New CORE razor from OneBlade

...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.

In my view, that would be as bad or worse than being dishonest about it. He's the CEO of OneBlade and he knows full well that many enthusiasts like the GEM's. It boggles my mind to think he failed to understand which blade we use, when it has been discussed many, many, many times on the forums. He talks about all the research they have done on razor blades, yet he hasn't taken time to look into the blade that many of his customers prefer?

If this is true, then it underscores previous concerns I've stated about the decisions made by the OneBlade folks.

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.

Interesting. I may have get a few before mine arrives just so I am ready.

He knew which GEM blades they were. I can't believe, at this point, he wouldn't.  They want business to go to the Feathers.

Looking forward to the Blackland Sabre. That looks to be an interesting razor without the headaches observed above.

I'm also looking forward to the sabre. My experiences with the gem using the Oneblade really sold me on them. Seems like a missed opportunity for Oneblade.

I'm a big fan of Feather Blades, and have used them virtually exclusively for over 7 years. I started with the DEs, and when the Artist Club style SEs began being produced, I used the AC Pros in those razors.

In my experience with the OneBlade, the GEM blades just don't provide a shave that's as close or as smooth as the Feather FHSs.

I know I may be in a minority here, and shavers whose opinion I respect-most notably SharpSpine-think that the GEM is a better blade than the Feather in the OneBlade. And the number of shaves he and others can get out of a GEM is remarkable. For me, with the Feather FHS in the OneBlade, it's two shaves and done. Same with the DE Feathers.

My experience with the GEM blade is not limited to the OneBlade: I've gotten good shaves-but not great shaves-with the various GEM and Everready razors I have that use the GEM blades. I enjoy using them-the G bar, the push button, the Micromatic, etc.- for the retro experience, but for me, after 3 passes, theres much touch up to be done if I want to get BBS.

Maybe a razor like the forthcoming Blackland Sabre will hold the blade differently and change my mind about the GEM.

Okay, I decided to just send an email to there customer service.  I don't want to speculate on the return policy so I just straight up asked them.

I bought a Oneblade Core, I have received it however it is unused and in the box.  I have some concerns with the razor now that I have seen it in person (mine does not seem to have any visible defects). I would like to try the razor but I need to confirm that I can still return it even though it has been used simply because I don't like it for a full refund minus my cost for return shipping.

This is not my actual email just a summary.

Looks like the are open M-F so unless I see something from someone else who has contacted them I will await their response before using it. If they don't answer my questions directly or give themselves what I believe to be a way out I will return it unused.

So I received a response from OneBlade today and they confirmed I can use the razor and if I do not like it I could return it for a full refund within 30 days (I would pay shipping if it was not due to a defect).

Okay so that gave me the green light I wanted so I took it for a spin.

I had about 26-28 hours of growth. I used Stirling Soap as for me I just naturally get a thinner slick lather than some other soaps and it seemed like in posts above that seemed to work better. I opted for the Feather blade (wow these have a lot of glue on them) instead of a modified GEM. No problem inserting the blade.

Since there were so many comments on using a steeper angle I started off this way but did seem to switch back and forth between that and more like they explain how to use it. I had to put a little more work into getting to where I wanted to be and my face was not feeling abused so I kept going. I have been getting really good shaves lately with my Rockwell 6S. With the CORE I probably got about 90-95% there but again it took more work. I have never reached a 100% BBS shave with any razor but if I do my part I get a mixture of BBS and DFS except right along my mustache and goatee line. Will have to see if it lasts as long as my 6S shaves.

I did not have any nicks or weepers and no visible irritation but when I applied my aftershave I did get more burn than I thought  I would.

The razor felt comfortable and the weight felt better when actually shaving versus just holding it. I really could not feel the pivot working but that's not to say it wasn't.

One thing I noticed was I got kind of the same feel with the FHS10 blade as I have with the Feather AC Pro. I know these are supposed to be very sharp blades but I still get a dragging feeling like it's a dull blade. With the Feather AC Pro I was using the Aluminum Hawk and I just figured it was due to the light weight and that the blade is cutting through more hair due to its width. I have not had that feeling with a GEM blade to my knowledge.

So, unless something just completely changes I plan to shave around 6 times with the Feather blade and then try a modified GEM and then decide if it's a keeper or not.

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.

Hmmmm. Like I said the genesis is a buy at $200, but not at $400 for me. Guess the investors don't like that price.

Hi all. I just received my one-blade, and had a pretty good shave with it. Will make a good travel razor in my opinion. Thanks

...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 don't see how you could become a 'merchant' or artisan on any of the other forums out there as you're not really selling any products per se.

regarding DFS, no issues here. we encourage interactions with everyone from the shaving community and since we don't have a need to silence discussions on any type of shaving gear, we really reduce the risk of people feeling the need to shill.

...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.  

In my view, that would be as bad or worse than being dishonest about it.  He's the CEO of OneBlade and he knows full well that many enthusiasts like the GEM's. It boggles my mind to think he failed to understand which blade we use, when it has been discussed many, many, many times on the forums. He talks about all the research they have done on razor blades, yet he hasn't taken time to look into the blade that many of his customers prefer?  

If this is true, then it underscores previous concerns I've stated about the decisions made by the OneBlade folks.

Todd knows about the GEM blades, for sure. when I spoke to him last year (I believe that's when it was) about the issues I was having with their original OB, I specifically asked if their new floating design would allow for the GEM blades to be used.

my take on it is that they probably sell a decent amount of feather blades and are wanting to keep their hands wrapped around that as much as possible. most people only get a few shaves from feather blades while a lot of folks can get 20+ shaves from a GEM. less shaves per blade = more blades for them to sell to you.

Michael P , your experience that the Feathers are better is very valid and is shared by others - there are plenty of folks that share your experience.

Keep in mind that we all have different facial structure, skin and bears characteristics. I would never suggest that someone skip the Feathers and go straight to the GEMS. Folks ought to try both.