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.

metal_shavings 

Nice review of the Overlander, but I wondered which blade you chose for your shave. Since you like higher efficiency, did you pick a super sharp blade?

Ray

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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Interesting that the Design94 has more blade feel despite having a negative exposure, but with a larger gap.

I have an Aviation94 incoming so I'm curious to see how that will pan out.

Great review metal_shavings . I enjoyed reading it and agree, mild yet very satisfying efficient shave.  Effortlessly BBS. I use a sharp blade like Nacet, Kai or Wizamet. Today’s shave with Goatlander

     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.

metal_shavings 

Nice review of the Overlander, but I wondered which blade you chose for your shave. Since you like higher efficiency, did you pick a super sharp blade?

Ray

Thank you RayClem ! I used a couple different ones. A Gillette 7 o'Clock Green Super Stainless, Rapira Platinum Lux, Derby Extra - Green, and a Wizamet. The Derby and Wizamet shaves both were outstanding for me. All shaves were comfortable and smooth, but the Derby and Wizamet I enjoyed most. When using a new razor, I really honestly don't consider the sharpness of the blade and the aggressiveness of the razor. Honestly, I probably should. I just generally reach for a blade that I like and that I'm familiar with to better judge how the razor works for me. At least that's my formula for the time being, but that can always change.

Great review metal_shavings . I enjoyed reading it and agree, mild yet very satisfying efficient shave.  Effortlessly BBS. I use a sharp blade like Nacet, Kai or Wizamet. Today’s shave with Goatlander

Thank you Calm_Shaver ! I am glad you enjoyed reading my ramble! I really enjoyed the Overlander/Wizamet combo also. The Derby Extra Green was really nice for me as well. The Overlander delivers consistently great shaves. Smooth, efficient and you really almost don't even have to pay attention. It it is like you can almost shave on auto pilot.

metal_shavings

Thanks for the feedback on the blades. Since you are getting nice shaves from the Derby Extra, I am wondering if the blades I hated years ago might have been made to a different spec. I will be evaluating the Extras next Wednesday if everything goes according to plan. I would have never believed that anyone could consider Wizamet Super Iridium and Derby Extra to provide similar shaves. We shall see how the Derbys perform in the Karve C plate.

metal_shavings

Thanks for the feedback on the blades. Since you are getting nice shaves from the Derby Extra, I am wondering if the blades I hated years ago might have been made to a different spec. I will be evaluating the Extras next Wednesday if everything goes according to plan. I would have never believed that anyone could consider Wizamet Super Iridium and Derby Extra to provide similar shaves. We shall see how the Derbys perform in the Karve C plate.

The Derby Extra Greens I am using are definitely a few years old as I have had them for sometime. I was honestly as surprised as anyone how well they performed for me. Not saying the shaves necessarily during the shave were exactly the same, but the Derby and the Wizamets both gave me the results I was looking for. I do believe the Wizamets are definitely sharper. Unfortunately, I don't really know if one would've given more shaves than the other, as I generally quit after three shaves and chuck the blade.

Thanks for the great review metal_shavings! I agree. I do wish Karve would produce in Ti. My brass overlander feels a bit heavy, but I do like lighter razors. I may have to try the aluminum to see if the difference is significant.

JP

Thanks for the great review metal_shavings!  I agree.  I do wish Karve would produce in Ti. My brass overlander feels a bit heavy, but I do like lighter razors.  I may have to try the aluminum to see if the difference is significant. 

JP

Thank you JPower6210! I do like the heft myself and I find the aluminum a little little bit light for me. But I do believe there is a significant difference because the brass comes in at 110g/3.88 oz and the aluminum is 37g/1.3 oz. So the aluminum only weighs about 1/3 of what the brass does. That may work very well for you if you like a lighter razor.!

Huge fan of the Overlander. I started with the Brass, and used it for a while. I am typically one who likes a lighter razor (though, for some reason, it seems to depend on which razor.).

Later, I bought the aluminum and loved it so much I sold my brass and got a backup Alum.

Fwiw, I also see less Aluminum for resale... but that could be due to less initial sales. I choose to think it's because folks like it more. Lol. I'm biased here.

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