Review-Blackland/Tradere DE Razor.

[thebigspendur]

So back in the days of the first all Stainless DE and SE Razors probably some of the first models to come out were the Feather DS and the Tradere. I actually owned both and still have the feather. The Feather is a very mild razor and not the fastest shaver out there but that's another story. The original Tradere (I thought) was also very mild and not the best shaver and I sold it. As I understand it the maker did a mod to it and I don't recall which version I had though it was closed comb. There was a short run of the original Tradere and then the maker stopped production. I understand the originals are going for a mint. I sold mine back in the day, drats.

So Blackland Razors came out with their edition of the Tradere apparently with the blessing of the original maker. The old and the new look the same but the finishing (high polish) on the blackland is impeccable and way better than the original. This is all I will be saying by way of comparisons.

The razor I have is the open comb and it is a beast. You really know it when you have this baby in your hands. It is a sold stainless three piece unit. The design covers the ends of the blade in their entirety with the edges folded over and down. (If you want to see pictures better than I could take check it out on the site).

The ergonomics as far as balance and feel is outstanding even considering the weight. The grip is sure. It ain't going nowhere in your hand even when wet and soapy.

I use a feather blade in this razor. You do have to mind the weight and use no pressure while shaving. Having said that I think you would have to really try hard to cut yourself or even produce irritation while shaving. But you know when he giveth he taketh away so you have to pay a price for using a forgiving razor and that price is you ain't gonna get the closest shave out there.

My go to razors are the Blackland Vector and Blackbird and the Timeless Razor. The first two are way more aggressive and with skill and the right blade will give a shave the equal to a straight razor. The Timeless is half a notch behind them and the Tradere is a full notch behind the other Blackland Razors.

Now, I'm not saying you get a crappy shave. On the contrary you will have a BBS face when you are done. In my case around 18 hours later I can feel the faintest hints of stubble starting to arise here and there. 24 hours later the stubble is all over though still light. (Just for reference I do have a tough and heavy beard).

With the two other Blackland models at the 24 hour mark that hint of stubble is first beginning to come up here and there and as a retired dude who shaves every couple of days those razors are what the doctor ordered.

With all my DEs I either use the Feather blade or the Kai. I've added the Personna Hospital to that list and they all seem to do equal work and last just as long. The kai blades are uncoated. For an SE blade it's the Feather Super Pro.

So, to wrap it up, who would best be served by the Tradere? Well if you have a light beard you'll love it and if you have a beard like me and need to shave every day for work it's the ideal razor. You won't have to worry about a 5 o clock shadow and it's joy to use.

Yes these razors are expensive but it's a razor you will have the rest of your life and then some.

It seems like every Joe is coming out with a new razor with big claims that come up short except for the price but I will say the Blackland Line seems to be giving you your monies worth.

[Gasman]

I do enjoy the Timeless razors and they sure are pretty. But the Blackland is always out of my reach in cost. I'd love to find one someday.

Do you have a Wolfman and if so how does it compare?

[thebigspendur]

Ha, talk about out of reach.

I actually signed up on his site years ago and the site broke so many were trying to get on. I never heard from him so se la vie.

[BobH]

Can't compare the two razors but can say the WR1 OC polished head with a larger blade gap, can't recall the actual gap, is a very fine and smooth shaver. I got this head only before the very first price increase and at that time it was pushing what I would pay for a razor never mind head only. I have to say that fit and finish was ne plus ultra as was the performance. However, I would not buy one at today's prices as I consider that a ridiculous amount to pay for a razor to be brutally honest.

Bob

[GaryG]

I had both back in the day - BobH is not alone in considering those early prices (think my Wolfman ran $150 or so) obscene. I kept the Wolf but sold the OC Tradere off eventually. The fit & finish on the latter was superior to anything I've ever seen (including the Tradere, Blackland and Timeless) and for me it gave the best shave.

[Gasman]

Some day I will find just the right safety razor and part with the rest of them. For now it's the main way I shave so I have had a lot of interest in these higher-up razors. Will be glad when I can get back to my straights.

[BobH]

Some day I will find just the right safety razor and part with the rest of them. For now it's the main way I shave so I have had a lot of interest in these higher-up razors. Will be glad when I can get back to my straights.

There are may safety razors at a modest price that will shave to within one of those hairs of the very expensive models. On any given day a variance in your shaving and/or lathering techniques will void any small noticeable difference there might be between the two groups.

Bob

[thebigspendur]

I have a drawer full of DEs and a couple SEs (like most of us) and they all shave differently. Unlike a straight you have differences in head blade combinations and the weight and balance of the thing and how you hold it not to mention open and closed comb and blade exposure. Small differences in shave quality mean hours of no stubble with the holy grail be a shave to match a straight. I don't know of many DEs that can be in that club. Some are so aggressive few would want to use them.

Some shave fast and close and some require multiple passes to do the same job and some just can't measure up.

I guess in the end it's an individual quest as far as what you want from a DE.

[DZEC]

Finally got a chance to try out my recently acquired Henson aluminum DE. The Henson head I bought was supposed to provide a mild to medium shave, so I paired it with a Feather blade.


It was a little bit of a challenge to find the right angle to match the blade exposure, but the shave was very comfortable and there was no irritation at all.

Very nice BBS shave. Remains to be seen how it compares to a straight as far as returning stubble growth is concerned.

[Gasman]

I found the Henson took a little more effort to get the correct angle but when you find it it does well. Just too light for me. I think the right angle has a small window.