Cool! I've been playing for 39 years. I built up my current kit to what is my dream kit and have basically stopped (buying) because afterwards I started collecting as well. I sold off the stuff that I least wanted to keep. So I currently have my kit (Ludwig Classic Maples) with an assortment of Paiste 2002 cymbals, Trick hardware and several Ludwig snares. Nice to find another drummer!
That's what I do, LOL!!though if WCS is still having a sale, it may make sense to just get the entire CB razor.
See how easy I justified a new razor?
You sound like a Bonham fan...me as well. I did have Classic Maples a few years back, but purchased some custom drums from a maker in Greenville, SC when I lived there....Palmetto Drums and sold the Luddy's. I also have a nice Yamaha Recording Custom kit, plus multiple snares, hardware, etc. Used to play in bands, but since kids arrived (got a late start), I haven't done too much of that over the past several years. Love playing though and miss playing music with others.
Sounds like my life, Lol!!
Unexpected.... I love the unexpected positives in life.First shave report with the Karve!
I used a Gillette Platinum blade for the shave, 1 day growth, 2 pass WTG/XTG, DFS!
Well, I'm going to compare this to my Above the Tie Windsor .80 which is the most comparable vs. all the other razors I have. The Windsor is also my daily driver and up to now was what I considered my ultimate close & smooth razor.
With that statement, I'm sure you can figure out where this is going
First off is the build quality on the Karve which is superb. I paid $57 for this razor on sale!
It's definitely up to the same standards as my $200 Windsor. Second is the heft of brass vs.
Stainless. You can feel it and I like it!
Third is the handle/balance which feels great in the hand.
Next up is the shave:
With it's large gap and positive blade exposure, it sings as you shave. I didn't expect so much audible feedback considering the density of the brass. But it's possible that even though brass is heavier, it is a more audible metal. I can only imagine how the aluminum Karve sounds like when you shave!
The head is thicker than my Windsor but not obtrusive. The shave is ridiculously smooth and incredibly efficient (more so than the Windsor). The angle was perfect and natural at about 30 degrees. This razor had no learning curve for me. It felt like I've been using it forever. My Windsor had a learning curve and required different blades to find the sweet spot! The corners of the head require some practice for trimming on the Karve but not a big deal. Despite the fact that it's got a large gap and blade exposure, it never feels as if it's going to bite. My shave ended up being smooth as glass with zero irritation or nicks.
My conclusion:
These Karves are worth more than what they sell for!
It's kind of upsetting that it's shave has exceeded my Windsor considering that the Windsor cost me 3 times as much. Honestly, if I had known this, I wouldn't have bought the Windsor and would have gone straight to a Karve. To get a perfect 5 star shave with a razor on the fist shave is difficult. But the Karve did it for me. I'm now officially a huge fan of Karve!
I'm going to spend the next week using both the Karve and my Windsor to make a deeper comparison. If the Windsor ends up really not matching, it's gonna be up for sale. I then will try out higher plates on the Karve and buy the stainless and aluminum models as well.
That's how much I like it!
A+++
Highly recommended!
LRod
And I shifted back again (to the Karve) Lol!!I started this thread with the intent of buying one of the two. I've since shifted:
I'm ready to order my first expensive razor, help me make a decision!!
Alright folks, so I'm ready to buy! I need your help on what razor to pick! Note: I've never even touched a high end razor so this will be fun! You might have seen the thread I created a couple days ago...www.badgerandblade.com
I didn't see you post any follow up about the bronze you bought. Maybe I missed it!
I wish you good luck with your razor Slim. Try not to give up, keep at it.
Not so easy dealing with a new razor is it? You can have DE shaving experience, you can have DE shaving technique. But at the end of the day, if the razor is weird, or just a high level difficulty razor, it forces you to up your game, or give up and sell. This has been my experience with my TTI95 razor, as I discovered the hard way, its a higher level difficulty razor.
Think of it like a video game, now your playing on HARD mode, this means you can't go using it care free, the razor will force you to up your game, develop newer skills, and or develop tricks that gets the job done. Not every razor will be pick up and go. But IMO, a razor that has a high level of difficulty, is a good thing, because it gains you more experience, and I think that is a good thing.
Its like what Kahn says in Wrath Of Kahn, it tasks me, and I shall have it!
Thanks for the excellent review, LRod. Two thumbs up!First shave report with the Karve!
I used a Gillette Platinum blade for the shave, 1 day growth, 2 pass WTG/XTG, DFS!
Well, I'm going to compare this to my Above the Tie Windsor .80 which is the most comparable vs. all the other razors I have. The Windsor is also my daily driver and up to now was what I considered my ultimate close & smooth razor.
With that statement, I'm sure you can figure out where this is going
First off is the build quality on the Karve which is superb. I paid $57 for this razor on sale!
It's definitely up to the same standards as my $200 Windsor. Second is the heft of brass vs.
Stainless. You can feel it and I like it!
Third is the handle/balance which feels great in the hand.
Next up is the shave:
With it's large gap and positive blade exposure, it sings as you shave. I didn't expect so much audible feedback considering the density of the brass. But it's possible that even though brass is heavier, it is a more audible metal. I can only imagine how the aluminum Karve sounds like when you shave!
The head is thicker than my Windsor but not obtrusive. The shave is ridiculously smooth and incredibly efficient (more so than the Windsor). The angle was perfect and natural at about 30 degrees. This razor had no learning curve for me. It felt like I've been using it forever. My Windsor had a learning curve and required different blades to find the sweet spot! The corners of the head require some practice for trimming on the Karve but not a big deal. Despite the fact that it's got a large gap and blade exposure, it never feels as if it's going to bite. My shave ended up being smooth as glass with zero irritation or nicks.
My conclusion:
These Karves are worth more than what they sell for!
It's kind of upsetting that it's shave has exceeded my Windsor considering that the Windsor cost me 3 times as much. Honestly, if I had known this, I wouldn't have bought the Windsor and would have gone straight to a Karve. To get a perfect 5 star shave with a razor on the fist shave is difficult. But the Karve did it for me. I'm officially now a huge fan of Karve!
I'm going to spend the next week using both the Karve and my Windsor to make a deeper comparison. If the Windsor ends up really not matching, it's gonna be up for sale. I then will try out the E, F & G plates on the Karve and buy the stainless and aluminum models as well.
That's how much I like it!
A+++
Highly recommended!
LRod
I'll let you know how we get along.
Smooth. If I were to use the 38 SB for all 3 passes, I’m guessing it would result in a DFS with no effort or irritation.
Hahahaha, funny you mentioned that. I had never bought from them and looked up their location. When I saw they were in SC, I was like what??
Since when did Karve release the open comb G plate? I just ordered one on Sunday but no official PR about it? I just started looking through plates and ordered a G-OC in brass to go along with the copper parts I ordered.
Yes, they started out in Chino, Ca originally...
