Disclosure: I bought the razor with $299 of my own money during preorder #1 (ok, half was my wife's money). I know it’s gone up in price since then and preorder #2 was $345. That’s not to say I would not have taken a promotional gift. I absolutely would have, and the review might have been even better. Ron didn’t offer.

TLDR: Razor is great. Ride the cap and use 100% 0 pressure. Touch of blade feel, very comfortable.

Outside of the Blackland Blackbird, most razors seem pretty similar to me. Some are more comfortable than others, some are more efficient than others, but on the whole, they’re pretty similar. The Chiseled Face Titanium Razor, however, is different.

I don’t know how long ago it was, maybe a year or so, /u/chiseledface started talking about making razors (as it turns out, on his site, it says he's been kicking it around for 5 years). This was somewhat interesting to me, as I think Ron and I have fairly similar tastes in razors, which is comfortable, efficient enough, but not overly efficient. When it came closer to release, I was thinking I was out. You see, my thrill is at an all time low. However, when that sale link when live, fomo gave in and I ended up with razor #4.

I was blown away by the presentation. Ron knocked it out of the park. The case it comes with is ridiculous, you could absolutely club someone with it. There’s absolutely nothing like it in the game.

There is a learning curve to this razor, at least there was for me, but let me help: Ride the cap, and use 100% zero pressure. You think you use light pressure now? Less than that. That whole pretend you’re shaving a balloon thing we all make fun of? Do that, and exactly that.

When I pick up a razor, I generally use muscle memory and just shave. My technique is likely horrible, I don’t think about pressure, or angles, or anything. I just shave. I can usually tell within one or two shaves if a razor is going to work for me.

First time with this razor, I had a ton of blade feel, and irritation. Normally for me, it’d go in the return/sell pile after one use. For some reason, I was so intrigued, I needed to keep using it. There was blade feel, but It was absolutely not uncomfortable. I never felt like I was going to cut myself. Chatting with Ron, he suggested less pressure. I tried that the second day, and it was night and day. Still a touch of blade feel, just enough to know it’s there, but completely comfortable. After another day I was back to 100% irritation free/zero alum burn shaves.

I tried using what I think was a similar light touch with a Merkur 34C as well as a Timeless Titanium Slim, both of which I like. The 34C was terrible, it felt like it was pulling hairs out. The Slim fared a little better but still didn’t seem perfect, they both wanted the slightest bit of pressure.

I can’t put my finger on why it’s so different - I think it’s because it’s almost the exact opposite of the Blackbird, which people talk about as different. The angle you use with the Blackbird, the razor absolutely lets you know the blade is there, and demands your attention. The Chiseled Face razor still has some blade feel, but to my face is much more comfortable. I’m sure someone that sciences this much more than I will have reasons for this, gap/exposure/etc, but i’m just shaver over here. Blackbird is also definitely more efficient than Chiseled Face razor, at least in my usage.

It seems bizarre to say, but the razor is fun to use, and using it and getting better with it has been interesting. I’ve used a lot of razors, but i’ve never really thought about any of them to the level that i’ve contemplated this one.

Is it worth the current price of $350? That’s hard to say. You’ll do just fine on a 34c, a Baili BR171 or a Maggard v3 on an MR11. What I can say is I've never spent this much on a razor before and I have absolutely no regrets. The construction and finish is great and I have absolutely no complaints. Is it a mirror polish Wolfman? No, but it's not sold as such.

The only tiny thing I can knock is that while the handle has never slid out of my hand, I prefer a grippier razor and I'm definitely conscious of it. I know Ron is working on another option.

Note: I made it through this without using the word aggressive. I’ve decided that’s a terrible term since it means something different to everyone. I don’t think anyone would call this razor aggressive with any meaning, though.

Who is this razor for? The shaver who has everything and wants something different. People who want to just keep a handful of razors, and want one different. People who like a smooth shave, maybe a touch of blade feel, and medium efficiency (someone who wants to shave every day).

Who is this razor not for? New shavers. I don’t know if a new shaver would spend $350 on a razor, but if they were, I think this probably isn’t the one because it requires a gentler hand than other razors.

All that said, the thing is good. Ron did a great job on this thing. It's great to see one of our own come out with a new product that (I think) will be successful.