Karve Overlander -- Thoughts And Impressions

     I have to say, it would seem that the hype is real surrounding this razor. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. When I saw one that was rhodium plated, I really wanted it but I was hesitant. Due to most of what I had heard, it was supposed to be a mild but efficient razor. I just wasn't sure how mild it would be as I favor more aggressive razors. I had also heard that there was at least some minor blade feel, so I was hoping it would at least be enough that I would like the razor. I'm guessing I liked it since my last 7 out of 10 shaves were with the Overlander.

     What I heard most consistently was:

That it was mild, but yet quite efficient.
That it was comfortable and a very smooth shaver. 
That it felt like it was very unlikely to get any nicks or weepers with it.
That head shavers liked it because it was mild, yet efficient. Also another thing, that the blade tabs are covered. I'm not a head shaver, but this seems to be common among them that the blade tabs apparently are very capable of nicking your ear when you shave around it. This is not an issue with the Overlander.

My Experience:

     There isn't much to say other than the fact that pretty much what I had heard is true. Believe the hype! Other than not experiencing a head shape with it (I can definitely see why it's popular with head shavers), my experience it's pretty much on par with most of what I've read or seen in video posts. It is definitely on the milder side, but not so mild that it doesn't feel like it has a blade in it. I know that definitely works for some people, it just doesn't for me. I like a little blade feel as an acknowledgment that I am shaving. The efficiency of the razor as mild as it is, is quite impressive. I was able to achieve a BBS shave in two passes with a little bit of buffing that I wasn't able to achieve with some other razors with considerably larger blade gaps. This is where I personally have to remind myself that blade gap and exposure don't always tell the whole story about the razor. There's a whole lot of science and geometry also involved in how it shaves. It is absolutely very comfortable and quite possibly one of the smoothest razors I have ever used. As some others have said, it also feels quite safe and almost unthreatening. Like it's almost impossible to cut yourself with it. And after seven shaves with it, there wasn't a nick or weeper anywhere even remotely in sight.

Summary:

     Simply an absolutely fantastic razor and a pleasant surprise based on my expectations. Not that it would be a crappy razor, just that it wouldn't be for me. I can definitely see it getting a lot of use and I highly recommend it to anybody who may have been considering it. Considering you can get the brass or the aluminum version for just under $95 USD, and the stainless steel and copper versions for just under $180 USD, I think they are more than worth the money.

Its my favorite razor that I've used so far and I would be curious to see if anyone who loves the razor has had another razor beat it out. I know there are people that love blade feel so this razor would not be for them, but if you love the smoothness of this razor, what out there is smoother and just as efficient? I've had the brass for over a year and half and just ordered the stainless option.

Its my favorite razor that I've used so far and I would be curious to see if anyone who loves the razor has had another razor beat it out. I know there are people that love blade feel so this razor would not be for them, but if you love the smoothness of this razor, what out there is smoother and just as efficient? I've had the brass for over a year and half and just ordered the stainless option.

My Kopparkant plus and Apex (both by Aylsworth razors) beat the overlander.

My Kopparkant plus and Apex (both by Aylsworth razors) beat the overlander.

How does the Apex compare to the Overlander as far as blade feel? Everyone raves about how little blade feel/aggressiveness the Apex has despite the generous gap and exposure.

My Kopparkant plus and Apex (both by Aylsworth razors) beat the overlander.

How does the Apex compare to the Overlander as far as blade feel? Everyone raves about how little blade feel/aggressiveness the Apex has despite the generous gap and exposure.

Probably slightly more blade feel, but at least just as smooth and more efficient.

The Kopparkant Plus is the one razor where the exposure doesn’t feel as listed. The 0.12mm feels more like my 0.6mm razors.

Have not tried the apex yet.

Sold my Overlander.

The Kopparkant Plus is the one razor where the exposure doesn’t feel as listed. The 0.12mm feels more like my 0.6mm razors.

Have not tried the apex yet.

Sold my Overlander.

Yup, I think the Aylsworth razors deserve a lot more attention than they get. 
They also happen to be some of the prettiest razors around.

shaveSymptomatic I have heard good things about the Apex. I haven't had the urge to buy one yet personally, but it is well priced for for a CNC machined SS razor. Actually cheaper than the SS Overlander.

hduty I don't own an Apex but I have heard it is very smooth and efficient. The Overlander has a blade gap of 0.73mm and exposure of 0.07mm. The Apex has a blade gap of 0.99mm and an exposure of 0.125mm. I would imagine it would have to have some more blade feel than the Overlander.

Its my favorite razor that I've used so far and I would be curious to see if anyone who loves the razor has had another razor beat it out. I know there are people that love blade feel so this razor would not be for them, but if you love the smoothness of this razor, what out there is smoother and just as efficient? I've had the brass for over a year and half and just ordered the stainless option.

Beat is a strong word, and depends on the day, but two razors that I often like at least as much as my SS overlander, and probably reach for more often, in order: #1. H&S Efficient Ti, just as smooth, more efficient. #2. Design94 Ti, slightly more blade feel, more efficient, still smooth enough for me. I like Ti. If Karve made a Ti overlander I would buy in a heartbeat.


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Its my favorite razor that I've used so far and I would be curious to see if anyone who loves the razor has had another razor beat it out. I know there are people that love blade feel so this razor would not be for them, but if you love the smoothness of this razor, what out there is smoother and just as efficient? I've had the brass for over a year and half and just ordered the stainless option.

Beat is a strong word, and depends on the day, but two razors that I often like at least as much as my SS overlander, and probably reach for more often, in order: #1. H&S Efficient Ti, just as smooth, more efficient. #2. Design94 Ti, slightly more blade feel, more efficient, still smooth enough for me. I like Ti. If Karve made a Ti overlander I would buy in a heartbeat.


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Yeah, Ti seems to be a metal that Karve doesn't work with. I don't know if it's a machining issue or request issue, or maybe even both. I prefer a bit more heft, so I'm good with stainless or brass, but at least Ti has a bit more weight than aluminum.