Errol
Razor Review Guru
Denali Adjustable 2021 (USA)
Here’s another one of those razors that falls into the ‘how am I going to get one of these’ category. Denali’s Adjustable was released in small numbers earlier this year and available exclusively from a shop in Italy that does not respond to emails; this one had me scratching my head. Everyone lucky enough to get hold of one was singing its praises so BST wasn’t looking like a flash option either. Sometimes, and I hate the idea, I’ve just got to accept that it is not going to happen. Out of blue, I get a hint that some may be available from USA and more importantly, I have an email address. That was all it took for funds to be exchanged for a razor.
At a quick glance the Denali Adjustable has a similar profile to that of the REX Ambassador adjustable and there is said to be a good reason for this. The Denali’s designer was part of the original three man team that commenced development of the Ambassador and the similar outlines of the REX and the Denali are probably a carry over from that early design work. No parts are interchangeable between the two razors and indeed both razors were machined in different facilities. Where the REX Ambassador and the Denali do differ significantly is that the Denali was designed as a much milder razor. There is Gibbs’ influence featured everywhere in the Denali; spring loaded bottom plate, it can mostly be stripped to its individual parts but separating the knob out of the handle has me stumped, odd width end plates, right hand threads, etc. This is one quality machined razor, every part fits perfectly and the precision of the thread engagement is first class. Of course, in true Errol fashion, every thread was oiled and operated smoother from the application of lubrication. There is satin finish applied to the plate that does not look out of place with the rest of the razor being polished. Readable size numerals, #1 through to #6 are engraved around the shoulder of the plate but what really impressed was an angled line engraved in front of the numerals that increases in width as the numerals got higher.
If questioned, I would always say that fitting a blade onto the cap is my preferred method of loading, however if the blade is loaded onto the plate, it’s no deal breaker, and I can accept the different approach. However, what I do find amusing is that a large percentage of the advertisement for a Denali razor is dedicated to the benefits of fitting the blade on the plate; it does work well for the Denali though. Because the threads of the Denali are all right hand, the adjuster works in the opposite direction to a lot of other adjustable razors, no big deal because the settings numbers are easy to read.
In a variation to the way I usually go about reviewing an adjustable razor, the first setting selected was #1. What’s this, mild as, and I’m enjoying the shave, can’t be? Yes, its true, I could have quite happily completed the shave at setting #1. Of course, I didn’t, but I enjoyed the experience right up to setting #3 before I could say that I had reached Karve CB level #C efficiency. All the way through the settings there was a pleasant amount of blade feel and small increments in efficiency as I proceeded up the scale. From settings #1 right to the top setting #6, the shave was unbelievably smooth and the delivered shave so close. The Denali did not put a foot wrong throughout the whole review; it is an exceptional razor by any standard. What really impressed me was that I could shave quite comfortably at every setting and that is something not seen very often on an adjustable razor. A brilliant piece of engineering, Denali, you have nailed it.
Adjustment Range – #1 - #6
Material –Stainless Steel
Blade Tab – Covered
Weight – 96g
Head Width – 44.41mm
Handle Length – 80.82mm
Handle Diameter – 12.68mm
Availability – heritageandstyle@comcast.net
Final Word – One for the books
Here’s another one of those razors that falls into the ‘how am I going to get one of these’ category. Denali’s Adjustable was released in small numbers earlier this year and available exclusively from a shop in Italy that does not respond to emails; this one had me scratching my head. Everyone lucky enough to get hold of one was singing its praises so BST wasn’t looking like a flash option either. Sometimes, and I hate the idea, I’ve just got to accept that it is not going to happen. Out of blue, I get a hint that some may be available from USA and more importantly, I have an email address. That was all it took for funds to be exchanged for a razor.
At a quick glance the Denali Adjustable has a similar profile to that of the REX Ambassador adjustable and there is said to be a good reason for this. The Denali’s designer was part of the original three man team that commenced development of the Ambassador and the similar outlines of the REX and the Denali are probably a carry over from that early design work. No parts are interchangeable between the two razors and indeed both razors were machined in different facilities. Where the REX Ambassador and the Denali do differ significantly is that the Denali was designed as a much milder razor. There is Gibbs’ influence featured everywhere in the Denali; spring loaded bottom plate, it can mostly be stripped to its individual parts but separating the knob out of the handle has me stumped, odd width end plates, right hand threads, etc. This is one quality machined razor, every part fits perfectly and the precision of the thread engagement is first class. Of course, in true Errol fashion, every thread was oiled and operated smoother from the application of lubrication. There is satin finish applied to the plate that does not look out of place with the rest of the razor being polished. Readable size numerals, #1 through to #6 are engraved around the shoulder of the plate but what really impressed was an angled line engraved in front of the numerals that increases in width as the numerals got higher.
If questioned, I would always say that fitting a blade onto the cap is my preferred method of loading, however if the blade is loaded onto the plate, it’s no deal breaker, and I can accept the different approach. However, what I do find amusing is that a large percentage of the advertisement for a Denali razor is dedicated to the benefits of fitting the blade on the plate; it does work well for the Denali though. Because the threads of the Denali are all right hand, the adjuster works in the opposite direction to a lot of other adjustable razors, no big deal because the settings numbers are easy to read.
In a variation to the way I usually go about reviewing an adjustable razor, the first setting selected was #1. What’s this, mild as, and I’m enjoying the shave, can’t be? Yes, its true, I could have quite happily completed the shave at setting #1. Of course, I didn’t, but I enjoyed the experience right up to setting #3 before I could say that I had reached Karve CB level #C efficiency. All the way through the settings there was a pleasant amount of blade feel and small increments in efficiency as I proceeded up the scale. From settings #1 right to the top setting #6, the shave was unbelievably smooth and the delivered shave so close. The Denali did not put a foot wrong throughout the whole review; it is an exceptional razor by any standard. What really impressed me was that I could shave quite comfortably at every setting and that is something not seen very often on an adjustable razor. A brilliant piece of engineering, Denali, you have nailed it.
Adjustment Range – #1 - #6
- #1 – Very mild but very usable
- #2 – Mild but usable
- #3 – Karve CB Level #C
- #4 – Karve CB Level #D
- #5 – Karve CB Level #D plus
- #6 – Karve CB Level #D plus – still useable
Material –Stainless Steel
Blade Tab – Covered
Weight – 96g
Head Width – 44.41mm
Handle Length – 80.82mm
Handle Diameter – 12.68mm
Availability – heritageandstyle@comcast.net
Final Word – One for the books
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