Gentlemen,
I did not know what to expect from the OneBlade. It was a new concept in safety razors that borrowed some of the features of the old. It was a stainless steel razor with a pivoting shave head, which placed it halfway between the lowly cartridge razor and the single edge safety razor. So what to make of that?
After years of straight razor shaving, with a sprinkling of safety razors, double and single edge, I think I needed something different. By now, I have shaved with a big lineup of vintage safety razors —*Gillette, GEM, Ever-Ready — and a parade of modern razors — Merkur, Muhle, Edwin Jagger, Tradere, Pils, iKon, Joris, Fatip, Feather, Wolfman, BBS, Above the Tie, Timeless, Paradigm, and so on — liked some and some not all that much.
By the way, in the high end modern razors I mentioned, the Timeless stands above all others in efficiency coupled with comfort. For me, anyway.
As for the straight razor, physical limitations in my shoulders and hands pose some difficulties shaving with it. Not only that, but I think I am also tired of the straight razor, at least for now, and don't enjoy it as I once did.
So I think I was ripe for something different — the OneBlade — although I was ambivalent about the razor's concept, especially the pivoting head — would it last? Still, something drew me to the OneBlade, and gut feeling told me to go for it.
After couple weeks of shaving with the OneBlade, first with the mostly plastic Core model and then the stainless steel Genesis, I love the razor. It gives me an efficient shave that is also comfortable. My shaving motto has always been: comfort over perfect. The OneBlade gives me both equally well.
I use the same technique for the OneBlade as I have for all my other razors, straight and safety: skin stretching, short strokes and no pressure. I don't see any reason to break those habits. I am not sure how much of the pivoting I use in the razor, but that is of little concern to me. I probably use enough without feeling it. I just put the razor flat on my face and the two of us work perfectly well together for an efficient and comfortable shave.
The OneBlade uses the Feather FHS Hi-stainless single edge razors that come in packs of 10. I get two comfortable shaves from each blade. Three is a stretch. Why push it? For double edge safety razors, two shaves per blade do it for me. Sometimes one. Two shaves for the GEM single edge, two or three for the Feather Artist Club blades.
The OneBlade Genesis is a pricey razor at about $399, yes, but to me it's worth every penny, not only because it is efficient and comfortable, but I really enjoy shaving with it. The Core, mostly in plastic, is around $50, and that's worth every penny, too. I plan to use the Core for travel. The Feather FHS-10 Hi-Stainless blades cost more than most other blades, but I'm not complaining. I am not concerned with the price of gas for my Lamborghini or Rolls Royce.
My only complaint about the OneBlade razor — and it has nothing to do with the razor itself — is the heavy glue on the blades. It's glue on steroids. For heaven's sake, Feather people, ease up on the stuff. So I thoroughly wash and remove the glue from the blades before use.
Ah, but that's such a minor element of shaving with the OneBlade, a razor I truly love, a razor that I am sure was designed just for me.
Good stuff OneBlade.
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