Frequently Asked Questions
Blackland
The name is derived from the translation of our founder's last name. Learn more about Blackland and our heritage here.
We do not have a physical storefront, unfortunately. Check out our list of Blackland retailers to find our products in the store closest to you!
We are based in San Diego, California.
Of course! We proudly offer a 30-day return policy because you can't shave with a spec sheet. Shaving is a personal experience and the only way to truly know if a razor or product will work for you is to try it out. Our risk-free trial period gives you time to determine whether a product is the right fit for you. If it's not perfect, we don't want you to keep it! Lean more about returns here.
We offer 10% discounts for current and former military members, educators, and responders. Get access to your discount code here.
We source everything we possibly can right here in the USA. Learn more about our view on domestic manufacturing and our company values here.
Join our newsletter to receive updates on product availability and new releases. Announcements are always made to our newsletter list first. You can also reach out directly via email, but we'll refer you back to the newsletter.
Our 30-day return policy is only valid for purchases made directly from Blackland through our website. Orders made through a retailer are subject to the return policy of that retailer.
Products
With basic care, a Blackland razor will last for many lifetimes. Between shaves, let the razor dry either by disassembling it and drying the pieces, or by loosening the handle slightly, allowing the head to open up and letting air dry the blade and head components. Periodically clean with a soft cloth and dish soap. Avoid using abrasive compounds or tools and harsh chemicals which may damage the finish of your razor. Store your razor in a dry space (not in the shower) and keep it separated from hard objects like other razors, nail clippers, tweezers, etc. to avoid damage. For long-term storage, the blade should be removed and the razor should be cleaned and dried.
Extra care should be taken to preserve the polished finish. Over time, regular use will cause the mirror finish to become hazier due to micro-scratches. These can be easily removed using any fine metal polish to restore the luster.
While stainless steel is unlikely to rust, a razor is not impervious if it is not properly cared for. Almost always it is a wet blade that rusts rather than the razor itself. As the blade rusts, it can transfer to the razor and lead to discoloration known as "tea staining". If you see this, don't worry! It will not damage your razor and is easily fixed. Tea stains that are caught quickly are often able to removed by simply rubbing them with a cloth. If the stain is stubborn, let the affected part soak in white vinegar for about five minutes before attempting to scrub the tea stain again. Repeat as needed.
To avoid this issue, allow the blade to dry by either disassembling the razor between shaves or by loosening the handle slightly so that the head opens up and allows air to flow and dry the blade.
Titanium is unlikely to develop tea stains.
We recommend that you begin by using a blade you are already familiar with. It's important to only change one variable at a time as you learn and adapt to your new razor. Stick with a single brand of blade for at least 3-5 shaves until you understand the razor's intricacies. Then you can start experimenting with different blades until you find the perfect combination. Remember, there is no "best" blade to use. The best combination is simply the one that works for you.
For the Vector and Vector Titanium, blade performance varies substantially. We recommend purchasing a sample pack from a company like tryablade.com (no affiliation) if you are not experienced with Artist Club single-edge blades. If this isn't feasible or desirable, we recommend starting with the Feather Professional or Feather ProGuard.
Our double-edge razors (Blackbird, Blackbird Titanium, Era, Tradere) all ship with five Personna Lab Blue blades. These blades are PTFE-coated stainless steel and are made in the USA.
The Sabre ships with three PTFE-coated stainless steel GEM blades, made in the USA. This is the GEM blade we recommend.
Due to the wide variation in the performance of Artist Club blades, the Vector and Vector Titanium do not include blades.
Please note that while the blades we include are high quality and are liked by many, you do not need to use them in your new razor. None of our razors were designed to use a specific brand of blade and you should use the blade that works best for you.
New razors can take some time to get used to and the first couple of shaves may not be perfect. In fact, the first shaves are often the worst that you will get with a new razor. If you had a bad first outing or two, don't worry! That doesn't mean that the razor won't work for you and it doesn't mean you have to drastically change your approach. You just need more time to adapt to the technique required by your new razor. Let the razor guide your technique and don't force a technique that works on other razors to work on your new one. Some razors require a steeper angle, some shallower, and some benefit from a little pressure while some require none at all. Play with the technique during your shave and note how different approaches feel on your skin. Most often, simply using the razor more will improve the quality of your shaves without any conscious changes at all.
It takes most users at least five shaves, but often ten or more, to really understand their new razor. We recommend using your new razor for at least a full week's worth of shaves before evaluating it. If you still aren't getting the shaves you want, reach out to us and let us know what's going on. We've seen it all and often a simple tip can fix the problem you're having. If, after using the razor for a while and seeing if we can help, you still aren't happy, we want you to send it back! Our 30-day return policy is here to ensure that you aren't stuck with a razor just isn't right for you.
Blade longevity varies due to user preference and shaving habits. A user with a thick, coarse beard who always shaves with three passes will wear out a blade faster than a user with lighter hair who only uses one pass. For that reason, the longevity notes below are only guidelines.
- Double-edge blades: 2-5 shaves
- GEM single-edge blades: 10-15+ shaves
- Artist Club single-edge blades: 5-10+ shaves
Like most things in shaving, neither stainless steel nor titanium is objectively better for all users. Some prefer stainless steel and some prefer titanium. Both metals make incredible shaving tools that perform excellently and will last for generations.
Generally speaking, stainless steel razors are heavier which makes them a bit more efficient with slightly more blade feel. Stainless steel also holds a mirror polish better and is less expensive. Titanium razors are more maneuverable and the light weight typically reduces blade feel. Titanium is nearly indestructible, but is expensive due to manufacturing complexities. Make sure you read the reviews of each version to help determine which material would be best for you.
Generally speaking, if you aren't sure which to get, choose the safety bar (SB). Open comb (OC) is a great tool for those don't shave every day as the comb teeth prevent clogging and allow you hack through thick growth more easily. It's also great if you need the absolute most efficient shave possible. SB is a bit smoother and more comfortable on the skin for most users, making it the more popular choice of the two.
We include a black washer in between the head and handle of some razors to protect the base plate from being scratched by the handle. This washer does not impact the performance of the razor is simply there to keep the razor pristine before it is delivered to you. You may choose to use the washer or recycle it if you want to protect the base plate, but it is completely optional and up to you.
Shipping
The vast majority of orders ship within one business day. However, extremely high order volume from new product releases and sales can impact our fulfillment speed. Some orders in these high-volume scenarios may take up to 2-5 business days to ship. Once your order ships you will receive a shipping confirmation email including your tracking number.
All orders shipping to addresses within the United States are shipped via USPS Priority. Orders over $99 ship free while orders under $99 ship for a flat rate of $5. You can learn more about our shipping policies here.
We ship worldwide using either USPS or DHL. Due to COVID-19, USPS has suspended shipments to certain countries listed here. If your country is on this list, we can still ship via DHL Express.
Shipping costs depend on the order, destination, and service choice. Your actual shipping cost will be provided during checkout. The following prices are guidelines and may not accurately reflect the cost for your country specifically. Additional delivery and customs charges may be levied by the destination country. Blackland is not responsible for or aware of these charges. It is the customer's responsibility to understand any additional fees they may be subject to. Learn more about international shipping here.
- USPS First Class: $20-$25
- USPS Priority: $30-$50
- DHL Express: $35-$60
The speed of shipping depends on the destination country, what shipping service was chosen, and how fast the destination country processes the package through customs. For a detailed explanation of shipping speed, go here.
Many countries will not release a package to the recipient until customs fees, import duties, and taxes have been paid. The customer is responsible for paying these fees and for understanding what they will be prior to ordering. Blackland does not know the specific requirements for your country or region and we are not responsible for predicting fees a customer may be subject to.