I was given to try the medium version and while the slaves were good as well as the end result, I didn't enjoy the angle the razor requires and for that's a deal breaker. Getting good shaves isn't my only consideration when I buy razors. I also want them to feel effortless as much as possible and I prefer steep angle compared to shallow and neutral.
Henson Razors... Yes or No???
- Thread starter Tillerman7
- Start date
The shaves! That auto-correct is killing me
My experience is only with the aluminum version. I was fine with paying $50 for a Henson razor. At $70 I drew the line. $250 for a Henson? Fuggedaboutit.
I asked the question about performance of Al v. Ti on several forums, and the consensus was there is no difference in performance between Henson aluminum and titanium.
The weight is totally your personal preference. I personally have a strong preference for lighter weight when shaving the head. Heavier razors, no matter how careful I am, can draw blood more easily when shaving the dome. For head shaving, the Leaf and Henson Al 13 medium are my top dogs. The aluminum Timeless is another favorite because it is light-weight and very efficient.
For face shaving, I am OK with making adjustments for weight by using a lighter touch with heavier razors.
I have zero Henson razor experience. To me they seem like a "bridge" between cartridge razor's and DE razor's.... Also I find them aestheticly hideous.
I originally thought the same as far as aesthetics. In the hand, it is a very attractive and well-engineered razor.
IMO the description of the Henson being a sort of "bridge" between cartridge and DE razors is pretty accurate. It feels like a cartridge razor (it's light) and shaves like one (needs some pressure to cut).
Regarding aesthetics: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say...I don't mind the head design but I think the handle is quite ugly. (Just my opinion of course)
I own an aggressive Henson. I tried also medium version for several weeks.
My daily drivres are lupo 95, Timeless 95, Carbon 1.08, EJ3ONE6, Blackbird ti.
Medium is too mild for my taste.
If you are happy with GC84 do not hesitate to pick Henson Aggressive version. The medium will be too mild and boring for you.
My daily drivres are lupo 95, Timeless 95, Carbon 1.08, EJ3ONE6, Blackbird ti.
Medium is too mild for my taste.
If you are happy with GC84 do not hesitate to pick Henson Aggressive version. The medium will be too mild and boring for you.
Yep, auto-correct makes it seem like I flunked grade school grammar, spelling, and composition!
But those slaves ...
Yep, auto-correct makes it seem like I flunked grade school grammar, spelling, and composition!
But those slaves ...
I wish the auto-correct was a person so I can slap him a few times for all the times he ''helped'' me
.I am quite sure that it is a well made, high precision razor.
I agree with a lot of the previous posts, mostly regarding the reasons not to get a Henson.
1. It's ugly.
2. It's aluminum.
3. It requires a very precise shave angle to perform efficiently.
4. It's ugly.
5. It doesn't shave any better than a "traditional" razor".*
*IMO
I had a AL13+ and quickly sold it, along with my Winning razor. I still have a GC 68P and 68OC in my rotation after selling a GC 84P.
It's ugly.
1. It's ugly.
2. It's aluminum.
3. It requires a very precise shave angle to perform efficiently.
4. It's ugly.
5. It doesn't shave any better than a "traditional" razor".*
*IMO
I had a AL13+ and quickly sold it, along with my Winning razor. I still have a GC 68P and 68OC in my rotation after selling a GC 84P.
It's ugly.
Ah, should've kept that Winning--better than the Henson IMO (more efficient, heavier, better looking, and made of unobtanium).
I still have the RR Lupo Aluminum our youngest son gave me.... I used it once, before I had developed any technique. I haven't tried it since... I wonder how it compares to a Henson.
I agree with a lot of the previous posts, mostly regarding the reasons not to get a Henson.
1. It's ugly.
2. It's aluminum.
3. It requires a very precise shave angle to perform efficiently.
4. It's ugly.
5. It doesn't shave any better than a "traditional" razor".*
*IMO
I had a AL13+ and quickly sold it, along with my Winning razor. I still have a GC 68P and 68OC in my rotation after selling a GC 84P.
It's ugly.
For whatever reason, razors that are forcing it's user to use a specific angle like the Henson are becoming more and more common. It's not that I hate them, but I just like when I have to drag the whole head across my face to shave. I like it when both the safety bar or the open comb of a razor are gently touching my face and all I have to do is move them back and forth giving me the control to go deeper if I want or not, which doesn't really exist with Henson and a few other razors like the Pearl Flexi for instance.
The Flexi is a great razor and I get awesome shaves with it, but I just don't like the angle and how the shaving is done. I've reached the point where good enough isn't good enough anymore and I only look for razors that leave me speechless or let me yell wow in my bathroom like a maniac
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For whatever reason, razors that are forcing it's user to use a specific angle like the Henson are becoming more and more common. It's that I hate them, but I just like when I have to drag the whole head across my face to shave. I like it when both the safety bar or the open comb of a razor are gently touching my face and all I have to do is move them back and forth giving me the control to go deeper if I want or not, which doesn't really exist with Henson and a few other razors like the Pearl Flexi for instance.
The Flexi is a great razor and I get awesome with it, but I just like the angle and how the shaving is done. I've reached the point where good enough isn't good enough anymore and I only look for razors that leave me speechless or let me yell wow in my bathroom like a maniac
I think it is an effort to grab some of the cartridge market, a means of making a DE razor more appealing by modernizing the design and attempting to make it less threatening by adding training wheels.
I know a lot of our members love the Henson, and I'm sure it works very well for many, I just prefer a razor that is more forgiving of shave angle...
...and, yes, I forgot another bullet point in my previous list:
6. The Henson sucks, literally...the flat, blocky head created a suction effect on my face
Agreed...
I've heard about this in regards to the Winning as well but I can't reproduce it
Agreed...
I've heard about this in regards to the Winning as well but I can't reproduce it
Maybe it's my face that sucks.
I've been DE shaving everyday for 50+ years now. After a few years with electric razors I switched back to DE after advice from a skin specialist when I started developing in-growing hairs - He said if you get them, don't use a cartridge razor. The multi-blade pulling and then the hair shaft going back into the dermis will give you more of them! I have a coarse beard (not particularly thick) and sensitive skin (aged-lined!). Generally, I have preferred milder razors as the first "decent" one I bought was a Gillette Sticky. Later on, my go-to razor was a Feather Mk1 SS. A couple of years ago I noticed, that even with Feather blades, I was getting starting to get scrapes, sore patches and even the odd cut.
I switched exclusively to Hensons. I bought a Mk1 Henson mild and got a close shave with no problems. Since then I have bought a Henson Mk2 Aluminium, and recently a Titanium Mk2 mild. The Ti was noticeably heavier and appeared to work slightly better. After experimenting with all three over several months, I have decided that for me the Al Mk2 is the best. Daily shave is one pass/occasionally two; Simpson's scentless soap (I bought enough remaindered stock to see me out), a Simpson Wee Scot, or a OEM Vulfix synthetic (Beard & Blade) Most of the time I use Feather blades the supplied RK are fine, but I change them more often...
I've cut myself once with a Henson - It was due to stupidity and a shaking hand. Every shave is close, and for me the more aggressive types would mean more scrapes and soreness, but without a significantly better shave. The Henson always lines the edge up correctly and doesn't pull. As an aside, the first time I used it I did a double pass (with the grain, and then across) - I Thought something was wrong as I didn't hear any noise on the second pass across the buccal/ear area - Picked up the Feather SS and got the same result in the same area, I don't ever remember that with any other razor.
I personal recommendation: Try the Mild Aluminium first. I like the Titanium; but, other than being heavier, didn't really notice much difference. The $70 Al is fine. If you like "nice things" the Ti is good, but worth the extra $180?
The suckiness might be the soap you are using? I use an old Simpson soap/cream, made slightly thinner with a bit more water than many would like. I got the sucky feel when I tried Nivea sensitive liquid...
