Blackland DART

If anyone is feeling that this razor is too aggressive for them, change the angle by bringing the handle in a little closer to your face.  I stumbled upon that and was so relieved.  

Using a normal 30-35 handle angle for me is fine for the first pass, to mow down some length.  But it really roughed me up if I kept that for the 2nd and 3rd shaves.  It got to where I would quit the shave early rather than finish that third pass.

But on pass 2 and 3, I have learned to bring the handle in just a little and it no longer irritates, but cuts *really* well.  It feels consistent and solid.  Now I feel no irritation, usually, as I sometimes even go to a 5th touch-up pass in some of my trouble spots.

It's doing so well that I decided to use it for Austere August, where I'm shaving with the same gear all month.  Even the same blade.  I shaved with that Nacet twice before august, so it is currently at 17 shaves on it.  And it is still giving me an above average shave with no irritation!

So maybe this can help you enjoy your Dart better.

If you are curious further, I have a Dart Playlist on YouTube, as I've recorded many of my Dart shaves.  The last 15 vids or so are using the same gear, since it's August, so if you don't want to watch another video with me lathering Williams soap, you should scroll to the earlier vids.  And note that the first few will be before I discovered the proper angle, so they are not indicative of the great performance I'm getting now.

Forum newbie here just saying hi to introduce myself. Started using a DE around five years ago and here I am five years later after a lot of money spent on razors, brushes, blades, soaps and creams! (I thought this was the more economical way of shaving...).

Anyway, nice to meet you all!

I have just finished reading all these posts on the Dart and...I want one. The tips on shining up with the Dremel is wonderful, thank you.

I wanted to quote this post just the statement about lowering the handle closer to the face would result in smoother, not as aggressive feel etc.

That's interesting since with my Blackland Blackbird, I do just the opposite if I want a nice sharp define at bottom of sideburns,

I move handle very close to face and immediately feel the resultant sharper contact with beard and results in extra clean line. Go figure.

When aggression is needed, I do that for entire shave and get very close results.

Anyway, nice job on all the review and Shane, you've come up with a most respectable razor and I look forward to ordering one.

Thanks,

Glenn

How does the Dart blade feel compare to the blade feel of razors like the Muhle R41 or the Fatip OC MK1 or the IKON tech ?

I've tried the Fatip Grande v1 and the Dart has more blade feel to me. If you use the maximum bite angle, that is. Maybe that's around 30-35 degrees for me. If i bring the handle in closer to my face for the 2-3rd passes, then I think it takes the blade feel almost down to the Fatip's.

But... I haven't had too many shaves with the v1 Fatip, so my memory may be a bit off. Hopefully someone else will confirm.

First the mahvelous Gamechanger, then last night the great Karve and then tonight the just as impressive Dart. What a shave was had. A complete 2 pass WTG-ATG and a full BBS lights out finish. Definitely a bit more blade feel and efficiency with the Dart but, this razor brings a broader range in shave angle to the game compared to the other two. Just a fabulous performer that can give a smooth and efficient shave without breaking a sweat. A great trio of shavers for sure and all perform wonderfully.....

Well over a month since my last shave with the Dart. Completed a smooth, comfy and BBS finish in 3 passes. The Dart is an excellent shaver that is at mid-level in terms of blade feel and comfort. Yet, gives a pretty nice angle of adjustment depending on how much or how little blade feel you want. I’ve learned that using a shallow angle you get a wee bit more blade feel that gives an extremely close and rather comfy shave. Go a bit steeper and the shave is almost GC .68 smooth with light blade feel that gives a super comfy shave. Trade off for me is that it’s not as close a shave as when I use a shallower angle. That angle produces an exquisite shave that just requires a bit more attention to technique & pressure, which is none.

Just a real easy razor to get an awesome shave with. It delivers.......

The Dart had become my primary daily razor until I got the Blackbird, and it’s still in the rotation. Really, the Dart (and Black Friday) is what pushed me over the edge to try the Blackbird. Now the two of them are conspiring to talk me into adding a Vector.

The Dart had become my primary daily razor until I got the Blackbird, and it’s still in the rotation. Really, the Dart (and Black Friday) is what pushed me over the edge to try the Blackbird. Now the two of them are conspiring to talk me into adding a Vector.

If you're a Vegas man, you know that Trips beats 2 of a kind. All Day.......

Dart/Supermax BDT. I approached this first shave with the Dart with considerable trepidation knowing that Ruds had given it a too aggressive thumbs down as a head shaver (and we usually agree). It's ok for me, curiously loud like the blade is chattering but no tugs or skipping.

My only big issue is another architecturally beautiful and functionally terrible handle from Shane who seems to have a fear of knurling I don't really get. When it gets upside down on my head the wet handle really wants to go elsewhere which is not good given how much exposure we've got here. As sensible as Frank Lloyd Wright chair. I won't be using the handle again.

Excellent shave otherwise, I like the level of aggression just fine, adequately smooth, and build quality of course is superb.

...from Shane who seems to have a fear of knurling...

I really, really do.

...from Shane who seems to have a fear of knurling...

I really, really do.

:-) Keeping the razor, by the way, will only get better.

Got back to the Dart after almost 2 months away from it. Just a really nice and smooth razor that works in a wide range of angles, shallow or steep it just delivers. But with this shave (last night), I decided to use one of my favorite blades in it. The KAI SS. It's a bit wider from edge to edge and can potentially up the blade feel on any razor. It did not disappoint in the Dart and it felt amazingly smooth yet you get the increased blade feel that is so good.

Overall the Dart is an excellently manufactured razor that in my experience will work with any blade combination you can throw at it. Throw in the very competive pricing and materials and it's an exceptional razor and value.