My 1st shave with Blackland Blackbird

So what's with negative pressure? - seems like an oxymoron to me - so I'm obviously misunderstanding the meaning. If you combine the weight of the razor with negative pressure - does that mean you are lessening the weight of the razor, after all a + and - equals a minus.
It's a fancy way of saying 'not using the full weight of the razor'
 
2nd Shave with the Blackbird. 4 days growth, Polsilver blade with one use. Mystic Waters barbershop soap and a hot shave after 5 a side footy and a shower.

The problem was the soap on the first shave. The blackbird didn't like it at all. This time the mystic waters soap was nearly it's match and kept my face fairly slick in general. I'm sure there are better choices as I was still getting some drag. I'll try NSS next. A little bit of tug from the polsilver, half way through I wished I'd put a sharper blade in but it still produced good results. I took the advice and used negative pressure, holding near the end of the handle, feather light touch but still experienced a bit of drag from the head. I wander if this is intentional and acts like pulling the skin tight to make the stubble stand up …. ?

End result – BBS all over with 3 passes, no touch ups. Slight neck irritation but dramatically less sting from the alum block.

This razor is growing on me. It's a match for my SE's with regards to the end results. If you factor in the blade choices and their cost – it's probably the best razor I own. Not my favourite though, it's a very mechanical, rough looking beast and so far I still find the shave a little bit harsh.
 
2nd Shave with the Blackbird. 4 days growth, Polsilver blade with one use. Mystic Waters barbershop soap and a hot shave after 5 a side footy and a shower.

The problem was the soap on the first shave. The blackbird didn't like it at all. This time the mystic waters soap was nearly it's match and kept my face fairly slick in general. I'm sure there are better choices as I was still getting some drag. I'll try NSS next. A little bit of tug from the polsilver, half way through I wished I'd put a sharper blade in but it still produced good results. I took the advice and used negative pressure, holding near the end of the handle, feather light touch but still experienced a bit of drag from the head. I wander if this is intentional and acts like pulling the skin tight to make the stubble stand up …. ?

End result – BBS all over with 3 passes, no touch ups. Slight neck irritation but dramatically less sting from the alum block.

This razor is growing on me. It's a match for my SE's with regards to the end results. If you factor in the blade choices and their cost – it's probably the best razor I own. Not my favourite though, it's a very mechanical, rough looking beast and so far I still find the shave a little bit harsh.
Mystic Water is brilliant stuff. I kept getting drag on my first few attempts with the razor as well as feeling the edges, which at times felt like a gash with the blade. Once the angles are correct the drag and irritation become little to none. Definitely try it with a Shark blade and a decent soap.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
Mystic Water is brilliant stuff. I kept getting drag on my first few attempts with the razor as well as feeling the edges, which at times felt like a gash with the blade. Once the angles are correct the drag and irritation become little to none. Definitely try it with a Shark blade and a decent soap.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I've got Sharks, Feathers, BIC, Gilette 7o'clock, Derby (ugh), Polsilver, Personna med prep and Astra SPs in the blade drawer - along with 100 Rockwells that I haven't tried yet. My face is OK with most blades apart from 7o'clocks so will try the sharks next.
The mystic waters soap was ok, good performance and lovely scent but I found the lather would collapse quicker than other soaps. Possibly I made it a bit watery but my face was still slippery as a wet fish after the first pass.
 
I've got Sharks, Feathers, BIC, Gilette 7o'clock, Derby (ugh), Polsilver, Personna med prep and Astra SPs in the blade drawer - along with 100 Rockwells that I haven't tried yet. My face is OK with most blades apart from 7o'clocks so will try the sharks next.
The mystic waters soap was ok, good performance and lovely scent but I found the lather would collapse quicker than other soaps. Possibly I made it a bit watery but my face was still slippery as a wet fish after the first pass.
That's interesting, it isn't the easiest to lather but once built it usually reassembles a thick yoghurt like consistency and enough slickness for your face to slip of your neck! :)

Haslinger is also a good soap to use with the Blackbird.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
Mystic Water is brilliant stuff. I kept getting drag on my first few attempts with the razor as well as feeling the edges, which at times felt like a gash with the blade. Once the angles are correct the drag and irritation become little to none. Definitely try it with a Shark blade and a decent soap.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Tried a shark and p&b spitfire. Shark blade wasn't for me. Tugging on the chin and felt harsh. No nicks or cuts but wasn't as good as the other blades I've tried. BIC and MWF next. edit to add : I seem unlucky with sharks, one in four seems to be a dud. I'll try another to be sure
 
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I am a week in with the Blackbird; first shave was great - second shave not so much, with some razor burn on my neck. I messaged Shane at Blackland who was most helpful. He noted that he designed the Blackbird to be shaved with a shallow angle. His advice backed up some feedback I had seen on a range for forums - one tip was to ride the cap at the top edge, whereby the bulk of the slope of the cap is off the face. That works for me - less drag and less razor feel (which one reviewer attributed to the safety bar not touching the face). The said posting is available from: https://theshaveden.com/forums/thre...KjwEFDVUPdg1QU8yMAUskD38rV0DMhqGAKX__EscSrwsA

I am getting a DFS+/BBS- with 2 passes; a very smooth and efficient razor with the right technique - as ever YMMV :)

All the best,

Chris
 
Thanks for reviving this thread.
I went back through it and re read my comments.

In 3 years, many razors have come and gone, but I still have my Blackbird. Used it tonight with Polsilver.

My opinion of it hasn't changed and it has killed my RAD. I have a Gamechanger with both plates, which is rarely used and will probably be sold soon.

The Blackbird is a keeper.
 
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