Check out my first impressions review here. 

Wet shaving is funny that way. We use century-old techniques, but the tools keep evolving. Every once in a while, a modern brand shows up that actually understands that balance. Oliworks is one of them.

At its core, wet shaving is about getting a great shave—but for many of us, how we get there matters just as much. I own some razors that will give you an excellent shave, but when you’re done, the only thing to appreciate is the result. I own others that are an absolute joy to shave with, so when you take that final pass, you’re left appreciating both the outcome and the process that got you there. There are two areas where Oliworks really shines, and this is the first.

Some modern razors are built entirely with the end in mind: a great shave. Many designers have landed on the idea that the best shave is the one you can’t mess up—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’ll always be grateful for an effortless shave, especially on groggy mornings after being up with the kids all night. But sometimes, you want to savor the experience. You want to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

The Oliworks razor delivers that old-school, traditional safety razor experience. You can feel the blade. You can hear that reassuring sound of whiskers being cut smoothly against the skin when you get the angle right. You can feel the chunky knurling cut deep into the handle giving you a sense of control. It’s that satisfying multisensory experience that many modern wet shavers crave and this razor nails it!

The second area where Oliworks gets it right is value. When “Made in the USA” is a big part of a brand’s identity, it usually means two things: excellent quality and top-of-market pricing. Oliworks certainly delivers on the quality—but without the inflated price tag. At the time of writing, the Oliworks flagship razor (the one I own) retails for a reasonable $69.00 (*nice).

Cue infomercial announcer voice: “But wait—there’s more!” Included with the razor are all three baseplates! These baseplates allow you to choose between a mild, medium, or aggressive shave. That means there’s no stress about choosing the “wrong” option, no buyer’s remorse, and no need to immediately spend more money just to dial things in. I genuinely love that.

At the end of the day, the Oliworks razor feels like it was designed by people who actually shave—and who understand why we do this in the first place. It’s not trying to remove you from the experience; it's enhancing it. 

If you appreciate traditional wet shaving, value thoughtful design, and want a razor that rewards good technique without punishing you for being human, Oliworks gets that balance right. It’s a tool meant to be used, enjoyed, and trusted—and that’s high praise in my book.