Charcoal Goods New Design - Hmm?

I have both.  I found the CG gen 3 lvl 2 to be more aggressive without being more efficient. The CG has zero drag and I love the finish, but I can’t use it more than a few days in a row.

The Overlander has a wee bit of drag and a bead blasted finish and I can get a smooth, comfortable, close shave every day without irritation. The two complaints I have about it are probably related - the bead blasted finish and the small amount of drag.  The superlative shaves I get with it as a daily shaver more than make up for it.

The Overlander with a CG finish might be a grail razor for me.

Interesting the guy in the video said it the exact opposite (less aggressive and more efficient - which is why it peaked my interest). Go figure.

How does the ATG compare? I don't think I have used a razor where the ATG is so comfortable than with my Overlander. Its probably the single most deciding factor for me.

Polished/plated overlanders are so awesome looking. Wish they came that way from the factory!

How is the ATG compare? I don't think I have used a razor where the ATG is so comfortable with my Overlander. Its probably the single most deciding factor for me.

Have you tried the Blackland Era? I found its blade clamping even better than the Overlander.

How is the ATG compare? I don't think I have used a razor where the ATG is so comfortable with my Overlander. Its probably the single most deciding factor for me.

Have you tried the Blackland Era? I found its blade clamping even better than the Overlander.

I have not tried it yet but it looks very interesting. While I do like a rigid blade, I am not of the camp that blade clamping is everything. My Overlander is clamped at various points along the blade but not across the whole thing. This is compared to my Wr2, Lupo, and various SEs that have that are designed to be more rigid yet don't offer ATG performance anywhere close to my Overlander.

So at this point it's hard to decide on next razors to play with because it's not like I can just look at it and say that design is better (because of better clamping). I am trying to find people who love the ATG performance of the overlander and say there is even something better. The guy in the video piqued my interest because he said the overall performance was better (not necessarily ATG performance). So that got me curious.....

How is the ATG compare? I don't think I have used a razor where the ATG is so comfortable with my Overlander. Its probably the single most deciding factor for me.

Have you tried the Blackland Era? I found its blade clamping even better than the Overlander.

I have not tried it yet but it looks very interesting. While I do like a rigid blade, I am not of the camp that blade clamping is everything. My Overlander is clamped at various points along the blade but not across the whole thing. This is compared to my Wr2, Lupo, and various SEs that have that are designed to be more rigid yet don't offer ATG performance anywhere close to my Overlander.

So at this point it's hard to decide on next razors to play with because it's not like I can just look at it and say that design is better (because of better clamping). I am trying to find people who love the ATG performance of the overlander and say there is even something better. The guy in the video piqued my interest because he said the overall performance was better (not necessarily ATG performance). So that got me curious.....

I don't shave ATG, but I am much more impressed by the Era in both efficiency and comfort. It is the razor that has impressed me the most with its clamping, more so than the Overlander which already has excellent blade control. The blade in the Era feels even stiffer and provides a shave that feels smoother for me than the Overlander.

The only negative thing I could say about it is that the fit and finish isn't the best, and it may feel a bit draggy, but not more so than the Overlander.

Have you tried the Blackland Era? I found its blade clamping even better than the Overlander.

I have not tried it yet but it looks very interesting. While I do like a rigid blade, I am not of the camp that blade clamping is everything. My Overlander is clamped at various points along the blade but not across the whole thing. This is compared to my Wr2, Lupo, and various SEs that have that are designed to be more rigid yet don't offer ATG performance anywhere close to my Overlander.

So at this point it's hard to decide on next razors to play with because it's not like I can just look at it and say that design is better (because of better clamping). I am trying to find people who love the ATG performance of the overlander and say there is even something better. The guy in the video piqued my interest because he said the overall performance was better (not necessarily ATG performance). So that got me curious.....

I don't shave ATG, but I am much more impressed by the Era in both efficiency and comfort. It is the razor that has impressed me the most with its clamping, more so than the Overlander which already has excellent blade control. The blade in the Era feels even stiffer and provides a shave that feels smoother for me than the Overlander.

The only negative thing I could say about it is that the fit and finish isn't the best, and it may feel a bit draggy, but not more so than the Overlander.

Smoother than the Overlander. Wow. Ok. Sounds interesting and the price is right. re: fit and finish - in that range Razorock sets the bar for me on finish/$ - how does it compare to the RR offerings (not sure if you are familiar with them). My general philosophy is anything but zamac so my standards re:fit/finish are not terribly high beyond that.

ETA - I forgot to ask, what baseplate on the ERA are you using?

Smoother than the Overlander. Wow. Ok. Sounds interesting and the price is right. re: fit and finish - in that range Razorock sets the bar for me on finish/$ - how does it compare to the RR offerings (not sure if you are familiar with them). My general philosophy is anything but zamac so my standards re:fit/finish are not terribly high beyond that.

ETA -  I forgot to ask, what baseplate on the ERA are you using?

I have several RRs: Lupo 72 and 58, BBS, Mamba 70 and 53. The fit is much better on the RRs, no contest.

I have used plates 3 and 4, SB.
I will order plate 5 when available.

To be more specific: the finish is fine, it's the tolarances that are lacking. Screwing on the handle feels very loose until it's fully tightened, and when you place the blade in the top cap there is definite wiggle room - you have to manually adjust the blade for best alignment as opposed to just dropping it in. The fit is around Merkur level, at best. I'm sure it has to do with the 3D-printing, it simply doesn't have the precision of CNC machining in some areas. But the shave feel and outcome more than makes up for those shortcomings, which I why I still recommend it (and use it) despite some lack of tolarances: Era plate 4 is a contender for the top spot of my razors.
I should perhaps mention that I ordered the very first batch of Eras that were produced. Maybe the precision has improved with subsequent batches, but that's just a hope on my part....

As I only do one pass WTG I never chase BBS, but I do need some efficiency because of it. The Overlander was lacking with a one pass WTG shave, which surprised me given all the reviews claiming it's very efficient. Even the Era Lvl 3 plate, which I found a bit too mild (and returned because of it), was more efficient for me than the Overlander.

Smoother than the Overlander. Wow. Ok. Sounds interesting and the price is right. re: fit and finish - in that range Razorock sets the bar for me on finish/$ - how does it compare to the RR offerings (not sure if you are familiar with them). My general philosophy is anything but zamac so my standards re:fit/finish are not terribly high beyond that.

ETA -  I forgot to ask, what baseplate on the ERA are you using?

I have several RRs: Lupo 72 and 58, BBS, Mamba 70 and 53. The fit is much better on the RRs, no contest.

I have used plates 3 and 4, SB.
I will order plate 5 when available.

To be more specific: the finish is fine, it's the tolarances that are lacking. Screwing on the handle feels very loose until it's fully tightened, and when you place the blade in the top cap there is definite wiggle room - you have to manually adjust the blade for best alignment as opposed to just dropping it in. The fit is around Merkur level, at best. I'm sure it has to do with the 3D-printing, it simply doesn't have the precision of CNC machining in some areas. But the shave feel and outcome more than makes up for those shortcomings, which I why I still recommend it (and use it) despite some lack of tolarances: Era plate 4 is a contender for the top spot of my razors.
I should perhaps mention that I ordered the very first batch of Eras that were produced. Maybe the precision has improved with subsequent batches, but that's just a hope on my part....

As I only do one pass WTG I never chase BBS, but I do need some efficiency because of it. The Overlander was lacking with a one pass WTG shave, which surprised me given all the reviews claiming it's very efficient. Even the Era Lvl 3 plate, which I found a bit too mild (and returned because of it), was more efficient for me than the Overlander.

Thanks for your detailed response. The tolerance thing seems a bit disappointing (to be honest). I've used a Merkur for many years before the new standard of razors came out and adjusting blade to get it centered was a pain for me. Its not a deal breaker necessarily but it is not optimal. I guess there is a bit of things to think about. There are other razors that are interesting to me...especially in this price class like a Henson.

Thanks for your detailed response. The tolerance thing seems a bit disappointing (to be honest). I've used a Merkur for many years before the new standard of razors came out and adjusting blade to get it centered was a pain for me. Its not a deal breaker necessarily but it is not optimal. I guess there is a bit of things to think about. There are other razors that are interesting to me...especially in this price class like a Henson.

I found a video that shows the exact two things I was describing:
https://youtu.be/HRHn8GP4VvE?t=342


But after the first pass he remarks what I have myself noted after using only the Lvl 4 plate: it's deceivingly efficient while being incredibly smooth (watch the whole next 2 min):
https://youtu.be/HRHn8GP4VvE?t=1281

It's what still makes the Era completely worthwhile for me - perhaps the best 3 piece razor I currently own - despite those shortcomings.

Thanks for your detailed response. The tolerance thing seems a bit disappointing (to be honest). I've used a Merkur for many years before the new standard of razors came out and adjusting blade to get it centered was a pain for me. Its not a deal breaker necessarily but it is not optimal. I guess there is a bit of things to think about. There are other razors that are interesting to me...especially in this price class like a Henson.

I found a video that shows the exact two things I was describing:
https://youtu.be/HRHn8GP4VvE?t=342


But after the first pass he remarks what I have myself noted after using only the Lvl 4 plate: it's deceivingly efficient while being incredibly smooth (watch the whole next 2 min):
https://youtu.be/HRHn8GP4VvE?t=1281

It's what still makes the Era completely worthwhile for me - perhaps the best 3 piece razor I currently own - despite those shortcomings.

Thanks for the links with timestamps!! I would have never been able to get through 45 min of the vid. I can see the wiggle in both the blade and handle. It doesn't get me excited about it. Maybe there will be some improvements in the manufacturing down the road. That being said, it looks like is really mowing it down. Definitely interesting option for sure.