Black Mamba-Mia!

Received my Black Mamba last week but had to leave town for a business trip and did not use it until Saturday.

In the interest of full thoughts, the razor was packed extremely well and as my first RR razor I was very much impressed with both the professional packaging as well as the finish quality. 

I know that Joe has mentioned that razors in general are more of a hobby but you would never know based on the finish work and packaging - top tier. 

The razor itself has a beautiful black finish that seems more of an anodized look than what I have seen on DLC iKon razors. I very much prefer the RR finish based on both looks and also face feel. It is my belief that the finish contributes to the shave feel and efficiency based on limited experience with the Mamba.

Shaving this past Saturday, I loaded a Feather SS blade. The mounting posts are on the base plate- they are oversize and very much lock the blade securely when the cap is in place and the blade mounted. It is likely the most secure razor that I have used and made for a very smooth experience.

Shaved with it again Sunday as well as today, Monday. Today's shave was a remarkably smooth 3x shave. Close if not fully BBS quality which is amazing based on my beard.

The area of my neck is extremely difficult to get completely smooth due to a) thick beard b) a ton of different grain direction.

Here is where the Black Mamba very much seems to excel. It provides such a close, smooth shave on the neck area with ZERO irritation that I am still amazed. Particularly today, as I did not buff or clean up any areas and still achieved a smooth shave in all areas, even those of typically most trouble.

I also don't find it to be a mild shaver as others have reported and wouldn't class it as such [this being a positive commment]. It is certainly more aggressive than the ASD2 by my experience but equally comfortable and efficient.

Finally, I normally don't care for the OSS handle as I like handles in the 85mm-90mm range max but on this razor it actually feels right. The balance is great and the angle is very intuitive.

The net: I am very happy that Joe picked up razors as a hobby. Should additional units ship, I would certainly pick up a second as a backup and would love to see a BM that shipped with a Bulldog type handle to augment the OSS.

If anybody has any other particular questions, happy to answer as best I can!

Here are some quick pics:

Thanks for the great review. This razor seems to be another winner from RR. Too bad the last batch sold out very quickly otherwise I would have acquired one.

Sure thing- more a stream of consciousness as I look back but tried to hit the salient points [was distracted a bit at work when posting].

I would not hesitate to recommend the BM in the least. Another great shave today, 4th day in on a Feather blade. Still just smoothly mowed through my beard.

Received my Black Mamba last week but had to leave town for a business trip and did not use it until Saturday.

In the interest of full thoughts, the razor was packed extremely well and as my first RR razor I was very much impressed with both the professional packaging as well as the finish quality. 

I know that Joe has mentioned that razors in general are more of a hobby but you would never know based on the finish work and packaging - top tier. 

The razor itself has a beautiful black finish that seems more of an anodized look than what I have seen on DLC iKon razors. I very much prefer the RR finish based on both looks and also face feel. It is my belief that the finish contributes to the shave feel and efficiency based on limited experience with the Mamba.

Shaving this past Saturday, I loaded a Feather SS blade. The mounting posts are on the base plate- they are oversize and very much lock the blade securely when the cap is in place and the blade mounted. It is likely the most secure razor that I have used and made for a very smooth experience.

Shaved with it again Sunday as well as today, Monday. Today's shave was a remarkably smooth 3x shave. Close if not fully BBS quality which is amazing based on my beard.

The area of my neck is extremely difficult to get completely smooth due to a) thick beard b) a ton of different grain direction.

Here is where the Black Mamba very much seems to excel. It provides such a close, smooth shave on the neck area with ZERO irritation that I am still amazed. Particularly today, as I did not buff or clean up any areas and still achieved a smooth shave in all areas, even those of typically most trouble.

I also don't find it to be a mild shaver as others have reported and wouldn't class it as such [this being a positive commment]. It is certainly more aggressive than the ASD2 by my experience but equally comfortable and efficient.

Finally, I normally don't care for the OSS handle as I like handles in the 85mm-90mm range max but on this razor it actually feels right. The balance is great and the angle is very intuitive.

The net: I am very happy that Joe picked up razors as a hobby. Should additional units ship, I would certainly pick up a second as a backup and would love to see a BM that shipped with a Bulldog type handle to augment the OSS.

If anybody has any other particular questions, happy to answer as best I can!

Here are some quick pics:

A great and thoughtful review thanks.  My BM that arrived yesterday is fitted with the ikon bamboo handle and its very nice.  I didn't indicate any preference when I got on the waiting list so it was the luck of the draw.  In looking at the bamboo handle on line I had no particular attraction to it but its much better in person than I imagined it being from the on-line illustrations/descriptions.
Mark

This is a truly amazing razor for those who were lucky to get one. It works well with pretty much any blade and is extremely smooth and efficient. I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

love the finish on the razor.

Beautiful razor! I really like black razors, although I don't have one. Also, nice review, Kevin!

I'm still hoping and waiting he will release an all RazoRock version without the ikon handle.

All evidence has been buried, all tapes have been erased.

I don't mind the RR head with the iKon handle- our countries are collaborating through peaceful beard harvests.

Even I think it would be cool to have an all in-house/Canadian option though.

Nick, thanks much for the kind words. I am still loving the BM; more so when I use a different razor as I am this week. Extraordinarily good shaves with this piece of HW!

kwsher For me it gets more complicated and is a personal choice not to support ikon in any way, shape or form. If it was a Woman or ATT, I'd be all over it.

All evidence has been buried, all tapes have been erased.