New CORE razor from OneBlade

One other comment. I'm always looking for guest and freelance content for Sharpologist. Have a good idea for an article or want to present an alternative view to something that's already been posted? Drop me an email/PM/contact any time and let's talk about it!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Core is manufactured in the USA.


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I'm not sure what to make of Mark's relationship with OneBlade. I understand he runs a website and needs to make some money, but can't help but feel it may color his views on the razors. I've seen him post OneBlade updates on essentially every forum and now here he is on video wearing a OneBlade shirt lol.

You could just ask.

They gave me the shirt at the Big Shave West in Pasadena (April). I thought it would be appropriate for the video (shrug).

They were a regular advertiser last year but that agreement has since lapsed. I still have an "affiliate" relationship with them, in that I get a small advertising fee on a sale if the referral comes from special URL. I make no secret about that--if you look at a sample link in an article there's a notation that it's an affiliate link. I also have a "Disclosures" page that's linked in the footer of every page on the site.

That aside, I promote products I believe in. And my experience with OneBlade had been positive. Plus, they're just a day trip away. As there has been a lot of "buzz" in the community about it I thought some extra content might be useful to those interested (and, yes, more video views and pageviews help with things like Search Engine Optimization--SEO--and other web metrics that attract new readers).

Go ahead, AM(A)A....

Thanks. I do appreciate your transparency.

I'm not sure that members of forums should engage in promotion of items they profit from, even if in a roundabout way. Reviewing and discussing is one thing, but I think discerning readers are able to differentiate these things.

My thought is OneBlade should consider creating vendor or merchant accounts on the forums if they wish to promote and update us on releases.

...I'm not sure that members of forums should engage in promotion of items they profit from, even if in a roundabout way. Reviewing and discussing is one thing, but I think discerning readers are able to differentiate these things.

My thought is OneBlade should consider creating vendor or merchant accounts on the forums if they wish to promote and update us on releases.

This brings up an interesting point. As you said, I never directly promote anything except Sharpologist content--that is a URL or Youtube Embed (or my own personal experience) on a forum but the "roundabout way" you mention could be seen as a grey area. A unique "problem" I have on the forums (and why I don't post nearly as often as I used to: I use the "Discussions" feature on Sharpologist to lurk--but see? I didn't link to it, you're going to have to find it yourself ) is I'm neither a vendor nor a merchant so those membership levels don't really apply. Some don't agree: I am still "officially" a member of a certain large shaving forum but I'm not allowed to post there because I am considered a "competitor" (huh? ).

What do you suggest?

...I'm not sure that members of forums should engage in promotion of items they profit from, even if in a roundabout way. Reviewing and discussing is one thing, but I think discerning readers are able to differentiate these things.

My thought is OneBlade should consider creating vendor or merchant accounts on the forums if they wish to promote and update us on releases.

This brings up an interesting point. As you said, I never directly promote anything except Sharpologist content--that is a URL or Youtube Embed (or my own personal experience) on a forum but the "roundabout way" you mention could be seen as a grey area. A unique "problem" I have on the forums (and why I don't post nearly as often as I used to: I use the "Discussions" feature on Sharpologist to lurk--but see? I didn't link to it, you're going to have to find it yourself ) is I'm neither a vendor nor a merchant so those membership levels don't really apply. Some don't agree: I am still "officially" a member of a certain large shaving forum but I'm not allowed to post there because I am considered a "competitor" (huh? ).

What do you suggest?

I'm not sure, really.

Ultimately, it's up to the forums to make this call.

I can see how you do bring value in that we are all curious about new razors and your other content, and the forum probably does not mind the participation in conversation it invites.

Still, I'm not sure another member could do what you are doing for a brand and not get accused of shilling. You're just so likeable that it's difficult to accuse you of any wrongdoing

I'm am good with mantic59's integrity. OneBlade was a sponsor and he is a OneBlade fan. Having said that, he called them out for what many believe, which is that they have exclusive distribution in the US for the Feather 10's. Also, his initial review of the Core was not very good.

Those are not the actions of a sycophant.

Here is my take on the interview

The Good

• The target market for the Core are current cartridge users.  
  
• It's being made in The US, which will allow them to address manufacturing problems more quickly.  One of the problems with the SS version was that it was made in China and they couldn't react quickly.
  
• In their defense, he did say that the Core performs best at different angles than the SS version.
  
• He hopes that the Core will provide money for more R&D.
  

The Bad

• He mentioned their board, leading me to believe there are investors.  Investors can push companies to do things that don't make sense.  In my view, OneBlade's historical actions have gone past wanting solid profit to greed.  Having investors demand short term results, especially if they are unreasonable, can wreak havoc.
  
  

The Ugly

He stated that they have reduced the cost of the Feather blades to the best of their ability.  As best I know, they have exclusive distribution in the US market.  Before that, the FHS 10’s could be purchased at reasonable pricing.  

Have they brought pricing down on those blades?  Yes.  Do they continue to make abnormal profits on them?  I believe so.  

He also claimed that the GEM blade doesn’t perform well and that they have tested it, a statement with strains his credibility.  There are some folks that don’t like the GEMs, though many do.  I’ve also done a face-off, half of my face with a Feather and half with a GEM.  Overall I like the GEM better.  The Feather was slightly smoother and shaved slightly closer, though I would call the difference insignificant.  

The mountain of glue on the Feathers gets on my last nerve and it won’t come off to my satisfaction, either by running it under hot water or using rubbing lcohol to get it off. Also, charging a dollar, which has been reduced some, for a blade that has a short life is outrageous.  

Conclusion

I’m excited about the Core and how it can grow the classic shaving market.  I’m also very pleased with the R&D that OneBlade has done.  We need providers in this space that are driving innovation.  

Also, I want OneBlade to make good profits.  I would happily pay $.50 per blade for White Box Gillette Platinums, which last a full week. It would be great if could come up with something at that price point and blade life.

...He also claimed that the GEM blade doesn’t perform well and that they have tested it, a statement with strains his credibility.  There are some folks that don’t like the GEMs, though many do.  I’ve also done a face-off, half of my face with a Feather and half with a GEM.  Overall I like the GEM better.  The Feather was slightly smoother and shaved slightly closer, though I would call the difference insignificant....

A quick comment here. After the interview we talked about the GEM blade a bit. I suspect he was using the cheapy version sometimes found in drug store franchises, not the PTFE-coated, stainless steel blade. I sent him a couple of mine so he can try again.

I'm am good with mantic59's integrity....

Thanks, I appreciate your confidence!

I've found Gems to be superior in my V2 Oneblade in virtually every respect. Just as sharp, more forgiving, last longer....

Oneblade should consider integrating the blades. I can't imagine they are profiting tremendously from selling feathers, particularly at a premium.