Yes, the AS-D2 handle is great. When I used no pressure today I got the suction cup effect. So I added pressure. I like a slick lather, and I thought my lather was slick enough today. It's weird, because a couple of years ago, I got great shaves from it from the start. Since my cart days, I've always changed blades once a week -- no more, no less. I don't notice a difference between the 1st shave and the 7th. I also rarely notice a difference among blade brands.
660 Henson shaves in the books. An excellent Friday morning head and face shave. Initially I wasn't a fan of RK blades but after revisiting them I've changed my opinion. Friday September 22, 2023 Bowl: Shave Nation Bowl Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Omega Lather: Tabac Razor: Henson AL13 Aggressive Blade: RK Stainless Post: Osma Alum Block Post: Thayers Witch Hazel Post: Tabac Henson Usage through 09/22/2023 Total shave with Henson Razors: 660 Detailed breakdown by model: Henson AL13 Mild = 167 Henson AL13 Medium = 88 Henson AL13 Aggressive= 218 Henson Ti22 Mild = 158 Henson Ti22 Aggressive = 30
What is your favorite blade in the Henson? Do you have different favorites for the 3 different aggression models? Thanks and regards
You're Welcome! In the mild my favorite is the Feather. For me that blade is so smooth. In the aggressive though that same blade is a rougher ride. Given a choice between both loaded with a Feather, I would take the mild all day everyday. Overall I wouldn't say I have a favorite blade, but I find that I enjoy my Henson razors regardless of aggression level loaded with any of the following. Gillette Platinum Gillette Nacet Wizamet Super Iridium Astra SP Best wishes, Paul
Thanks. I have plenty of these: Gillette Plat (light blue), Nacet, Astra SP. Which Gillette Plat do you prefer: light blue or dark blue? I've heard that the Wizamet ain't what it used to be. Is that true? regards
You're welcome! I only have the dark blue Plats and have never tried the light ones. As for Wizamet I guess that depends. About two years ago I purchased a box of them and I like them. Last year I purchased some vintage Polsilver's (brown packaging) that I believe were made back in the 1990's. They aren't what I expected. I find them rough and don't enjoy shaving with them at all. I do have a couple of tucks of the more recent Polsilver (blue packaging) and I find them to be on the same level as the Wizamet Supers that I enjoy. If you want to try them, send me a PM with your address and I'll mail out a tuck for you to try. Paul
My shave today with the AL13-M was much better -- just like I remember from when I first bought it 2 and 1/2 years ago. In fact, I enjoyed this shave just as much as with other razors in my arsenal that I really like, and I got equal results, too. I used a Perma-sharp Gold on it's 7th (and final) shave. I never use a blade for more than 7 shaves. I paid more attention to my lather today -- when I thought it was fine, I decided to add a bit more water to make it just a bit slicker and thinner. Maybe that did the trick -- or it just could have been getting used to the razor after yesterday's shave. I must say that it is almost as mild as a Feather AS-D2, which I had been using just prior to the Henson this week, but it does have blade feel. The results were similar, if not identical, but it took less work with the Henson. Same blade in both - the Perma-sharp - transferred from the AS-D2 to the AL13-M. I'm about to fall into the trap I fell into when I first got my Henson -- "great razor, check, will definitely become one of my go-tos, check, oh, but I have other razors I want to try..." I'm itching to try my new Shield Titanium -- but I also have some new blades to try (Nacet), but don't want to use it in a razor I haven't used before. Oh well, that's what this hobby is all about.
A very nice Saturday morning head shave. BBS with no drama, no irritation. Welcoming in Autumn with two of my favorites: Autumn Ash and Tabac. Saturday September 23, 2023 Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper Bowl Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Omega Lather: Southern Witchcrafts Autumn Ash Razor: Henson AL13 Aggressive Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium Post: Osma Alum Block Post: Thayers Witch Hazel Post: Tabac
Easy BBS with no drama or irritation. Monday September 25, 2023 Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper Bowl Brush: Simpson X3 Lather: MdC Rose Razor: Henson AL13 Aggressive Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp Post: Osma Alum Block Post: Thayers Witch Hazel Post: Tabac Henson Razor First Use: October 14, 2021 "First ever Face and Head shave with the Henson AL 13 Mild. I had my doubts with the small blade gap but the results just blew me away! Ridiculously good!" Henson Usage through 09/25/2023 Total shave with Henson Razors: 664 Detailed breakdown by aggression: Henson Mild = 325 Henson Medium = 88 Henson Aggressive= 251
Wednesday September 27, 2023 Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper Bowl Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Omega Lather: MdC Rose Razor: Henson AL13 Aggressive Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium Post: Osma Alum Block Post: Thayers Witch Hazel Post: Tabac
Yes, again, because this razor keeps gettimg mentioned anytime I research a different razor. My mind keeps thinking the + is the Medium. Although Henson may mark them that way on the baseplates, they don't market them with that terminology, so that confusion should be easily rectified. I just looked up Carbon razors, and they use the + indication they way I suggested for the Henson. Their mild, however, apparently came out after their original, but they don't use a - indicator, which is something I would have done. So they have a Mild, Original, a +, and a ++. It's too bad in English that Mild and Medium both start with an M.
