Just One? Karve Overlander vs. Charcoal Goods (Level 2)?

I'm torn.  One of these brass beauties (yes, only one) belong in my Den.

Betwixt these two similar razors, if costs were equal, which might you choose if you were forced to buy only one?

Please help me un-tear my torn RAD!

Thank you!

Love all Karve razors so a vote from me for the Overlander.

Karve makes the better product.
You can also buy two Karve razors for the price of one Charcoal Goods razor.

Personally, it would be a no-contest...it's the Overlander. However, I find the Overlander to be more similar to the CG Level 1. If you're asking between the Overlander vs CG Lvl 1, now I'm really struggling as to which I would keep

Both are of equal build quality IMO. The Overlander is clearly less $$

The Overlander has pretty much no blade feel and is very smooth. Its a mindless shave every single time. If you don't like blade feel and lean towards less aggressive (yet still efficient) razors, the Overlander is the one to get. The Overlander has a slightly sleeker head profile, while the CG is a bit bulkier and heavier.

Personally, I like my Charcoal Goods (Level 3) more than the Overlander... but I like aggressive razors and blade feel. I could be wrong, but I would assume the CG L2 is a step up in blade feel and aggression over the Overlander.

Both are awesome razors!

Personally, it would be a no-contest...it's the Overlander. However, I find the Overlander to be more similar to the CG Level 1. If you're asking between the Overlander vs CG Lvl 1, now I'm really struggling as to which I would keep

Both are of equal build quality IMO. The Overlander is clearly less $$

The Overlander has pretty much no blade feel and is very smooth. Its a mindless shave every single time. If you don't like blade feel and lean towards less aggressive (yet still efficient) razors, the Overlander is the one to get. The Overlander has a slightly sleeker head profile, while the CG is a bit bulkier and heavier.

Personally, I like my Charcoal Goods (Level 3) more than the Overlander... but I like aggressive razors and blade feel. I could be wrong, but I would assume the CG L2 is a step up in blade feel and aggression over the Overlander.

Both are awesome razors!

For decision-making purposes and comparison, please note that the CG Level 1 has negative blade exposure, the Everyday (one step up) has zero blade exposure and the Level 2 has positive blade exposure. All are Generation 3 and use the same top blade cover--in other words you can simply buy the different plates once you have one razor. In order of aggressiveness, the Charcoal Goods Generation 3 razors are as follows:

Level 1:
A mild shave:
blade gap 0.026"/0.660mm
blade exposure -0.004"/-0.102mm

Everyday:
A mild shave
blade gap 0.030"/ 0.762mm
blade exposure 0.000"/0.000mm

Level 2:
A standard shave:
blade gap 0.034"/0.864mm
blade exposure 0.004"/0.102mm

Level 3:
An aggressive shave:
blade gap 0.045"/1.143mm
blade exposure 0.010"/0.254mm

I love my Everyday and Level 2. Both are smooth as butter. All I can say is that my CG razors are among my most favorite and best shaving razors.

I do not have a CG Level 3 nor do I have an Overlander and cannot therefore compare them.

I used to own the Everyday razor.
It performed just like the Karve B plate.
I found the Karve was just simply made better.
I wasn't a fan of the janky top cap of the Charcoal Goods. It has these giant circular female counterparts for the little square nubs of the baseplate. Nothing really there to accurately align the top cap to the baseplate, other than the clamping pressure.
To me, the Charcoal Goods doesn't offer anything new that the Karve CB doesn't offer, and with less finesse and similar geometry.
I also prefer the Overlander to either the CB and the Everyday.
The Charcoal Goods line has cool artisan aesthetics at a premium price.

I think it all depends on what kind of razors you like, I have both and I think the lvl 2 is a better razor for my preferences. That being said I think the Overlander is probably the right razor for 90% of shavers. The Overlander is a carefree shaving razor, where the lvl 2 I think would be more likely to bite if you were to have a moment of not paying attention. I'm keeping both because the Overlander I can shave on autopilot at 0530 and with a bit of extra buffing still end up with a great shave

I have now owned both for a little while. I prefer the efficiency and smoothness of the Overlander. The CG LVL 2 is a good razor but it does not do anything exceptionally well compared to others in my stable.

Everyone’s face is different and techniques may vary so take this with a grain of salt. The Overlander is mild enough to shave with everyday on auto pilot but with a little buffing I can get a BBS shave with little effort.

The CG lvl 2 is a little more aggressive and yet does not seem that much more efficient for what it gives up in smoothness for me.

This has just been my experience. After owning Timeless, Wolfman WR1 and WR2, Blackland Blackbirds, I’d say my favorite are:

1. Blackland Blackbird Ti for a more aggressive but extremely smooth shave. You will truly learn not to use any pressure with this razor as none is needed.

2. Karve Overlander for an everyday shaver that can give you exceptional results with no irritation compared to more aggressive options.

3. Wolfman WR1 OC with a .94 blade gap is the most aggressive razor I own but still enjoy shaving with. Extremely good razor for many days growth but not quite as smooth as my Ti Blackbird.