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- #81
JL 52’s 2025 Shave Log - (Recovering From Severe Case of RAD)
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I haven't used an Osprey but have the other Blackland offerings. It seems like Personna blades have worked best for me (and many others). The Lab Blue is their gold standard blade that they include with the razors. It seems as if they made them around those blades. I know that's not factual but it feels like that's the case!
I've tried many others but the Lab Blue DE is the one (and Personna Coated for the GEM's).
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- #83
I think you’re spot on, the Personna Lab Blues are my favorite and go-to blade. I’m going to try to recreate the same shave conditions later this week with a Lab Blue instead.
When I first got the Osprey I was using Treet Platinums and those also worked great.
Treet platinum's I just got and they're probably gonna be on the top of the list as well if they end up working well with other razors. I really like them and they're super cheap. It's a nice "milder" blade as opposed to the Lab Blue.
I started with 100 and 2 days later ordered 200 more!
And I've got so many boxes of Lab Blue's that it's ridiculous!
I like several blades but Lab Blue is #1!!
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- #85
Entry #18 - 2/3/2025
Back to back office days meant I only had 24 hours of growth to knock down with the Osprey tonight.
After having a so so outing with the Gillette Nacet last night I knew I wanted to try out a different blade. I emptied out my plastic bag of random blades I’ve collected and chuckled when I saw the Rockwell blades, and figured what the heck, why not.
Much to my surprise and amusement, the Rockwell blades didn’t fit with the Osprey! For whatever reason the blade fit so snugly onto the top cap that it didn’t bend properly to allow the base plate and handle to screw on. Maybe a higher power out there was trying to spare me of a bad shave.
I switched over to Astra Stainless Blue blade and went on to have a blissful two pass shave on level 5. I was immediately reminded by the honeymoon phase I had when I first got this razor, everything about it just feels too notch. It’s got some heft to it but the balance is excellent, the handle is grippy, and the lather channels never seem to clog.
Levels 4-6 feel like the sweet spot for me, where the Osprey’s efficiency seems to defy how comfortable a shave you’re getting.
Back to back office days meant I only had 24 hours of growth to knock down with the Osprey tonight.
After having a so so outing with the Gillette Nacet last night I knew I wanted to try out a different blade. I emptied out my plastic bag of random blades I’ve collected and chuckled when I saw the Rockwell blades, and figured what the heck, why not.
Much to my surprise and amusement, the Rockwell blades didn’t fit with the Osprey! For whatever reason the blade fit so snugly onto the top cap that it didn’t bend properly to allow the base plate and handle to screw on. Maybe a higher power out there was trying to spare me of a bad shave.
I switched over to Astra Stainless Blue blade and went on to have a blissful two pass shave on level 5. I was immediately reminded by the honeymoon phase I had when I first got this razor, everything about it just feels too notch. It’s got some heft to it but the balance is excellent, the handle is grippy, and the lather channels never seem to clog.
Levels 4-6 feel like the sweet spot for me, where the Osprey’s efficiency seems to defy how comfortable a shave you’re getting.
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- #86
Entry #19 - 2/5/2025
Three shaves into Osprey week and I’m honestly not as high on this razor as I had been. It’s still in my top 3 or so, but I’d put the TiBlackbird and the Bronze Guerrilla ahead of it now. If you had asked me back in November when I first got it, I would’ve told you the Osprey is the best of the very best.
After my two back-to-back shaves earlier this week, I noticed some slight irritation on the back of my neck. Nothing severe or unsightly, but just enough to let me know my skin didn’t approve.
Today I dialed it down to level 4.5 (out of 9) and used a fresh Wizamet blade. The shave was quite enjoyable and it felt soft enough on my skin that I doubt it’ll leave me with irritation. The downside is that it just wasn’t a close a shave.
With the TiBlackbird I can get the crazy efficiency and closeness without any post-shave sting or irritation; so far it seems like I can expect to have some irritation once the Osprey is opened up to a comparable level. That said, the amount of variability the Osprey offers is just fun.
The SS Osprey is still an excellent razor that I’m not planning to part with, but I think I can now say that I prefer a couple other razors more.
Three shaves into Osprey week and I’m honestly not as high on this razor as I had been. It’s still in my top 3 or so, but I’d put the TiBlackbird and the Bronze Guerrilla ahead of it now. If you had asked me back in November when I first got it, I would’ve told you the Osprey is the best of the very best.
After my two back-to-back shaves earlier this week, I noticed some slight irritation on the back of my neck. Nothing severe or unsightly, but just enough to let me know my skin didn’t approve.
Today I dialed it down to level 4.5 (out of 9) and used a fresh Wizamet blade. The shave was quite enjoyable and it felt soft enough on my skin that I doubt it’ll leave me with irritation. The downside is that it just wasn’t a close a shave.
With the TiBlackbird I can get the crazy efficiency and closeness without any post-shave sting or irritation; so far it seems like I can expect to have some irritation once the Osprey is opened up to a comparable level. That said, the amount of variability the Osprey offers is just fun.
The SS Osprey is still an excellent razor that I’m not planning to part with, but I think I can now say that I prefer a couple other razors more.
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I had fun following along.
Being a YT content creator I would also encourage you to start a channel. You are good with details about the shaving products used. I feel many channels don’t really give enough info about the products. It was never my goal or intent. 2 friends kept twisting my arm to do it. It’s been a fun journey.
I’ve used a lot of the razors you have this last year. You have my interest in the colonial. I love a good aluminum. The Lupo is not bad. I prefer the overlander, shave dad, apex Al over my lupo. I keep the lupo because it was one of the 1st DE I liked.
I’ve only tried the Blackland new Sabre from blackland.
The Athena didn’t work for me either. I enjoyed the ares more but neither of them made me run out to buy them. I was happy I was able to try them on loan.
That is probably the most fun about being a content creator. Once you get rolling friends and viewers will loan you things to try.
I mostly buy used razors when possible for content & always selling things to fund others.
Keep up the log & I encourage you to consider a YT. I use an iPhone 11 and an app do “edit” you don’t have to spend 3 hrs per video….unless you want to
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- #88
Alright, that settles it then. I'm going to look into setting up a few videos to share on YT and then go from there. I really appreciate the recommendation.I had fun following along.
Being a YT content creator I would also encourage you to start a channel. You are good with details about the shaving products used. I feel many channels don’t really give enough info about the products. It was never my goal or intent. 2 friends kept twisting my arm to do it. It’s been a fun journey.
I’ve used a lot of the razors you have this last year. You have my interest in the colonial. I love a good aluminum. The Lupo is not bad. I prefer the overlander, shave dad, apex Al over my lupo. I keep the lupo because it was one of the 1st DE I liked.
I’ve only tried the Blackland new Sabre from blackland.
The Athena didn’t work for me either. I enjoyed the ares more but neither of them made me run out to buy them. I was happy I was able to try them on loan.
That is probably the most fun about being a content creator. Once you get rolling friends and viewers will loan you things to try.
I mostly buy used razors when possible for content & always selling things to fund others.
Keep up the log & I encourage you to consider a YT. I use an iPhone 11 and an app do “edit” you don’t have to spend 3 hrs per video….unless you want to
I've actually been following your channel since the middle of last year. I found your aluminum razors comparisons incredibly helpful, keep them coming!
You have a great channel John. Good reviews and I like the side by side comparisons. Keep it up!
And looking forward to yours @JL 52! Head shavers are less common (fellow head shaver here) - usually with different tastes in razors and blades compared to face shaving so more input and experiences in that department are a welcome addition to booth YT and of course this forum!
I love it when a plan comes together.
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- #91
Thanks again for the recommendation @ErkRusselReserve @Guido75 @StubbleMeetsSteel
I’m going to test out a few video set-ups this week and will aim to have a channel and video up in another week of so. Cheers!
I’m going to test out a few video set-ups this week and will aim to have a channel and video up in another week of so. Cheers!
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- #92
Entry #20 - 2/7/2025
Had 1.5 days of growth and decided to crank the Osprey back up to level 7 with the wizamet blade and had a much more enjoyable shave that I did earlier in the week. I’m blaming the so-so shave I had before on poor blade pairing, the wizamet worked superbly last night.
At level 7 the Osprey effortlessly and smoothly plowed through everything in its path. Added bonus for how well it rinses.
My first pass was seriously close enough that I could have stopped then and been satisfied with the shave. For the second pass I dialed it down to level 5 for an easy and comfortable clean-up.
Had 1.5 days of growth and decided to crank the Osprey back up to level 7 with the wizamet blade and had a much more enjoyable shave that I did earlier in the week. I’m blaming the so-so shave I had before on poor blade pairing, the wizamet worked superbly last night.
At level 7 the Osprey effortlessly and smoothly plowed through everything in its path. Added bonus for how well it rinses.
My first pass was seriously close enough that I could have stopped then and been satisfied with the shave. For the second pass I dialed it down to level 5 for an easy and comfortable clean-up.
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- #93
Entry #21 - 2/9/2025
Got tasked with BBQing for the Super Bowl party we’re going to, and didn’t have a lot of time on my hands.
I decided to pull out my Ti Blackbird for a rushed two pass shave, and man oh man, I immediately remembered why this razor is my GOAT.
I used the same wizamet blade (3?) from my last shave with the Osprey. The Ti Blackbird’s efficiency is mind boggling to me; it effortlessly pushed through all of my growth on the first pass. The second pass I did was out of habit and not necessity. Zero nicks, zero weepers, and zero feedback from the alum block.
The Ti Blackbird isn’t my smoothness or most fun razor, but the results are consistent and top tier every time.
Off to grilling and soon enjoying some football with friends and family.
I hope the Chiefs lose by 100, cheers!
Got tasked with BBQing for the Super Bowl party we’re going to, and didn’t have a lot of time on my hands.
I decided to pull out my Ti Blackbird for a rushed two pass shave, and man oh man, I immediately remembered why this razor is my GOAT.
I used the same wizamet blade (3?) from my last shave with the Osprey. The Ti Blackbird’s efficiency is mind boggling to me; it effortlessly pushed through all of my growth on the first pass. The second pass I did was out of habit and not necessity. Zero nicks, zero weepers, and zero feedback from the alum block.
The Ti Blackbird isn’t my smoothness or most fun razor, but the results are consistent and top tier every time.
Off to grilling and soon enjoying some football with friends and family.
I hope the Chiefs lose by 100, cheers!
Yeah, I'm pulling for the Eagles on this one.I hope the Chiefs lose by 100, cheers!
I'm not a fan of either (Dolphins #1) but the Eagles are the lesser of the two evils!
Justin, I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos. I think lighting was good. So was sound and you talk clearly as well. And conversationally as if I am sitting opposite of you having a chat. I would leave editing where you have it right now!
Also nice that you started with a razor that is budget friendlier than others. That opens up your channel to more people.
You talk about technique as well as gear. That’s always nice. At least I like that.
Congrats and continue to have fun. It shows!
Guido
Also nice that you started with a razor that is budget friendlier than others. That opens up your channel to more people.
You talk about technique as well as gear. That’s always nice. At least I like that.
Congrats and continue to have fun. It shows!
Guido
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- #97
I really appreciate the feedback Guido! I was planning to keep my upcoming videos short enough to film in one take, so I don’t need to have video editing as another hobby. I’ll continue to highlight a few other razor options while chatting through my technique. Thanks again!
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- #98
Thanks Larry! I’ll keep them coming.
Damn! 43 seconds in and I can see that you are already a natural. As Erk would say- GATA!
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- #100
Hope you caught your shoutout at the beginning
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