Hey guys, this is my 2nd post, other than replies to my first.
I’ve now been in the shaving game for about 4 months.
So, after I bought and returned the Nodachi—and kept the Game Changer .68 (mainly because the value is so good, but not because I loved it)… I then went off on a renewed search for the razor that was going to make sense for me.
After another handful of hours reading and researching, I landed on the Blackbird SS.
I am aware this razor is a standard bearer around here. But I was initially scared off of it, because it is described by many as aggressive and not for beginners.
But after the Nodachi being ‘too aggressive’ for me and the .68 GC being not aggressive/efficient enough… I made the most informed decision I could and took advantage of Black Friday and got the Blackbird SS. It helped a lot to watch Shane, the owner’s videos, to temper my expectations and be patient initially when shaving with it.
As Shane counseled, I didn’t try too hard for the world’s best shave on shave #1 or 2. But by the 3rd, 4th, 5th shave… I knew I’d found the DE razor I imagined when I first fantasized about getting one.
The motivation to buy a DE razor is that it will be really well-made, an instrument of precision, and take your shave to a level beyond anything plastic can offer--at least that was my general fantasy that led to the purchase. Then, design comes into the picture.
Using the Blackbird, after a few shaves, I was shocked at how smooth my cheeks and jawline were. It was like my beard had been obliterated and replaced with glass-skin.
It was almost alarming, like, is my beard…. dead? Did I murder my beard?
But the neck and under-jaw areas were reminders that, yes, the beard was alive and well and tricky as ever.
Nonetheless, I knew I’d found my weapon of choice.
The next thing to do was try a few different razor blades. I tried, of course, the Personna that come with the Blackbird. For me, too rough. I ordered some Feathers. Even more rough. I ‘hated’ the Feathers, actually.
My razor blade preference is Astra Superior Platinum.
I find them to be just perfection—smooth, non-irritating. They are so cheap, I just use a fresh one every shave. I shave about twice a week. I was off to the races now. (BTW, I’d describe my beard as medium-heavy.)
It was time to see what this ‘BBS’ business was all about.
Once you have the razor that works for you, it’s simply all technique.
For me, it takes 3-5 passes to get BBS—and 3 of those passes is all about the ‘below the jawline’ area. If all there was, was ‘above the jaw’ it would be a 2 pass 5 minute deal. But shaving for me is probably 10-15 minutes all in.
I don't rush. I’m not late for work. I give myself the time to enjoy it and improve the skill. That was the whole reason to upgrade to a DE razor.
The passes below the jaw are ultra-low pressure and, for myself, going against the grain is essential for BBS. I go straight against the grain for maybe an inch and then down in a curve with almost no pressure. I can get the tricky spots amazingly smooth this way. But some shaves are always better than others.
For me, there is no way to get the neck area truly smooth going only with-grain or across-grain. Lots of tutorials and videos and posts talk about "never go against the grain—it’s too sensitive!"
I disagree.
I have far less neck irritation now than ever with plastic. On the best shaves, there’s zero irritation. (It still amazes me to get such a smooth shave with NO irritation.)
On some shaves—of course, there is redness, the occasional ‘weeper’ as you guys call it----everything varies--but it’s still another world of comfort compared to plastic, every time. It’s a learning process.
You have to want to learn. Otherwise, stick with plastic.
That’s my ‘wisdom’ so far. If I do this patiently, I get a mind-bogglingly smooth shave, even in tricky areas.
The products I’ve landed on for after shave are obviously, warm then cold water, then Lucky Tiger splash—this seems to be popular around here and reasonably priced. I love it.
And then Anthony after shave balm.
This combo is like the shave dreams are made of.
I’m not a huge fan of fragrances, so…
Other info: The brush I’m using is Simpson Trafalgar t3.
I like the Taylors of Bond St St Jermyn Sensitive Cream.
I have tried Stirling Deep Blue Sea—and for me—no comparison.
I haven’t gone crazy trying soaps and creams, but I do have one new one incoming I’ll share in another post when I’ve tried it.
Knowing what I know now, I have renewed interest in getting the .84 plate for my Game Changer and see how it goes.
These two may be a perfect balance as they are very different in execution.
The Blackbird being something very high-level, something that feels custom and special and like a sportscar that performs brilliantly, but requires a desire to ‘want to be involved’ in the shave. To listen especially. I never shave with water running anymore, haha.
And then the Game Changer, which is a borderline boring, easy tool. It does not feel special or high-level, but I think I will enjoy it more for that very reason, when I add the .84 and will appreciate the contrast with the Blackbird. That’s all for now, guys. Thanks for the guidance.
I’ve now been in the shaving game for about 4 months.
So, after I bought and returned the Nodachi—and kept the Game Changer .68 (mainly because the value is so good, but not because I loved it)… I then went off on a renewed search for the razor that was going to make sense for me.
After another handful of hours reading and researching, I landed on the Blackbird SS.
I am aware this razor is a standard bearer around here. But I was initially scared off of it, because it is described by many as aggressive and not for beginners.
But after the Nodachi being ‘too aggressive’ for me and the .68 GC being not aggressive/efficient enough… I made the most informed decision I could and took advantage of Black Friday and got the Blackbird SS. It helped a lot to watch Shane, the owner’s videos, to temper my expectations and be patient initially when shaving with it.
As Shane counseled, I didn’t try too hard for the world’s best shave on shave #1 or 2. But by the 3rd, 4th, 5th shave… I knew I’d found the DE razor I imagined when I first fantasized about getting one.
The motivation to buy a DE razor is that it will be really well-made, an instrument of precision, and take your shave to a level beyond anything plastic can offer--at least that was my general fantasy that led to the purchase. Then, design comes into the picture.
Using the Blackbird, after a few shaves, I was shocked at how smooth my cheeks and jawline were. It was like my beard had been obliterated and replaced with glass-skin.
It was almost alarming, like, is my beard…. dead? Did I murder my beard?
But the neck and under-jaw areas were reminders that, yes, the beard was alive and well and tricky as ever.
Nonetheless, I knew I’d found my weapon of choice.
The next thing to do was try a few different razor blades. I tried, of course, the Personna that come with the Blackbird. For me, too rough. I ordered some Feathers. Even more rough. I ‘hated’ the Feathers, actually.
My razor blade preference is Astra Superior Platinum.
I find them to be just perfection—smooth, non-irritating. They are so cheap, I just use a fresh one every shave. I shave about twice a week. I was off to the races now. (BTW, I’d describe my beard as medium-heavy.)
It was time to see what this ‘BBS’ business was all about.
Once you have the razor that works for you, it’s simply all technique.
For me, it takes 3-5 passes to get BBS—and 3 of those passes is all about the ‘below the jawline’ area. If all there was, was ‘above the jaw’ it would be a 2 pass 5 minute deal. But shaving for me is probably 10-15 minutes all in.
I don't rush. I’m not late for work. I give myself the time to enjoy it and improve the skill. That was the whole reason to upgrade to a DE razor.
The passes below the jaw are ultra-low pressure and, for myself, going against the grain is essential for BBS. I go straight against the grain for maybe an inch and then down in a curve with almost no pressure. I can get the tricky spots amazingly smooth this way. But some shaves are always better than others.
For me, there is no way to get the neck area truly smooth going only with-grain or across-grain. Lots of tutorials and videos and posts talk about "never go against the grain—it’s too sensitive!"
I disagree.
I have far less neck irritation now than ever with plastic. On the best shaves, there’s zero irritation. (It still amazes me to get such a smooth shave with NO irritation.)
On some shaves—of course, there is redness, the occasional ‘weeper’ as you guys call it----everything varies--but it’s still another world of comfort compared to plastic, every time. It’s a learning process.
You have to want to learn. Otherwise, stick with plastic.
That’s my ‘wisdom’ so far. If I do this patiently, I get a mind-bogglingly smooth shave, even in tricky areas.
The products I’ve landed on for after shave are obviously, warm then cold water, then Lucky Tiger splash—this seems to be popular around here and reasonably priced. I love it.
And then Anthony after shave balm.
This combo is like the shave dreams are made of.
I’m not a huge fan of fragrances, so…
Other info: The brush I’m using is Simpson Trafalgar t3.
I like the Taylors of Bond St St Jermyn Sensitive Cream.
I have tried Stirling Deep Blue Sea—and for me—no comparison.
I haven’t gone crazy trying soaps and creams, but I do have one new one incoming I’ll share in another post when I’ve tried it.
Knowing what I know now, I have renewed interest in getting the .84 plate for my Game Changer and see how it goes.
These two may be a perfect balance as they are very different in execution.
The Blackbird being something very high-level, something that feels custom and special and like a sportscar that performs brilliantly, but requires a desire to ‘want to be involved’ in the shave. To listen especially. I never shave with water running anymore, haha.
And then the Game Changer, which is a borderline boring, easy tool. It does not feel special or high-level, but I think I will enjoy it more for that very reason, when I add the .84 and will appreciate the contrast with the Blackbird. That’s all for now, guys. Thanks for the guidance.
