That's funny you say that about the weight of a razor. I thoroughly agree about the weight of a metal razor .... I want weight. That said I really enjoy my bakelite razors ...... I can't give you a logical reason ..... maybe it's nostalgia.
It’s interesting how tastes change. For the last few years I’ve been enjoying lighter weight razors than was previously so. Once it gets to more than 100 grams it’s a less satisfying experience. More effortful, if you will. My current favorites are all well under that 100 gram threshold.
i love all my gillettes,brass,bakelite or aluminum,though i love some more than others and have favorites..
I went from liking mild razors to actively seeking out more aggressive razors, and that happened when my beard went from black to salt and pepper. My beard went from coarse and wiry to coarse, tough, and wiry. One of the tricks we use to 'boost' aggression is by adding weight, either from the razor itself, or from adding pressure. I prefer to let the razor do the work, myself. After shaving with the Henson, which is as close as a person can get to shaving with a Trac II using a DE blade, I looked into it a bit more. If I upped the weight a bit... Oh, there's a titanium version that weighs twice as much as the original, perfect. A touch more aggression, ah, there's an 'aggressive' blade gap option... It was at that point I realized I was basically building a Blackland Blackbird. I backed out of the site and came back here to post this. The Henson is a nice razor. A very good starter razor. If a person has a beard, it's horrible for edging it, quite possibly the worst razor I've used in that particular regard. It's not a flaw, just an observation, and about the only thing I can ding the razor on. It definitely has a unique face feel that sets it apart from other DE razors.
Lately, circumstances have been leading me away from the more aggressive razors. Since the heart attack, I take an antiplatelet drug. Those tiny weepers that stop by themselves? Not anymore they don't. So I need the most forgiving razor that still actually shaves. Current daily driver is a Karve Overlander. I'm really, really happy with it. I have a Henson, but I don't much like it. I think "unique" face feel is a charitable term for it. I might have tossed it into the box if there weren't one in there already.
My takes. My gives. Yes, the Ingram's is still good, and yes, there's a Blackland Blackbird in that case. The other stuff I took while re-packing the box. I deemed the Avon a low priority, and it lost out when I needed more room. Sorry. (Avon does always seems to lose these). I decided to take the Yaqi DOC head as well, and the Bolzano and Nacet blades, neither of which I've tried, or it's been so long I don't remember trying them, which amounts to the same thing anyways, right? Somehow the Henson didn't make it back in the box. I'll make sure it gets in there before going to the post office.
It is great. My wife, however, doesn't like the scent. This is an unused one, as I bought two sets when they were $20 each. The brush it comes with is meh, FYI.
Evening. The box arrived today. Can't wait to go through it. It will probably be this weekend though before I can do it. Also I will get a new box as the current one is splitting at the seams. Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
No rush, just enjoy your time with the box. I'm surprised the box lasted that well; try to re-utilize the liners in the new box to protect the goodies.
Morning! So I finally got a chance to open (just open) the box and wow. Pictures do not do it justice. I know for sure I'm taking the Mitchell's Wool Fat soap as that's something I've always wanted to try. Stay tuned... Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
Just an FYI, I'm choosing to use the purchase value rather than the resale value for the first gen Blackbird. Any modern stainless or vintage $100+ razor can be swapped for it, IMO. I wasn't trying to fill the box with unavailable goodies.
So I'm going to claim the Cremo (both items) the Mitchell's and the Henson razor so far. Question on the Valet, is it usable? Need work?never seen one before. Hoping to get a new box tomorrow at the post office. Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
I think it's an earlier model. The pins on the blade tray will identify the generation, and that will tell you if modern feather single edge blades will fit it.
Ok, this is what I'm currently claiming. Got a new box so I might take a few more things as I'm repacking. Hope to get my contributions together tonight. Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
@Lancre I believe you are next. If you want to go ahead and message me your address so when everything is ready I can send it on. The picture contains my contributions. The three tubes are colognes. It's a mystery. For the aftershave lotion if someone takes it and likes the scent I can send you the matching cologne if you want. Hope to get it out the door soon. Sorry it's taking so long. Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk