So like many others on this site I was able to order an LA Shaving Soap Co. BBS-1 Razor. It made it from CA to NY in 2 days. The razor does require a signature for delivery so like everyone else I was greeted with the Pink Tag of Doom from the USPS. I went to the post office to pick it up and was informed the mailman was still out doing deliveries. I drove around my area until I spotted him. Here I will keep a mini blog about the razor.
Initial Impressions:
Handle Design:
The handle is very slightly thicker and heavier then the ATT Kronos and very similar length. From the pictures I didn't think the handle was super pleasing aesthetically. In person and using it I feel differently. The knurling is a genius design and feels more grippy then the ATT knurling. I actually really like the knurling.
Head Design:
The head has a unique way of holding the blade. It holds it on the four corners. Again a great design. It is the most secure way I have seen a razor hold the blade. There is really no play for misalignment and has less slop then the ATT. One thing is the edge of the blade sticks out the side more than I have seen any other razor. It is quite a bit. I know that does bother some people. Also the blade come out kind of in the middle of the razor head. Normally the blade is pushed down by the top cap and sits against the top cap. The blade really sits in between the top and bottom cap on the BBS-1. The blade also is very flat without much curve so it likes a shallower angle.
Quality:
Obviously a finely machined piece. If you want to get super picky the ATT is a higher quality. The ATT has perfectly chamfered corners and edges. The threaded post on the ATT is rounded for easy alignment of the handle. The thread post end on the BBS is slightly squarer. The BBS is slightly more jagged in feel while the ATT is smoother and feels more refined. Really that is getting super specific though.
Above the Tie Kronos Handle:
Length: 3.5" (88.9mm)
Diameter: 0.5" (12.7mm)
Weight: 72g
Above the Tie Colossus Handle:
Length: 4.0" (101.6mm)
Diameter: 0.5" (12.7mm)
Weight: 85g
BBS-1 Handle:
Length: 3.512"(89.2mm)
Diameter: 0.551" (14mm)
Weight: 88g
As you can see the BBS-1 handle is practically the same length as the Kronos but weighs more than the Colossus because of the thicker diameter.
Summary:
Handle Length: Tie, they are practically the same
Handle Diameter: ATT (I prefer the slightly narrower diameter of the ATT)
Handle Weight: ATT (I prefer the slightly lighter weight of the ATT)
Knurling: BBS-1, it has more grip and is unique.
Ease of loading a blade: Tie, they both have little quirks
Least movement of blade for misalignment: BBS-1
Blade held the securest with least flex: BBS-1
Most noise: ATT (If you like that. I feel the noise in the ATT is from the less secure clamping)
Overall Finish: ATT
Shave:
First Shave:
I used all my usual gear for soap, blade and brush and only changed the razor from my daily shave to limit variables. I loaded a personna red and got ready to shave. First pass was with the grain. Next pass XTG. Third pass ATG. Due to large gap and small exposure the angle range is smaller then other razors. The razor is very mild and smooth. It reminded me of the feel of a cartridge in a good way. Quality of shave was very good in a unique way. Due to how forgiving the razor is really allowed me to go against the grain easily which is what led to a better shave. Sometimes against the grain can get uncomfortable in certain areas but not with the BBS. I could go sideways across my neck to get all the stubble. Aftershave sting was typical/normal for a shave even though the shave itself felt very mild.
Second Shave:
This time I wanted to compare it to the ATT M1 as the first shave with the BBS-1 reminded me of the ATT M1. So I loaded up a personna red in my M1 and BBS-1 for a comparison shave. I used both during the shave and switched back and forth. After shave number two here is how they compare. The ATT M1 is slightly more mild in beard reduction. The BBS-1 shaves closer. The BBS-1 is also more smooth then the ATT M1. Less tugging and discomfort from what I believe is the more secure mounting of the blade leading to a more firm blade cutting the hair. Similar to the benefits that slants have by torquing the blade or injectors and single edge blades have from the added stiffness.
My overall opinion so far:
The BBS-1 is a great razor. After two uses I can see the thought and time that went into designing this razor. The knurling is one of the best. Beautiful handle. The head design is unique for a modern razor and super secure and precise. Overall everything is just really great. I may prefer a slightly more aggressive version (BBS-2?) but only two shaves in I can't make that call just yet.
Pictures coming in the second post. Any questions feel free to ask.
Initial Impressions:
Handle Design:
The handle is very slightly thicker and heavier then the ATT Kronos and very similar length. From the pictures I didn't think the handle was super pleasing aesthetically. In person and using it I feel differently. The knurling is a genius design and feels more grippy then the ATT knurling. I actually really like the knurling.
Head Design:
The head has a unique way of holding the blade. It holds it on the four corners. Again a great design. It is the most secure way I have seen a razor hold the blade. There is really no play for misalignment and has less slop then the ATT. One thing is the edge of the blade sticks out the side more than I have seen any other razor. It is quite a bit. I know that does bother some people. Also the blade come out kind of in the middle of the razor head. Normally the blade is pushed down by the top cap and sits against the top cap. The blade really sits in between the top and bottom cap on the BBS-1. The blade also is very flat without much curve so it likes a shallower angle.
Quality:
Obviously a finely machined piece. If you want to get super picky the ATT is a higher quality. The ATT has perfectly chamfered corners and edges. The threaded post on the ATT is rounded for easy alignment of the handle. The thread post end on the BBS is slightly squarer. The BBS is slightly more jagged in feel while the ATT is smoother and feels more refined. Really that is getting super specific though.
Above the Tie Kronos Handle:
Length: 3.5" (88.9mm)
Diameter: 0.5" (12.7mm)
Weight: 72g
Above the Tie Colossus Handle:
Length: 4.0" (101.6mm)
Diameter: 0.5" (12.7mm)
Weight: 85g
BBS-1 Handle:
Length: 3.512"(89.2mm)
Diameter: 0.551" (14mm)
Weight: 88g
As you can see the BBS-1 handle is practically the same length as the Kronos but weighs more than the Colossus because of the thicker diameter.
Summary:
Handle Length: Tie, they are practically the same
Handle Diameter: ATT (I prefer the slightly narrower diameter of the ATT)
Handle Weight: ATT (I prefer the slightly lighter weight of the ATT)
Knurling: BBS-1, it has more grip and is unique.
Ease of loading a blade: Tie, they both have little quirks
Least movement of blade for misalignment: BBS-1
Blade held the securest with least flex: BBS-1
Most noise: ATT (If you like that. I feel the noise in the ATT is from the less secure clamping)
Overall Finish: ATT
Shave:
First Shave:
I used all my usual gear for soap, blade and brush and only changed the razor from my daily shave to limit variables. I loaded a personna red and got ready to shave. First pass was with the grain. Next pass XTG. Third pass ATG. Due to large gap and small exposure the angle range is smaller then other razors. The razor is very mild and smooth. It reminded me of the feel of a cartridge in a good way. Quality of shave was very good in a unique way. Due to how forgiving the razor is really allowed me to go against the grain easily which is what led to a better shave. Sometimes against the grain can get uncomfortable in certain areas but not with the BBS. I could go sideways across my neck to get all the stubble. Aftershave sting was typical/normal for a shave even though the shave itself felt very mild.
Second Shave:
This time I wanted to compare it to the ATT M1 as the first shave with the BBS-1 reminded me of the ATT M1. So I loaded up a personna red in my M1 and BBS-1 for a comparison shave. I used both during the shave and switched back and forth. After shave number two here is how they compare. The ATT M1 is slightly more mild in beard reduction. The BBS-1 shaves closer. The BBS-1 is also more smooth then the ATT M1. Less tugging and discomfort from what I believe is the more secure mounting of the blade leading to a more firm blade cutting the hair. Similar to the benefits that slants have by torquing the blade or injectors and single edge blades have from the added stiffness.
My overall opinion so far:
The BBS-1 is a great razor. After two uses I can see the thought and time that went into designing this razor. The knurling is one of the best. Beautiful handle. The head design is unique for a modern razor and super secure and precise. Overall everything is just really great. I may prefer a slightly more aggressive version (BBS-2?) but only two shaves in I can't make that call just yet.
Pictures coming in the second post. Any questions feel free to ask.
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