Blackland Blackbird

Nord Razors

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Guys, after months of printing and shaving with dozens of self designed razors, I started to shave again with razors which I bought in the past and Blackbird is one of them.
Is it only me who thinks that the blade exposure of Blackbird is actually more than the advertised 0.101 mm? To me, it feels much more than 0.101 mm. I would say more like 0.15-0.20 mm.

Any thoughts?
 

slapo

It's... alive!
Guys, after months of printing and shaving with dozens of self designed razors, I started to shave again with razors which I bought in the past and Blackbird is one of them.
Is it only me who thinks that the blade exposure of Blackbird is actually more than the advertised 0.101 mm? To me, it feels much more than 0.101 mm. I would say more like 0.15-0.20 mm.

Any thoughts?
It might feel like there's more exposure because of the lack of support from the bottom. The only way I find the Blackbird have useful is to ride the cap to somewhat offset that, and it still feels a bit over the top, and not very smooth ATG.
Having said that, its designer has said he doesn't usually shave ATG.
 

Nord Razors

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It might feel like there's more exposure because of the lack of support from the bottom. The only way I find the Blackbird have useful is to ride the cap to somewhat offset that, and it still feels a bit over the top, and not very smooth ATG.
Having said that, its designer has said he doesn't usually shave ATG.
I thought about that too, but it simply shaves too close. In my opinion it's just too efficient for 0.101 mm exposure.

I actually noticed something interesting on Blackbird. Once assembled, there is a gap between the blade and the cap, meaning the blade is not following the curve, so it's not in contact with the cap all the way through. If I think about it now, my observation on the blade exposure might be something: if the blade doesn't follow the curve but it was designed to do so, then the blade exposure would indeed increase.

Superb razors, I love Blackland’s razors!
The Blackbird is great, I agree. One of the best I ever bought, even though there are aspect of the razor I complain about.
 

Nord Razors

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@dawid - Have you tried the lite plate?
I have, all three plates.
The Lite is not efficient enough to me, while OC is great but it has way too sharp edges.

I could never really understand why Backland is good, as it stands against many of my observations I learnt while testing parameters and designing razors. But if it turns out that the blade exposure is in fact higher than advertised, it would make a lot of sense to me why it's so efficient.
I need to take some measurements on it.
 

slapo

It's... alive!
I thought about that too, but it simply shaves too close. In my opinion it's just too efficient for 0.101 mm exposure.

I actually noticed something interesting on Blackbird. Once assembled, there is a gap between the blade and the cap, meaning the blade is not following the curve, so it's not in contact with the cap all the way through. If I think about it now, my observation on the blade exposure might be something: if the blade doesn't follow the curve but it was designed to do so, then the blade exposure would indeed increase.
I think that's because the unsupported portion of the blade is the more rigid part of it and is a lot more difficult to bend than the mid-section. The clamping point would have to be closer to the cutting edge.

E.g. Hensons actually do force a bend on that section, but some blades can snap if kept in the razor when not in use (when left in there between shaves) due to the extra tension.
 

Nord Razors

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I think that's because the unsupported portion of the blade is the more rigid part of it and is a lot more difficult to bend than the mid-section. The clamping point would have to be closer to the cutting edge.
That's right. I also had an issue with blade stiffness in my design and it took me quite a while to fix it fully.
Even though very thin, blades are surprisingly stiff.
 

Sm29

Forum GOD!
I don’t know much about exposure or gap and Shane has made it a point not to release measurements, I only know my Ti and SS Birds are low gap and high exposure razors. No razor is better for my face than the SS Bird except the Ti Bird.

I shave daily (3 pass) and have found the blade feel to be guiding and not harsh in any way.
 
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