First OneBlade Core shave:

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jar
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:07 am

First OneBlade Core shave:

Post by jar »

Today was my initiation day with the OneBlade Core razor. The blade I used was the same Feather blade I used with the two Valet AutoStrop razors so this would be the fifth shave with the same blade. That is well within my expectations and experience using those blades in other razors.

The final result is an OK shave, maybe PG but not PDG but I am still learning how to use the sucker so the next couple shaves may increase to the PDG level.

What I like about the razor.

Visually the razor is okay, nothing great but also certainly nothing wrong. The head is small enough to get under my big nose, it is slim enough to use around my lips, the overall design is modern and should be familiar to all the cartridge razor users. And that may well have been the intention.

Loading a blade and changing blades is simple and should be reliable as long as the blade stops and guides do not wear down or get cutoff. If the user does not try forcing a new blade in or try to take an old blade out without lifting it over the stops it should last quite awhile.

The weight and balance are near ideal for my tastes.

What I find disconcerting.

That swiveling head. I know what it is claimed to do and I know it is found in lots of the cartridge razors but for someone who has been using Gillette DEs for over a half century razor heads that wiggle and jiggle just feels oh so wrong.

I wish I could visually examine the blade stops. It's simply good to know all is correct BEFORE putting the blade to my face.

It seems I need to use far more pressure than I would dream of using with any of my other razors. It works and I don't think it is possible to actually do much damage with the razor but again, for someone whose shaving mantra has always been No Pressure is Needed or desired this razor just feels weird.

Summary.

The OneBlade core might be the ultimate gateway razor for folk coming from the brazillion blade cartridge world. It looks like an upscale cartridge razor, feels like an upscale cartridge razor, loads more like a cartridge razor than any DE I know of, uses similar techniques of a cartridge razor but gives better results than a cartridge razor. The initial price is only slightly more than the other entry level Double Edge and Single Edge razors.

I will see how my technique improves over the next few shaves and imagine it will become a keeper but not a regular rotation razor.
jar
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:07 am

Re: First OneBlade Core shave:

Post by jar »

So today was miserable, hot, humid, stifling and a shave before dinner seemed like a great idea.

I used the OneBlade Core V2 again BUT this time I used one of my Gillette made Valet razor blades that has to be at least a half century old. I have a bunch of them. I used TOBS Rose cream and one of my Vulfix brushes and a Heather 'n fern mug to build a nice lather. I finished off with some rose aftershave.

Okay.

This time I simply followed what seemed to be the consensus on using the OneBlade and rode the cap with far more pressure than I've used in ages; I could actually feel the head pivoting. The shave was somewhat boring. Two Pass. The half century old blade worked as well as the fifth use Feather and the end result was really close to PDG. There are still a few spots where I can feel whiskers but fewer than this morning. I imagine I could touch them up with just a little more practice and they are all in places where I have troubles with every razor.

The OneBlade does seem to perform as promised, very mild but also very efficient.
jar
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2017 6:07 am

Re: First OneBlade Core shave:

Post by jar »

Shave three.

Well, it still does not do a good job on my neck or any of the difficult spots. It does still seem pretty much fool proof related to doing any harm but then I really hoped to do harm to them whiskers. One more day with it and I get to switch to the brass General.
brothers
Posts: 21513
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:18 am
Location: Oklahoma City USA

Re: First OneBlade Core shave:

Post by brothers »

At $50 which is 1/8 the cost of the stainless version ($400 - they call it the Genesis), this seems to be the best deal. Your experiences and description of the performance of the Core reminds me of a good quality disposable multi-blade razor. I use the cheap disposables when traveling. Even at a relatively low price, I'd sure hate to lose a $50 razor, but I think nothing of tossing out a disposable. Here's one important thing to be considered: The Feather blades are disposable, and the blades cost a lot more apiece than a fist full of disposable razors. The OneBlade Core concept is still going to be expensive.
Gary

SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
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