Charcoal goods level 3

[Fidelis]

The plate I have my eye on with the charcoal is the level 3 sb mate, I did read the level 3 oc was quite the beast. I had a friend say that he felt the level 3 sb was smoother than the 0.95 scalloped but more efficient, hopefully i'll be able to pick up the level 2 plate soon once it's back in stock to got with the level 3 which I plan on buying next week.

I wouldn't call the Charcoal OC Lvl 3 a beast, as I don't do with the Shavecraft Tech.
Both are very efficient razors to me. Used with a proper technique, preparation and without rushing through the shave, all fine.
I agree the Charcoal SB might be less direct in aggression and bladefeel than the OC.
But just more efficient than the Timeless .95 and just the same smoothness (what I would translate with comfort and ease of use), I would doubt, honestly (if I compare i.e. Above the Tie H1 and H2, which I own both, and what are SB and OC with the same blade gap and exposure. There is a difference, yes, but not that big) .
I may be wrong, of course (as there is always a lot of subjectivity in this or YMMV).
Still, I would be curious how you would/will compare them.

 

[Seamus1981]

I had an Above the tie set which included the m1, r1, r2 and I did notice a difference in how aggressive the r2 felt to the r1, same when I had the s1 and s2 plates as well I found I much preferred the s1, like you say the blade feel on the open comb felt more pronounced despite being the same blade gap, I'm really looking forward to buying the level 3 and ill post back here when I do to let you all know my thoughts, I really appreciate all the comments and feed back you guys have given me, I absolutely love my timeless 0.95 scalloped and i'll enjoy comparing the charcoal to it.

 

[bijou]

This post is also on the Charcoal Goods thread, but I hope it helps since it relates directly to both Level 3 plates.

My facial hair is like Youtube's Nick Shaves, the razors I prefer are med to aggressive razors, I want to feel the blade and get feedback, I get bored with mild razors no matter how many people write about smooth, great efficiency, great BBS. Those razors do not give me a BBS, I'm still chasing the perfect razor.

The one razor that I've heard so much about is Charcoal Goods I read all the reviews yet my thinking was how much better can this razor be then the BBS1, Wolfman, Blackbird, Times 95 OC, Streamline, MR-SE, Asylum XL T, the new Tatara SB, OC or when I'm in a hurry (DFS) the brass General with the Feather Super Pro or a 1934 Aristocrat are the razors I use..

Recently Brian over at CG made the announcement that he had finally moved, his shop was up and running and he was starting to make razors again and building up some inventory. When the time came I purchased the L2 DC. I found it to mild for me (felt like a standard gap Wolfman, Timeless 68) and I did not get the shave I usually get from my other razors, so I went ahead and purchased because of the reviews and Brian stating "aggressive" the L3 SB.

When I received the razor I planed shaving with it the next morning. That morning I cleaned the L3 and put in a Gillette Yellow, got out a Paladin and lathered a GD tallow (important, an excellent soap, cushion, glide, slickness brings out the best in a L3 shave and your face) the shave was incredibly perfect, very smooth blade feel and wonderful feedback. After my 3 pass and clean up I did not feel any stubble in my most difficult area's with less clean-up then with any of my other razors. What a beautiful shave, no irritation no weepers.

I continued to use the razor with Polsilver blades comparing it to my other razors and continued to experience the same wonderful results. In fact near the end of some shaves with other razors that are in my rotation I switched to the L3 to clean up because I was not happy with the initial razors results. I then ordered the L3 OC to compare. I found the OC also gave me a wonderful shave with more blade presence, but I had to pay attention, this plate can bite. As of now I've settled on the SB as my top daily shaver and there's no turning back. So I might be late coming to the party but at the moment for me this razor is the man.

L3 SB with a Triad

 

[Seamus1981]

This post is also on the Charcoal Goods thread, but I hope it helps since it relates directly to both Level 3 plates.

My facial hair is like Youtube's Nick Shaves, the razors I prefer are med to aggressive razors, I want to feel the blade and get feedback, I get bored with mild razors no matter how many people write about smooth, great efficiency, great BBS. Those razors do not give me a BBS, I'm still chasing the perfect razor.

The one razor that I've heard so much about is Charcoal Goods I read all the reviews yet my thinking was how much better can this razor be then the BBS1, Wolfman, Blackbird, Times 95 OC, Streamline, MR-SE, Asylum XL T, the new Tatara SB, OC or when I'm in a hurry (DFS) the brass General with the Feather Super Pro or a 1934 Aristocrat are the razors I use..

Recently Brian over at CG made the announcement that he had finally moved, his shop was up and running and he was starting to make razors again and building up some inventory. When the time came I purchased the L2 DC. I found it to mild for me (felt like a standard gap Wolfman, Timeless 68) and I did not get the shave I usually get from my other razors, so I went ahead and purchased because of the reviews and Brian stating "aggressive" the L3 SB.

When I received the razor I planed shaving with it the next morning. That morning I cleaned the L3 and put in a Gillette Yellow, got out a Paladin and lathered a GD tallow (important, an excellent soap, cushion, glide, slickness brings out the best in a L3 shave and your face) the shave was incredibly perfect, very smooth blade feel and wonderful feedback. After my 3 pass and clean up I did not feel any stubble in my most difficult area's with less clean-up then with any of my other razors. What a beautiful shave, no irritation no weepers.

I continued to use the razor with Polsilver blades comparing it to my other razors and continued to experience the same wonderful results. In fact near the end of some shaves with other razors I switched to the L3 to clean up because I was not happy with the initial razors results. I then ordered the L3 OC to compare. I found the OC also gave me a wonderful shave with more blade presence, but I had to pay attention, this plate can bite. I've settled on the SB as my top daily shaver and there's no turning back. So I might be late coming to the party but at the moment for me this razor is the man.

L3 SB with a Triad
View attachment 23703

Excellent review mate, that's sold the level 3 sb for me. Come wednesday (pay day) i'll be as excited as a kid at christmas lol.

 

[Fidelis]

I had an Above the tie set which included the m1, r1, r2 and I did notice a difference in how aggressive the r2 felt to the r1, same when I had the s1 and s2 plates as well I found I much preferred the s1, like you say the blade feel on the open comb felt more pronounced despite being the same blade gap, I'm really looking forward to buying the level 3 and ill post back here when I do to let you all know my thoughts, I really appreciate all the comments and feed back you guys have given me, I absolutely love my timeless 0.95 scalloped and i'll enjoy comparing the charcoal to it.

Agree, the Timeless is a lovely shaver too Hope you will enjoy the Charcoal the same way

 

[slantman]

I have had all three levels. Level 3 surpasses the Timeless .95 gap head and compares easily to the ATT H plate and close to the original 2011 R41 but much smoother. Level 2 is just perfect compares to the Karve D plate. Level 1 like the standard Muhle heads,etc. I can go on and on but hopefully you get the picture. I would say in conclusion level 3 is a one pass BBS razor. If you try additional touch ups or buffing you run the risk of cuts and or irritation. Pick your poison.

 

[Holyzeus]

Decided to order a lvl 3, spoke to Brian first about how best to order as i’m Waiting for longer handles to be available.
He said not many left so order now, time i’d left work he’d sold out!

 

[Randomangle]

Do Charcoal heads completely cover the razor blade (tabs and all) like the Feather does?

 

[Optometrist]

Do Charcoal heads completely cover the razor blade (tabs and all) like the Feather does?

I've just received my Level 3 SB, this morning. With a blade inserted, there's less than a millimetre exposure at each end. I can just feel the ends of the blade with a thumb and almost sure it's not enough to cause any nicks or cuts.

 

[Randomangle]

I've just received my Level 3 SB, this morning. With a blade inserted, there's less than a millimetre exposure at each end. I can just feel the ends of the blade with a thumb and almost sure it's not enough to cause any nicks or cuts.

Thanks David, I will now try to convince myself not to buy one.

 

[Holyzeus]

Thanks David, I will now try to convince myself not to buy one.

They are out of stock now, Brass SB that is

 

[Randomangle]

They are out of stock now, Brass SB that is

I never presume these artisan razors to ever be in stock nowadays ... a waiting list is always going to be part of the purchase process.

 

[Holyzeus]

To be fair with Brian he has always replied to my emails and questions

 

[Batch300]

Charcoal Goods / Brian does many things right. First, always prompt and helpful response to emails. Second, when he stocks an item, normally enough for several days to week of availability (no lost in cart). Third, does show his production schedule.

i do like my copper Lvl 1 OC and brass Lvl 2 razors.

 

[Randomangle]

I’m not having a dig at Brian, I just always assume that there will likely be a wait involved. As seems to be the case with a lot of the quality artisan gear. Of course there are limits and there’s no way on the planet I’m going to wait a year for a razor. Especially now I have Mjölnir.