Your thoughts on OneBlade

I wonder if part of the reason this razor is controversial is because as wet shavers we're a little uncomfortable with the idea that one razor (a new sort of design, at that) really is that good. We're naturally quite skeptical of such a big claim, and the price just makes us feel more self-righteous about rejecting it (I say that sympathetically). We're already invested in a good DE or SE or SR, and it does indeed work for us, so what's this upstart think its doing, anyway? Harrumph!

And yet, it really is a fantastic razor. Probably one of the very best. You see more and more folks on the forums actually trying it and echoing that sentiment. I think as more time passes and more people use it and report on it, it will be accepted in the community as the excellent tool it is, in the category of respected higher-cost razors such as the AS-D2, etc., and another great choice among many. Honestly I think we're already getting there with it.

I wonder if part of the reason this razor is controversial is because as wet shavers we're a little uncomfortable with the idea that one razor (a new sort of design, at that) really is that good. We're naturally quite skeptical of such a big claim, and the price just makes us feel more self-righteous about rejecting it (I say that sympathetically). We're already invested in a good DE or SE or SR, and it does indeed work for us, so what's this upstart think its doing, anyway? Harrumph!

And yet, it really is a fantastic razor. Probably one of the very best. You see more and more folks on the forums actually trying it and echoing that sentiment. I think as more time passes and more people use it and report on it, it will be accepted in the community as the excellent tool it is, in the category of respected higher-cost razors such as the AS-D2, etc., and another great choice among many. Honestly I think we're already getting there with it.

I think there's 2 things with this razor that make it off-putting to some wet shavers, myself included:

1- the price is hard for most of us to justify.

2- the blade the razor was designed around. iirc, the specific blade that 'fits' in this razor is on the more expensive side of the SE blade market.

I always feel like folks should use what they love, even if it's an old cart. If you're using a good soap with the traditional method, I think you're 65% there. Just out of curiosity, does anyone do this? I haven't shaved with a cart since 2009.


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I use a cart as my travel razor (as in flying). I wouldn't want to lose an expensive razor at the airport, and TSA doesn't take to kindly to loose blades. Quick and easy, I get a fine shave with a cart.

And grim, warm welcomes to the board! I came to the OneBlade in a similar way to yourself, and joined here when there was much more hate/skepticism towards the OneBlade. You are a fellow traveler, my friend, and thank you for your well thought out post!

Personally, I think there is no better tool than the OneBlade to get regular folks back into classic wet shaving. The best shaves of their lives, safe, and far cheaper than multi bladed carts!

I always feel like folks should use what they love, even if it's an old cart.  If you're using a good soap with the traditional method, I think you're 65% there.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone do this?   I haven't shaved with a cart since 2009.  


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If I carry on for travel I bring along a Feather NEO, cream and brush. Best cartridge system I have used.

Very polarizing my friend. I was skeptical when it was announced, particularly at the price point. Reviews started hitting that were positive but still seemed likely a honeymoon phase. Then just prior to the holidays they offered that 30% discount. I couldn't resist.

Razor arrived, incredible presentation. Great quality. Loaded a blade and took it for a run. It's a remarkably efficient shaver, even if non-traditional. Shaving every day, I was able to just stretch a blade to a full week but it was definitely on its last legs. I would imagine should you pick one up that you would enjoy it!

Nonetheless, it's a solid piece of kit. And they have done a remarkable job of marketing it [actually, The Wellington Group did a remarkable job marketing but still ]!

Thank you for your impressions, Kevin, and I'll have to give it some more thought.

Con's
1.  The claim that it's 'the best razor on earth, period'.   Shaving just isn't a one size fits all thing and no single product is really the best for everyone.  
2.  Blade Cost.  This razor seems to be geared for cart shavers as blade cost is similar.  They recommend only using a blade for 1 shave and the subscription fee for 30 blades is 27.95 a month.  For  price I can buy 300 Astra SP blades and shave 900 times.  900 shaves vs 30 shaves, this is significant.  
3.  While looking at their website I noticed they had a Castle Forbes Travel kit for $99.95.  This includes 50ml preshave, 50ml cream & 50ml Balm.  This is way overpriced IMO.

I'm sorry and I know I'm new here so my credibility might be nil. But I just bought one of these a month or so ago and there are a LOT more cons and I would like to address them. First, it aint real without a picture so:



Now the cons. I did a LOT of research on this. I read and read and read. I do not have extensive experience with safety razors, last time I used a safety razor I was probably a kid. I don't remember. This is not a hobby to me. Shaving was a mundane chore. Do it and be done with it. I don't collect these tools, etc. I don't have 30 brushes or 100 tubs of soap. I just want to shave, be happy doing it, and move on. So here are the Cons I discovered and my rebuttal to them. I don't mean to make light of issues others have, but I find some of the issues strange. And I apologize if my opinions come across to strongly. They are just, that, opinions.

1. The owner is a (you can fill in the blank)

To those, I submit find a single major corporation where that corporation has not paid a civil fine to a government. Whether it be any car maker (I tend to use car analogies because most everyone owns or drives cars) or even the computer you are typing on. Even Intel has paid civil fines to the EU. So I find those kind of arguments as a reason to not buy this hypocritical. Consumers might not know that P&G or General Motors has paid fines but nevertheless, they do.

2. Only one blade is designed for it

True. So what? What is the probability of Feather, who has been around since 1932, going under or discontinuing the blade? Does it work? No? Then the consumer bought the wrong tool. If Feather discontinues the blade or goes out of business then it won't be the first time something I bought went out of business and it won't be the last. Such is life.    Such is life. Stuff happens.

3. The blades cost too much.

They cost 54 cents in bulk, if that is to much for a consumer, I can't argue that. Don't buy it. You are not the target demographic and I think they even say that in their marketing.

4. They recommend you use the blade only once

"They" recommend you check your oil and tire pressure every time you get gas. Do you? I find that totally meaningless. Everyone is different.

5. $300 is far to expensive

I can't argue the cost. We all buy what we can afford. However, did anyone actually pay that much. They constantly have sales and discounts. I didn't pay that much. Just wait for a sale. Still, its not cheap. No argument there.

Quality is never cheap. Since its warranted for life or something like that, I don't expect to ever buy another. In the end, its actually cheap. This is something consumers who constantly replace cheaper items don't always get. Replacing a cheaper quality item year after year is, in the long run, more expensive.

6. The pivoting head is sacrilege

Nonsense. (to be blunt). You lose the challenge ...

OK, I somewhat understand that and somewhat don't so the best analogy I can give is a car analogy.

Some drivers WANT to buy a manual transmission car. Driving a manual lets them be involved. You use the clutch, you shift, you decide when to shift, etc. Some people view cars as appliances and want to drive an automatic. Meanwhile the manual lovers thinks the automatics are video games. I can understand that - the involvement is part of driving -so the pivoting head takes away some of the involvement. So here is the other side of that argument.

30 years ago, few cars had anti locking brakes. You started to skid, and you better know how to pump the brakes to stop the quickest, or you are going to hit that tree. Today, anti lock brakes are a federal mandate, a safety item. They have existing so long, most people have no clue they are in even there, until the panic stop and feel the brake being pumped for them by the car.

This is no different. New users won't care one bit. If it stops them from hitting a tree (i.e., bleeding), so what? Buy a 30 year old car without antilock brakes and have fun. Or buy a razor without a pivoting head. Your choice. But don't criticize those who choose it. In 30 years, you might not find a razor without that feature.

7. This tool is too good. There is no challenge

OK, don't buy it. Thats cool. No one is stopping people from buying manual transmission cars either. Have fun.

8. The price of the "collectibles" is outrageous

So don't buy them. What do you care what others buy?

Actually, since they throw in the brush, the retail price came within a couple hundred of the full price. That is the true cost of buying the "collectible".  So just don't buy it. It's not for you (Or me). Why would anyone care?

Many companies sell "collectibles". Even cars have "collectible" editions. Why would razors be any different?

And now your Con about the cost of blades and consumables on their website. Why would you buy anything from them at those prices? I like to wait until a Black Friday sale and get what I want at 25% off at reseller that has reasonable prices. Nobody is forcing anyone to buy at those prices.

If you have questions, I'll be glad to answer them. I cannot compare it against other tools (i.e., razors). I don't own them. I do have a theory though that the prices there are geared toward a demographic that is not representative of shaving forums. For those in a demographic that want to buy $10 soaps and $20 brushes, then this is probably not the tools for that demographic when the Shaving Brush sells for $400. Does anyone actually buy that? I never see anyone talking about that but they do seemed concerned about the retail price of $300 for the razor. I would think $400 for a brush just a bit much.

I don't mean to come across to harsh for the critics of this tool, and for me, it's a tool. If it doesn't serve the purpose I need it for, I'll just get the next best thing. But for now, it works and works very well. In fact it works TOO well. Sometimes I think "Hmm, nothing is cutting. What is going on?" And then when I'm done and feel my face ...

Have a good day

grim, I greatly enjoyed reading your post & completely agree. Well said!

I always feel like folks should use what they love, even if it's an old cart.  If you're using a good soap with the traditional method, I think you're 65% there.  Just out of curiosity, does anyone do this?   I haven't shaved with a cart since 2009.  


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I used a cart briefly in the mid-eighties and didn't like them and went back to my gillettes and injectors Then I discovered Gems too
However I did use canned goo for all those years

Hmmm, this razor is causing a bit of a stir.  

Say that again. I own one, but I'm not a fan boy. I bought it just because is nice. For the record, I was one of the first ones that purchased this razor, so yes, I paid the full price and didn't have a problem with it.

The best razor in the world? Not to me.

Do I enjoy shaving with it? Absolutely.

Grim--GREAT post and welcome to the board

And grim, warm welcomes to the board! I came to the OneBlade in a similar way to yourself, and joined here when there was much more hate/skepticism towards the OneBlade. You are a fellow traveler, my friend, and thank you for your well thought out post!

grim, I greatly enjoyed reading your post & completely agree. Well said!

Thank you all. This forum is so much more friendly than ... some other one.

What I want to know is about the matching brush and who actually buys it at $400. The $300 cost of the razor keeps coming up but its really cheaper since they run constant deals. I missed out on the Dec deal but still I see no point in paying full retail. Now the brush is different as I see no deals on it.

I talked to their customer service and with a 28mm knot, 60mm handle, and 65mm bristle length, I see nothing in the Thater line that matches it although I think they do sell Olivewood.

So who is buying this brush? It seems to me $400 for this is way out of line? Even if the target demographic is not the budget shopper, there are much better deals around.