In June 2019 I purchased my first Blackland Vector. Earlier this year while downsizing my vintage and modern collection I sold my Blackland Blackbird and Vector. Well, it was not long after the downsizing that I asked myself why did I sell either razor. At the time my collection had grown to a number that too many razors were not in the rotation so I selected vintage and modern razors to sell that if I changed my mind I could circle back and repurchase. A couple of months ago a nice Blackbird was offered on BST and I made the purchase and posted " There is a “Bird” back in the den!"
Now I can post "There is a Vector back in the den!"
This time I purchased both the SB and the OC versions in the machined finish. Like the Blackbird, this razor is another exceptional offering from Blackland. In June of 2019, I posted a review of the Vector so in this post I will post the highlights of that older post and finish with a comparison of the Vector SB vs. the Vector OC.
The old review:
I own the machined version Vector because I thought that with Shane’s simplistic design of the Vector the polished version was overstated.
Out of the box, my first shave was great however I was not happy with the extremely thin handle and the razor was dainty vs. my DE and GEM collection (especially when one of your DE's is a Timeless with the 100mm handle). The more I experimented with different handles I continued to come back to the stock Vector handle. It provided the maneuverability necessary to complement the razor.
I discovered that the blade angle is not as important with Vector as with other single edge razors (especially GEM's). You can go shallow or steep and shave unscathed. The amount of pressure is also not much of an issue as long as you do not get careless.
Fast? How fast would you like to shave? This baby can go through the gears without missing a whisker or creating a wound. The narrow head and cap allow me to shave in any direction: chin, neck, around my ears, and under my nose with confidence.
I like that I can get a good shave with several different blades (we like choices). KAI mild, KAI Protouch, Proline, Feather Pro, and Feather Super all performed well. I get the smoothest most efficient shave from the Feather Pro when I reduce my speed (very sharp blade) and I get the most consistent shave with the Proline without speed concerns. I have tried both creams and soaps with the Vector and prefer cream with the Vector.
There are a couple of downsides to the Vector:
It will screw up your razor rotation and force you to pick up a razor other than the Vector to justify keeping your collection together. However as good as the Vector is, I'm still keeping my other toys in the rotation especially to enjoy and appreciate the history of the older razors (don't mess with my Aristocrat or G Bar).
Be careful, cover the drain, the Vector parts (head and base) are so small that if you slip or fumble it’s down the drain before you can react, and then you are on the bench for the remainder of the game.
I like to disassemble my razors for cleaning after every shave, so with the Vector when you disassemble the razor for cleaning or a blade change and then reattach the handle, take the time to properly line it up. It's not a big deal but it takes more attention than your other handles.
Finally due to very tight build tolerances and the dainty head, changing the blade takes some concentration or you will bleed.
New thoughts:
I have learned to enjoy and appreciate the thin Vector handle. It fits the head design well and contributes to the Vectors maneuverability.
My new Vector has the same tight build tolerances but the blade removal is now much easier.
I have a Vector, a Blackbird, and a Sabre, all machined finished. As far as my preference the Blackland razors were built for the machined finish look.
I have owned several AC razors and this is the only one you need.
The SB base and the OC base provide the same efficient excellent shave. Basically, there is zero blade feel with either base however you will feel the teeth of the Open Comb version. The Open Comb feel is not harsh by any measure but you will know that it is different than the SB. I think that the Open Comb is slightly more efficient and would be the preferred choice for a stubborn beard or a beard that has grown a day or 2 longer than your normal shave routine. I have both bases and I will keep both especially during the COVID lockdown the OC will be put in the rotation when I am able to skip a day or 2 of shaving or just want to have the OC feel.
Finally, if you shave your head this is the razor you want.
Now I need to add the Dart.
Now I can post "There is a Vector back in the den!"
This time I purchased both the SB and the OC versions in the machined finish. Like the Blackbird, this razor is another exceptional offering from Blackland. In June of 2019, I posted a review of the Vector so in this post I will post the highlights of that older post and finish with a comparison of the Vector SB vs. the Vector OC.
The old review:
I own the machined version Vector because I thought that with Shane’s simplistic design of the Vector the polished version was overstated.
Out of the box, my first shave was great however I was not happy with the extremely thin handle and the razor was dainty vs. my DE and GEM collection (especially when one of your DE's is a Timeless with the 100mm handle). The more I experimented with different handles I continued to come back to the stock Vector handle. It provided the maneuverability necessary to complement the razor.
I discovered that the blade angle is not as important with Vector as with other single edge razors (especially GEM's). You can go shallow or steep and shave unscathed. The amount of pressure is also not much of an issue as long as you do not get careless.
Fast? How fast would you like to shave? This baby can go through the gears without missing a whisker or creating a wound. The narrow head and cap allow me to shave in any direction: chin, neck, around my ears, and under my nose with confidence.
I like that I can get a good shave with several different blades (we like choices). KAI mild, KAI Protouch, Proline, Feather Pro, and Feather Super all performed well. I get the smoothest most efficient shave from the Feather Pro when I reduce my speed (very sharp blade) and I get the most consistent shave with the Proline without speed concerns. I have tried both creams and soaps with the Vector and prefer cream with the Vector.
There are a couple of downsides to the Vector:
It will screw up your razor rotation and force you to pick up a razor other than the Vector to justify keeping your collection together. However as good as the Vector is, I'm still keeping my other toys in the rotation especially to enjoy and appreciate the history of the older razors (don't mess with my Aristocrat or G Bar).
Be careful, cover the drain, the Vector parts (head and base) are so small that if you slip or fumble it’s down the drain before you can react, and then you are on the bench for the remainder of the game.
I like to disassemble my razors for cleaning after every shave, so with the Vector when you disassemble the razor for cleaning or a blade change and then reattach the handle, take the time to properly line it up. It's not a big deal but it takes more attention than your other handles.
Finally due to very tight build tolerances and the dainty head, changing the blade takes some concentration or you will bleed.
New thoughts:
I have learned to enjoy and appreciate the thin Vector handle. It fits the head design well and contributes to the Vectors maneuverability.
My new Vector has the same tight build tolerances but the blade removal is now much easier.
I have a Vector, a Blackbird, and a Sabre, all machined finished. As far as my preference the Blackland razors were built for the machined finish look.
I have owned several AC razors and this is the only one you need.
The SB base and the OC base provide the same efficient excellent shave. Basically, there is zero blade feel with either base however you will feel the teeth of the Open Comb version. The Open Comb feel is not harsh by any measure but you will know that it is different than the SB. I think that the Open Comb is slightly more efficient and would be the preferred choice for a stubborn beard or a beard that has grown a day or 2 longer than your normal shave routine. I have both bases and I will keep both especially during the COVID lockdown the OC will be put in the rotation when I am able to skip a day or 2 of shaving or just want to have the OC feel.
Finally, if you shave your head this is the razor you want.
Now I need to add the Dart.
