Henson AL-13 Mild; First impression

[Rhinehoth]

I had my first shave with this razor and it‘s nothing special. I expected more considering the hype this razor has been getting in other forums. It may be mild but it does shave, unlike a Rockwell 6S on plate 1. I managed a DFS shave with two passes, one with the grain and the second against the grain. I suppose a BBS shave would be possible with this razor but you’d need an extra pass and some buffing. A few shavers have mentioned a suction like feeling when shaving with this razor, which I did not notice. The corners of this razor head are sharp and I managed to nick my nose with it. Normally, when I nick myself with a razor it is with the razor blade so a first for me. Also, the shave itself wasn’t all that smooth. The only other aluminium razor that I have used before was the Standard Razor and I didn’t like the smoothness of that razor either. So, perhaps aluminium razors don’t suit my skin. I will try an Astra blade tomorrow, just to see if that improves the smoothness of the shave (the Astra blade is the recommended blade for this razor after all). As of now, would I recommend this razor? I will try other razor blade brands but as it stands now, no I would not. There are other razors that are just as cheap, just as mild and just as well made (if not better) that I prefer. RazoRock Lupo DLC, RazoRock BBS, Rockwell 6C, PA Meta 4, are just a few that come to mind. My son and nephew regularly check out my shaving gear and help themselves to what they like, so hopefully one of them tries and keeps it.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

If I were to buy this razor (which was something I was looking at) I would go for the medium and not the mild but having said that it boggles my mind why a stainless steel model that matches the aggressiveness of the Ti does not exist. I have emailed them but as expected did not hear back.

It is concerning that the edge did manage to cut your nose.

 

[Errol]

I had my first shave with this razor and it‘s nothing special. I expected more considering the hype this razor has been getting in other forums. It may be mild but it does shave, unlike a Rockwell 6S on plate 1. I managed a DFS shave with two passes, one with the grain and the second against the grain. I suppose a BBS shave would be possible with this razor but you’d need an extra pass and some buffing. A few shavers have mentioned a suction like feeling when shaving with this razor, which I did not notice. The corners of this razor head are sharp and I managed to nick my nose with it. Normally, when I nick myself with a razor it is with the razor blade so a first for me. Also, the shave itself wasn’t all that smooth. The only other aluminium razor that I have used before was the Standard Razor and I didn’t like the smoothness of that razor either. So, perhaps aluminium razors don’t suit my skin. I will try an Astra blade tomorrow, just to see if that improves the smoothness of the shave (the Astra blade is the recommended blade for this razor after all). As of now, would I recommend this razor? I will try other razor blade brands but as it stands now, no I would not. There are other razors that are just as cheap, just as mild and just as well made (if not better) that I prefer. RazoRock Lupo DLC, RazoRock BBS, Rockwell 6C, PA Meta 4, are just a few that come to mind. My son and nephew regularly check out my shaving gear and help themselves to what they like, so hopefully one of them tries and keeps it.

Get past two shaves and your in front of me. I hated it.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Get past two shaves and your in front of me. I hated it.

Wow! This isn't good at all.
Both using the Mild version? I have heard that the Mild version is universally too mild which is why I was curious about the mild. This razor initially caught my attention based on its design. If a razor has a design concept with a distinguishing feature it gets my attention and appeals to my curiousity.
I'm usually fine with mild razors but this one sounds like another beast all together.
Honestly its annoying that the more aggressive one is tied to a higher price tag on the Ti model. Given everyone's feedback I feel like the medium aggression may not even be a adequate.
Could it be that finding the exact angle is harder than initially expected. I honestly feel like its not as intuitive as they would have you believe. I imagine it just sweeping away the lather more than anything and the margin for error is very high when it comes to finding the angle especially since the blade feel is almost non existent.

Have you guys tried loosening the handle a little bit like the DOC. The blade angle/torque should allow you to make it more aggressive whilst holding adequate tension.
I also get the impression this is a razor that you have to buff like crazy with. idk

Both you guys have great experience with razors so its hard to argue otherwise.
Thanks for the feedback.
Maybe this is a design concept I should avoid.

I still have that darn Tatara Muramasa on my mind.

 

[Errol]

Wow!

Have you guys tried loosening the handle a little bit like the DOC. The blade angle/torque should allow you to make it more aggressive whilst holding adequate tension.

I still have that darn Tatara Muramasa on my mind.

Naa. I went and purchased a medium and an aggressive Ti. Initially they were talking about a sharper angle on the plate so the edge would not ride on the face. Looks the same angle to me. I might put a blade in one, one day. Don’t have a fault with your Henson. They just wont respond to emails about complaints. When I undone the handle on one of the Ti’s for the first time the centre post stayed in the handle. I can fix it but all I wanted from them was that if i damaged the centre post getting it out they could supply another one. Given up on that one.

Go Tatara.

 

[Bicep123]

I own the AL-13 Medium before they raised the price from US$49 to $69 (tbh, I wouldn't have purchased at the latter price). Shaves better with a sharper blade like a Feather (forget the Astra greens that come with it). I have problems with it:

• They never sorted out the flat shaving surface, that, with whatever finishing they put on the razor, causes a suction effect on the face, no matter what soap I use or how much I hydrate it. I was temped to see if the problem is still there if I run it on my face with olive oil, but I couldn't be bothered.
• The lather holes can and do clog, despite what they say about how the head/lather holes is designed.
• It's difficult to find the sweet spot despite the way the head of the razor is designed. I've constantly had to go back and buff over sections it's missed.
• It's a bit of a darling on a lot of shave forums. Not sure why. I like the novelty of shaving with a super light aluminium razor, and I'll bring it out on occasion to change things up, but I have too many good razors on hand to bother with it on most days.
• I haven't had to deal with their customer service, but I haven't heard very good things as well. Also their social media marketing is intrusive and everywhere. It's worse than Leaf or Oneblade.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

Naa. I went and purchased a medium and an aggressive Ti. Initially they were talking about a sharper angle on the plate so the edge would not ride on the face. Looks the same angle to me. I might put a blade in one, one day. Don’t have a fault with your Henson. They just wont respond to emails about complaints. When I undone the handle on one of the Ti’s for the first time the centre post stayed in the handle. I can fix it but all I wanted from them was that if i damaged the centre post getting it out they could supply another one. Given up on that one.

Go Tatara.

My GOD!!!
That is positively the worst experience I have ever heard with any shaving company not to mention the quality control issues. That's absurd! I'd be making a claim on paypal or something on that. Absolutely no responsibility whatsoever. Shocking level of customer service.
If a customer puts that much money into your products then you should have the decency to reply and if you have any faith in your own products you should stand by them 110%.
Yeah eff that! It's a NO from me.
Isn't it amazing how non premium razor companies can and will send you out a new razor and at the very least communicate with you but this premium razor company with premium costs can't. Astonishing!

Big Red Flag if you ask me.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. This is the kind of honesty I admire from this forum and people here.

 

[Gargravarr]

Naa. I went and purchased a medium and an aggressive Ti. Initially they were talking about a sharper angle on the plate so the edge would not ride on the face. Looks the same angle to me. I might put a blade in one, one day. Don’t have a fault with your Henson. They just wont respond to emails about complaints. When I undone the handle on one of the Ti’s for the first time the centre post stayed in the handle. I can fix it but all I wanted from them was that if i damaged the centre post getting it out they could supply another one. Given up on that one.

Go Tatara.

That's a testimonial you can't ignore.

 

[Errol]

My GOD!!!
That is positively the worst experience I have ever heard with any shaving company not to mention the quality control issues. That's absurd! I'd be making a claim on paypal or something on that. Absolutely no responsibility whatsoever. Shocking level of customer service.
If a customer puts that much money into your products then you should have the decency to reply and if you have any faith in your own products you should stand by them 110%.
Yeah eff that! It's a NO from me.
Isn't it amazing how non premium razor companies can and will send you out a new razor and at the very least communicate with you but this premium razor company with premium costs can't. Astonishing!

Big Red Flag if you ask me.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. This is the kind of honesty I admire from this forum and people here.

As I mentioned above, I'm almost 100% sure I can fix it. It looks like the thread lock has somehow got onto the handle post and locked it in position. Being a smaller diameter, the bottom thread in the cap has loosened first. I've worked out that if I can grip the threaded section in the handle with something like a drill chuck it should come out easily and more importantly with no damage. I'm not too worried, but I was just after some reassurance from Henson. It's one of those things that sometimes happens in manufacture.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

I can totally appreciate that there may have been a one of fault in your razor but as you said some sort of reassurance would have been great. I feel like even some sort of acknowledgement is warranted here. What would happen if it was a fault that was beyond repair? Simply poor form Henson's on behalf.

I'm pretty forgiving but honestly when there are so many razor manufacturers offering so many great razors and even better customer service what compelling reason would anyone have to purchase a Henson razor when they can't even be bothered to reply. I mean if one presented itself on my doorstep, I'd try it out and give it a fair review and even eat my words but as it is with all the hassle of costs, distances traveled, quality control issues and zero support I would be very reluctant to buy one.

I think I've just deleted this off my list.

 

[Gargravarr]

As I mentioned above, I'm almost 100% sure I can fix it. It looks like the thread lock has somehow got onto the handle post and locked it in position. Being a smaller diameter, the bottom thread in the cap has loosened first. I've worked out that if I can grip the threaded section in the handle with something like a drill chuck it should come out easily and more importantly with no damage. I'm not too worried, but I was just after some reassurance from Henson. It's one of those things that sometimes happens in manufacture.

A pair of locknuts should do it: a couple of M5 nuts (you may need to file/grind one or both to make them fit on the thread) tightened up together. Grip the one closest to the handle to twist the stud out of the handle. Alternatively, mole-grips (vice-grips) with leather padding in the jaws.

A drill chuck will almost certainly chew up the thread.

 

[Errol]

A pair of locknuts should do it: a couple of M5 nuts (you may need to file/grind one or both to make them fit on the thread) tightened up together. Grip the one closest to the handle to twist the stud out of the handle. Alternatively, mole-grips (vice-grips) with leather padding in the jaws.

A drill chuck will almost certainly chew up the thread.

Good idea. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Bicep123]

I second @Gargravarr 's advice to use vice grips with leather padding. Or wrap a strip of rubber around the threading and use regular vice grips. You wouldn't even need to clamp that tight since it should only be finger tightened on the other side. I wouldn't try the M5 nuts in case Henson used an imperial 10-32, which won't fit perfectly and may damage the thread. Then I'd screw it back into the top cap with some Loctite red, which should have been used in the first place.

Actually, the top cap should have been completely machined from a single block of titanium eg. Blackland Blackbird, Vector, Timeless and the new Chiselled Face one. I know it was done to save on material (because you can machine it from a smaller block of titanium), but what are you spending USD$250 on?

 

[Blackie]

I'd put some heat onto the handle top to break the bond of any Loctite type compound that may have found it's way in there.
If you go with the other ideas of leather/rubber/etc wrapped around the thread area first...and then find that the thread still won't undo easily then use some heat before you stuff up that threaded portion..

 

[Holiday]

If the top cap and thread are supposed to be permanently fixed I wonder if putting some Loctite in the cap thread and retighten it then try to undo when top cap has set?

 

[Gargravarr]

If the top cap and thread are supposed to be permanently fixed I wonder if putting some Loctite in the cap thread and retighten it then try to undo when top cap has set?

That might be a very good idea. I guess you'd have to be very sparing with the loctite, and be very careful to only put it on the far end of the thread, otherwise there's a risk of it squeezing out and coating the end of the handle, which might make it a bitch to undo. It's a low-risk solution, probably better than mine.

All this trouble over a razor he hates anyway.

 

[Rhinehoth]

I had another shave with the razor today using an Astra green razor blade. I disliked this shave even more than the first shave, and I used my Masamune for the second pass to finish the shave. I don’t have an issue with mild razors as long as they shave and they are are smooth or at least smoothish. This razor does shave but it’s just not smooth and I don’t understand why. The razor has a smooth surface and not a bead blasted surface like a Rockwell 6S and it should be a smooth razor, except that it’s not. I disliked the way the Rockwell 6S felt against my skin when I shaved with it, but at least that could be attributed to the finish of the razor (Henson razor is less smoother than the Rockwell 6S which is quite an achievement). The Henson is a bust for me and it will be packed away.

 

[Bicep123]

otherwise there's a risk of it squeezing out and coating the end of the handle, which might make it a bitch to undo.

That's happened to me. It's amazing how slippery loctite is before it cures. Get's into nooks and crannies better than WD40. It would very likely draw from the top cap thread into the handle thread, permanently attaching the head to the razor.

 

[neongas]

I had another shave with the razor today using an Astra green razor blade. I disliked this shave even more than the first shave, and I used my Masamune for the second pass to finish the shave. I don’t have an issue with mild razors as long as they shave and they are are smooth or at least smoothish. This razor does shave but it’s just not smooth and I don’t understand why. The razor has a smooth surface and not a bead blasted surface like a Rockwell 6S and it should be a smooth razor, except that it’s not. I disliked the way the Rockwell 6S felt against my skin when I shaved with it, but at least that could be attributed to the finish of the razor (Henson razor is less smoother than the Rockwell 6S which is quite an achievement). The Henson is a bust for me and it will be packed away.

I had a Henson Mild and it wasn't long before I sold it off. I reckon it's the nature of its particular anodised finish. It's just interacts weirdly with liquid and seems to have exert more surface tension vs other finishes.

 

[Rusty Bridges]

I had another shave with the razor today using an Astra green razor blade. I disliked this shave even more than the first shave, and I used my Masamune for the second pass to finish the shave. I don’t have an issue with mild razors as long as they shave and they are are smooth or at least smoothish. This razor does shave but it’s just not smooth and I don’t understand why. The razor has a smooth surface and not a bead blasted surface like a Rockwell 6S and it should be a smooth razor, except that it’s not. I disliked the way the Rockwell 6S felt against my skin when I shaved with it, but at least that could be attributed to the finish of the razor (Henson razor is less smoother than the Rockwell 6S which is quite an achievement). The Henson is a bust for me and it will be packed away.

That is indeed so odd. Do you own the aluminum Lupo and can compare it to that.
I feel like the Aluminum Lupo is a fantastic razor but is some sort of anodise coated aluminum or at least a textured surface but performs really well at least for me.
Is there a chance that the edge of the base plate is not as smooth as the rest of the razor.