Had another chat with the owner of Irving Barber Company, and expressed my recommendation that they add jimps to future production runs when they ever decide to come out with a Mark II version. Also talked about doing enamel on the thumbscrew. He was just pleased that the logo had turned out as well as it did, the thought of filling it hadn't crossed his mind. I will get some black or red enamel and fill mine. It's too good of a look to pass up.
@PLANofMAN thank you for taking one for the team and the great write up. I wrote them and they changed the international shipping options to reasonable so I am going to add this razor to my stable.
I still had a problem with the international shipping when I tried to checkout. I contacted the owners and we worked everything out via email. Good guys and quick response.
I forgot to mention that I discussed the box with him as well. Turns out the main focus was something to put the logo on, big and bold. It's basically a placeholder for this initial run of 100 razors. He's planning on exploring other options with packaging, including a leather sheath. I hope that particular idea bears fruit. I'd have to agree. Or at least there's one guy who's the driving force behind this, who has surrounded himself with a very smart team of people. Thanks for bringing this razor to my attention, Darkbulb. It's brilliant.
You're welcome. I didn't know this first run was that small - I hope the interest/sales is there to justify a second run. Either that or you got a LE collector's item
Looks like a viable option for those who don't want to pay out for the feather or kai razors. I also like that you can use 3 types of blades. That makes it easier to find blades if this was used as a travel razor. I hope he continues making these so I can get one later when I have disposable income again.
As far as I know he plans to continue making them. My order number was 58, and since this is practically the only thing on the website, it's safe to say he's probably sold about 3/4 of this run right now. He certainly didn't plan on wet shaving enthusiasts catching wind of his project. As he said, "this was made for barbers."
Would be very interesting to read a shave report by a professional barber after having used it to shave a dozen guys or so.
"Loving the product!!" -johnteee "You got my vote!" -the_ultimate_barber "Best razor yet." -Jubei_ma "Thank you much love fam" -jairthebarber "Thank U guys for Creating a tool that is Classy and functional. Please keep me in the Loop as u design more. I'm a collector of fine RaZoR's and this has moved to the Top of my collection. I will be buying another in the up coming weeks." -str8razorqueen "You've created a masterpiece." -davediggsthebarber That's probably about the best you'll get. These are just tools to them. When's the last time you posted an in-depth review of a dustpan?
I had my second shave with the IBC yesterday, and was able to get an irritation free BBS shave, except for my neck, which got a DFS (also irritation free). I am super pleased with this razor, and am loving being able to use Injector blades for my straight razor shaving needs.
Very neat. There was another rather popular injector-blade shavette - the L&A razor - but that was a few decades ago I believe it was made in Japan and had some vague connection to Schick (even though the details eludes me at the moment). This one can still be found from time to time, as they are not terribly uncommon, for about $10-30 if anyone want to try that out as well. The IBC seems like a modern day winner.
The blade exposure on that is brutal (pretty meaningless though, as both Injector and hair shaper blades are rigid enough to not need support). I'll be keeping my eyes open for one, though.
Thanks a lot for the review and pictures. Awaiting email about international shipping. Several people on the Dutch forum are interested but would rather see me test one before committing to buying one.
The first batch sold out, and the second batch will be arriving in a week. And another barber's review: One of the best in the business reviewing our product in his own words. Much respect to @ron_talley ・・・ Finally got to try out @irvingbarbercompany straight razor today! I'm really digging this razor! Appearance: beautiful smooth chrome finish. Nice detail w the lock mechanism. Tang could be a little longer but not a big deal. Changing blades: takes a little getting use to but I think it's cause I've never had a razor like this. Pretty easy and nice cut outs for blades that snap in half and bend. Shaving: feels nice and shaves w ease. Has a nice weight to it. Overall I really dig it! Pretty stoked on this and I would highly recommend it! The rest of the boys are gonna try it out next week so we will see what they think. Thank you Ricky! Super solid!
They must be doing something right, the razor is currently out of stock. [Edit: Ha, I was in the editing window when the previous message came through, GMTA. I will place an order; I'm OK if it doesn't come in until after the holidays.]
I was surprised after unpacking the razor about the balance, looks and weight. One thing that I noticed immediately was that if you want to keep it shiny on a display you better be prepared to wipe it off thoroughly after each use, every fingerprint shows. There is mention of other colors and materials in the future so that could be a better choice for the regular user. Very nice curves to this shavette, if I hold it next to my Feather DX folding it show many similarity's in thickness and curves but certainly isn't a copy of it. It falls into my hands just like the DX and while I like the long tang of the Feather I didn't mind the rather short one on the IBC, I'm not even sure a longer one would be better or advisable. Same thing about jimps, difficult to say if it would improve the razor, didn't miss them but maybe they should make a model with jimps as I suspect the regular user might like them. The knob, first thing I thought I wouldn't like, surprise .... it doesn't get in the way during shaving at all, obviously they thought this out really well! I always change hands for the different halves of my face and head and no problems there either. It's too early to give a real review, I might do so after a month of two of use. I've shaved for 40+ years now, mostly twice a day to keep the bamboo at bay with DE's, SE's, straights and shavettes and have tried a really long list of different ones but have kept only a small portion of them that I really like. This one might just make it into the short list. But even 40+ years is nothing compared to what a barber does so I took the IBC to a Turkish barber in my city and let him work with it. Those guys are magicians with a shavette! Unbelievable to watch. He used it on several customers and liked it a lot, wanted to keep it but no luck there Looking forward to what the company might bring on the market in the future, a red one to go with my Plisson Ferrari Red brush would be nice.
