SharpSpine's OneBlade Journal (now w/ CORE)

December 21, 2015 -- Shave #2

Again I was excited to use my OneBlade this morning. I focused mainly on trying to keep the face of the razor against my skin and utilizing the pivot mechanism. I overloaded the Latha soap so it was a bit dense during the first pass causing some slight drag for the razor, not the blade though. The blade on shave #2 felt just as sharp and smooth as the first use yesterday. I will be shocked if the blade is noticeably worse tomorrow.

By the second pass my lather was dialed in and the OneBlade glided effortlessly across my face & neck. I really feel that the shape and design of this razor shines during the ATG pass, especially on my neck and around my chin and jawline. This has to be the smoothest I've gotten these areas with the least amount of effort from any razor.

Let me qualify my "any razor" comment above. Those that know me know I am a SE exclusivist. For the last 4+ years I've used nothing but SE razors. Those razors include the EverReady Streamline, Cobra Classic, King Cobra, EverReady 1914 (Little Lather Catcher), various 1912s, EverReady 1924, GEM MicroMatics (Open Comb & Clog Pruf), Valet AutoStrop, Mongoose (stainless steel), & the AlumiGoose. Out of all of these the EverReady 1914 and the GEM Clog Pruf are my favorite vintage razors. I used these for 95% of my shaves until September 6, 2014. This was the day I had my first Mongoose shave (my Mongoose Journal can be found HERE) and I haven't really stopped using a Mongoose until I added the OneBlade to my Shavedom recently.

My chin & jawline typically require buffing type strokes from multiple angles as I try to force a stiff blade around sharp contours. So while I wasn't sure that a pivot would really be useful it seems pretty clear that these two shaves are proving me wrong.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10.

So is this a mild shave generally speaking.?

Based on my experience with it, I would say yes. Having said that, this is one of those YMMV type of thing.

I love my OneBlade.....

So is this a mild shave generally speaking.?

Yes, if mild to you means that you don't really feel the blade on your face. I find this razor to be quite mild feeling, yet surprisingly efficient at removing stubble. Other razors that have felt this mild to me would require 4-6 passes to get BBS. The OneBlade gets me there in 2, just like my Mongoose, ER 1914, & Clog Pruf MicroMatic.

December 22, 2015 -- Shave #3

This morning's shave was one of those that allowed me to breathe a huge sigh of relief. With so many of the OneBlade shavers reporting 1-2 shaves I was concerned that my blade, which performed great yesterday, may have undergone some dramatic change overnight. Fortunately as I was finishing my first pass this morning it was easy to see that this blade is falling into the pattern that I've noticed with the other SE blades I have used. It is actually getting better with use, not worse (no pyramids were used either). This was one of those super smooth shaves where you question if there is still a razor in the blade. It made me think of watching some of Charles Roberts videos where I question whether he really has a blade in there or not. Well I checked, and my "spineless" blade was still loaded and my face was on it's way to being as smooth as a baby's rump once again in my normal 2-pass shave.

I'm 3 shaves in and I'm almost convinced that I can stop looking for the chink in the OneBlade armor. We all know that the price is substantial, but now that I'm past that barrier with a OneBlade in hand there is nothing I can fault at this time. My only lingering concern is in regards to blade life. With today's shave feeling even smoother than the first 2 I am more optimistic that my desired 10 shaves per blade may become a reality.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10.

I'm 3 shaves in and I'm almost convinced that I can stop looking for the chink in the OneBlade armor. We all know that the price is substantial, but now that I'm past that barrier with a OneBlade in hand there is nothing I can fault at this time. My only lingering concern is in regards to blade life. With today's shave feeling even smoother than the first 2 I am more optimistic that my desired 10 shaves per blade may become a reality.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10.

Okay, considering the total package, so far, and owning the Mongoose, ER 1914, & Clog Pruf MicroMatic, what would be the minimum number that you'd settle for to proclaim that this is a superior razor for you? I'm assuming, from what you've said, that the OneBlade is about equal in shaving ability to the aforementioned razors. Of course, shaving ability doesn't cover comfort which you are giving high marks to the OneBlade.

I'm 3 shaves in and I'm almost convinced that I can stop looking for the chink in the OneBlade armor. We all know that the price is substantial, but now that I'm past that barrier with a OneBlade in hand there is nothing I can fault at this time. My only lingering concern is in regards to blade life. With today's shave feeling even smoother than the first 2 I am more optimistic that my desired 10 shaves per blade may become a reality.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10.

Okay, considering the total package, so far, and owning the Mongoose, ER 1914, & Clog Pruf MicroMatic, what would be the minimum number that you'd settle for to proclaim that this is a superior razor for you? I'm assuming, from what you've said, that the OneBlade is about equal in shaving ability to the aforementioned razors. Of course, shaving ability doesn't cover comfort which you are giving high marks to the OneBlade.

Minimum # would probably be 14 shaves or more to unequivocally move OneBlade into my #1 slot. 2 weeks worth of shaves would mean I could shave for a year for less than $30 in blades.

December 23, 2015 -- Shave #4

I love my Mongoose razors, but there is no denying how well OneBlade performs. I love SE blades for their stiffness and rigidity which cuts my coarse stubble without damaging my girly-man sensitive skin. However, that blade rigidity can make it difficult to get a close and smooth shave without any blood along the jawline and around the Adam's apple. OneBlade solves this issue for me and I can only assume that the pivot mechanism plays a significant role in that success. The pivot provides some measure of flexibility around the curves without giving up the blade stiffness that is necessary to protect my skin. I almost always need to touch up my jawline with any razor, but my regular XTG & then ATG passes with OneBlade get me smooth as glass; no touch up required.

OneBlade "spineless" doing work

About the only question I have left for the OneBlade system is the blade. How many shaves can I get out of them? With how the first blade is performing through 4 shaves I must be honest that my concerns here are dwindling fast. I don't understand why OneBlade recommends a new blade for each shave when in my experience the blade actually seems to break-in & perform better after a couple of uses. While they may truly believe it offers the best chance for the perfect shave, to me it seems more like a way to sell more blades.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10 on this blade.

Minimum # would probably be 14 shaves or more to unequivocally move OneBlade into my #1 slot. 2 weeks worth of shaves would mean I could shave for a year for less than $30 in blades.

I have now palm stropped my first blade with this razor, and am 2 shaves in (only shaving every other day). On my second shave I'm noticing the shave is even smoother than what was before an already very smooth shave. If stropping extends the blade life and gives me a better shave, this is a huge plus!

But even if I could only get 2 shaves per blade, this would hardly be a drawback for me. Buying these blades in bulk from Connaught's, it costs me $0.20 per shave if the blades are priced for 2 shaves each. Assuming I could double or triple the shaves per blade isn't much of a factor for me, as we are only talking about a difference of pennies per shave.

Even if I had to spend $1.00 per shave (which I don't), this hardly seems to matter (to me), if I am getting the mildest, most comfortable shaves possible with the most efficient results.

I truly believe that the least aggressive shave that gets you the results you want will always be the best way to go as your daily driver.

This shave has to be the mildest feeling shave I've ever experienced that still gave me a BBS result. No, it didn't take 20 passes either. All of this was accomplished in my normal 2-pass shave.

^^^ +1 (regardless of blade life)

December 24, 2015 -- Shave #5

First Blood! That's right, the OneBlade can cut you. Well at least it can cut my girly-man sensitive skin. I know many will think it was because I am on shave #5 with this blade, but I suspect that the next shave will prove that isn't it. Today I used long sweeping strokes. This worked alright for my XTG pass but not so well ATG. On my lower neck & just below my bottom lip I was rewarded with a few nicks. Other than the first time seeing blood with this razor it was also the least smooth shave yet & only gave a DFS vs the BBS I have been getting in 2 passes.

Next shave I will return to my shorter SE strokes that have served me so well these last 4 years. So while the OneBlade may resemble a cartridge razor it still sports a more aggressive & rigid SE blade. Therefore, OneBlade should not be used like a DE or cartridge which utilize thin & flexible blades. I fully expect that my next shave will return to a smooth, blood free, 2-pass BBS. I can't wait to see for sure.

Until my next OneBlade shave as I strive for 10 on this blade.

Merry Christmas!

First Blood! That's right, the OneBlade can cut you.

Thank goodness, Brian, you are mortal after all! Like you say, the next one will be more definitive.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!