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New Above The Tie S1

I received the S1 OC plate and have two shaves under my belt. All I can say is….it ROCKS. The OC plate ups the efficiency by a half step or so while still remaining very smooth and comfortable. It has extended my shave for about 2 additional hours before I start feeling stubble again compared to the SB. The teeth are not obtrusive or sharp feeling during the shave and it doesn’t scream “I’m an OC” while shaving.

I have shaved two days in a row and although I didn’t get any irritation, it does let my skin know that it’s been shaved. I don’t get this sensation after using the SB…..it’s like I never even shaved (except for missing whiskers).

Overall I will probably use the OC more often, but glad I have the choice. The S1 is a very nice razor.

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I received the S1 OC plate and have two shaves under my belt. All I can say is….it ROCKS. The OC plate ups the efficiency by a half step or so while still remaining very smooth and comfortable. It has extended my shave for about 2 additional hours before I start feeling stubble again compared to the SB. The teeth are not obtrusive or sharp feeling during the shave and it doesn’t scream “I’m an OC” while shaving.

I have shaved two days in a row and although I didn’t get any irritation, it does let my skin know that it’s been shaved. I don’t get this sensation after using the SB…..it’s like I never even shaved (except for missing whiskers).

Overall I will probably use the OC more often, but glad I have the choice. The S1 is a very nice razor.

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Good news! Thanks for reporting back so quickly.
 
I received the S1 OC plate and have two shaves under my belt. All I can say is….it ROCKS. The OC plate ups the efficiency by a half step or so while still remaining very smooth and comfortable. It has extended my shave for about 2 additional hours before I start feeling stubble again compared to the SB. The teeth are not obtrusive or sharp feeling during the shave and it doesn’t scream “I’m an OC” while shaving.

I have shaved two days in a row and although I didn’t get any irritation, it does let my skin know that it’s been shaved. I don’t get this sensation after using the SB…..it’s like I never even shaved (except for missing whiskers).

Overall I will probably use the OC more often, but glad I have the choice. The S1 is a very nice razor.

View attachment 1984122
My favorite Blackbird so far is the OC so I think I'd probably favor the S1 in OC!
 
I'm not sure which handles will return. But we're going to much more restrictive with handle options, if we offer any options at all.
Just my opinion:
The Barberpole handle was the best handle they had (Hope you bring it back!) The knurled one is pretty common looking!
 
Just my opinion:
The Barberpole handle was the best handle they had (Hope you bring it back!) The knurled one is pretty common looking!
Interesting. If I had to pick, it would be the knurled, although barber pole being the only choice would not be a deal breaker. There are some handles I don’t like at all like Timeless Crown and Wolfman Darwin, yet there are diehard fans of those.
 
Interesting. If I had to pick, it would be the knurled, although barber pole being the only choice would not be a deal breaker. There are some handles I don’t like at all like Timeless Crown and Wolfman Darwin, yet there are diehard fans of those.
Don't get me wrong, the knurled is nice (I've got 2 original ATT Kronos handles) but I find them kind of boring to look at. The Barberpole they made was prettier and they also figured out how to make it very slip resistant. It's smooth but grippy at the same time. It's a wonderful handle!
 
Another new owner. I've had two shaves now with the Backland made Above The Tie S1 Slant Polished SB. First shave was both head and face and today the second, was face only. I probably should have started out with face shaving first as this is my first time using a slant razor. I do not have any experience with the previous versions of the ATT S1 so take this review with a grain of salt. As gdawg55 mentioned this razor is beautifully made and finely crafted. Absolutely love the polished finish. I can easily see the DNA of Blacklands work in craftsmanship, fit and finish of the S1. Compared to the Black Bird the S1 is a different shave experience. Not quite as efficient but noticeably a smoother shave. Up until now I didn't know what others referred to as a smooth shave. Now I know. I can do a really nice first pass face shaving the would be totally acceptable for going into work. The S1 allows me to use a steeper angle, and a little more pressure than the BB and man is it a nice smooth pass. On my cheeks I could stop right there. Neck shaving where my beard is little tougher I can do multiple passes. WTG, ATG and XTG and no nicks or cuts. Just nice smooth passes. Because of a couple of trouble spots below the chin and jaw line where my hair grows side ways and down really close to the skin almost like a swirl, I could never get a BBS shave there but man this was as close as I've ever been without irritation. Both face shaves were amazing. Now as for head shaves I have to work on my technique. I'm use to mild razors as the skin is more sensitive there. When I get the pressure and angle right it's really smooth passes but I still got a few nicks that I never get with my Henson or rarely with the Osprey. The BB is more efficient head shaving but still not something I can use on autopilot. The BB gets me closer and lasts a few hours longer. The S1 somehow gets me a more consistent shave all over. The BB can get closer in certain spots like the back of the neck or on the side whereas the S1 feels like the same closeness all over. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that right? Does that make sense?
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Phoenixkh

I shaved a fortune
Another new owner. I've had two shaves now with the Backland made Above The Tie S1 Slant Polished SB. First shave was both head and face and today the second, was face only. I probably should have started out with face shaving first as this is my first time using a slant razor. I do not have any experience with the previous versions of the ATT S1 so take this review with a grain of salt. As gdawg55 mentioned this razor is beautifully made and finely crafted. Absolutely love the polished finish. I can easily see the DNA of Blacklands work in craftsmanship, fit and finish of the S1. Compared to the Black Bird the S1 is a different shave experience. Not quite as efficient but noticeably a smoother shave. Up until now I didn't know what others referred to as a smooth shave. Now I know. I can do a really nice first pass face shaving the would be totally acceptable for going into work. The S1 allows me to use a steeper angle, and a little more pressure than the BB and man is it a nice smooth pass. On my cheeks I could stop right there. Neck shaving where my beard is little tougher I can do multiple passes. WTG, ATG and XTG and no nicks or cuts. Just nice smooth passes. Because of a couple of trouble spots below the chin and jaw line where my hair grows side ways and down really close to the skin almost like a swirl, I could never get a BBS shave there but man this was as close as I've ever been without irritation. Both face shaves were amazing. Now as for head shaves I have to work on my technique. I'm use to mild razors as the skin is more sensitive there. When I get the pressure and angle right it's really smooth passes but I still got a few nicks that I never get with my Henson or rarely with the Osprey. The BB is more efficient head shaving but still not something I can use on autopilot. The BB gets me closer and lasts a few hours longer. The S1 somehow gets me a more consistent shave all over. The BB can get closer in certain spots like the back of the neck or on the side whereas the S1 feels like the same closeness all over. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that right? Does that make sense?
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I've had the new S1 on my "must buy list" for a while now.... though I admit, I've been wavering a bit. My slush fund is committed until late this fall, I think.... but I think I'd love a hybrid S1... titanium handle and combination SS and titanium cap and base plates... polished... Buying hybrid razor heads does add additional cost.... but I prefer the balance I get... We'll see..

But I have to say... I loved reading your review..... It's always nice to read about a product that works so well for someone, especially, when they compare it to other razors they have. It takes some of the risk out of buying an expensive razor.... or even, an inexpensive one...
 
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