@Johnny Bravo
Sorry I was hoping to post this before...
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I've now had a run of shaves with the Blackland #004.
Here are my scattered thoughts...
Super easy to load and remove the blade. The blade is held well under tension pinched at the edges and raised at the spine, so no problems on that front.
@semajohn I've tried a bunch of different blades and all fit, Personnas and the supplied AccuTec Pro.
Certainly feels like it was carved out of a billet of steel. It's a hefty chunk of steel and requires a light touch.
Despite all the facets, edges, notches and cut outs, etc. the grip isn't quite as good as I hoped. For a machined razor it has been polished more than the original Sabre. The side notches are a bit slick and my fingers slide right across them. The unconventional handle has taken a number of shaves to get used to: I spent most of the first shaves learning how to best hold the razor, rather than focusing on the shave itself. I keep changing my mind to the grip and finger pattern I prefer.
Needs rinsing often or the handle is covered in soap.
Angle is intuitive to find like with any other GEM razor.
There is some blade feel and it isn't a mindless shave, like the Sabre with either plate is for me. The Sabre is easier and more comfortable to manoeuvre but the #004 has way more grip options. The razor can and will bite if you aren't paying attention and you will know if you lose the angle. Can pull on longer growth sometimes.
The shaves with the #004 are not unlike the Sabre L2 but it handles completely differently. Took me a few shaves to adapt to this quirky GEM razor but I'm glad to own the Blackland #004.
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