Carbon Shaving Co. Cx-316L & Ti DFS pass around

I am probably the minority here but I do not like the web baseplate.

Sorry for the long post but to respond to Whisker, I think it's worth mentioning that I have to pay attention more when using my two various webbed base plates. I have the webbed version base plates of the original 0.68 geometry and the "+"  0.88 geometry. In short, the reduced weight and with less material seem to make the blade more present. Feels like it steps up the efficiency enough that I seem to prefer the more solid feel in the earlier base plates before webbing. The weight from the earlier solid design feels like it absorbs or guards the blade feel a bit. There is a comfort in that feeling and I will tend to press the safety bar into my skin to feel a bit more of the blade. To my skin, there is a high degree of comfort and control with the various designs and unique geometry.

With the solid plates, it seems more intuitive for me to enjoy on the first pass regardless of which direction I go. For a first pass, I usually will go across the grain or against the grain. With the webbed base plates, I have found that later in a shave, such as a cleanup pass, I may switch to using the more present blade feel base plates, such as the solid 0.68 Ti or the webbed 0.68 Ti. That's when I'm probably doing a 3rd pass and trying to push for a really close shave. I can easily overdo it and give my skin razor burn from doing more than 2 aggressive passes on my skin. When I use a webbed plate for a later pass to pickup any last bits of beard, theres no angle on the handle and I pull it across the skin like a squeegee. It'll take a thin bit of skin off and I mean that in best way possible. It moves and cuts across the face really nicely, but I do restrain myself a little bit more from pressing into the skin as hard as I do in the earlier passes.

Maybe there can be a possibility of some select styles of special release razors where Sean could consider a batch of mostly web if people are really preferring that and maybe 1 or 2 of that batch could be a solid plate variation. It's just an idea because the other idea I have is a bit more complex and I'll just share it since I am only one member with only my preferences and biases. What if there was a version 2 webbed pattern which doesn't cut out as much material (maintains more weight than the current design), or could it be designed have more weight toward the blades edge and less around the handle? 

One more note, a couple of days ago I had my ti "++" solid base plate and a Gillette China London Bridge on it's 9th use. It was starting to tug a bit so today I decided to switch out the base plate to the webbed "+" plate to get more blade feel and it. So for the 10th use on the same blade, it seems to work out just fine and I can get a bit more use out of the blade. Just for example, I could keep using the "+" plate and then when it feels like it's tugging, I would then switch to the solid original 0.68 plate and then after that, get the last bit out of the blade using what I find to be the most aggressive, the webbed original 0.68 plate. A few years ago I really didn't like using blades for an extended time/use but nowadays, I really like using the blades for as long as I can enjoy comfortable results. Just an idea if anyone has multiple Carbon base plates, when the blade is feeling like it's losing it's keenness, consider switching over to a base plate which has more blade exposure and see if you can maintain the smoothness you need for your shave.

I am probably the minority here but I do not like the web baseplate.

I have only ever used the web plate, but I really like it. My comparison would be a WR1 and WR2. In addition to the weight reduction, I think the webbing also makes cleaning the razor a snap. I think it's a definite improvement over a closed plate Wolfman.

The pass around is currently with me and I am making my way through the various plates. I want to leave a comment about the handles. As you know, the passaround includes both the R2 and R3 handle. I personally really like the ergonomics and look of the R2 handle. That said, I also think the R3 looks very cool, with it's carbon fiber element. It's lightweight also matches a titanium cap and plate very well. That got me to thinking about a  potential mash-up of both handle styles. I thought that would look really cool and even decided copy and paste together what it would look like. I think it would combine the best aspects of the other designs and look awesome, particularly in a CX-GRAPHITE. I reached out to Sean to ask him if he might consider producing the design. He said that he could and would look into doing so. I am super excited and plan on ordering a razor with the combined design once he has it ready. Here's what it might look like...what do you guys think?  Anyone else want one?

NJDJ Not a bad idea, cool to see the recessed areas toward the top and bottom of the handle. Initially, I did get an R2 when I decided to go all in on the Ti versions over the stainless. Somehow over time, I didn't find myself reaching to use the R2 as much. As much as I love the look and the design of the contours, the carbon fiber/SS/Ti handles seem to get the most use from me. Maybe it has more to do with the balance and weight.

The topic of design is such a cool topic...especially when you consider a product like the DE razor! 

It’s interesting, but I was able to some what test the web vs the solid design demand and almost all folks picked the web. Having said that some folks do prefer our original solid version...totally appreciate the preference Whisker_whacker .

Just to share my design consideration and inspiration, I am constantly thinking about “Form and Function”. The original saying was “Form follows function…” it was a Chicago architect who coined the term, although inspired by ancient Roman design principals. His apprentice, Frank Loyd Wright expanded on the subject by saying “Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union”. I think this philosophy applies to the DE razor and speaks to the look and beauty of a design “and” how it works, feels and functions…

One thing I really enjoy about the pass around is the feedback, thoughts and advice on the subject! Thank you...I am able to incorporate this feedback directly into our design. Some of the feedback you folks have shared includes:

• Offering 4 different base plate levels: As much as I would love to discontinue a base plate, they have all held their own. As a manufacturer, an expanded offering is expensive.
  

• The R2 handle design: My original design, the R1 had hard angles. I had designed it purely with function as a priority. The mid section was removed to reduce weight and create a balance point at the fingers. The Titanium V1 handle was designed specifically to balance with our a 316L stainless head. If you notice on the R2 and V1...the edges close to the head were softened. The grooves were added to maintain balance point and reduce weight in the right areas. In the photo, the V1 is on the left, R1 in the middle and the R2 on the right. Fun note but the "R" in R1/R2 was labelled that because some one on Reddit compared it to a "R"achet handle I have kept the R3 handle (Carbon Fiber/Ti) in the mix because some folks still like that hard angle.
  

 

• Material: I get a lot of feedback on different material to explore. Knife makers have cool options...some of the material I have seen them use is just gorgeous. I consider brass and copper as well to be unique materials….I think patina, weight, aesthetics and heat transfer are the appeal with these. From a function perspective, corrosion doesn’t allow us the material options that knife makers have available to them, being that a DE razor is a very wet environment. Here is a custom piece I just made from Titanium Damascus (Damtanium). The below material was suggested by a customer:
  

On a final design note regarding "Form and Function" I get feedback to offer a cheaper version of our product. The finish is one of the most expensive aspect of our product after the material (Including the 316L stainless steel we use). I could offer a much less expensive finish but I fear I would compromise our design principal. Not only does a polished surface add to the beauty(Form) but a polished surface serves 2 key functional elements including ability to clean better and less likely to rust and corrode compared to other finishes.

I love doing small runs of pieces...thanks NJDJ I'll need some time but love the idea...thank you!

zaclikestoshave 

Maybe there can be a possibility of some select styles of special release razors where Sean could consider a batch of mostly web if people are really preferring that and maybe 1 or 2 of that batch could be a solid plate variation. It's just an idea because the other idea I have is a bit more complex and I'll just share it since I am only one member with only my preferences and biases. What if there was a version 2 webbed pattern which doesn't cut out as much material (maintains more weight than the current design), or could it be designed have more weight toward the blades edge and less around the handle?

I like your idea brother! Tricky to manufacturer to an earlier point of expanded offerings. I have explored different matrix designs for the web plate. I could make the web plate with less material removed but as you mentioned it would add weight(Minimal amount). The more common feedback I get is, could you remove more material? The challenge with this is it becomes extremely unstable in the mill, to the point that it will start to twist and buckle the material while in the mill. I am not sure I can explain your experience why the different feel between the solid and web plates as the dimensions (angle, exposure, gaps, etc...) are the same. It might be another variable...I need to study that more.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts...I read them all! It means a lot...

Sean

Current tester here. I am wrapping things up and  have contacted @timebandit as he is the next person on the list.  I will likely send out the razor to him on Tuesday. 

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to try out the Carbon. I tried all of the plates and handle combinations.  For certain, Sean has a high quality product that matches or exceeds the other top quality manufacturers. That said, a real point of positive differentiation is his willingness to offer up his products here for trial by our community. This opportunity has been extremely helpful to me.  I also find that he has been very responsive from a customer service perspective. I have had several email conversations with him and I really value that responsiveness in a business. So, thank you to Sean for really doing it right.

After all of my testing, I have landed on the + plate in titanium as the one for me. It provides me with a very enjoyable shave and I am excited to add it to my den.  As I  mentioned in one of my prior posts, Sean is putting together a mash up of his r2 and r3 handles and that is what I will use.  It is going to be a VERY cool and stealthy looking razor!  

Thank you Sean and thank you DFS for this passaround.

NJDJ thank you for the excellent reviews! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts.

So, I'm actually moving at the end of this next week. This unfortunately is bad timing for me and this pass-around. I very much want to give Sean and his razors their due attention. So, I'm going to have to ask if I may be bumped down a couple positions to allow for time for me to settle in at my new place. I'm thinking I should be good to have a go at this Carbon pass-around after ppshil. If that's okay with everyone.

Thanks for messaging me. Please let me know if my request is okay.

So, andrewjs18 , am I to send it to Lesser?

I would like to he added to this pass around if it’s not too late. I’ve never tried a Carbon razor and have enjoyed reading the reviews and commentary here. In NJ
andrewjs18

So, andrewjs18 , am I to send it to Lesser?

yes, that's fine.  I'll bump Time Bandit back a spot or two.