I’m a daily shaver as well. I had the SB and OC, but I sold the SB because the OC is smoother. The only problem is that the OC is too aggressive for me to use daily. I should have kept the SB. I haven’t used it near as much since getting rid if it. I only use it if I skip a day or more, which doesn’t happen much.
Blackbird OC - my long road to loving the bird
- Thread starter McNutt
- Start date
I’m a daily shaver as well. I had the SB and OC, but I sold the SB because the OC is smoother. The only problem is that the OC is too aggressive for me to use daily. I should have kept the SB. I haven’t used it near as much since getting rid if it. I only use it if I skip a day or more, which doesn’t happen much.
Very interesting review, I enjoyed
Reading the post.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
I’ve been using my SB Bird for the past couple of weeks. To be blunt: it’s freaking brilliant. I eagerly await the arrival of my OC plate.
Excellent news. I'm glad you dialed the SB in. It really is a great shaver and if you can add a WR2 125SB to the mix, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy chasing the "perfect" razor because, IMO, you'd have two of the very best razors.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the OC plate.
Thanks mate!
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
James, I am amazed at the Bird’s cutting efficiency with only one or two passes. And the handle, despite it’s lack of knurling, is remarkably ‘grippy’. Finally, that sweet high-pitched sound the Bird makes when cutting is really something. Thanks again for putting this razor on my radar. And you’re right ... as soon as I can score a Wolf ... my razor acquisition days will be numbered.
I can't wait to hear how you like the OC plate when you get it! I'm intrigued by it and what people say of it.
That's kind of what I'm afraid of....but knowing me I'm going to order the OC baseplate anyway just to try. Hopefully it will work out great.
I didn’t say don’t order it . I just said it might be too much for daily shaving. There’s nothing wrong with having both.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Got the OC today. I’ll give it a spin in the morning and report back.
Fantastic news! Congrats on the OC Bird! Tell us how she sings. We appreciate your feedback. Have a Great Shave 
C'mon, just one quick pass tonight?
- Thread starter
- #52
I wonder if you are going to have the same roller coaster ride as me. Not liking it to liking it to having it beat out all other razors.
@Hannah's Dad don't play, man.
I have been known to shave with a razor that still has packing peanuts stuck to it!
This thread was fun to read. I can’t tell you how many customers initially hate the Blackbird and then it becomes their favorite razor after a few more shaves. I get these emails a lot. This is why I have a return policy. Razors have to be used for several shaves before you can reach a conclusion.
Here are my two favourites (sorry for the less-than-stellar quality), which these two has killed a lot of my RAD.
I was firmly in the rigidity camp and delayed getting a Blackbird for months until someone had one that they wanted to trade with for a razor I had. I had Timeless and a Dart, which made me realize I get better shaves when the curvature of the blade is greater and it is amendable to my propensity to shave at a steep angle (handle near the face, or parallel with the face). I still like rigid razors but I now look at the full package (curvature, rigidity, etc.).
I was firmly in the rigidity camp and delayed getting a Blackbird for months until someone had one that they wanted to trade with for a razor I had. I had Timeless and a Dart, which made me realize I get better shaves when the curvature of the blade is greater and it is amendable to my propensity to shave at a steep angle (handle near the face, or parallel with the face). I still like rigid razors but I now look at the full package (curvature, rigidity, etc.).
Good idea. First impressions of anything can be extremely deceiving.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
My first shave with the OC Bird is in the books. I used a Feather blade (2), M&M Claddagh soap and splash, and my newly-acquired Paladin Lotus select badger brush.
My attempt to load with the Paladin failed miserably. I am so used to synthetics just loading and lathering; I can’t tell whether I had too much soap or too much water, or whether the Paladin just eats up more soap than I expected. So, I quickly dipped my Graydog synthetic brush in warm water, loaded from the puck and lathered up.
First pass with the OC was not as comfortable as with the SB. The ‘song pitch’ while cutting is even higher with the OC (which I enjoy), but I could definitely feel more blade. That said, it certainly removed my beard like few others after one pass. It reminded me of my first few shaves with the Muhle R41.
The XTG was similar — felt some drag and it just lacked the same smoothness as with the SB.
I didn’t go ATG - I really didn’t need it. My face was very smooth and the stubble was history. The alcohol splash revealed some burn, which confirmed the sharpness of the Feather.
So, my conclusion is that I need to work with this OC Bird some more. I’ll tame it, just as I did with the SB.
My attempt to load with the Paladin failed miserably. I am so used to synthetics just loading and lathering; I can’t tell whether I had too much soap or too much water, or whether the Paladin just eats up more soap than I expected. So, I quickly dipped my Graydog synthetic brush in warm water, loaded from the puck and lathered up.
First pass with the OC was not as comfortable as with the SB. The ‘song pitch’ while cutting is even higher with the OC (which I enjoy), but I could definitely feel more blade. That said, it certainly removed my beard like few others after one pass. It reminded me of my first few shaves with the Muhle R41.
The XTG was similar — felt some drag and it just lacked the same smoothness as with the SB.
I didn’t go ATG - I really didn’t need it. My face was very smooth and the stubble was history. The alcohol splash revealed some burn, which confirmed the sharpness of the Feather.
So, my conclusion is that I need to work with this OC Bird some more. I’ll tame it, just as I did with the SB.
Great write up. I'll be curious which you prefer after you get a few more shaves in with the OC.
@Hannah's Dad, how are you liking the OC baseplate for the BB? Assuming you've used it a few more times.
I ended up trading my SB for an OC with someone at B&B. It's only been three shaves but I couldn't be happier with the OC. I found it's got a bit more bit when riding the guard but similar feel when riding the cap, however I have actually found it to be a bit smoother than the SB. I think I like the audio feedback of the SB a bit better though. Both the SB and OC are winners in my book!
I ended up trading my SB for an OC with someone at B&B. It's only been three shaves but I couldn't be happier with the OC. I found it's got a bit more bit when riding the guard but similar feel when riding the cap, however I have actually found it to be a bit smoother than the SB. I think I like the audio feedback of the SB a bit better though. Both the SB and OC are winners in my book!
Attachments
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
I am still getting used to the OC, @ShavingPanda . I hope to achieve your results, because I do typically prefer OCs. As of now, I find the SB just a bit smoother. That could change, however. I like to go very steep with the Bird. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as always.
P.S. The black oxide looks so bad@$$!
