I began wet-shaving about 10 years ago, but only switched to a safety razor within the last year. I began with a Merkur 34C. I thought I'd arrived at the best possible shave when I finally loaded it with Feather blades. But I still seemed to be making too many clean-up passes. Then I saw a WCS promo about the Karve CB and watched shave videos where every reviewer seemed to be over-the-moon about how smooth it was, yet really getting the job done. As I investigated, though tempted to try the C plate most reviewers were using, I noted that the "blade gap" figure, while available for the Karve, was not noted concerning the Merkur. So I asked the folks at WCS. Abraham replied. He informed me the C plate had a little less gap than the Merkur and would therefore yield a milder shave. The blade gap created by the D plate, he thought, would give me the slightly more aggressive shave I was seeking. I order the Karve CB with a D plate. It's a beauty; that's for certain. But I made a tactical error and loaded it with a Feather. Whatever I thought I knew about shaving technique with a safety razor went right out the window with that rookie mistake. The Karve yielded a very rough shave. I tried a Merkur blade instead (left over from my initial foray) and even that milder blade yielded a similar unpleasant result. I sulked and went back to my Merkur 34C for a few days, then placed an order for the C plate. Before it arrived, I reached out to Abraham again. He suggested I try Astra and Gillette Silver Blue blades my Karve before I gave up on the D plate. The Astra worked better, but I still felt a fair amount of blade. The Gillette Silver Blues, on the other hand, gave me precisely the experience I'd heard about and was yearning for. I began getting the best shaves of my 68-year life. When the C plate arrived, I didn't even give it a try and sent it right back for a very prompt refund. I LOVE THIS RAZOR. It requires no pressure, simply my fingers guiding it through three passes for a wonderful shave with minimal clean-up. In fact, my technique has improved over a few months use of the Karve to the point that I know right where I'll have to clean up because of funky beard grain, so I address it on the third pass. I can't imagine any razor for significantly more money will do the job significantly better than my Karve Christopher Bradley with the 3.5"-inch handle. I take it apart and dry it after every shave. It's only gradually takes on a patina as a result. I've polished it once and restored it to its lovely bead-blasted matte finish. It is a handsome, rugged tool. And the price is really, really right. At this price point, I'm convinced you won't regret giving it a go. It well could become your "go to."
