Henson Shaving AL13 Copper Machined Aluminum DE Safety Razor, Medium Exposure

No longer a required chore, shaving is now an anticipated luxury!

I received my copper colored anodized aluminum Henson AL13-M (medium aggression) razor in yesterday’s mail, and experienced my first double-edge shave with it last night. I had three days growth (Sunday-Tuesday) as there aren't an even number of days in a week. Along with my new razor, I ordered a 100-blade bulk pack of RK stainless steel, double-edge blades, and an alum block from Maggard Razors to stem the expected facial hemorrhaging. I have several flat moles scattered about my face that I've grown rather fond of over the years, which I was just sure would be sliced off with the first pass. I unscrewed the tapered handle, thereby separating the two piece head. I carefully unwrapped the .004” thick double-edge RK (a sheet of paper or a human hair is .003” thick on average) and placed it over the threaded center stud and adjacent alignment lugs of the razor’s inverted top cap. I placed the bottom cap over the studs and lugs, sandwiching the blade in between. As I ******* the handle back onto the center stud, the bottom plate bends and clamps the thin, flexible, tempered blade lengthwise, into a precisely aligned, rigid, concave arch whose cutting edges were now securely locked downward at 30° from vertical. I followed the protocol I learned from watching several shaving channels' demonstrations. I've always rinsed my razor in a thin running stream of hot water, but I learned that swishing it in a basin of hot water better warms the razor head and blade and I can now hear how well the blade is actually cutting my whiskers, under the shaving gel lather, as one of the safety features of the Henson razor, is that if it is not held at the optimal 30° angle, it won't cut anything; you're just snowplowing the lather off your face. You should hear a scratching sound like sandpaper; the louder, the better; when the blade is cutting at optimal efficiency. I didn't feel anything, other than the warm, smooth aluminum gliding over my skin; a rather sensuous experience when combined with the ASMR scraping sound, without which, I wouldn't have even known there was a blade in my razor. With light pressure, I made my obligatory three passes as instructed, lathering between each one. The experience was pleasurable, it was all I could do to stop myself from shaving my head and eyebrows! I aced my first double-edge shave with no nicks or cuts, not even over my Adam's Apple, which is a problem area for me. I rinsed my face with cold water and slid the alum block over my wet skin, expecting it to sting, but it did not. Then I rinsed my face again, patted it dry and applied a judicious amount of aftershave, which stung more than normal, and turned my neck red for a few minutes, probably due to the blade exfoliating my epidermis, but a silk stocking dragged across my throat would have slid off unhindered, my face now smooth as a baby's bum for the first time in 45 years! No longer a required chore, shaving is now an anticipated luxury! Whoever said, “Your first time’s nothing to write home about.” never shaved with a Henson double-edge safety razor.

The razor felt slightly more efficient than the mild version. I got a “closer shave”, but it was still incredibly smooth. I am very happy with my purchase.

Best DE razor yet!

I have 14 or 15 DE safety razors, some expensive, including my Gillette twist-to-open which I started shaving with in 1960 at age 13. I’ve been searching for the perfect razor for my face (heavy, fast growing whiskers, have to shave against the grain with pressure, face buffing on some parts of my face). This the best DE razor for me yet!! I wasn’t looking for another razor but I read about this and studied the reviews and finally got the medium. It is unbelievable. This is a game changer. I just finished my 7th shave with it, Astra Super Platinum blade, and I have never gotten a close and comfortable shave from any DE razor like the shave this Henson gave me. This is a game changer for me. I love the copper color. The blade is held in a way unlike any other DE razor (I checked with a jeweler’s loupe). There is even a tungsten insert the handle presses against so when you tighten the handle. If you want the increase the agressiveness you can loosen the handle slightly. The best for me is tight. The mild is perfect for me. This is indeed a razor for the space age!!! One day I’ll get the titanium version. I get the best shaves when I use a few drops of shaving oil before lathering.

This is it!

After the acquisition of 15 or so razors I've found the Holy Grail. The Henson medium and a Rapira Lux. No cuts, weepers, irritation. Smooth and close. Had to tell someone.