Blackland DART

Yeah, I’ve never used a true straight, but I’d agree that only my DX with a Proline blade has shaved the trouble spots closer (though I’m still no expert with that scythe yet ).

My first couple of shaves with the Dart had me saying it was more aggressive than the Blackbird. I adjusted the angle of my shave this morning and it made all the difference in the world. I believe most call it riding the guard but using a steeper angle left me with an almost perfect shave. In fact, I could have stopped at the first WTG pass. A second XTG pass was completed just because.

I always said that if Muhle made a stainless R41, I could quite possibly cure my RAD (a lie, I know). That being said, I feel the Dart could be the next best thing to my unicorn stainless R41. In fact, to me it's like a tamed R41. Still as efficient with plenty of blade feel and audible feedback, but definitely more comfortable. I'll be in the minority in stating that I prefer the Dart to the Blackbird. No knock on the craftsmanship or shave of that fine piece of machinery, but I actually prefer more blade feel and the Dart delivers better in that department for me. With a Kai blade, it has usurped other fine razors in my collection as the daily driver...

I always said that if Muhle made a stainless R41, I could quite possibly cure my RAD (a lie, I know). That being said, I feel the Dart could be the next best thing to my unicorn stainless R41. In fact, to me it's like a tamed R41. Still as efficient with plenty of blade feel and audible feedback, but definitely more comfortable. I'll be in the minority in stating that I prefer the Dart to the Blackbird. No knock on the craftsmanship or shave of that fine piece of machinery, but I actually prefer more blade feel and the Dart delivers better in that department for me. With a Kai blade, it has usurped other fine razors in my collection as the daily driver...

Darn it, Moe, I had resolved not to buy the Dart, as I had decided the Dart could not exceed the performance of the Blackbird OC (or the R41). Based on your (and others') observations, now I'm not so sure... Is your R41 the 2011 or 2013 variety?

I have the 2013 R41.

SOTD July 23rd


Blackland Dart
Astra SP
Yaqi Professional (30mm, Battle Cruiser Class)
Crown King Old Time Lime
Homemade Lime AS

First shave with the Dart and it is a deceptively aggressive razor. It's sort of like a Gillette Old Type with its minimal blade reveal and small gap. We all know that's not the whole story though, The Dart sports enough positive blade exposure that you can definitely feel the edge of the blade doing its work. There were a couple of spots, namely on my chin and jawline where the pass felt less then comfortable. I did two passes and ended up with a DFS that would have been BBS but for a couple of spots that could have used a touch up pass.

I just tried a light side-by-side touchup shave with the Rex wide open and the Dart. Based on blade feel, and efficiency, I’d call the Dart a little more aggressive than the Rex despite what looks like a wider gap on the Rex (not measured.

I was just talking to someone who found the Dart too aggressive for the first two shaves, but then he used a steeper angle and it completely switched for him. So I'm guessing that could be part of the culprit here. I also tend to use a steep angle on the Dart and that could be why I don't find it aggressive. I recommend giving that angle a try if you're finding the Dart overly aggressive. Again, steep angle means handle more perpendicular to the floor when shaving your cheek.

I was just talking to someone who found the Dart too aggressive for the first two shaves, but then he used a steeper angle and it completely switched for him. So I'm guessing that could be part of the culprit here. I also tend to use a steep angle on the Dart and that could be why I don't find it aggressive. I recommend giving that angle a try if you're finding the Dart overly aggressive. Again, steep angle means handle more perpendicular to the floor when shaving your cheek.

Can we have a side close up photo to see how the blade exposure looks like. I've seen a few photos but they are at an angle so can't make out. I have the blackbird but a second good looking performing razor always helps

Edit : a side by side photo of the blackbird and dart showing blade angle and exposure would be amazing !

Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk

I was just talking to someone who found the Dart too aggressive for the first two shaves, but then he used a steeper angle and it completely switched for him. So I'm guessing that could be part of the culprit here. I also tend to use a steep angle on the Dart and that could be why I don't find it aggressive. I recommend giving that angle a try if you're finding the Dart overly aggressive. Again, steep angle means handle more perpendicular to the floor when shaving your cheek.

Can we have a side close up photo to see how the blade exposure looks like. I've seen a few photos but they are at an angle so can't make out. I have the blackbird but a second good looking performing razor always helps

Edit : a side by side photo of the blackbird and dart showing blade angle and exposure would be amazing !

Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk

There’s a perfect comparison photo a few pages earlier in the thread showing blade exposure very well.