I believe that, my friends.
Â
Ruminations on the Edge
- Thread starter Teutonblade
- Start date
Here are a few picks, with some head measurements. Is there anything from the pics and measurements that might allow you to form a perspective on how it might shave, based on the clamping, noting that the blade gap is 1.12mm and the exposure is Neutral?
Â
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #343
Wow, Mark, great pictures! Very cool razor! The hangle is gorgeous. The top cap width of 18.52mm indicates a reveal/clamp distance of 1.75mm on each side. The clamp-width of 13.18mm makes it a Hybrid Blade Bender, in the same camp as the Rocnel Elite 2023, Muhle R94, Rex Envoy, and Oliworks M3teorite. That said, it's blade gap of 1.12mm is larger than any of those, with the possible exception of the Rocnel, so I bet it's more efficient.
Â
Last edited:
It's an excellent razor- efficient and smooth. Noting that, how does the clamping design contribute or hinder performance. In other words, how do we take your (astute) observations on clamping, along with the other information we likely know (gap and exposure) to build a predictive model for efficiency and smoothness? Are those three factors sufficient and necessary? Are we missing others?
Furthermore, hiw might we consistently measure efficiency and facial impact so we can do some statistical analysis and come up with a model to predict a composite score of the two?
@helicopter has done a great job making a dent into this question from the perspective of blade efficiency and comfort, but I haven't seen any similarly scientific research on the razor front.
I would imagine such research must exist somewhere in the Gillette archives.
Enquiring minds want to know...
Â
Hey, Lee, how would you classify a Henson?
Â
- Thread starter
- #346
This is where the correlation analysis comes in handy. Looking at the grouping of other razors with a clamp width of around 13mm we can predict that the Composite Score would come in between 27-31, which would be a good showing. I typically rate razors as top tier with a Composite Score of 30 or higher, with Overlander and V1 the highest at 36.
Â
That sounds about right. Thanks, Lee!
Â
- Thread starter
- #348
Actually, I’ve never used one. How do you like the Henson?
Â
I'm no Lee, but the Henson is a bit unique. It has terrific clamping and a very small blade reveal, just a sliver. On top of that it bends the blade at the clamping point. I don't think that bending improves the rigidity - that is done by the blade clamping and top/cap support. But what it does do is present the blade at a better angle, without that the blade would come out much more flat. The result of all of this is a very rigid blade edge.
My Henson +++ is in the top tier of my shave den.
Â
Provided I sgave ator close to the angle implied by the top cap, they are quite good. I particularly like the +++
Â
Despite being pretty good, I've gotten rid of my Henson's!
I've learned to dislike fixed angle razors and the Henson is the King when it comes to that!
I've learned to dislike fixed angle razors and the Henson is the King when it comes to that!
Â
Fixed angle they are. Sorry for the typos, above. If I stick to their angle, it's great. Otherwise, not so much.
Â
That's why I don't like them!
I don't enjoy having to force myself into a certain position in order to shave. Without a fixed angle, if you move away from an angle, it still shaves!
Â
Agreed. Early on, I watched a @Blackland Razors video where Shane speaks about adapting to the razor. I watched that just before buying the Henson
Â
The Henson aggressive (+++) is not a fixed angle shaver. It has a blade exposure of 0.11mm and therefore shaves at a range of angles. I keep it very shallow and it does exceptionally well on my face. Steeper gets harsh, in my experience.
The Henson mild (+) is mostly fixed, although some find it shaves at a range of angles. That is a benefit for some, as if they are at the wrong angle it lifts the blade away. The medium is in the middle and does have a small range of angles too.
The Henson mild (+) is mostly fixed, although some find it shaves at a range of angles. That is a benefit for some, as if they are at the wrong angle it lifts the blade away. The medium is in the middle and does have a small range of angles too.
Â
Interesting!
I had the +++ in both aluminum & titanium and still found it to shave at a specific angle.
Â
- Thread starter
- #357
@BigAlVista, @spacemonkey42, and @LRod does the Henson shave differently with different metals? It seems the AL version is popular. I only have one AL razor, the Shave Dad razor by Steve Tinter, and it feels different than titanium.
Â
I am the one that actually likes my aluminium one better than my titanium! It's an upcoming project for me to figure out if/why that is because of the material. My aluminium is a rare v1 and I keep thinking that I like this older design, shave wise, better. I will have to buy a v2 to find out.
Â
To me the titanium had less drag. But the shave was exactly the same!
I got rid of the titanium first though since I found it to be an unnecessarily expensive acquisition as compared to the aluminum.
Not enough change (neither in weight or performance) to justify owning it.
YMMV!
Â
No, it doesn't shave differently. They have the exact same dimensions and Henson prides themselves on their precision. One just has to adjust your technique a tiny bit for the different weights, just like different metals of any other razor. The weight difference isn't huge either, not like an aluminum to brass Karve. Henson themselves even said that titanium is just a "flex." It does feel more premium than aluminum, of course.
I have the v1 and v2 aggressive in aluminum and titanium. Also the v1 mild and medium in Al.
Â
