Henson Shaving AL13 Mild De Safety Razor Tan
The AL13 razors have a narrower opening than the AL13-M razors and are therefore perfect for sensitive skin and delicate areas of your body. The AL13 is made from aerospace-grade aluminum and designed with utmost precision to present the blade at the most optimal shaving angle without exposing the blade too much. This allows the blade to glide perfectly over the skin, completely avoiding shaving irritations. To guarantee this precision and exceptional quality, the Henson safety razors are manufactured in Henson’s aerospace facility in Canada. A facility where components for the Mars Rover and International Space Station are also produced. Utmost precision With other brands, the blade of a safety razor is often exposed too much. More exposure means the blade can make small, unexpected movements more quickly, causing it to pull on your hair, resulting in irritation. The blade exposure and blade angle of the Henson Safety Razor are precisely machined with a tolerance of up to 0.005 mm! This ensures an unparalleled shaving experience. No clogging The unique design of the head features various exit channels designed to remove hair, water, and shaving soap. By simply holding the razor under the tap for a moment, you can easily rinse away all the shaving soap and hairs and prevent clogging. The AL13 safety razors come standard with 5 pieces of Astra Platinum Double Edge Blades.
The AL13 razors have a narrower opening than the AL13-M razors and are therefore perfect for sensitive skin and delicate areas of your body. The AL13 is made from aerospace-grade aluminum and designed with utmost precision to present the blade at the most optimal shaving angle without exposing the blade too much. This allows the blade to glide perfectly over the skin, completely avoiding shaving irritations. To guarantee this precision and exceptional quality, the Henson safety razors are manufactured in Henson’s aerospace facility in Canada. A facility where components for the Mars Rover and International Space Station are also produced. Utmost precision With other brands, the blade of a safety razor is often exposed too much. More exposure means the blade can make small, unexpected movements more quickly, causing it to pull on your hair, resulting in irritation. The blade exposure and blade angle of the Henson Safety Razor are precisely machined with a tolerance of up to 0.005 mm! This ensures an unparalleled shaving experience. No clogging The unique design of the head features various exit channels designed to remove hair, water, and shaving soap. By simply holding the razor under the tap for a moment, you can easily rinse away all the shaving soap and hairs and prevent clogging. The AL13 safety razors come standard with 5 pieces of Astra Platinum Double Edge Blades.
The AL13 razors have a narrower opening than the AL13-M razors and are therefore perfect for sensitive skin and delicate areas of your body. The AL13 is made from aerospace-grade aluminum and designed with utmost precision to present the blade at the most optimal shaving angle without exposing the blade too much. This allows the blade to glide perfectly over the skin, completely avoiding shaving irritations. To guarantee this precision and exceptional quality, the Henson safety razors are manufactured in Henson’s aerospace facility in Canada. A facility where components for the Mars Rover and International Space Station are also produced. Utmost precision With other brands, the blade of a safety razor is often exposed too much. More exposure means the blade can make small, unexpected movements more quickly, causing it to pull on your hair, resulting in irritation. The blade exposure and blade angle of the Henson Safety Razor are precisely machined with a tolerance of up to 0.005 mm! This ensures an unparalleled shaving experience. No clogging The unique design of the head features various exit channels designed to remove hair, water, and shaving soap. By simply holding the razor under the tap for a moment, you can easily rinse away all the shaving soap and hairs and prevent clogging. The AL13 safety razors come standard with 5 pieces of Astra Platinum Double Edge Blades.
The AL13 razors have a narrower opening than the AL13-M razors and are therefore perfect for sensitive skin and delicate areas of your body. The AL13 is made from aerospace-grade aluminum and designed with utmost precision to present the blade at the most optimal shaving angle without exposing the blade too much. This allows the blade to glide perfectly over the skin, completely avoiding shaving irritations. To guarantee this precision and exceptional quality, the Henson safety razors are manufactured in Henson’s aerospace facility in Canada. A facility where components for the Mars Rover and International Space Station are also produced. Utmost precision With other brands, the blade of a safety razor is often exposed too much. More exposure means the blade can make small, unexpected movements more quickly, causing it to pull on your hair, resulting in irritation. The blade exposure and blade angle of the Henson Safety Razor are precisely machined with a tolerance of up to 0.005 mm! This ensures an unparalleled shaving experience. No clogging The unique design of the head features various exit channels designed to remove hair, water, and shaving soap. By simply holding the razor under the tap for a moment, you can easily rinse away all the shaving soap and hairs and prevent clogging. The AL13 safety razors come standard with 5 pieces of Astra Platinum Double Edge Blades.
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The lowest price for Henson Shaving AL13 Mild De Safety Razor Tan right now is $72.73 at Luxx Brands, compared across 8 retailers.
The all-time low was $37.50 on 27 Dec 2025 — today's price is 94% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 24 June 2026.
Last updated at 24/06/2026 00:23:21
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originally posted on hensonshaving.com
I've been using this razor for over a month now and I really appreciate its head design. It's definitely the easiest and safest razor I've used, significantly reducing skin irritation on a single pass (more on this below), compared to cartridge razors.However, there are a couple of areas that could be improved:1) This razor is much lighter compared to other safety razors, so you need to apply extra pressure instead of relying on the razor's weight for efficient shaving. Not applying enough pressure and relying solely on the razor's weight during shaving necessitates multiple passes, which can increase irritation compared to a single or double pass shave, undermining the design's attempt to reduce irritation. Perhaps using a different material that provides more ... MoreI've been using this razor for over a month now and I really appreciate its head design. It's definitely the easiest and safest razor I've used, significantly reducing skin irritation on a single pass (more on this below), compared to cartridge razors.However, there are a couple of areas that could be improved:1) This razor is much lighter compared to other safety razors, so you need to apply extra pressure instead of relying on the razor's weight for efficient shaving. Not applying enough pressure and relying solely on the razor's weight during shaving necessitates multiple passes, which can increase irritation compared to a single or double pass shave, undermining the design's attempt to reduce irritation. Perhaps using a different material that provides more weight could address this issue.2) Cleaning the razor is not easy, and the fancy blue color I bought doesn't help. When running the razor under very hot water to clean it from lather, traces of oxidation appear on the metal/color. This could be due to the coloring applied to the metal reacting with the shaving product. Additionally, there's significant residue buildup in the channels, so a better design could improve the efficiency of cleaning those channels under running water. Even using soft brushes or q-tips after shaving doesn't seem to help much because residue gets stuck in those channels. A redesigned channel structure could facilitate easier cleaning.In summary, it's a well-thought-out design that would benefit from better quality control in its manufacturing materials.
originally posted on hensonshaving.com
This is my second Henson, having first bought the AL 13+. As a noob, getting a DE razor with the exactly correct 30 degree shaving angle built into the head was a huge draw in deciding which DE razor to buy. But aside from the aerospace engineering of these razors, it has the feel of a solid well constructed razor. It is impossible to insert the blade incorrectly, and as long as you have the insert of the blade holder facing the thread of the handle you cannot incorrectly connect all 3 pieces, Its idiot proof, something I need! Because it is precision engineered to 30 degrees if I don't get the angle right, it won't shave, but that also means it won't cut your skin. Yes there is a difference in feel between the two. The ++ has a bit more feedback as you shave, ... MoreThis is my second Henson, having first bought the AL 13+. As a noob, getting a DE razor with the exactly correct 30 degree shaving angle built into the head was a huge draw in deciding which DE razor to buy. But aside from the aerospace engineering of these razors, it has the feel of a solid well constructed razor. It is impossible to insert the blade incorrectly, and as long as you have the insert of the blade holder facing the thread of the handle you cannot incorrectly connect all 3 pieces, Its idiot proof, something I need! Because it is precision engineered to 30 degrees if I don't get the angle right, it won't shave, but that also means it won't cut your skin. Yes there is a difference in feel between the two. The ++ has a bit more feedback as you shave, meaning you can tell the blade is shaving a bit easier than the +. Using the same RK blades provided, the ++ gives me a closer shave but the + is so smooth I sometimes am not sure I even shaved. Its of course a matter of personal preference, but I prefer the clean lines and more modern design of the Henson compared to the traditional look of DE razors which to me seems a bit overbearing. I was initially going to return one of them as their return policy allows, but now, I have decided to keep both and am experimenting with different levels of blade aggression to see how each razor's different blade gap affects the overall quality of the shave. The knurling of the handle provides plenty of grippiness even if your hand is moist and the longer length of the handle makes it easier to hold. Had I known I would keep them both I would have ordered a different color to make them easier to distinguish! LOL!
originally posted on hensonshaving.com
The only issue I've had with this razor - and, really, not a problem with the safety razor itself - is the blades that came with it. The reason I purchased this was for the free blades and they're rather poor quality; not very sharp and caused a lot of irritation and damage, which is a little concerning when they claim to be made just for this particular razor. I bought this after seeing a few sponsored segments from someone on YouTube, and the whole crux of the promotion was for that free 100 blades. Maybe I just got a poor batch of blades, but luckily I had no issue switching back to the blades that I had been using and enjoyed the most comfortable shave I've had in years. Sadly, I think if someone were new to shaving with a safety razor and received these blades ... MoreThe only issue I've had with this razor - and, really, not a problem with the safety razor itself - is the blades that came with it. The reason I purchased this was for the free blades and they're rather poor quality; not very sharp and caused a lot of irritation and damage, which is a little concerning when they claim to be made just for this particular razor. I bought this after seeing a few sponsored segments from someone on YouTube, and the whole crux of the promotion was for that free 100 blades. Maybe I just got a poor batch of blades, but luckily I had no issue switching back to the blades that I had been using and enjoyed the most comfortable shave I've had in years. Sadly, I think if someone were new to shaving with a safety razor and received these blades that aren't sharp enough to cut through their facial hair without just yanking the hair out of the follicles, they might write off the product and the practice entirely and just go back to using cartridges or an electric razor. Maybe it's just my anecdotal experience and generally the blades are fine, but if you're considering buying this product because you want the free razors, just ignore the promotion and buy some better blades elsewhere - but you won't regret the purchase of the safety razor itself. I was genuinely surprised by the design and just how good it feels to shave. After about a week or two worth of shaving with this, I'm beginning to think it's impossible to cut/nick yourself with this razor unless you're deliberately trying to.
Henson Shaving AL13-M DE Safety Razor Tan
Henson AL13 Shaver (medium) Tan
Free delivery
Henson AL13 Shaver (mild) Tan
Free delivery
Henson Safety Razor AL13-M in Tan
Delivery $24.59
The Henson Safety Razor in Tan
Delivery $24.59
I've been using this razor for over a month now and I really appreciate its head design. It's definitely the easiest and safest razor I've used, significantly reducing skin irritation on a single pass (more on this below), compared to cartridge razors.However, there are a couple of areas that could be improved:1) This razor is much lighter compared to other safety razors, so you need to apply extra pressure instead of relying on the razor's weight for efficient shaving. Not applying enough pressure and relying solely on the razor's weight during shaving necessitates multiple passes, which can increase irritation compared to a single or double pass shave, undermining the design's attempt to reduce irritation. Perhaps using a different material that provides more ... MoreI've been using this razor for over a month now and I really appreciate its head design. It's definitely the easiest and safest razor I've used, significantly reducing skin irritation on a single pass (more on this below), compared to cartridge razors.However, there are a couple of areas that could be improved:1) This razor is much lighter compared to other safety razors, so you need to apply extra pressure instead of relying on the razor's weight for efficient shaving. Not applying enough pressure and relying solely on the razor's weight during shaving necessitates multiple passes, which can increase irritation compared to a single or double pass shave, undermining the design's attempt to reduce irritation. Perhaps using a different material that provides more weight could address this issue.2) Cleaning the razor is not easy, and the fancy blue color I bought doesn't help. When running the razor under very hot water to clean it from lather, traces of oxidation appear on the metal/color. This could be due to the coloring applied to the metal reacting with the shaving product. Additionally, there's significant residue buildup in the channels, so a better design could improve the efficiency of cleaning those channels under running water. Even using soft brushes or q-tips after shaving doesn't seem to help much because residue gets stuck in those channels. A redesigned channel structure could facilitate easier cleaning.In summary, it's a well-thought-out design that would benefit from better quality control in its manufacturing materials.
This is my second Henson, having first bought the AL 13+. As a noob, getting a DE razor with the exactly correct 30 degree shaving angle built into the head was a huge draw in deciding which DE razor to buy. But aside from the aerospace engineering of these razors, it has the feel of a solid well constructed razor. It is impossible to insert the blade incorrectly, and as long as you have the insert of the blade holder facing the thread of the handle you cannot incorrectly connect all 3 pieces, Its idiot proof, something I need! Because it is precision engineered to 30 degrees if I don't get the angle right, it won't shave, but that also means it won't cut your skin. Yes there is a difference in feel between the two. The ++ has a bit more feedback as you shave, ... MoreThis is my second Henson, having first bought the AL 13+. As a noob, getting a DE razor with the exactly correct 30 degree shaving angle built into the head was a huge draw in deciding which DE razor to buy. But aside from the aerospace engineering of these razors, it has the feel of a solid well constructed razor. It is impossible to insert the blade incorrectly, and as long as you have the insert of the blade holder facing the thread of the handle you cannot incorrectly connect all 3 pieces, Its idiot proof, something I need! Because it is precision engineered to 30 degrees if I don't get the angle right, it won't shave, but that also means it won't cut your skin. Yes there is a difference in feel between the two. The ++ has a bit more feedback as you shave, meaning you can tell the blade is shaving a bit easier than the +. Using the same RK blades provided, the ++ gives me a closer shave but the + is so smooth I sometimes am not sure I even shaved. Its of course a matter of personal preference, but I prefer the clean lines and more modern design of the Henson compared to the traditional look of DE razors which to me seems a bit overbearing. I was initially going to return one of them as their return policy allows, but now, I have decided to keep both and am experimenting with different levels of blade aggression to see how each razor's different blade gap affects the overall quality of the shave. The knurling of the handle provides plenty of grippiness even if your hand is moist and the longer length of the handle makes it easier to hold. Had I known I would keep them both I would have ordered a different color to make them easier to distinguish! LOL!
The only issue I've had with this razor - and, really, not a problem with the safety razor itself - is the blades that came with it. The reason I purchased this was for the free blades and they're rather poor quality; not very sharp and caused a lot of irritation and damage, which is a little concerning when they claim to be made just for this particular razor. I bought this after seeing a few sponsored segments from someone on YouTube, and the whole crux of the promotion was for that free 100 blades. Maybe I just got a poor batch of blades, but luckily I had no issue switching back to the blades that I had been using and enjoyed the most comfortable shave I've had in years. Sadly, I think if someone were new to shaving with a safety razor and received these blades ... MoreThe only issue I've had with this razor - and, really, not a problem with the safety razor itself - is the blades that came with it. The reason I purchased this was for the free blades and they're rather poor quality; not very sharp and caused a lot of irritation and damage, which is a little concerning when they claim to be made just for this particular razor. I bought this after seeing a few sponsored segments from someone on YouTube, and the whole crux of the promotion was for that free 100 blades. Maybe I just got a poor batch of blades, but luckily I had no issue switching back to the blades that I had been using and enjoyed the most comfortable shave I've had in years. Sadly, I think if someone were new to shaving with a safety razor and received these blades that aren't sharp enough to cut through their facial hair without just yanking the hair out of the follicles, they might write off the product and the practice entirely and just go back to using cartridges or an electric razor. Maybe it's just my anecdotal experience and generally the blades are fine, but if you're considering buying this product because you want the free razors, just ignore the promotion and buy some better blades elsewhere - but you won't regret the purchase of the safety razor itself. I was genuinely surprised by the design and just how good it feels to shave. After about a week or two worth of shaving with this, I'm beginning to think it's impossible to cut/nick yourself with this razor unless you're deliberately trying to.
I’ve been shaving my face and head with the Gillette Mach3 since it debuted in 1998 and it’s been my faithful razor for the last 26 years. In that time I’ve tried the Mach3 turbo blades, an electric razor and also a Feather Stainless AS-D2 but have always returned to my Mach3. The Feather was my first foray into double edge razor shaving. After using the Feather for a couple months I considered changing my name to “nick” as I always ended up bleeding and occasionally taking chunks out of my scalp. I gave up double edge shaving and went back to the tried and true Mach3 once again.When I ordered my AL13 I was cautiously optimistic about venturing back into the double edged shaving world again. The first time using the AL13 I was shocked how much better it was to use ... MoreI’ve been shaving my face and head with the Gillette Mach3 since it debuted in 1998 and it’s been my faithful razor for the last 26 years. In that time I’ve tried the Mach3 turbo blades, an electric razor and also a Feather Stainless AS-D2 but have always returned to my Mach3. The Feather was my first foray into double edge razor shaving. After using the Feather for a couple months I considered changing my name to “nick” as I always ended up bleeding and occasionally taking chunks out of my scalp. I gave up double edge shaving and went back to the tried and true Mach3 once again.When I ordered my AL13 I was cautiously optimistic about venturing back into the double edged shaving world again. The first time using the AL13 I was shocked how much better it was to use than the Feather! I didn’t shave at the lightning speed in which do with my Mach3, but then again it’s not fair to compare using the AL13 to a system I’ve been using for 26 years either. However, with my first shave of the AL13 I was multitudes faster than I ever was with the Feather! The first shave of my face and head with the AL13 was with a full week of growth. This razor handled like a champ and without drawing a drop of blood! I’m glad I didn’t get the more aggressive version as I quickly realized I don’t need it, because even with a weeks growth I didn’t have any pulling or razor burn. I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised with this razor and I’m sure I’ll be up to shaving at the same speed and confidence as my Mach3 in no time at all.I think I’ve found my forever razor. Thanks Henson!
I started shaving with a safety razor a few years ago because disposable cartridge style razors took *forever* to get through my coarse facial hair and left a fair bit of length when finished, while becoming dull after 1-2 uses. When I switched to a double edged safety razor, I started with a neutrally angled handle/head from another company with very agressive blades which was working pretty well compared to cartridges, and individual blades lasted longer.The handle I was using was made of a cast base metal with chrome finishing, and imperfections from the casting that had not been removed during the finishing process were both hard to get 100% clean of shaving cream, and introduced some corrosion.Based on my experience with that razor, I looked into Henson ... MoreI started shaving with a safety razor a few years ago because disposable cartridge style razors took *forever* to get through my coarse facial hair and left a fair bit of length when finished, while becoming dull after 1-2 uses. When I switched to a double edged safety razor, I started with a neutrally angled handle/head from another company with very agressive blades which was working pretty well compared to cartridges, and individual blades lasted longer.The handle I was using was made of a cast base metal with chrome finishing, and imperfections from the casting that had not been removed during the finishing process were both hard to get 100% clean of shaving cream, and introduced some corrosion.Based on my experience with that razor, I looked into Henson based on their ads in youtube videos mentioning construction of machined aluminum. After having a purchased the AL13-M, I can testify that the Henson razor handle/head live up to the hype.The AL13-M is made incredibly well with very tight tolerances, and the anodized aluminum ensures that there won't be any rusting. The design itself has been thoroughly considered with the smooth straight comb and wide open cleanout below which keep a side useable for many passes even when dealing thick hair and shaving cream. It is easy to rinse during and after a shave, and the 3 peices are easy to fully clean when disasbled.While I have seen some complaints that the handle set is too light, I found that its weight made it easy to control and less tiring to grip than heaver handles. The length works well for large hands too.TLDR: While Henson's razor handles are expensive compared to highly rated alternatives, they are well worth the price for someone who is already into using safety razors.
I'd LOVE TO FIND OUT, but sadly until I sell my house, I dare not blow £50 on your beautifully engineered and manufactured razor, of aerospace-grade alloys, light yet durable and rustproof...indeed, covered by a layer of pure sapphire! What more could any hairy ape organism wishing a ***** face as youth evaporates as all thinmgs one values do...except this razor that WILL last a lifetime if used correctly, so I would take any number north of 100 extra blades, because I am a hairy *******, and I find a shaven chin to be more ....generally indicative of one's level of personal cleanliness (As a microbiologist, I am a little bit O.C. if not actually D. because I KNOW what grows upon your skin, and hairs oiled by glandular products to keep the hairs in a condition to ... MoreI'd LOVE TO FIND OUT, but sadly until I sell my house, I dare not blow £50 on your beautifully engineered and manufactured razor, of aerospace-grade alloys, light yet durable and rustproof...indeed, covered by a layer of pure sapphire! What more could any hairy ape organism wishing a ***** face as youth evaporates as all thinmgs one values do...except this razor that WILL last a lifetime if used correctly, so I would take any number north of 100 extra blades, because I am a hairy *******, and I find a shaven chin to be more ....generally indicative of one's level of personal cleanliness (As a microbiologist, I am a little bit O.C. if not actually D. because I KNOW what grows upon your skin, and hairs oiled by glandular products to keep the hairs in a condition to shed water, to be protected from bacteria and fungi, spores and all; protists too presumably, but we've only lately found how huge their dominion is, but they are so rarely pathogenic, even in immunocompromised patients, so...er....we can't say yet if they are good, bad, indifferent, vital to all other eco-webs and pyramids of number, mass, or number of species in total; given that one finds unique bacteria in any random gram of soil, it would seem highly premature to pontificate or even offer a vague guess; we are a discipline that began long ago, but has only just got into its' proper stride with the advances in genetics - manipulation, reading sequences, amplifying desired sequences, it's only 30 years since P.C.R. was elucidated as a technique; we can do it quite well now. CRISPR, and so much more from genetics is such an excellent symbiotic/mutualistic synergism that I wish I had another 50 years in my career, but I do not; the torch will pass in ten years depending on how obnoxious the admin are...! Excuse my digressing; I am prone to tangential departures, but I can control lit mostly or I'd wander into severely speculative regions very quickly! Fun, though; I gain from allowing my mind to wander within the limits of this universe and with the powers we have NOW, those we can have someday, and those we cannot have, apparently, because this universe won't allow it, like a warp-drive....but hey, maybe in 500 years, some genius engineer will find a way to manipulate the fabric of spacetime in a manner we can use for FTL travel...I hope it might be so, but it is kind of doubtful at this , our level of understanding, even though we KNOW we have not gained the full picture; general relativity has problems and infinities and cannot be bodged to fit the findings of quantum mechanics; as successful a theory as GR, but the standard model is not complete and has the graviton problem if nothing else. And my physics end there, I'm afraid! I'm a biologist; I deal with slime and fungi, not subatomic collisions, but I'm excited by any frontier! Which is why I love your product; how do you improve it? Only with a diamond blade, I guess...so a metal covered in sapphire seems a pretty good and affordable substitute! I SO want one...I will get back to you when I can, and recommend you to those of my friend who'd buy one in a heartbeat if only for the coolness factor, damn them! Love it, want it....can't steal it, so...patience...!) and levels of accuracy or precision, if you'll let yourself look like you were drinking for days and haven't shaved.....you MIGHT just be considered less reliable, even if nothing supports such a negative conclusion; humans often leap to judgement of other humans, and can be prejudiced, irrational, malicious, and incorrect yet repetitive and still have a job...just not in MY department! Do I recommend your razor? Absolutely! Do I have any basis beyond the data provided and my own knowledge of this universe? No, but I'm confident in my opinion and analysis. BTW, David Pakman is a great political commentator with equilibrium instead of hysteria (Awful word but it's what is used even now....!) and with his show I found your razor. So give him a $2 bill or something...! Thankyou very much for your efforts on this project!
It's been almost 15 years of having a beard and finally had to shave it off for a new job. (Gas mask requirements) I grew the beard in the first place largely because I hated shaving with cartridge razors, between the cost, waste and uncomfortable shaves I just grew it out. When I knew I had to start shaving again I wasn't going to go back to cartridges, electric shavers had always been a waste of time and money so it was time to try the safety razor. Bought the Henson because I liked the precision concept of the design and the fact it's made here in North America. My expectations were overall fairly low since I didn't think much could make the chore of shaving any more than mildly better. Well, I was wrong. This is a whole new ball game. Never thought I would enjoy ... MoreIt's been almost 15 years of having a beard and finally had to shave it off for a new job. (Gas mask requirements) I grew the beard in the first place largely because I hated shaving with cartridge razors, between the cost, waste and uncomfortable shaves I just grew it out. When I knew I had to start shaving again I wasn't going to go back to cartridges, electric shavers had always been a waste of time and money so it was time to try the safety razor. Bought the Henson because I liked the precision concept of the design and the fact it's made here in North America. My expectations were overall fairly low since I didn't think much could make the chore of shaving any more than mildly better. Well, I was wrong. This is a whole new ball game. Never thought I would enjoy shaving, but alas the quality difference of the experience and results won me over and it is now a joy. First shave was effortless, clean, close and even with skin that hasn't seen a blade in a decade and a half had less irritation than I was used to on my best day with a cartridge. It just keeps getting better once you get a little practice. Henson makes a quality product that lives up to the marketing hype, this will probably end up being a recurring purchase as gifts for friends and family..The only downside is that it is a gateway to the wet shaving rabbit hole. Now I have packages on the way with variety packs of blades, soaps, brushes and even different weight handles. Unless you have the discipline of a monk you may not save any money for a while if you enjoy the experience difference a good shave provides and want to get all the goodies. On the plus side once you are set up you'll be able to shave well into the apocalypse with your hoard of supplies on hand, lol.The RK blades that come with it seem perfectly fine but many people have varried opinions on them, and there seem to be a lot of discussions about the light weight of the razor being a drawback. Seeing as these two things seem to make up the majority of anything that people dislike about this razor I felt that those were weak arguments. Replacement heavy handles are easy to find very affordably and blades are something that are going to be purchased regardless of what it came with. The superior engineering and quality craftsmanship that went into the head of the razor alone is worth the price. My wife wanted to try a safety razor and went with another brand that is being marked on social media at a slightly lower price point and got roped into a bundle deal where you get two razors for a discount, when it finally arrived one of them was completely unusable due to a casting flaw in the top cap and the second one has a misaligned blade with a good chance of being completely useless as well. Avoid all of this and just go with a Henson for top of the line quality and a rock solid warranty... I really believe that this is a perfect first safety razor and with a little mixing and matching of blades/handles that I will never need to retire it no matter how far down the rabbit hole I go just because of how easy to use and comfortable the design makes it. This is a solid daily driver that works well even if you're half asleep and in a hurry...Sorry for the wall of text.TLDR buy this razor, get a good shave, then decide later if you want to go down the rabbit hole and buy other razors
I received my copper colored anodized aluminum Henson AL13-M (medium aggression) razor in yesterday’s mail, and experienced my first double-edge shave with it last night. I had three days growth (Sunday-Tuesday) as there aren't an even number of days in a week. Along with my new razor, I ordered a 100-blade bulk pack of R-K stainless steel, double-edge blades, and an alum block from Maggard Razors to stem the expected facial hemorrhaging. I also have several flat moles scattered about my face that I've grown rather fond of over the years, which I was just sure would be sliced off with the first pass.I unscrewed the tapered handle, thereby separating the two piece head. I carefully unwrapped the .004” thick double-edge R-K (a sheet of paper or a human hair is .003” ... MoreI received my copper colored anodized aluminum Henson AL13-M (medium aggression) razor in yesterday’s mail, and experienced my first double-edge shave with it last night. I had three days growth (Sunday-Tuesday) as there aren't an even number of days in a week. Along with my new razor, I ordered a 100-blade bulk pack of R-K stainless steel, double-edge blades, and an alum block from Maggard Razors to stem the expected facial hemorrhaging. I also have several flat moles scattered about my face that I've grown rather fond of over the years, which I was just sure would be sliced off with the first pass.I unscrewed the tapered handle, thereby separating the two piece head. I carefully unwrapped the .004” thick double-edge R-K (a sheet of paper or a human hair is .003” thick on average) and placed it over the threaded center stud and adjacent alignment lugs on the razor’s inverted top cap. I placed the bottom cap over the studs and lugs, sandwiching the blade in between. As I ******* the handle back onto the center stud, the bottom plate bends and clamps the thin flexible blade lengthwise, into a precisely aligned, rigid concave arch, whose cutting edges were now securely locked downward at 30° from vertical.I followed the protocol I learned from watching several shaving channels' demonstrations. I've always rinsed my razor in a running stream of hot water, but I learned that swishing it in a basin of hot water better warms the razor head and blade and I can now hear how well the blade is actually cutting my whiskers, under the shaving gel lather, as one of the safety features of the Henson razor, is that if it is not held at the optimal 30° angle, it won't cut anything; you're just snowplowing lather off your face. You should hear a scratching sound like sandpaper; the louder, the better; when the blade is cutting at optimal efficiency.I didn't feel anything, other than the warm, smooth aluminum gliding over my skin; a rather sensuous experience when combined with the ASMR scraping sound, without which, I wouldn't have even known there was a blade in my razor. With light pressure, I made my obligatory three passes as instructed, lathering between each one. The experience was so pleasurable, it was all I could do to stop myself from shaving my head and eyebrows! I aced my first double-edge shave with no nicks or cuts, not even over my Adam's Apple, which is a problem area for me. I rinsed my face with cold water and slid the alum block over my wet skin, expecting it to sting, but it did not. Then I rinsed my face again, patted it dry and applied a judicious amount of after shave. It stung more than normal, and my skin turned red for a few minutes, probably due to the blade exfoliating my epidermis, but a silk stocking dragged across my throat would have slid off unhindered, my face smooth as a baby's bum for the first time in 45 years! No longer a required chore, shaving is now an anticipated luxury!Whoever said, “Your first time’s nothing to write home about.” never shaved with a Henson double-edge safety razor.
We live in a cynical age. There are lots of websites selling “genuine” this and “heirloom” that, but very few live up to the hype. I had been thinking about pulling the trigger on a Henson razor for almost a year, and I finally decided to take a chance with my birthday as an excuse. I figured that, in the worst case, I’d have a bit of buyer’s remorse and a reminder not to fall for glitzy web marketing in the medicine cabinet.I have used this razor daily for the past two weeks and I don’t regret the purchase at all. My first impressions after opening the package was that the razor is really light, and the handle is shorter than I remember from my grandfather’s clamshell safety razors. In use, though, I really like the balance, and the handle length works well for ... MoreWe live in a cynical age. There are lots of websites selling “genuine” this and “heirloom” that, but very few live up to the hype. I had been thinking about pulling the trigger on a Henson razor for almost a year, and I finally decided to take a chance with my birthday as an excuse. I figured that, in the worst case, I’d have a bit of buyer’s remorse and a reminder not to fall for glitzy web marketing in the medicine cabinet.I have used this razor daily for the past two weeks and I don’t regret the purchase at all. My first impressions after opening the package was that the razor is really light, and the handle is shorter than I remember from my grandfather’s clamshell safety razors. In use, though, I really like the balance, and the handle length works well for control. The machining on the razor is solid, so you can tighten the handle without worrying that something is going to break. The blade is held securely, and blade changes are easy once you get used to handling a razor blade. Shaving takes no more time than with a cartridge razor, even when I go the whole 9 yards and use shaving soap and a brush. In short, I can’t think of a single thing that this razor has not delivered on.I do have a couple of quibbles. I am not sure it is possible to solve this, but the razor does tend to accumulate gunk during shaving. Depending on the shaving cream, I spend a fair amount of time rinsing it as I shave. I am experimenting with a few things to make that a bit less irritating. I also wish that Henson provided a dedicated stand or holder that was optimized for the diameter of the handle. It’s not a failing of the razor, more a new market segment for Henson to exploit.Upon reflection, it turns out I do have one regret. Unless I run this thing over with my car, this razor will outlast me. I probably should have splurged and gone with the titanium model.
In over 50 years that I've shaving, starting with the old double-edged blades, then moving to multi-blade cartridges, and electric shavers, there have always been compromises. Switching to multi-blade cartridges, in 1974, allowed me to shave with fewer nicks, but there were almost always at least a few spots, and sometimes a small stream, of blood afterward. Any electric shaver that I used was unsatisfactory, and nicks still occurred! The Henson handle, and the blades obtained with it, have been a revelation. The handle allows one to hold the razor at the appropriate angle to the skin, and very little pressure is needed. Friction is further reduced, compared to all of the cartridges that I've used during the past 10-15 years, most likely due to having one sharp edge ... MoreIn over 50 years that I've shaving, starting with the old double-edged blades, then moving to multi-blade cartridges, and electric shavers, there have always been compromises. Switching to multi-blade cartridges, in 1974, allowed me to shave with fewer nicks, but there were almost always at least a few spots, and sometimes a small stream, of blood afterward. Any electric shaver that I used was unsatisfactory, and nicks still occurred! The Henson handle, and the blades obtained with it, have been a revelation. The handle allows one to hold the razor at the appropriate angle to the skin, and very little pressure is needed. Friction is further reduced, compared to all of the cartridges that I've used during the past 10-15 years, most likely due to having one sharp edge in contact with the skin, rather than four or five. That leads to greatly increased comfort after shaving, augmented by rubbing a small sprig of aloe vera over the face afterward. The blades appear to be good for at least two weeks, reducing the cost to five cents per week, perhaps less. The handle is simple, with only three pieces, and no moving parts. It appears to be constructed to last a lifetime. For the next four or five years, the only shaving expense will be a supply of "shaving butter" from a subscription "club", a product that has allowed better comfort than other creams, gels, or soaps that I have used. To address the cost concern raised by some reviewers, one must consider the long-term expenses. Every razor handle, with which I have previously shaved, became useless after a year or two, sometimes just a few months, as the springs or other parts failed. The Henson handle will probably be the last one I will ever need to purchase, making it a superb value. Additionally, the amount of waste generated (compared to the worn-out cartridges and handles) will be pretty minimal. This system is less expensive, better for the face and for the environment; what's not to like?
