Your thoughts on OneBlade

I'm curious about the OneBlade razor, but I'd never actually buy it. If I'm going to pay that much for a razor, I'd rather get a stainless steel razor from Above the Tie. Then I can use any DE blade I want. As it stands, I think the OneBlade razor is a confused product made for a (near?) nonexistent niche. Cartridge razor users are not going to buy a luxury razor like the OneBlade, and DE razor users will probably stay away because of the price AND lack of customization.

I wonder, FedoraMGTOW, if you might be underestimating the agility of the wetshaving buyer. I suspect that the majority of cartridge users have never tried DE or SE shaving. With what appears to be a contest between DE and SE shaping up, all the cart user has to have is a convincing demonstration and he's likely to put the money into whichever system he's become sold on, I think!   You have to admit, though, the reviews on OB have been virtually all positive with most being very positive.

I'm curious about the OneBlade razor, but I'd never actually buy it. If I'm going to pay that much for a razor, I'd rather get a stainless steel razor from Above the Tie. Then I can use any DE blade I want. As it stands, I think the OneBlade razor is a confused product made for a (near?) nonexistent niche. Cartridge razor users are not going to buy a luxury razor like the OneBlade, and DE razor users will probably stay away because of the price AND lack of customization.

I wonder, FedoraMGTOW, if you might be underestimating the agility of the wetshaving buyer. I suspect that the majority of cartridge users have never tried DE or SE shaving. With what appears to be a contest between DE and SE shaping up, all the cart user has to have is a convincing demonstration and he's likely to put the money into whichever system he's become sold on, I think!   You have to admit, though, the reviews on OB have been virtually all positive with most being very positive.

Exactly what I don't understand. Why compare it to DE shaving when it isn't‽ Both are so different and both can be appreciated. Would I have bought a OneBlade when I first started traditional shaving? Absolutely not. But once I learned how much better a SE blade shaved me than a DE, it was merely a matter of time. This is definitely a razor worthy of being tried by anyone who likes the SE shave.

Agreed, SharpSpine. The OneBlade takes the various advantages of a single-edged blade (rigidity for smoothness, keeping a better edge) and puts it in an exceptionally easy-to-use context. That's a compelling proposition, as business folks might say. Let's not forget the design, materials, fit, and finish of the razor, either. Plenty of folks (not all, certainly, but many) choose tools and products because of their high build quality, and the OneBlade is certainly in that category.

Recently my two main razors have been the OneBlade and my vintage Schick I-2 "Hydromagic" injector. Honestly, the resulting shave from both is about equal, which is a compliment to either the OneBlade or the injector depending on where your sympathies lie. :-) The shave itself is just a bit different in that I still use a bit of care with the injector, while the OneBlade really feels almost fool-proof. But bigger picture, most guys, and certainly OneBlade's intended audience, aren't going to track down a vintage razor.

Actually, it just struck me: OneBlade's intended market is used to multi-blade cartridges or electric razors presented as being the high-tech latest-and-greatest. Carts and electrics feel current, modern. A traditional DE safety razor, not so much. But the OneBlade does. The OneBlade cleverly reintroduces the advantages of a single-blade safety razor in the form of something modern, new, and high-tech, which can go toe-to-toe with carts and electrics as being "the latest in shaving technology." Happily, its promises play out in great shaves. The other part of the proposal is the high quality ("buy a real tool, not a toy"); I think there are a good number of guys who respond well to that idea.

But most men I know tend to be frugal, regardless of how much money they make. Even if there are guys shaving with cartridges and getting poor results (most likely due to poor beard prep, tbh) and they're rich enough to throw money around like it's nothing, still... what reason do they have to go with the OneBlade over a DE razor?

Heres the problem

1. The target audience is "that guy is an older ... executive type who doesn’t have an issue with price but is rather looking for a luxury “shaving experience.” ....That “shaving experience” begins with the presentation of the razor." Same source

Having sold 4,000 units and about 100 units at $1,000 each, you just run in different circles than than the 4100 current users, nm the $2500 BlackBlade owners

2. Your anecdotal data points of Frugality do not pertain to hobbyists who own 30 $200 shaving brushes and 200 $40 tubs of soaps they can't possibly use their life time. $300 is chicken feed but its a product that will last a life time. Meanwhile, those 200 tubs of soap will rot in a closet because there are simply not enough days to use them.

You are thinking in terms of practicality, not in the mind of a hobbyist.

3.Why go single edge over DE? Why not? One factor is exclusivity. DE are a dime a dozen. the mere fact that they cost $300, although meaning nothing to the collector, does mean something to the non-hobbyist. Remember the target audience - "executive type ... looking for a luxury “shaving experience.”

Have you seen the matching shaving brush that goes with the razor? Have you touched it, felt it, used it? Have you seen the cost?

Its not about money, its exactly what the CEO said - the overall experience. What shaving cream were they pushing? First it was CF, now its SJOL. What percentage of all wet shavers use Castle Forbes? How many DE shavers use it compared to the far cheaper soaps?

In fact, the company knows what they are doing. They are targeting exactly to people who want a lifetime tool, coming from cartridges and do not want to deal with the learning curve associated with a DE.

In fact, the company knows what they are doing. They are targeting exactly to people who want a lifetime tool, coming from cartridges and do not want to deal with the learning curve associated with a DE.

Exactly this.

To be fair, I may have completely misjudged the razor. I don't doubt it delivers a great shave, but it's still probably out of my price range. I'd love to see more videos about it on YouTube.

To be fair, I may have completely misjudged the razor. I don't doubt it delivers a great shave, but it's still probably out of my price range. I'd love to see more videos about it on YouTube.

Unfortunately, all of the videos you are able to watch and all of the positive feedback will never offer you the information to what the shaver is actually like. You'll have to try it, at some point, if you are serious in purchasing it to understand the experience. This applies to any shaver, brush, or soap, really. Furthermore, it does come with a 30-day guarantee, so you won't be out very much money.

Good luck.

Definitely give this razor a shot. I am still evaluating it, but so far have been blown away by the results. And I'm very, very picky when it comes to shaving hardware and software.

Frankly, while I in no way think the razor is anything but wonderful, I cannot justify $300 for a razor when my vintage STAR DE ($8.00 on eBay) gives me amazing irritation free BBS shaves every time I use it.  The same is true of my vintage British Ever-Ready Featherweight SE (a gift), and my Schick Adjustable Injector (purchased here at DFS on our B/S/T).  

From everything I have read by our members here, the OneBlade seems to offer an incredible shave.  But so do the razors I mentioned that are favorites of mine.  The most expensive of them was one tenth the cost of the OneBlade.  How much better can an easy, irritation free, BBS shave be?

Everything I have written here concerns me.  However, there could be myriad reasons for preferring the OneBlade.  For example, just because I can get irritation free shaves from my types of razors does not mean everyone can.  Some folks suffer from very sensitive skin or unwieldy hair growth, both of which might be ameliorated with use of the OneBlade.  Some may find the pivoting head on the One Blade helps with their shaves.  Some, quite frankly, may just prefer the look of the razor.  Any or all of these reasons may work for someone which makes buying the OneBlade the right decision for that person.  There simply is no 'one size fits all' right or wrong to this.  Rather, there is only what is right for the individual shaver.

However, there could be myriad reasons for preferring the OneBlade.  For example, just because I can get irritation free shaves from my types of razors does not mean everyone can.  Some folks suffer from very sensitive skin or unwieldy hair growth, both of which might be ameliorated with use of the OneBlade.  Some may find the pivoting head on the One Blade helps with their shaves.  Some, quite frankly, may just prefer the look of the razor.  Any or all of these reasons may work for someone which makes buying the OneBlade the right decision for that person.  There simply is no 'one size fits all' right or wrong to this.  Rather, there is only what is right for the individual shaver.

Precisely! Put a fork in this argument, folks, it's done! Can't wait to see the comparative reviews from the "carriage trade" who WILL own both the ATT SE1 and the One Blade. Stands to reason that if the reviews on the OB continue to be very positive, that someone will ape the OB design and produce a good and functional version at half or less cost, if the patent situation allows. Any thoughts on how the OB is or is not protected?