... or ... A Tale of Two Blackbirds...
Years ago, I was a participant in the original crowd funding campaign (KS) for the first Blackbird razor. I pledged for the Black Oxide, with the 101 mm handle. When it arrived, it was a glorious specimen. Shortly after, I bought the first batch Open Comb baseplate when it was released. I had never before spent that much on a razor. And it would be years later before I eclipsed that price point. However, the razor was too much for me, and I could not get a shave without irritation and weepers. I loved the super close shave I got with this weapon of mass beard destruction. But it came at a price. So I did not use it often. I pulled it out every once in while in the hopes that my technique would improve to the point that I could make it work for me. I was predominantly a medium to mild razor shaver, and this one was just too much.
Over my many years of wet shaving, I had accumulated a massive collection of vintage and modern razors. Most of them were inexpensive, sub $100 razors. A lot of them were found in the wild in the sub-$20 price range. I love collecting things, and collecting razors with their associated paraphernalia became a great and fulfilling hobby.
One day I had an epiphany... Instead of accumulating hundreds of inexpensive razors, and always hunting for that awesome deal on that rare razor, I decided to just go out and buy what I wanted. (Please dont judge me harshly for this... but I just wanted to hit that bucket list earnestly.) First thing I did was put my name on the Wolfman waiting list. Then I kind of forgot about it. Next I bought the bucket list vintage Gillettes... Toggle, Hybrid Tech, Brit Crat, Psycho Tech, etc. After a number of months elapsed, I turned my attention to the Modern razors. And as part of this process, I started selling off some razors that I did not use enough.
The first real eye-opener was the purchase of a brand new stainless Charcoal Goods Level 2 with the Bishop handle. This was a couple of years ago when Brian was still making these things. Then.... remember that Wolfman waiting list entry? Well my name popped up like a week later! What to do? Already blew a pile of cash on the CG. Bail on the Wolf? No way! So the poor dusty Black Oxide Blackbird went to the BST, along with some of its other neglected friends.
So now I had a Level 2 and a WR2 1.15. I had a tough time with both of them at first. But it wasn't as bad as the Blackbird had been. I was getting great shaves! But there was still a bit of irritation and blade feel that I did not know how to deal with. So I went onto the forums and started discussing these points with guys that know a thing or two about shaving. At that time, there were many people here that were the source of incredible knowledge for me. But Dan (@Hannah's Dad) was the guy that really took the time to guide me in the right direction. He uttered two words that really changed my shaving forever! And with that, I learned to "Shave Steep" ... and almost instantly, I started getting Hyper-Efficient shaves like I never had before... all with incredible smoothness! I started really enjoying aggressive razors. And those mild and medium razors I thoroughly enjoyed before this were almost useless to me. (But that would also change as my techniques improved further.) I went to the Charcoal Goods Level 3... the WR2 1.25, then 1.55. Got a WR1 .80 OC... and started using my Gillette Adjustables on 9. You get the picture. I was amazed at the evolution in my shaving.
But I had one huge regret the minute I learned how to shave steep.... I regretted selling that Blackbird! I have been lusting after one ever since. But I just could not bring myself to re-purchase a razor I sold off due to bad shaves... I just couldn't.
Well, today that finally ended! I saw a great looking polished Brassbird with the SB plate and the 85 mm handle on the BST, and made the deal. I have been on quite a Brass razor kick these days, and figured that was the way to go. Many thanks to the seller! Before it even shipped I went up to the Blackland site and ordered the 101 mm handle and OC plate! Yeah, I was jumping in with both feet. The shave was fantastic. I hit it super steep. And it was super smooth! To borrow a phrase from fellow steep shaver @never-stop-learning... I would say the Blackbird definitely runs with the Big Dogs.
And one more thing... when I was sorting out the learning curve for my first Wolfman, someone suggested I try the Perma Sharp blades in the gold box. I was a confirmed Polsilver user, and didn't think that a Perma Sharp would have a big impact on the Wolf's shave, but it most certainly did! The Perma Sharp smoothed out the Wolf's shave even more... and works better than any other blade in that razor. So when I got my Brassbird out for its inaugural shave this morning, I grabbed a fresh Perma Sharp. Fantastic shave! Thanks for reading my long winded story. But it was a journey of many years, and I wanted to share. Stay smooth!
My original first-batch Blackbird:
My new Brassbird:
Today's Fantastic Shave:
Years ago, I was a participant in the original crowd funding campaign (KS) for the first Blackbird razor. I pledged for the Black Oxide, with the 101 mm handle. When it arrived, it was a glorious specimen. Shortly after, I bought the first batch Open Comb baseplate when it was released. I had never before spent that much on a razor. And it would be years later before I eclipsed that price point. However, the razor was too much for me, and I could not get a shave without irritation and weepers. I loved the super close shave I got with this weapon of mass beard destruction. But it came at a price. So I did not use it often. I pulled it out every once in while in the hopes that my technique would improve to the point that I could make it work for me. I was predominantly a medium to mild razor shaver, and this one was just too much.
Over my many years of wet shaving, I had accumulated a massive collection of vintage and modern razors. Most of them were inexpensive, sub $100 razors. A lot of them were found in the wild in the sub-$20 price range. I love collecting things, and collecting razors with their associated paraphernalia became a great and fulfilling hobby.
One day I had an epiphany... Instead of accumulating hundreds of inexpensive razors, and always hunting for that awesome deal on that rare razor, I decided to just go out and buy what I wanted. (Please dont judge me harshly for this... but I just wanted to hit that bucket list earnestly.) First thing I did was put my name on the Wolfman waiting list. Then I kind of forgot about it. Next I bought the bucket list vintage Gillettes... Toggle, Hybrid Tech, Brit Crat, Psycho Tech, etc. After a number of months elapsed, I turned my attention to the Modern razors. And as part of this process, I started selling off some razors that I did not use enough.
The first real eye-opener was the purchase of a brand new stainless Charcoal Goods Level 2 with the Bishop handle. This was a couple of years ago when Brian was still making these things. Then.... remember that Wolfman waiting list entry? Well my name popped up like a week later! What to do? Already blew a pile of cash on the CG. Bail on the Wolf? No way! So the poor dusty Black Oxide Blackbird went to the BST, along with some of its other neglected friends.
So now I had a Level 2 and a WR2 1.15. I had a tough time with both of them at first. But it wasn't as bad as the Blackbird had been. I was getting great shaves! But there was still a bit of irritation and blade feel that I did not know how to deal with. So I went onto the forums and started discussing these points with guys that know a thing or two about shaving. At that time, there were many people here that were the source of incredible knowledge for me. But Dan (@Hannah's Dad) was the guy that really took the time to guide me in the right direction. He uttered two words that really changed my shaving forever! And with that, I learned to "Shave Steep" ... and almost instantly, I started getting Hyper-Efficient shaves like I never had before... all with incredible smoothness! I started really enjoying aggressive razors. And those mild and medium razors I thoroughly enjoyed before this were almost useless to me. (But that would also change as my techniques improved further.) I went to the Charcoal Goods Level 3... the WR2 1.25, then 1.55. Got a WR1 .80 OC... and started using my Gillette Adjustables on 9. You get the picture. I was amazed at the evolution in my shaving.
But I had one huge regret the minute I learned how to shave steep.... I regretted selling that Blackbird! I have been lusting after one ever since. But I just could not bring myself to re-purchase a razor I sold off due to bad shaves... I just couldn't.
Well, today that finally ended! I saw a great looking polished Brassbird with the SB plate and the 85 mm handle on the BST, and made the deal. I have been on quite a Brass razor kick these days, and figured that was the way to go. Many thanks to the seller! Before it even shipped I went up to the Blackland site and ordered the 101 mm handle and OC plate! Yeah, I was jumping in with both feet. The shave was fantastic. I hit it super steep. And it was super smooth! To borrow a phrase from fellow steep shaver @never-stop-learning... I would say the Blackbird definitely runs with the Big Dogs.
And one more thing... when I was sorting out the learning curve for my first Wolfman, someone suggested I try the Perma Sharp blades in the gold box. I was a confirmed Polsilver user, and didn't think that a Perma Sharp would have a big impact on the Wolf's shave, but it most certainly did! The Perma Sharp smoothed out the Wolf's shave even more... and works better than any other blade in that razor. So when I got my Brassbird out for its inaugural shave this morning, I grabbed a fresh Perma Sharp. Fantastic shave! Thanks for reading my long winded story. But it was a journey of many years, and I wanted to share. Stay smooth!
My original first-batch Blackbird:
My new Brassbird:
Today's Fantastic Shave: