I have owned a couple of Wolfman Razors. Wolfman is an excellent razor however I sold both in favor of the Bird and the Vector. I have paired down a very large collection of razors both modern and vintage. If I decided to sell the remainder of my collection and only keep a few razors it would be the Bird, the Vector, and my Gillette Goodwills.

If you go for the Wolfman I agree with Dan, be different go Bronze.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

I have also found the blackbird gives a closer and longer lasting shave compared to razors with bigger blade gaps.

I've used up to 1.23mm gap on the karve F and the shave was not as long lasting as the blackbird.

I've only had a few shaves with my polished Blackbird, so it's too soon to say for sure, but I'm not convinced it shaves more closely than my brass Karve CB with the G plate. It's nimbler and more maneuverable, but I can't say that one is better or more enjoyable to use than the other.

 

[nav]

I've only had a few shaves with my polished Blackbird, so it's too soon to say for sure, but I'm not convinced it shaves more closely than my brass Karve CB with the G plate. It's nimbler and more maneuverable, but I can't say that one is better or more enjoyable to use than the other.

From my perspective, there's no end to blade gaps. One could do a 2mm gap and state it's the most efficient razor ever!

But for my daily 4 pass shaves, my skin tops out at around 1mm blade gap (with some positive exposure).

The karve F was fine for 2+ days growth but inflamed my skin by the 4th consecutive daily shave.

The BB's magic is that it gives me the F plate efficiency, without skin inflammation.
I've been using it daily for nearly 4 months and not one skin issue experienced.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

From my perspective, there's no end to blade gaps. One could do a 2mm gap and state it's the most efficient razor ever!

But for my daily 4 pass shaves, my skin tops out at around 1mm blade gap (with some positive exposure).

The karve F was fine for 2+ days growth but inflamed my skin by the 4th consecutive daily shave.

The BB's magic is that it gives me the F plate efficiency, without skin inflammation.
I've been using it daily for nearly 4 months and not one skin issue experienced.

I don't have particularly sensitive skin. I used my Karve G daily on a two week trip recently and have it with me again on a one week trip. I didn't take the Blackbird, because I only used it 3 times and wasn't sure if I was entirely used to shaving with it.
Perhaps one reason I have less trouble with irritation is that I only do a two pass plus touchups shave.

 

[nav]

I don't have particularly sensitive skin. I used my Karve G daily on a two week trip recently and have it with me again on a one week trip. I didn't take the Blackbird, because I only used it 3 times and wasn't sure if I was entirely used to shaving with it.
Perhaps one reason I have less trouble with irritation is that I only do a two pass plus touchups shave.

I'm looking forward to your further comparison and feedback on the blackbird once you've used it more.

It took me a few shaves to get used to it, as it's definitely quite different from the norm.