Just wanted to let everyone know that I received the razor yesterday. So far I'm loving it! I'm pretty much decided already to buy one.
Will update when I get a few more days with it.
Will update when I get a few more days with it.
I'm almost certainly getting both. I just have to decide on which type of metal first. I'm thinking that these razors are too beautiful to get in a metal that tarnishes. And I don't feel like polishing it every so often.@ewk @shaveSymptomatic hey you two, I am glad you liked the Athena head!
Now you can go by handle or if you want a bit more efficiency without any noticeable change in smoothness, the Ares is also an option.
You can also go by material: I have the SS Athena and the Bronze Ares, now there are the usual differences, Bronze requires a bit more care/drying, but actually I find that Bronze just has the right feel and look for a Greek God(dess).
This said, I just wanted to say I still can't get the possibility of a future Ares SS out of my mind, haha...^^
I know @Sascoman prefers the Ares slightly over the Athena, but we have quite some others who rather have the Athena, which is a bit more of a looker.
There are supposedly also fitting stands planned, a very good thing, IMO. I like the luxurious box, but ultimately I want my RAZORS to be seen, not the coffin. Erm box. See the Lamba thread for silly Count Dracula jokes.
Usually my razors are way more aggressive, but these two guarantee a very good result with zero skin irritations. Granted, part of the appeal is that I as EU citizen don't have to deal with the fantasy fees put upon slightly more expensive razors when importing them from outside the EU.
So yeah, ewk and shaveSymptomatic, don't forget, there is also the Ares. Both are close enough in characteristics that you will love both for sure.
The patina is so slow it takes months to even start. Then if you don't like it, and you probably will, you can use a product like Flitz and it easily returns the metal to its original look. Flitz is as easy as it gets. Believe me, i am really lazy. The Athena is available, get it while it is available, you won't regret it.I'm almost certainly getting both. I just have to decide on which type of metal first. I'm thinking that these razors are too beautiful to get in a metal that tarnishes. And I don't feel like polishing it every so often.
I shave WTG and then ATG. The Athena is amazing! My concern was that it was going to be too mild. I shave at night, so I need the shave to last well into the following day. The Athena accomplished that. And it's so smooth, that it can easily be used daily.
I’ve had 2 shaves with this so far, and I’m a little annoyed with myself because I know I haven’t used it under the best circumstances either time… by that, I mean that the first time I was on a phone call where I was mostly listening but talking some, so clearly not giving my full attention to the shave. And today I didn’t have a great lather because I loaded from a tiny tub that I can never load enough product from. So I’m committed to maximum effort from here on out while this is in my possession
With that being said though, it really is an attractive razor. I’ve been using a stainless Razorock handle and I think the contrast really shows off the color and finish of the Athena. In addition to the “side jets” effect when running water through the head, I get a kick out of watching water flow out from between the teeth as well as the sides when I clean the baseplate out after the shave. Easy to tell that the tolerances and build quality are top-notch. I’ve been using an Astra SP for the first couple shaves but I plan to switch to something on the sharp end of the spectrum for later shaves.
If the pass around is ever opened back up I’d love to give this one a try sometime.
I haven’t purchased many DEs this past year but the Athena and Overlander are at the top of my list of DEs I’d love to try along with the Timeless .95 , & Wolfman offerings.
It’s definitely an interesting razor.
I’ve grown to really love open comb razors!I don’t expect to open the pass around again but I can vouch for the Timeless razors. I love the open comb .68 and .95. I would encourage anyone who is even slightly interested to give them a shot. I was never much of an oc person until I tried them. They are so much smoother for me than the sb or scalloped, ymmv. Plus, they have a 30 day trial period. Can’t go wrong with trying a Timeless.
I'm actually not surprised by this. I had the same experience with the OC blackbird vs the solid bar. The OC blackbird made me a fan of OC razors in general, even for daily shaving.I don’t expect to open the pass around again but I can vouch for the Timeless razors. I love the open comb .68 and .95. I would encourage anyone who is even slightly interested to give them a shot. I was never much of an oc person until I tried them. They are so much smoother for me than the sb or scalloped, ymmv. Plus, they have a 30 day trial period. Can’t go wrong with trying a Timeless.