Oliworks OliBlade - adjustable razor made in the USA

Hello! To the people on the list for a free razor, your packages went out today! I will work on giving everyone their tracking numbers by the end of tomorrow! 

A couple things I've seen. We have taken some feedback on the visibility of the lasering for the dot and are working to improve that, either by making it bigger or darker. Another point, I have seen is some people say that because the adjustable gear in the center does not click, it may be easy to accidentally turn while shaving. We purposely machine the threads a little tight to prevent this from happening. Maybe someone that already bought it could add to this but I have rubbed the knob on my finger to simulate grazing it and it takes some effort to spin it like this, definitely meant to be moved with two fingers, I would not worry about accidentally moving it.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread and am looking forward to the 3 piece razor release.

I was one of the lucky ones that received a free razor from Jorge at OliWorks It arrived on Thursday and I used it for the first time on Friday.  My review is from the perspective of somebody who has been wet shaving for around 6 months. 

Construction:  I found the razor to be extremely well built.  It is solid and by far the heaviest razor I own.  My scale recorded it as 113 grams.  I detected no alignment issues.  The knurling is excellent, and it was very easy to hold and use.  I had no issue with the adjustable gear not having detents.  It is sufficiently tight and I would be surprised if it would accidently move during shaving.  I had to exert a fair amount of pressure to move it with one finger.  Not having stops also allows finer tuning of the blade gap.  The dot marking the location of the gear is the only negative I found with the razor.  It is hard to see and easy to lose when light is reflecting off the razor.  It is good to hear that Oliworks is already addressing that issue.   

Shave:  My current two favorite blades are the GSB and Nacet.  I went with the Nacet and had no regrets.  I used ETHOS bay rum soap and aftershave.  Due to having sensitive skin, being new to wet shaving, and not having coarse stubble except for some patches of gray hair, I used the 1.5 setting on the WTG pass and then went up to 2 for XTG pass.  That might be too mild for some, but it was perfect for me.  The result exceeded my expectations.  It was one of my best shaves to date.  My skin was very smooth without any irritation.  It was easy for me to find the right angle that resulted in the type of DFS I was looking to achieve.  I will definitely add a third ATG pass in one of my upcoming shaves.  I received a hybrid razor head with a straight edge on one side and a closed comb on the other.  I used the straight edge on my more sensitive checks and the comb on my neck where my hair is the thickest.  Both sides of the razor worked great and I honestly could not feel the difference with the slick, protective ETHOS foam.    
 
Bottom Line: My first shave was outstanding, and I thoroughly enjoyed the razor.  I will continue to use and evaluate it over the next couple of weeks but, unless something drastically changes, I will be highly recommending it for anybody new to wet shaving.  It is an excellent choice at a very reasonable price in comparison to similar razors.  Oliworks has also done a superb job on the packaging.  It comes in a very nicely decorated box.  I was also impressed by the personal touch of handwriting the razor number and date made on the box.  I would not hesitate to order the razor as a gift.  Jorge has also been a pleasure to deal with.  He is extremely responsive in responding to emails, and I truly appreciate him providing me with such a great razor.    
   
I look forward to reading what others think, and I thank you for taking the time to read my humble review.

Razor from OliWorks arrived safely in KY just moments ago. Shipped safely packed and Nice presentation of Specimen #68. The razor appears to be a very nice quality, alignment and machining. Looking forward to starting to shave with it tomorrow and after some shaves do a video review of it. Thanks again Jorge, I just ordered the stand to compliment this nice addition to the den. Thanks again for your generously sharing the razors with the members here ! 

My razor arrived today. The packaging and presentation were very nice. However, my razor has an alignment issue and I have sent an email requesting a return.

I was sent a message by a member concerning my issue. The razor alignment appeared to be fine on lower settings but when cranked up to 6 the alignment is clearly not right. I still need to decide if I want a replacement or just a straight return.




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My razor also arrived today.  The razor was packaged perfectly.  I examined the alignment at all levels on the setting wheel and found no alignment issues.  I have included a picture of the alignment at level 3 and level 6.  The razor is of great weight and appearance.  The polish is a machine finish.  I would have liked a better shine but it is adequate.  It is not polished as well as the Rex.  But it is also 1/2 the price.  The proof will be in the shave experience.  The underside of the plate is not polished as well but is adequate.  The handle is a bit thinner than the Rex Konsul.  I have included a picture of a side by side of the Oliblade and the Konsul for comparison purposes.  I will be shaving with it soon and will post my review.  My first impressions of the Oliblade is that it is well made and an attractive razor.  Thank you to  Jorge and Oliworks for their generous contribution.

Well, well, well........the plot thickens.

Gentlemen, as part of a capitalist system, we only have two choices when we have issues regarding ethical behavior of a manufacturer or retailer: reward them with a purchase or punish then with a boycott. It doesn't matter if it is razors (Gillette) or beer (Bud Lite). Here we have two diametrically opposed stories from two different parties. They can not both be right. The truth does not lie in the middle. One needs to be rewarded, and one needs to be punished. We (collectively) have the opportunity to judge via the samples. I hope we have the collective discipline to make a judgement, meet out a punishment and stick with it. One of these parties should no longer be in the shave related business.

As for me, I have never bought a Gillette product after the unforgivable incident, nor would I ever buy an InBev product. There are well supported vendors who's products show up in our own SOTD photo's who have very sketchy histories and, at least at one time, repulsive marketing tactics. I am baffled that anyone would reward those tactics by buying product from them even though they may be good products.

So, I hope that we as consumers can come to a verdict in this case and execute a fair and permanent justice.

Well, well, well........the plot thickens. 

Gentlemen, as part of a capitalist system, we only have two choices when we have issues regarding ethical behavior of a manufacturer or retailer:  reward them with a purchase or punish then with a  boycott.  It doesn't matter if it is razors (Gillette) or beer (Bud Lite).  Here we have two diametrically opposed stories from two different parties.  They can not both be right. The truth does not lie in the middle.  One needs to be rewarded, and one needs to be punished.  We (collectively) have the opportunity to judge via the samples.  I hope we have the collective discipline to make a judgement, meet out a punishment and stick with it.  One of these parties should no longer be in the shave related business. 

As for me, I have never bought a Gillette product after the unforgivable incident, nor would I ever buy an InBev product.  There are well supported vendors who's products show up in our own SOTD photo's who have very sketchy histories and, at least at one time,  repulsive marketing tactics.  I am baffled that anyone would  reward those tactics by buying product from them even though they may be good products.

So, I hope that we as consumers can come to a verdict in this case and execute a fair and permanent justice.

So which side/story do you believe/support?

Well, well, well........the plot thickens. 

Gentlemen, as part of a capitalist system, we only have two choices when we have issues regarding ethical behavior of a manufacturer or retailer:  reward them with a purchase or punish then with a  boycott.  It doesn't matter if it is razors (Gillette) or beer (Bud Lite).  Here we have two diametrically opposed stories from two different parties.  They can not both be right. The truth does not lie in the middle.  One needs to be rewarded, and one needs to be punished.  We (collectively) have the opportunity to judge via the samples.  I hope we have the collective discipline to make a judgement, meet out a punishment and stick with it.  One of these parties should no longer be in the shave related business. 

As for me, I have never bought a Gillette product after the unforgivable incident, nor would I ever buy an InBev product.  There are well supported vendors who's products show up in our own SOTD photo's who have very sketchy histories and, at least at one time,  repulsive marketing tactics.  I am baffled that anyone would  reward those tactics by buying product from them even though they may be good products.

So, I hope that we as consumers can come to a verdict in this case and execute a fair and permanent justice.

So which side/story do you believe/support?

Considering the seriousness of the Claims and Counterclaims, I would like to see the rest of the evidence (reviews form everybody who got a sample) before rendering judgement. I specifically want to see if anyone can confirm or deny that this razor is made from old parts, whether the current parts are fungible with REX Ambassador or whatever the previous razor was, etc.