This is a razor that I had been wanting to buy for quite a while, and I'm not sure why I didn't. I don't have nearly the breadth of experience with stainless steel razors in the $100 price range that @never-stop-learning does (see his thread on razors in the $75-$125 price range for a remarkably complete survey of the options), but I own or have owned several fine razors, like the myriad RazoRock Game Changer models, the Muhle Rocca and the Edwin Jagger 3ONE6. For some reason I kept looking at the Dart but not pulling the trigger on the purchase. That was a mistake.
The razor arrived while I was away for a couple of weeks, so when I returned home yesterday evening, I sorted through the pile of mail to find my new razor. While I purchased it on the BST, it was in pristine condition in the original packaging. I have always admired the looks of the Dart and the machined version i received did not disappoint in that regard. I was surprised to notice machining marks on the base plate (the part that will be covered by the blade), but I was also impressed by the way everything fit together perfectly and did so with a feeling of solidity and quality not always apparent in this price category.
This morning I loaded the Dart with a Personna Israeli Red blade, which is my default for a new razor. While I usually use a nylon washer between the handle and the base plate, I decided to forego it with the Dart. I've read posts where Shane from Blackland Razors has talked about his belief that his designs work best as an integrated whole: cap, base plate and handle. Somehow that nylon washer just didn't look right to me (and I'm not really sure why I use them and what damage I believe that they will prevent). In my hand the Dart feels solid and perfectly balanced. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it's heavier than average. So on to the shave.
I lathered up using WSP Barbershop soap and started in. The small head of the Dart allows it to be very maneuverable, and I had no issue shaving any area of my face and neck, including around the nose. I never felt as if I were holding a dangerous implement, although there is quite a bit of blade feel to the Dart - more than on the Rocca or 3ONE6. I quite liked it, but if you like your razor to glide along as if it didn't even have a blade in it, the Dart is probably not for you. I completed two passes, did my normal touch up on the stubborn areas, rinsed off and ran the alum block on my face. No burn anywhere, but after a cold rinse and some moisturizing shave balm my face felt wonderfully smooth. I believe this is as close a shave as I've managed with any of my other razors, which is quite impressive as it is my first run with the Dart. In my experience, my technique with any razor improves as I become more familiar with it, so the first shave is not always indicative of how the razor will perform longer term.
My plan had been to use the Dart every day for a week, but I may have a hard time switching to another razor after that week!
The razor arrived while I was away for a couple of weeks, so when I returned home yesterday evening, I sorted through the pile of mail to find my new razor. While I purchased it on the BST, it was in pristine condition in the original packaging. I have always admired the looks of the Dart and the machined version i received did not disappoint in that regard. I was surprised to notice machining marks on the base plate (the part that will be covered by the blade), but I was also impressed by the way everything fit together perfectly and did so with a feeling of solidity and quality not always apparent in this price category.
This morning I loaded the Dart with a Personna Israeli Red blade, which is my default for a new razor. While I usually use a nylon washer between the handle and the base plate, I decided to forego it with the Dart. I've read posts where Shane from Blackland Razors has talked about his belief that his designs work best as an integrated whole: cap, base plate and handle. Somehow that nylon washer just didn't look right to me (and I'm not really sure why I use them and what damage I believe that they will prevent). In my hand the Dart feels solid and perfectly balanced. I haven't weighed it, but I would guess it's heavier than average. So on to the shave.
I lathered up using WSP Barbershop soap and started in. The small head of the Dart allows it to be very maneuverable, and I had no issue shaving any area of my face and neck, including around the nose. I never felt as if I were holding a dangerous implement, although there is quite a bit of blade feel to the Dart - more than on the Rocca or 3ONE6. I quite liked it, but if you like your razor to glide along as if it didn't even have a blade in it, the Dart is probably not for you. I completed two passes, did my normal touch up on the stubborn areas, rinsed off and ran the alum block on my face. No burn anywhere, but after a cold rinse and some moisturizing shave balm my face felt wonderfully smooth. I believe this is as close a shave as I've managed with any of my other razors, which is quite impressive as it is my first run with the Dart. In my experience, my technique with any razor improves as I become more familiar with it, so the first shave is not always indicative of how the razor will perform longer term.
My plan had been to use the Dart every day for a week, but I may have a hard time switching to another razor after that week!
