Karve Shaving Co. A new DE Brass razor to market.

WCS has announced on their site that they will be stocking the Karve CB razor soon. Apparently apart from the backlog here, and his unfortunate accident - Chris would also have to work on the committed stock to WCS. Expect things to be slow and who knows a price hike is on the cards ? Demand vs supply. So it would be well worth the wait time here !

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I ordered late on 5/21 and received shipping notification this week on 6/11. I ordered C and D plates.

Normally my package should be announced any moment then, although I might have to wait longer as I have ordered all plates. Belgian customs is going to be very happy, me a little bit less as far as $$ is concerned.

WCS has announced on their site that they will be stocking the Karve CB razor soon. Apparently apart from the backlog here, and his unfortunate accident - Chris would also have to work on the committed stock to WCS. Expect things to be slow and who knows a price hike is on the cards ? Demand vs supply. So it would be well worth the wait time here !

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I wish people would stop hinting at and speculating about price hikes. I hope Chris doesn't decide to do that after reading multiple posts like this. IMO, the lower price for a premium razor is one of the best and most attractive attributes of the Karve. Granted I already have one, but I think a lot of others like me want an option for a nice razor without breaking the bank.

I agree, I think the price point coupled with the quality of this Razor is a major selling point. I don’t think the Karve would be near as popular if the price was raised, especially with its tumbled finish.

Most certainly! I mean I can order all baseplates and handles for the price of one higher priced razor :-)

WARNING: this may turn out to be a longish post with many twists and turns. I haven't had second breakfast yet! (or a second cup of coffee, either.)

I have been shaving traditionally for almost exclusively with vintage Gillettes for over two years, and the Slim adjustable is my go-to razor, so much so that I got a second in really great shape so that I could have both a customized paint job and an original finish! Because, well, why not?! There is the history aspect, the family ties (although I don't have an heirloom razor, but one from the same time that is the model my Dad used), and the fact that most Gillettes just work well for me when I spend some time with it. Some exceptions were the Old Type and the New short comb. Both gave a thrilling ride and care was needed! But as daily workhorses, it was too much excitement for the morning shave.

My CB razor arrived last week with the 3.5" handle and plates A, B, and C. That handle is heavy. And just a tad long for me, but I liked it. Then I thought, why not get a 3"? So with the help of BST I found a gent wanting to trade up while I wanted to trade down in size and soon both were happy.

But back to the shave. I had two marvelous shaves with the B plate before I traded the handles. Done on work mornings, so not a lot of time to goof around, just shave as usual and get going. The B plate did a great job, comfortably giving me a shave similar to the Slim on 4 or 5 with results like 6. I became a believer at at that point.

Yesterday, with the new to me 3" handle and over 30 hours of whisker-growth that needed to be removed, I opted for the C plate. Another close shave, and so easy to maneuver around the facial topography. Just a bit more "exciting" than B, but I am not sure if it was the plate or my expectations of more aggression in the next step up. Further studies are needed.

Today, with about 20 hours between shaves, I opted for the A plate. The result is a smooth finish after a very comfortable shave. So comfortable as to be care-free, almost in the "look, Ma! No hands!" kind of shaving! Again, further studies are needed.

So the rest of June and all of July will be used for research and study of this CB razor and the appropriate use of plates A, B, and C. On occasion, my trusty Slim will need to make an appearance to act as a control for comparison purposes.

TL;DR: I really think this is The One! Well, this and my Slim.

Eric, excellent review. You and I are on the opposite ends. I like the Old type and the new SC so I bought the D plate originally in December and now have the E & F plate and sold the D plate. I find the E plate to be very smooth and the F the same with slightly more efficiency ( the BBS lasts a few hours longer). The price of an all brass razor got me to buy it in the first place and I think that may be true for many, but the excellent shave has kept it in my rotation.

Of all the artisan "boutique" razors of the past few years this one appears to me (without actually handling one) to be the best of the lot as it's made of a time proven metal, stellar workmanship and lastly it isn't another that merely copies the Merkur "scalloped" head design.

Exactly so! The many plate options allow you to make it "personal"!

Eric, excellent review. You and I are on the opposite ends. I like the Old type and the new SC so I bought the D plate originally in December and now have the E & F plate and sold the D plate. I find the E plate to be very smooth and the F the same with slightly more efficiency ( the BBS lasts a few hours longer). The price of an all brass razor got me to buy it in the first place and I think that may be true for many, but the excellent shave has kept it in my rotation.

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If hints were driving market prices, a wolfmann would be available for $50 or less. It's all about demand and supply. I also hear that this razor is only popular due to its price point. I do not agree as there are razors such as ATT, Timeless, Wolfman and Blackland which started pretty steep and yet people who want those razors - pay for it. It is another story that having paid the price - if it does not meet expectations, it would end up on auction sites or BST forums.

To state the razor is popular and sells so much just because its low priced is doing great dis-service to Karve and the razor quality.