I guess you should warn people that that's how the Blackbird comes packaged. It does give a rather festive experience...but it was a pain to clean up
I messed with mine and I could misaligned it if I really tried. The holes are a little too big for the posts or whatever you call them, but I had to deliberately try to get it to misalign. I tried it about a half dozen times trying to get it to do it on it's own.
The razor, I actually really liked. I didn't have any real alignment issues. There is one weird thing about the cap on this razor, one end is thicker on each end if you look at it with a blade loaded in it. It's hard to describe. It didn't seem to affect the shave negatively however. The razor weight was really nice in hand, the handle length was about perfect, and it was about a 4 for me as far as mildness goes, out of 10. Definitely worth $5, and very much worth $15.
You'll find a shave review in the SotD thread. But I just wanted to reiterate here that I'm now confident in recommending the DeFitch to any new wet shaver with the caveat that they check the blade alignment for a rare and easily remedied misalignment. The razor does not feel "cheap" in the least and gives a very adequate and forgiving shave that will inspire confidence. I can see a lot of reasons to include this razor in a collection and would be quite happy to have it as my one and only. Other razors will have a tough time surpassing it's price/performance/finish at only $15.
Mine just arrived today! First impression based on looks and feel alone: it has a pretty nice chrome job. It's very shiny. There is one spot of unevenness in the plating on the under-surface of the bottom plate. It looks almost like a paint drip/run but it's not paint (obviously). It shouldn't affect the shave quality and is not noticeable unless you're looking closely for flaws. The razor head looks very similar to my EJ89. The handle is long and heavy and the knurling is consistent. I'll post additional thoughts tomorrow after using it for a shave.
Mine arrived last evening, though I probably won't get to shave with it until Monday. I'll forego comments on the packaging since that is already being addressed. I will say that mine was partially unscrewed, though there doesn't seem to be any damage to the cap threads. (I'm curious as to whether the assembly and packaging is occurring in Compton or wherever the razor is being made.) It was a little disconcerting to hear the "clinking" from the package. First impressions... Wow! It is shiny. This is actually my first "modern" DE razor as I normally shave with one of several vintage Gillette razors in "user" condition. It definitely makes them look shabby by comparison. Nice heft to the handle. BTW, the collet seems to be small enough to fit a New LC head if one was so inclined. I did load a blade and had no issues with exposure. It will definitely be the next razor I shave with unless my razor from the Secret Santa Birth Date PIF arrives today. (I thought that was going to arrive yesterday, but it seems to be in some "Delivered, to agent" black hole.) JR
First shave with the DeFitch91 was a success. It has a very similar feel to the EJ89 which is my daily driver. I took some pics below comparing the two (DeFitch on the left). The top picture shows that little bleb of plating on the bottom plate. It is perhaps just a bit less forgiving than the EJ89 when going ATG. I got two small areas of redness/irritation. It may be just be me not being used to a heavier razor. This is great value in a razor.
Very good first shave. I have to get used to weight/heft of razor, much more than any other razors I use. The grip was very solid, the feel was very smooth, the result was just as good as my 'go to' EJ 89. I loaded a Derby, the blade that forgives me, with no alighment issues. Used Cremo, which gives me a slick cushion and started. The blade angle seemed very close to the EJ 89, the aggressiveness and efficiency also very similar. For me the EJ 89 is just about the best all around razor, so I mean that as high praise. In the future will try with my other go to blade, Feathers, and with various creams and soaps, but no reason to think I will have any lesser experience. This is a heavy razor and does take a bit of concentration to get the feel for minimal pressure down when your used to an EJ Kelvin, a comparatively light razor. That said, I have no irritation, nicks or weeper, so all good. Congratulations DeFitch, excellent razor at a great value price.
I'd really have to question anyone finding too much fault with the DeFitch within its price range. Perhaps some question the weight which I love. Maybe the length of the handle? I like it but it is on the longish side. Maybe the mildness of the shave? I think that's perfect for the intended demographic. As I settle in to this hobby, I don't think I'm going to go with something much more aggressive. Right now, my Fatboy on 5 is my go to razor. I proved that to myself again last night. I may wind up bumping that up a notch or two, but I'd say the DeFitch is similar to 3 or 4 on the Fatboy dial so well within reason. Maybe if you just don't like shiny razors?
I had my first shave with the DeFitch DF91 today. My blade of choice was my usual- an Astra SP. A bit of background before I begin: this is my first "modern" DE razor; my experience up to this point has been shaving with a small set of vintage Gillette razors. First impression- "So this is what you kids shave with these days." The DF91 is a mild razor, though it did make me realize that I have been shaving with very mild razors (e.g., a Slim Adjustable which pretty much lives at a setting of '4'). I quickly found an angle that worked for me, however, and ended up with a very nice one-pass DFS that impresses me more as time goes by. My only concern came at the end when I wondered if I needed to give the razor and its Zamak head any special care beyond a simple rinse. At this price, though, I'm probably overthinking it. All in all, I'm pleased with the DF91 and think it will definitely become part of the rotation. As others have said, it would be a good beginner razor and I would have been very satisfied had it been my first one. I think the challenge for DeFitch and their marketing team will be to differentiate themselves and find a place in what is already a niche market, particularly given their previous false start. Personally, I'd love to be able to walk into Target or Walmart and see a DF91 next to the VDH or MTO. Note to my fellow DENizens- don't forget to review the DF91 on Amazon. It's the polite thing to do. JR
Mine just arrived (yay! I won't have to wait until December 23rd). Now other things I placed in that order still aren't here. The box is almost an afterthought. Granted most of us don't keep or store the boxes, but something with a nice logo would be better than just the plain box. I don't mind it being in a simple cardboard box as long as it is protected well. But something on the outside would up the presentation. My razor doesn't have any plating issues. The head screws onto the handle smoothly. However, I like to swap heads/handles so I tried my Weber handle on the Defitch head. It turned fairly tightly at first as though the threads didn't quite match. Now the Defitch handle went easily on the Weber head. After screwing it onto (kinda tight threads) and then off again, the threads felt right on both handles for the Defitch head. When looking at blade alignment, the blade wanted to align fairly well. However, as has been noted by others, I could easily cause blade alignment issues on purpose. After tightening down several times, I did get one time where the blade was aligned unevenly without me forcing the issue. Are the pins too small? Hmmm... So after some quick measurements (why else do I keep a digital caliper by my computer...) The pins on my Defitch are 4.65mm. How does that compare to others... EJ 89 4.75 Weber 4.74 Fatip 4.71 Goodfella 4.69 Sabi 1 4.64 Lord (I had three of these and all were the same) 4.59 Yuma 4.44 - 4.52 not the same size for each pin! Sabi 2 3.95!!! 4 Gilletes fell in a range from 4.55 to 4.68 So I don't think the pin size of 4.65 is that bad. Would .1mm make a huge difference? Maybe... maybe not. But at least it is more consistent that the Sabi or Yuma. The lord gives me a good shave even though it is mild and it has smaller pins. I don't recall the last time I had a blade alignment problem on a Lord L6. But the blade certainly fits nicer on my Weber and EJ89, so maybe that .1mm counts. I noticed in measuring that the pins are tapered more than it appears to the eyes. So my measurement may be off. However, as you tighten, the blade should be centered more as it is pressed down on the pin further. It is loaded with a blade (Ladas, not my favorite blade, but a good blade) for tomorrow's shave. We will see how it does and then I will report here and on Amazon.
I don't think I'll be shaving with my DeFitch razor. Was prepping it for tomorrow shave, and no matter what I do, one side of the blade protrudes farther than the other. Also my handle thread issue has gotten worse. Kinda bummed out.
Ok guys, I will not be able to give a shave review. DeFitch offered another razor, but Amazon is a nightmare to deal with when you have a PO Box, so I dont believe I will be replacing my razor. Mainly due to the fact they told me they would only mail to me Parcel Select since I have a PO Box, and my rental expires soon, and too expensive to justify renewing. You win some you lose some I guess
I shaved with a Russian razor that was more uneven then that just the other day. Use the aggressive side first then your 2nd pass and touch up on the mild side. Works great. Really its too bad that it didn't work out for you. at least you got a good handle out of it. Now you can nab a cheaper OC razor with a cracked and falling apart handle. You were looking for one right?
