Blackland DART

The Dart was the lost leader on the Blackland website. It seems the more Shane charged for a razor the more people wanted one. The Dart was the orphan. Very soon it will be ERA time.

Hang on. Did I say $75? The Era is $400 now.

I was going to hold out for the $1400 titanium version, but at $400, I might have to buy one now.

In all seriousness, I suspect a relatively vocal but small number of bad first hand reviews tanked chances in a market overflowing with new razors.

For some reason, reading the forums, it also felt that some prospective buyers were deciding on only one purchase from Blackland and the Blackbird proponents had louder voices, speaking of its efficiency and smoothness while making unflattering comparisons to the Dart.

I am skeptical that price was the problem, otherwise how does one explain the success of the RazoRock GameChanger, which is cheaper and 316 stainless? (I was going to mention the Rockwell 6S as well, but I think its sustained success may be due to its having occupied a niche as an optimal starter razor.)

I think that the Dart suffered following the Blackbird which to this day has stellar reviews and word of mouth. Even now the titanium is one of the "new big things" in our market and the Dart maybe didn't gain its own identity. Or maybe it just wasn't distinctive enough? I'm not sure, but being the little brother to the Blackbird I think hurt it's chances, unfairly because it was truly the best deal on the market IMO.

In all seriousness, I suspect a relatively vocal but small number of bad first hand reviews tanked chances in a market overflowing with new razors.

For some reason, reading the forums, it also felt that some prospective buyers were deciding on only one purchase from Blackland and the Blackbird proponents had louder voices, speaking of its efficiency and smoothness while making unflattering comparisons to the Dart.

I am skeptical that price was the problem, otherwise how does one explain the success of the RazoRock GameChanger, which is cheaper and 316 stainless? (I was going to mention the Rockwell 6S as well, but I think its sustained success may be due to its having occupied a niche as an optimal starter razor.)

Maybe because value for money is RR brand in a nutshell. Generally in retail you aim to be either the leader on price or a luxury option. Those in the middle often get lost. 

I also agree with your point about the reviews from a vocal minority. A perpetual problem for the forums are reviews based on too little experience.

The Dart was the lost leader on the Blackland website. It seems the more Shane charged for a razor the more people wanted one. The Dart was the orphan. Very soon it will be ERA time.

Hang on. Did I say $75? The Era is $400 now.

Nice! You’ll probably sell more that way. I started this when a premium razor was $185. Now, some SS razors goes for $300. I’m glad I got into it I did. These new prices would have kept me out of the market, and have. The only razor I bought last year was a dart.

I remember thinking that $180 for ATT was absolutely ridiculous when they came out, inconceivable that anyone would ever spend that much on a razor. Now H&S has $600 razors and I don't bat an eye. There has to be a $1000 razor coming...

I remember thinking that $180 for ATT was absolutely ridiculous when they came out, inconceivable that anyone would ever spend that much on a razor. Now H&S has $600 razors and I don't bat an eye. There has to be a $1000 razor coming...

It’s already happened. It was the Wolfman before he started the list up again. I enjoy my SS razors, but I’m at the point where I don’t “need” any more and there are other things I would rather spend $250-300 on. I do plan on getting a titanium blackbird though.

I remember thinking that $180 for ATT was absolutely ridiculous when they came out, inconceivable that anyone would ever spend that much on a razor. Now H&S has $600 razors and I don't bat an eye. There has to be a $1000 razor coming...

It’s already happened. It was the Wolfman before he started the list up again. I enjoy my SS razors, but I’m at the point where I don’t “need” any more and there are other things I would rather spend $250-300 on. I do plan on getting a titanium blackbird though.

Same. Especially when there are so many great stainless steel razors a couple of price tiers lower that are at least 95% of the quality and finish of the super expensive ones while in many cases exceeding their shave quality.

The Dart was the lost leader on the Blackland website. It seems the more Shane charged for a razor the more people wanted one. The Dart was the orphan. Very soon it will be ERA time.

Hang on. Did I say $75? The Era is $400 now.

No wait. Now that you see the love for the Dart, please design and sell a $150 Dart stand. The "low" Dart investment will rise to a $250 plus razor with it!

Or like I proposed on Instagram, transform it as a dark Darth Vader razor for $250 and bring it back on your website!

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So much razor design and marketing, so little time.