Epitaph-One Blade SE Razor
You know how you go out and buy a new car and it looks fantastic and has all the bells and whistles and it's reliable and comfortable and you got the super stereo and you drive down the block and you feel like a king. Then you hit the freeway and hit the gas and it makes noise and not much else. Back in the old days that's what we called "all show and no go" and then you be sorry you ever bought the thing.
In a way that described the OneBlade. It's a fantastic looking razor made of primo materials. Solid stainless 316L and the head is made of an exotic and very expensive stainless alloy. It's masterly crafted and designed and the design is well executed with outstanding fit and finish. It comes wrapped up like a Christmas present with a fancy leather travel case and a solid stainless stand which weighs a ton.
Yea that be the good part.
Unfortunately it can use only one blade and that feather blade reminds me of a box cutter blade. It simply is not as sharp as any other feather blade I've ever seen. They recommend two shaves per blade. I have a tough beard and I can really feel that blade working on me. it's not uncomfortable and it doesn't pull but other razors just glide down my face with no sensation at all. There are no other options.
Then the handle is this PVD coated U shaped hollow center affair. Very pretty but I found the grip ain't the best. I found doing a S-N on my right side of my face and neck it feels like it's going to fall out of my hand. It never did but the handle is just smooth metal and it doesn't inspire confidence.
Then the razor itself is kind of complicated with the pivoting head and inner spring assembly and there are a lot of little holes and crevices and they gunk up with dried soap and are difficult to say the least to clean if you care about such things. Also as you shave you have to continually rinse the head. The slightest amount of lather starts running down the handle. Of course all DEs do this but not to this degree.
So the proof of the pudding is in the eating and the razor is very mild and actually shaves better than the mildness suggests. I think you could purposely gouge your face with the thing and there wouldn't be a mark. However the price you pay is the closeness of the shave lags behind most other DE's or SE's. It's OK mind you but nothing to write home about. If you have to shave every day it's probably fine.
So in the final analysis who should buy this razor? Someone using an electric razor or Gillette Cart. who is looking for an upgrade, Someone who appreciates the craft of the thing, someone who likes Luxury items, someone with deep pockets (Har har), someone with a very mild beard.
Who shouldn't buy this razor? Someone who wants the best possible shave, someone with a really tough beard, someone who could care less about window dressing, someone who is a shave enthusiast with plenty of experience.
So is it worth it? That's for you to decide and remember this is strictly my opinion. Maybe Obie will chime in with his feelings about this razor.