As a nerdy entrepreneurial engineer, I love this explanation from a nerdy entrepreneurial engineer. I've been using cartridge razors for almost 50 years. A double edge safety razor is what my dad used when I was a kid. Your company changed my mind. I bought your AL13 Medium razor over a month ago. I've tried it with a few different blades and have gotten the same excellent results. I expected a learning curve when switching to a safety razor but the basic process is nearly identical to the cartridge razor experience, with much higher perceived quality and much lower recurring costs. The initial shaves took approximately the same time as a cartridge razor (I was expecting more time for a single blade) but after a few shaves, I can shave faster than a cartridge razor and the shave is much closer with no nicks or cuts. The AL13 Medium is a precision power tool. Honestly, I have always hated shaving. It's a little bit of pain and several minutes of wasted time from my perspective. The AL13 has made the barbaric practice much more civilized. Thanks for making a great high quality product at a good price. The blades are so inexpensive that I got a bit carried away experimenting, buying 100 at a time from various manufacturers. I've had equally positive experiences with a selection of inexpensive blades - RK (shipped with the AL13), Astra, and various Dorco blades. The results were slightly different but not significant in my experience, and now I have an actual lifetime supply of blades.
I've been a regular DE shaver for at least a decade, started with a sample kit from West Coast Shaving, it was 1 pack of 10 blades each from many manufacturers; Dorco was the winner for me. I'm also a nerdy engineer/machinist, looking forward to trying this out since he said it shears the hair, rather than cutting it.
Been suffering with ingrown hairs for pretty much my entire (shaving) life, it's been roughly 5 years since I switched to DE razors and while that helped, the problem was still there, the AL 13 Mild literally saved me, I will get the occasional pimple here and there -- but most of the time I get zero ingrowns. Thanks a bunch, guys, you frigging rock!
Just got my Henson AL 13 medium and I can’t believe how smooth this is to shave with. I have been a wet shaver for years now and this is a game changer for me. I love this razor 👍👍
I just heard about this razor 30 minutes ago, and as a Canadian I am very happy to hear that it is being made in Canada. I also like everything you said about considerations given to blade support and alignment. Those were complaints I had about another "Canadian designed" razor I backed on Kickstarter (very disappointing considering the 2 year wait).
Yeah I started with a German-made Edwin Jagger DE89, and trying a bunch of others, which invariably are made in China, nothing seems to compare. This thing seems to be the real deal and reviews are solid.
I saw your videos on TikTok and at first I was sceptic to put it mildly. After using the AL 13 for over 2 weeks, I would never go back to a cartridge razor. Thanks for building such a great product!
Just got my Henson razor this week. Very nice! The razor itself is very well done. Very tight tolerances, the machining is perfect, the grip is very nice. You can definitely tell Henson takes pride in their work. I got the standard aluminum color because I am a traditional kind of guy. It’s got a modern look, but not in a weird way. It looks great on the wall with my other razors, brushes and soaps. I’m an experienced DE shaver and this razor is very mild. I would absolutely recommend it for a beginner. This razor isn’t the most efficient, but that’s the trade off for being so smooth. It’s probably not going to be my choice for a Monday morning shave or hacking off my beard when I have been on vacation. But it gives a very smooth 3 pass shave and experienced shavers will definitely enjoy it as well. I see this razor fitting in nicely with my weekly shaving routine. I have sensitive skin and usually by Thursday/Friday my face is irritated. The Henson gives a close shave without irritation. The aircraft grade aluminum is nicely done, and by nature It’s very light weight. I would’ve preferred a bit more weight to this razor and would definitely love a stainless steel variant. All in all this is a fantastic razor. And a very fair price. Plus, being an American with Canadian family, it’s nice to see a quality product turned out in Canada. 👍👍🇺🇸🇨🇦
I'm glad to hear that it's actually good. I wetshaved for about 8 years until 2016 and then I stopped. I want to start up again but all my razors are in storage, And I didn't want to comb through the newfangled razors where the "safety" aspect of the safety razor is sacrificed in the name of efficiency. It seemed like the Muhle R41 started the trend, and then a million other companies ran with it. But at the same time I didn't want a razor that shaved similar to the Feather Popular or the Weishi (both of which have too little blade exposure and are too mild. So I went with the Henson in medium. I wanted something well built, smooth, but also effective. I should have it in a couple days, so I'm excited to try it out.
I am from INDIA and really appreciate your efforts to make such a wonderful and precision razor, I might have purchased at least three of these razors if available in INDIA very good work 👍👍👍-‐---- Purchased Henson Al13 ++ V2 jet black in color, this became my daily driver immediately, before this I was using number of Safety Razors and Merkur 37C was my daily go to razor but this razor has now replaced 37C, number of my Henson Al 13Razor is B-258, great razor, going to purchase +++ version when available in Aluminum, wish all the Henson team all the best, success and regards from INDIA 🙏 🙏🙏👍👍
I sign everything that Daniel said, it's really so comfortable and indeed the most engineered razor I've got. Beautiful and perfect. Not lot of excitement, no stress, no blade mastering, I just hope that you'll keep in business for many years it is difficult to keep up with so many new products when yours is already nearly perfected. Only drawback is that noone will ever discuss "how to master it" and won't be so presentable in forums, blogs. But - I owe you one big THANK YOU for this one ❤
This razor is a complete WINNER! I bought the AL13 Mild. I used it today for the first time and I'm amazed at how close the shave is and there was NO irritation on my neck. It looks like all my other double edge razors are going to be used very seldom, since I got the Henson. This is a real game changer in wet shaving! Congrats and thank you Henson.
I just got my Henson today. Great shave. No complaints. I started out shaving with double edge razors as a teenager and have recently gone back. One thing I've noticed, especially with my Henson, is that while shaving against the grain it's quite an auditory experience. I hear and feel what I'm doing.
Daniel I’ve been a DE safety razor user for over a decade and consider myself to be quite skilled. But for the last six months or so I’ve been using the A13 exclusively as my daily razor and I have to say it’s absolutely stunning. The easiest but best shaves I’ve ever had. I simply can’t believe how effortless it’s been and I’ve encouraged others to get one too and they’ve had similar experiences. I’m currently saving up to get the titanium version. Thank you
I will be receiving my blue AL13 mild razor tomorrow-can’t wait to use it. I appreciate your company’s diligence in creating this fine product with super tight tolerances. The worst thing is to go “OUCH!!” while shaving-hopefully, no more! Thanks again!
I'm already a big wet shaver (safety and straight), and am always excited to hear about any new Canadian razor maker. The RUclips channel Fortnine steered me your way and I immediately ordered the razor. Can't wait to try it in a couple of days!
Just purchased one, really excited to try it especially in comparison to my safety razor. Would love to see you guys go more in depth on non-face shaving. I saw some images of armpit shaving, but would recommend expanding that out a bit to reach a larger market.
I have a Henson AL13 Mild (Black). I absolutely love this razor. It is not only gorgeous to look at, but also it performs beautifully. I have been shaving for over 40 years with a cartridge razor and hated the experience because my face is very sensitive. This razor was such an easy transition from the cartridge to the double edge razor blade as the video suggests. I now look forward to shaving every second day with my Henson razor. I am so happy that I don't have to buy overpriced, over-engineered, built to fail, environmentally unfriendly, from Gillette anymore. You too can kick Gillette to the curb once and for all. The cool thing is that once you amortize the cost of the Henson razor, the cost of the blades is ridiculously cheap. You can't lose with this combination of the Henson razor and double edge razor blades. I will NEVER go back to shaving with a cartridge razor. FYI. If you travel with carry-on luggage, you cannot carry double edge razor blades with you. But you can buy them for cheap wherever you travel.
@@AlisonLam It depends if you have carry on or checked luggage. If you have carry on luggage, you cannot carry any razor blades! You must remove the blade from your razor. As well you cannot carry any loose blades either. For checked luggage you can have razor blades.
I really like my razor; it came in two flavors, and I think that i ended up with the more mild version. But using those Russian blades (Astra?) really adds some danger. It is great for the face, which is why most guys buy razors to begin with. It is also great for underarms. When I've tried this combination on my head or legs, things get bloody! So I still use a different brand to shave the head, and a third brand on the legs. The best of all possible worlds!
Mine is being delivered as we speak. I'm looking forward to the minimal waste aspect as well. At our community landfill..you see every plastic razor ever thrown away.. The purchase experience has been great so far.
Pleased bring back the purple ❣️ it’s my favorite color. As a woman who uses safety razors, yours is my favorite (AL13-M for life!) my knees and ankles thank you immensely! Nurse Bekah
I ordered one, looks like it's coming Friday or Saturday. I ordered the medium, since I have almost 8 years of experience with a DE razor (Merkur 34c). I wanted something a bit better and saw the Hensons on Razor Emporium, which is where I bought my 34c from years back. I'll try to report back when I get it.
I can't wait until my AL-13 gets here, hopefully tomorrow. It was literally IN MY TOWN on Friday morning, but USPS sent it to the next city over, and then to the capital of my state. LOL.
I'm looking forward to try this new product very soon. I love the fact that this company is making a quality product that is designed to do a great job and last. If it is good as they say Ill promote them to my thousands of connections. A company that truly cares about quality and their customers is RARE!
i bought it, glad i did, yes, it's an adventure shaving still worry about making a bloody mess, i get a week out of a blade, the blades are very sharp when out of the box, in fact i cut my fingers when putting the blade in the shaver, I advise getting shaving cream, good luck
Let me clear from the onset: I am NOT a troll nor am I here to criticize. In fact, I will be pulling the trigger on one of the L13 Models and I watched this video as part of my pre-purchase research. I am making this qualifier style comment because my next comment might be perceived as criticism or trolling. I think your zeal to advocate for your razor you exaggerated your company's stated shortcomings of the DE Safety Shown in the video. It is not necessary to cast aspersions on a rival product to entice someone to consider your product. #1. You spoke of safety razors genetically having wiggle room. I say from my own experience owning Vintage and Contemporary safety razors of 2 piece, 3 piece and TTO design I have only encountered ONE razor out of approximately 50 in 8 years that had blade misalignment. The inexpensive and not so inexpensive DE razors I've own have no issue with secure holding the blade in place or properly in place. #2. The issue of blade exposure is not anywhere as debilitating as you claim. Yes, I agree there are SOME DE razors which have a level of blade exposure that makes it less suitable for a beginner or novice but this is certainly not the case GENERALLY and by your own admission if a person takes the time to learn how to use the razor such is not or ceases to be a problem. #3. In my opinion, people have become intellectually lazy and do not apply themselves to anything that requires critical thinking and practice. This is not the fault of the manufacturers of the "Typical" De Razor. My point being, it is unfair of you to imply that a learning curve is somehow a negative. It is neither positive or negative; it is simply IS the way skill and experience in some if not most activities must be acquired. #4. In pointing out how one shaves with your razor due to its design; you completely overlooked SE razors which employ virtually all the concepts of your DE's design. I would remind you of an old aphorism; "there is nothing new under the sun". In conclusion, despite the fact that I take exception to much of your talking points. I still like your razor and intend to purchase. Thank You.
You really sold me when you mentioned how alot of product designers make their designs to last shortly so people buy more, or them bekng designed to fail
May I ask: I appreciate the quality you put on your machining, it really is great. But you don't control the tolerances on the blade manufacturing can the blade holder cover the differences in those blade to blade differences?
The variance from blade to blade will add to the variance of resulting exposure. This is an industry wide issue that all razors are subject to, however we combat it in several ways. 1) We use the tabs to align the centrality which is more accurate than the diamond slots. 2) We hold tolerances on critical features that influence exposure, very tightly so that the variance from the blade is not as impactful on the resulting exposure (whereas if we had looser tolerances, the varying exposure would result in even more variance causing a more drastic under or over efficiency/aggressiveness. 3) We manufacture the location of the tabs on the top cap, in the same operation as the shave plane face (except for +++ which has more leniency) which governs the centrality of the exposure relative to the blade and its position. The tolerance is not made by any specific blade. The geometry is created based on the size and thickness of a blade that is representative of the median size where most blades measure. The tolerances are set mostly irrespective of the blade size, brand or other geometry.
This is next on my lists. Curious how it will compare to the feather asd2 and the game changer, my 2 favorites. Although I often reach for the merkur slant razor. The razorock lupo aluminum with titanium handle is also very good with the least risk of razor burn.
I have very sensitive skin and tend to get nicks with aggressive razors. Currently using a Merkur 23C and it is working fine. Would you recommend the mild or medium to compare to the Merkur?
Interestingly, I never had much irritation with my mach 3 fusion cartridge blades. Just got the Henson AL13 Mild and I had to do 3 passes and I did have irritation. I used the included RK blades. I'm trying a variety pack of blades coming. Maybe I need the AL13 Medium? I have coarse hair and only shave once every 2 weeks.
Ok, It is very well explained but 2 things need to be mentioned here : First, buy a good standard safety razor and not a junk one and you be fine. Second thing, There is the leaf razors which give you a decent "fight"...
I put myself on a waiting list in Europe for a titanium one. First because I want a closer shave ( and only the titanium model offers that ) and second because aluminum is so soft, if you drop it it's practically useless.
Thanks for the insightful video. I have been using cartridge razors (the likes of gillette proglide) for over a decade and am considering trying out safety DE razor and Henson AL 13 seems to be highly recommended. I am wondering if you might happen to know how does Gillette Proglide's aggressiveness compare to the Henson or in other words does the Gillette Proglide razor's aggressiveness correspond go mild, medium or aggressive on the Henson? Trying to see which Henson razor would be an appropriate buy as I shave daily with my Gillette.
Hi there, i know this is an old video but it still informative. Well, after seeing this razor for days now. i visited your site but only saw very few color options. If i could get a Blue Steel Handle with a Purple Head i would buy immediately. Or offered the purple i would purchase both.
I started off using the blades that came with the razor which were Henson's blades and they nearly cut my face Off so then I tried Wilkinson sword blades and the difference was astronomical, I got a really close shave that lasted 24 hours and it was smooth as silk. So why were the blades that were made for this razor such a failure?
With so little blade protrusion, won’t performance be very variable with blade width? Are your blades sharpened to the same tolerance edge to edge, and are Gillette blades the exact same width and made to the same tolerance? Thank you for bringing back the safety razor.
i use gillette mach3 because it´s light weight and i like that light weight in the hand and it´s easy to use. i wonder if the Henson is light weight because i have tried different safety razors and they all have been very heavy and i didn´t like it and could never get used to them.
Looks great one problem In Denmark we dont get the blade incl in the box like i´ve seen someone getting like 100 blade Astra blade plus razor the price in Denmark is very pricey in Danish Kroner 575,- in USD 81,34 with out extra blade only the razor
I have a question can you use any blades with your razor and as well how about travelling is there some kind of blade guard that can go over the razor when in your toiletry bag
You should make a butterfly safety razor, or something with an adjustable blade angle and shave length. The futur 700 is only 20 ish dollars more than your product, but it has more benefits and features, so you're kinda outcompeted. Also, from the pictures I've seen, there are milling marks on the insides of the top and bottom blade holders. For the amount you guys are charging, I think the fit and finish should be improved. I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about your product, so excuse me if some of the information is inaccurate. One thing I really like about your product is that the blade sides do not extend past the holder assemblies. The only safety razor i have (hippie killer) allows the sides of the blade to protrude past the blade holders. It ends up digging into your hands when swapping blades, and I've been cut quite a few times.
I'm going to try this for the first time.. Coming from D.S.C. just wending where is the Red or purple one?? I just got the matt Black one.. But if possible I like to get the FORMER or the two {2} colors..
What the heck?????? Canada can't even make friends anymore.... especially with Trudoughead steering the Titanic. I am sold already! On top of that no plastic??? Even better!!! Can't wait to try it!!!
This will vary slightly blade to blade, however is often minimal if the blades are held to certain quality control standards. We find some manufacturers are better than others. RK has created their blade to our exact specifications and we find they have the most consistent internal cut out which is why we sell them alongside our razor. This said, any standard DE safety razor blade should work with our razor.
Deleted my previous comment, as it had too much guessing. A lot of the answers are right on their website. The tungsten is there as a bushing and that’s it. It has a low coefficient of friction, which means tightening the handle is easier, along with it being corrosion resistant and hard. Good materials choice right there, tbh. Tungsten is an absolute bitch to work/machine so using it in a specific case with less complex geometry is a smart move. One of the reasons for aluminum was obviously for weight, and they intentionally went for lighter razor. According to them they found that the common sense wisdom of “let the weight of the razor do the work” doesn’t actually matter nearly so much, and a lighter razor does have its benefits (easier to maneuver, less tiring for the hand which can be important for some, and particularly useful for tactile feedback when shaving body parts other than the face). I think the other big reason was the Type II anodizing process. That makes aluminum very corrosion resistant, as well as opening-up all those options for colours in the end product. A similar process exists to do this with stainless steel but it’s quite a bit more difficult and you’re also really coating the steel in another metal…namely aluminum. It’s more prone to issues though with corrosion since you’ve got two direct metals; these razors are supposed to be built to last decades. This is conjecture, but I’ll also bet the choice of aluminum was at least in part made because they have experience with it. They’re coming from aerospace and machining of lightweight parts with tight tolerances; that just screams aluminum alloys, not steel.
I just ordered the medium version of your razor in tan. Do you sell many in that door? I am hopeful it will be a good buy. Are there any other blades besides Astra that will work as well in your razor?
IMO, their new edition is the best razor ever made. This razor is exactly how Daniel describes, there is no BS here. I love your razors, they are my favorite razor of all time. However, the way you rolled out the new edition razors has been quite frustrating. The quiet release of the aggressive AL and you rollout the titanium razors at a snails pace. It's really a shame because you have a fantastic product, just amazing. You have ZERO Ti22 razors available on your website as of today and it's been that way for weeks.
But isnt't it funny. Not to tear this razor down in any way, it is very likely a great razor. But having parts on the mars rover doesn't advertise it in any way. I guess everybody having ever used a safety razor agrees that the old gillettes were some very great razors without any space engineering. The mars rover doesn't have a beard, does it? I mean, does it?
As bad as I want to try this.. i'm still not sure about it. I like to grow my beard out and I don't know if this would be my best option for edging it up. Or for whenever I just want to shave it all off. If I did like it i'd definitely buy the copper! Love how it looks. Feel like I would still cut myself bad with it lol.
Henson razors are extremely safe to use, even for beginners. We build in the 30 degree shaving angle, and it is difficult to cut yourself. Customer reviews say they also have no issues with precision shaving. Worth a shot, we have a 100 day return policy if you decide it's not for you.
Any standard DE safety razor blades will work with Henson razors. No proprietary blades here. You can order RK blades directly from us online, or you can source any other preferred blade.
It sucks not to be able to carry-on air travel with safety or straight razors. I'm old enough to have done both. Makes me leary to invest in a new razor system.
Hi! Not sure if you check this channel or reply to visitors but just in case: Can you *_please_* explain to me, why my regular AL13 (with just one "+") looks entirely different to the one you are showing (and most of the images on your website and everywhere else your razors are promoted)? Mine most notably has a rather large gap - there are also more superficial differences, e.g. it doesn't have what i call 'corners' on the base plate, like that one in your video does.... Do you get my meaning? It seems like maybe i have a medium model?....but it's just got the one + on the plate underneath and it came in the just plain AL13 box.... 😵 confused FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW: One "+" indicates regular/mild aggression, two "++" is medium, and if you have the Ti22, we also offer aggressive which is identified by three "+++". These plus' are found under the head. ^ This info was e-mailed to me by Henson.
A couple months ago we made some enhancements to our razor. The AL13 in this video is our older design. We still have our mild and medium design. If you would like more details, you can reach out to our team again at support@hensonshaving.com
@@HensonShaving Ahhhh, so perhaps mine is the newer design? (it doesn't have the right angles in the corners on the base-plate and yeh, as i already mentioned the gap is way bigger....) - I _did_ e-mail and the answer i got...well...wasn't an answer at all 😥... Hopefully my 2nd email will have a better reply. Thanks
This is a DE razor so literally any double-edged blade on the market will work (and their website emphasizes as much). What blade is best for _you_ is the question, and you do that by trying many types and brands (people sell them in variety packs). I don’t own one of these (yet), but as an example, I use Shark Super Chrome blades. They’re a bit forgiving and what they are really good for is the combination of sensitive skin and coarse hair I have. Sharp enough to cut through it, forgiving enough to not leave my face covered in nicks like a Feather one would. A single blade lasts one shave. _Maybe_ two but that’s stretching it. The blades are absurdly cheap though. I can get 100 for $6. (Just, for the love of god, don’t throw them in the recycling.)
AL13 is a great razor but a bit of an unfair comparing it to a $2 DE. Compare it to a similar costing razor and blade alignment wouldn't be anywhere as bad as the example used. You have aluminium and titanium razors available with the prices goes from $70 to $250. Is there plans to produce a stainless steel version with a price somewhere in between?
@@liesdamnlies3372 The look of the razor has nothing with it. The extra weight is very helpful. The light weight takes a lot of getting used to. A lot of users complain that the Alu is too light and make then apply too much pressure and therefore overshave and get burns/rashes… With a heavier razor that does not happen as much…
@@SIGSOLO ...okay...literally all of that is addressed on their website, and in the technical specs of the razors. Aerospace grade aluminum is a hell of a better choice than stainless steel, if you're trying to make it last a lifetime.
Crappy safety razors will be crap. Higher quality ones are gonna be good. I have a henson, and it's a good product but it lives in my shaving rotation with my other safety razors. Doesn't replace them
Did you just grab that razorblade by its sharp edge? Doing that whit a live blade I would lack a finger. That was either a demoblade (please mention it in the video if it was), you have hands of steel (do more superman stuff in your lifetime please), or I lack a certain technique (enlighten me please).
If you reach out to our team at support@hensonshaving.com, we would love the opportunity to troubleshoot with you. If used correctly, it is very difficult to cut yourself with a Henson razor. We can take a look at what could be going on.
I would like to be your customer but if you are good at traditional shaving, you never hold the razor between your finngers from the sharp sides. Secondly, i think this little gap for razor is not enough for long beards. And finally ı can buy 2 edwin jagger de89/mühle r89 at same price. Why should ı your customer?
As a nerdy entrepreneurial engineer, I love this explanation from a nerdy entrepreneurial engineer.
I've been using cartridge razors for almost 50 years. A double edge safety razor is what my dad used when I was a kid. Your company changed my mind. I bought your AL13 Medium razor over a month ago. I've tried it with a few different blades and have gotten the same excellent results. I expected a learning curve when switching to a safety razor but the basic process is nearly identical to the cartridge razor experience, with much higher perceived quality and much lower recurring costs. The initial shaves took approximately the same time as a cartridge razor (I was expecting more time for a single blade) but after a few shaves, I can shave faster than a cartridge razor and the shave is much closer with no nicks or cuts. The AL13 Medium is a precision power tool. Honestly, I have always hated shaving. It's a little bit of pain and several minutes of wasted time from my perspective. The AL13 has made the barbaric practice much more civilized. Thanks for making a great high quality product at a good price.
The blades are so inexpensive that I got a bit carried away experimenting, buying 100 at a time from various manufacturers. I've had equally positive experiences with a selection of inexpensive blades - RK (shipped with the AL13), Astra, and various Dorco blades. The results were slightly different but not significant in my experience, and now I have an actual lifetime supply of blades.
I've been a regular DE shaver for at least a decade, started with a sample kit from West Coast Shaving, it was 1 pack of 10 blades each from many manufacturers; Dorco was the winner for me. I'm also a nerdy engineer/machinist, looking forward to trying this out since he said it shears the hair, rather than cutting it.
Been suffering with ingrown hairs for pretty much my entire (shaving) life, it's been roughly 5 years since I switched to DE razors and while that helped, the problem was still there, the AL 13 Mild literally saved me, I will get the occasional pimple here and there -- but most of the time I get zero ingrowns. Thanks a bunch, guys, you frigging rock!
I feel I recognize this username... any chance you're a fan of Dataless822?
@@rockysmith6105 nope, must be another alucard xD
Just got my Henson AL 13 medium and I can’t believe how smooth this is to shave with. I have been a wet shaver for years now and this is a game changer for me. I love this razor 👍👍
I just heard about this razor 30 minutes ago, and as a Canadian I am very happy to hear that it is being made in Canada. I also like everything you said about considerations given to blade support and alignment. Those were complaints I had about another "Canadian designed" razor I backed on Kickstarter (very disappointing considering the 2 year wait).
Yeah I started with a German-made Edwin Jagger DE89, and trying a bunch of others, which invariably are made in China, nothing seems to compare. This thing seems to be the real deal and reviews are solid.
I saw your videos on TikTok and at first I was sceptic to put it mildly. After using the AL 13 for over 2 weeks, I would never go back to a cartridge razor. Thanks for building such a great product!
Just got my Henson razor this week. Very nice!
The razor itself is very well done. Very tight tolerances, the machining is perfect, the grip is very nice. You can definitely tell Henson takes pride in their work.
I got the standard aluminum color because I am a traditional kind of guy. It’s got a modern look, but not in a weird way. It looks great on the wall with my other razors, brushes and soaps.
I’m an experienced DE shaver and this razor is very mild. I would absolutely recommend it for a beginner.
This razor isn’t the most efficient, but that’s the trade off for being so smooth. It’s probably not going to be my choice for a Monday morning shave or hacking off my beard when I have been on vacation. But it gives a very smooth 3 pass shave and experienced shavers will definitely enjoy it as well.
I see this razor fitting in nicely with my weekly shaving routine. I have sensitive skin and usually by Thursday/Friday my face is irritated. The Henson gives a close shave without irritation.
The aircraft grade aluminum is nicely done, and by nature It’s very light weight. I would’ve preferred a bit more weight to this razor and would definitely love a stainless steel variant.
All in all this is a fantastic razor. And a very fair price. Plus, being an American with Canadian family, it’s nice to see a quality product turned out in Canada.
👍👍🇺🇸🇨🇦
I'm glad to hear that it's actually good. I wetshaved for about 8 years until 2016 and then I stopped. I want to start up again but all my razors are in storage, And I didn't want to comb through the newfangled razors where the "safety" aspect of the safety razor is sacrificed in the name of efficiency. It seemed like the Muhle R41 started the trend, and then a million other companies ran with it.
But at the same time I didn't want a razor that shaved similar to the Feather Popular or the Weishi (both of which have too little blade exposure and are too mild. So I went with the Henson in medium. I wanted something well built, smooth, but also effective. I should have it in a couple days, so I'm excited to try it out.
I am from INDIA and really appreciate your efforts to make such a wonderful and precision razor, I might have purchased at least three of these razors if available in INDIA very good work 👍👍👍-‐---- Purchased Henson Al13 ++ V2 jet black in color, this became my daily driver immediately, before this I was using number of Safety Razors and Merkur 37C was my daily go to razor but this razor has now replaced 37C, number of my Henson Al 13Razor is B-258, great razor, going to purchase +++ version when available in Aluminum, wish all the Henson team all the best, success and regards from INDIA 🙏 🙏🙏👍👍
I sign everything that Daniel said, it's really so comfortable and indeed the most engineered razor I've got. Beautiful and perfect. Not lot of excitement, no stress, no blade mastering, I just hope that you'll keep in business for many years it is difficult to keep up with so many new products when yours is already nearly perfected. Only drawback is that noone will ever discuss "how to master it" and won't be so presentable in forums, blogs. But - I owe you one big THANK YOU for this one ❤
This razor is a complete WINNER! I bought the AL13 Mild. I used it today for the first time and I'm amazed at how close the shave is and there was NO irritation on my neck. It looks like all my other double edge razors are going to be used very seldom, since I got the Henson. This is a real game changer in wet shaving! Congrats and thank you Henson.
I just got my Henson today. Great shave. No complaints.
I started out shaving with double edge razors as a teenager and have recently gone back. One thing I've noticed, especially with my Henson, is that while shaving against the grain it's quite an auditory experience. I hear and feel what I'm doing.
You guys make a fantastic product. An absolute pleasure to use.
Worth the price!!!! I'm a regular guy not a bot. Buy one.
Daniel I’ve been a DE safety razor user for over a decade and consider myself to be quite skilled. But for the last six months or so I’ve been using the A13 exclusively as my daily razor and I have to say it’s absolutely stunning. The easiest but best shaves I’ve ever had. I simply can’t believe how effortless it’s been and I’ve encouraged others to get one too and they’ve had similar experiences. I’m currently saving up to get the titanium version. Thank you
An absolute joy to shave with my Henson AL13. Absolutely Love This *State Of The Art* Safety Razor . Cheers ☕
I will be receiving my blue AL13 mild razor tomorrow-can’t wait to use it. I appreciate your company’s diligence in creating this fine product with super tight tolerances. The worst thing is to go “OUCH!!” while shaving-hopefully, no more! Thanks again!
I always just assumed razor burn on my neck was an unavoidable byproduct of shaving until I got my AL13. Thanks for the great product!
My 3rd shave with my new AL13M just gave me the best shave of my life.
I'm already a big wet shaver (safety and straight), and am always excited to hear about any new Canadian razor maker. The RUclips channel Fortnine steered me your way and I immediately ordered the razor. Can't wait to try it in a couple of days!
Let us know what you think!
Just purchased one, really excited to try it especially in comparison to my safety razor. Would love to see you guys go more in depth on non-face shaving. I saw some images of armpit shaving, but would recommend expanding that out a bit to reach a larger market.
I can't wait to get this razor. It's on my 2023 list of gift ideas. Can't wait for $0.10 blades that aren't proprietary!
Just ordered my AL 13, I cannot wait to get it and have my first shave with it!
Best razor I’ve ever used,I’m 72 years old.
I have a Henson AL13 Mild (Black). I absolutely love this razor. It is not only gorgeous to look at, but also it performs beautifully. I have been shaving for over 40 years with a cartridge razor and hated the experience because my face is very sensitive. This razor was such an easy transition from the cartridge to the double edge razor blade as the video suggests. I now look forward to shaving every second day with my Henson razor. I am so happy that I don't have to buy overpriced, over-engineered, built to fail, environmentally unfriendly, from Gillette anymore. You too can kick Gillette to the curb once and for all. The cool thing is that once you amortize the cost of the Henson razor, the cost of the blades is ridiculously cheap. You can't lose with this combination of the Henson razor and double edge razor blades. I will NEVER go back to shaving with a cartridge razor.
FYI. If you travel with carry-on luggage, you cannot carry double edge razor blades with you. But you can buy them for cheap wherever you travel.
Ohhhh. Can you travel with the specific blade in your razor handle? Could you tape a few extras to the razor to get through security?
@@AlisonLam It depends if you have carry on or checked luggage. If you have carry on luggage, you cannot carry any razor blades! You must remove the blade from your razor. As well you cannot carry any loose blades either.
For checked luggage you can have razor blades.
You did a really good job with this razor, it's beautiful and it works really good, I'm very happy to have this piece in my collection.
I really like my razor; it came in two flavors, and I think that i ended up with the more mild version. But using those Russian blades (Astra?) really adds some danger. It is great for the face, which is why most guys buy razors to begin with. It is also great for underarms. When I've tried this combination on my head or legs, things get bloody! So I still use a different brand to shave the head, and a third brand on the legs. The best of all possible worlds!
Mine is being delivered as we speak. I'm looking forward to the minimal waste aspect as well. At our community landfill..you see every plastic razor ever thrown away..
The purchase experience has been great so far.
Absolutely love mine. I look forward to shaving every day.
Pleased bring back the purple ❣️ it’s my favorite color. As a woman who uses safety razors, yours is my favorite (AL13-M for life!) my knees and ankles thank you immensely! Nurse Bekah
Love my mild al13! Allows me to shave my face/dome every day without irritation.
Looking to buy my very first safety razor, I think I just found it !!! Looks great. 👍
I ordered one, looks like it's coming Friday or Saturday.
I ordered the medium, since I have almost 8 years of experience with a DE razor (Merkur 34c). I wanted something a bit better and saw the Hensons on Razor Emporium, which is where I bought my 34c from years back.
I'll try to report back when I get it.
I can't wait until my AL-13 gets here, hopefully tomorrow. It was literally IN MY TOWN on Friday morning, but USPS sent it to the next city over, and then to the capital of my state. LOL.
I'm looking forward to try this new product very soon. I love the fact that this company is making a quality product that is designed to do a great job and last. If it is good as they say Ill promote them to my thousands of connections. A company that truly cares about quality and their customers is RARE!
Beautiful work of engineering and craftsmanship! I can't wait to get one.
Advertised to give the closest shave you've ever had with minimal hassle.
Performs as advertised.
I recommend this product.
I am delighted with my Henson mild.
After using it a full month, I am even more delighted.
i bought it, glad i did, yes, it's an adventure shaving still worry about making a bloody mess, i get a week out of a blade, the blades are very sharp when out of the box, in fact i cut my fingers when putting the blade in the shaver, I advise getting shaving cream, good luck
I will buy one in the next few weeks. Gotta try it. Sounds great!
You guys doing a great job! Thank you!
Let me clear from the onset: I am NOT a troll nor am I here to criticize. In fact, I will be pulling the trigger on one of the L13 Models and I watched this video as part of my pre-purchase research. I am making this qualifier style comment because my next comment might be perceived as criticism or trolling.
I think your zeal to advocate for your razor you exaggerated your company's stated shortcomings of the DE Safety Shown in the video. It is not necessary to cast aspersions on a rival product to entice someone to consider your product.
#1. You spoke of safety razors genetically having wiggle room. I say from my own experience owning Vintage and Contemporary safety razors of 2 piece, 3 piece and TTO design I have only encountered ONE razor out of approximately 50 in 8 years that had blade misalignment. The inexpensive and not so inexpensive DE razors I've own have no issue with secure holding the blade in place or properly in place.
#2. The issue of blade exposure is not anywhere as debilitating as you claim. Yes, I agree there are SOME DE razors which have a level of blade exposure that makes it less suitable for a beginner or novice but this is certainly not the case GENERALLY and by your own admission if a person takes the time to learn how to use the razor such is not or ceases to be a problem.
#3. In my opinion, people have become intellectually lazy and do not apply themselves to anything that requires critical thinking and practice. This is not the fault of the manufacturers of the "Typical" De Razor. My point being, it is unfair of you to imply that a learning curve is somehow a negative. It is neither positive or negative; it is simply IS the way skill and experience in some if not most activities must be acquired.
#4. In pointing out how one shaves with your razor due to its design; you completely overlooked SE razors which employ virtually all the concepts of your DE's design. I would remind you of an old aphorism; "there is nothing new under the sun".
In conclusion, despite the fact that I take exception to much of your talking points. I still like your razor and intend to purchase. Thank You.
Appreciate it and will order my razor this week.
Take care from Montréal, Québec 😀
Update from last comment.
Bought it and it's 👍
You really sold me when you mentioned how alot of product designers make their designs to last shortly so people buy more, or them bekng designed to fail
Bought one after an Instagram add best freaking razor ever
Will you ship to Singapore?
so can you use this for a tough 3 day growth? or is only for nerds who have a bit of bum fluff?
May I ask: I appreciate the quality you put on your machining, it really is great. But you don't control the tolerances on the blade manufacturing can the blade holder cover the differences in those blade to blade differences?
The variance from blade to blade will add to the variance of resulting exposure. This is an industry wide issue that all razors are subject to, however we combat it in several ways. 1) We use the tabs to align the centrality which is more accurate than the diamond slots. 2) We hold tolerances on critical features that influence exposure, very tightly so that the variance from the blade is not as impactful on the resulting exposure (whereas if we had looser tolerances, the varying exposure would result in even more variance causing a more drastic under or over efficiency/aggressiveness. 3) We manufacture the location of the tabs on the top cap, in the same operation as the shave plane face (except for +++ which has more leniency) which governs the centrality of the exposure relative to the blade and its position. The tolerance is not made by any specific blade. The geometry is created based on the size and thickness of a blade that is representative of the median size where most blades measure. The tolerances are set mostly irrespective of the blade size, brand or other geometry.
This is next on my lists. Curious how it will compare to the feather asd2 and the game changer, my 2 favorites. Although I often reach for the merkur slant razor. The razorock lupo aluminum with titanium handle is also very good with the least risk of razor burn.
I have very sensitive skin and tend to get nicks with aggressive razors. Currently using a Merkur 23C and it is working fine. Would you recommend the mild or medium to compare to the Merkur?
Interestingly, I never had much irritation with my mach 3 fusion cartridge blades. Just got the Henson AL13 Mild and I had to do 3 passes and I did have irritation. I used the included RK blades. I'm trying a variety pack of blades coming. Maybe I need the AL13 Medium? I have coarse hair and only shave once every 2 weeks.
Looks great! I hope one day it will be available in Mexico
Ok, It is very well explained but 2 things need to be mentioned here : First, buy a good standard safety razor and not a junk one and you be fine. Second thing, There is the leaf razors which give you a decent "fight"...
I put myself on a waiting list in Europe for a titanium one.
First because I want a closer shave ( and only the titanium model offers that ) and second because aluminum is so soft, if you drop it it's practically useless.
Thanks for the insightful video. I have been using cartridge razors (the likes of gillette proglide) for over a decade and am considering trying out safety DE razor and Henson AL 13 seems to be highly recommended.
I am wondering if you might happen to know how does Gillette Proglide's aggressiveness compare to the Henson or in other words does the Gillette Proglide razor's aggressiveness correspond go mild, medium or aggressive on the Henson? Trying to see which Henson razor would be an appropriate buy as I shave daily with my Gillette.
what's the difference between shearing and cutting?
Hi there, i know this is an old video but it still informative.
Well, after seeing this razor for days now. i visited your site but only saw very few color options.
If i could get a Blue Steel Handle with a Purple Head i would buy immediately. Or offered the purple i would purchase both.
Unfortunately, no plans to bring purple back at this time.
I just got mine and first time wad awesome! How many shaves before replacing a blade?
We suggest changing the blade every 3-5 shaves.
Genius design, honest Canadian!
I started off using the blades that came with the razor which were Henson's blades and they nearly cut my face Off so then I tried Wilkinson sword blades and the difference was astronomical, I got a really close shave that lasted 24 hours and it was smooth as silk. So why were the blades that were made for this razor such a failure?
With so little blade protrusion, won’t performance be very variable with blade width? Are your blades sharpened to the same tolerance edge to edge, and are Gillette blades the exact same width and made to the same tolerance?
Thank you for bringing back the safety razor.
Very tempted.
Just a tip, don't get too focused on the text, try to put a tablet next to the camera with the text scrolling. 👌
All these products that claim to reinvent the wheel....ITS JUST A RAZOR!!!
i use gillette mach3 because it´s light weight and i like that light weight in the hand and it´s easy to use.
i wonder if the Henson is light weight because i have tried different safety razors and they all have been very heavy and i didn´t like it and could never get used to them.
Our AL13 razor is considered on the light end at 1.3oz.
Looks great one problem In Denmark we dont get the blade incl in the box like i´ve seen someone getting like 100 blade Astra blade plus razor the price in Denmark is very pricey in Danish Kroner 575,- in USD 81,34 with out extra blade only the razor
I have a question can you use any blades with your razor and as well how about travelling is there some kind of blade guard that can go over the razor when in your toiletry bag
I want to buy the pink one.
Can't decide between the mild and the medium. Have no time or patience for multiple passes. Therefore, the medium??
You should make a butterfly safety razor, or something with an adjustable blade angle and shave length. The futur 700 is only 20 ish dollars more than your product, but it has more benefits and features, so you're kinda outcompeted. Also, from the pictures I've seen, there are milling marks on the insides of the top and bottom blade holders. For the amount you guys are charging, I think the fit and finish should be improved. I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about your product, so excuse me if some of the information is inaccurate. One thing I really like about your product is that the blade sides do not extend past the holder assemblies. The only safety razor i have (hippie killer) allows the sides of the blade to protrude past the blade holders. It ends up digging into your hands when swapping blades, and I've been cut quite a few times.
I'm going to try this for the first time.. Coming from D.S.C. just wending where is the Red or purple one?? I just got the matt Black one.. But if possible I like to get the FORMER or the two {2} colors..
We have discontinued the red and purpose colours. We have created a new coral colour you may be interested in taking a look at.
What the heck?????? Canada can't even make friends anymore.... especially with Trudoughead steering the Titanic. I am sold already! On top of that no plastic??? Even better!!! Can't wait to try it!!!
What is the impact from dimensional variability in replacement blade ? I can’t imagine all blades are all equal and consis.
This will vary slightly blade to blade, however is often minimal if the blades are held to certain quality control standards. We find some manufacturers are better than others. RK has created their blade to our exact specifications and we find they have the most consistent internal cut out which is why we sell them alongside our razor. This said, any standard DE safety razor blade should work with our razor.
Can you go a little in depth on your material choice? Why aluminum, not stainless steel? How much tungsten, why the tungsten?
Deleted my previous comment, as it had too much guessing. A lot of the answers are right on their website.
The tungsten is there as a bushing and that’s it. It has a low coefficient of friction, which means tightening the handle is easier, along with it being corrosion resistant and hard. Good materials choice right there, tbh. Tungsten is an absolute bitch to work/machine so using it in a specific case with less complex geometry is a smart move.
One of the reasons for aluminum was obviously for weight, and they intentionally went for lighter razor. According to them they found that the common sense wisdom of “let the weight of the razor do the work” doesn’t actually matter nearly so much, and a lighter razor does have its benefits (easier to maneuver, less tiring for the hand which can be important for some, and particularly useful for tactile feedback when shaving body parts other than the face).
I think the other big reason was the Type II anodizing process. That makes aluminum very corrosion resistant, as well as opening-up all those options for colours in the end product. A similar process exists to do this with stainless steel but it’s quite a bit more difficult and you’re also really coating the steel in another metal…namely aluminum. It’s more prone to issues though with corrosion since you’ve got two direct metals; these razors are supposed to be built to last decades.
This is conjecture, but I’ll also bet the choice of aluminum was at least in part made because they have experience with it. They’re coming from aerospace and machining of lightweight parts with tight tolerances; that just screams aluminum alloys, not steel.
I just ordered the medium version of your razor in tan. Do you sell many in that door? I am hopeful it will be a good buy. Are there any other blades besides Astra that will work as well in your razor?
IMO, their new edition is the best razor ever made. This razor is exactly how Daniel describes, there is no BS here. I love your razors, they are my favorite razor of all time. However, the way you rolled out the new edition razors has been quite frustrating. The quiet release of the aggressive AL and you rollout the titanium razors at a snails pace. It's really a shame because you have a fantastic product, just amazing. You have ZERO Ti22 razors available on your website as of today and it's been that way for weeks.
We appreciate the comment. We are working on consistency of release for our TI22 razor. We hope to have them back in the coming weeks.
@@HensonShaving Great news, thank you ! Your razors are truly unique, and like no other shave experience.
But isnt't it funny. Not to tear this razor down in any way, it is very likely a great razor. But having parts on the mars rover doesn't advertise it in any way. I guess everybody having ever used a safety razor agrees that the old gillettes were some very great razors without any space engineering. The mars rover doesn't have a beard, does it? I mean, does it?
As bad as I want to try this.. i'm still not sure about it. I like to grow my beard out and I don't know if this would be my best option for edging it up. Or for whenever I just want to shave it all off. If I did like it i'd definitely buy the copper! Love how it looks. Feel like I would still cut myself bad with it lol.
Henson razors are extremely safe to use, even for beginners. We build in the 30 degree shaving angle, and it is difficult to cut yourself. Customer reviews say they also have no issues with precision shaving. Worth a shot, we have a 100 day return policy if you decide it's not for you.
@@HensonShaving Awesome i'll be buying one very soon! Thanks for the feedback.
I may try this if I ever get tired of my Edwin Jagger with a feather blade.
Can I buy any razor blades online as replacement blades? I would buy this based on how much money I would save from replacement cartridges alone.
Any standard DE safety razor blades will work with Henson razors. No proprietary blades here. You can order RK blades directly from us online, or you can source any other preferred blade.
What grade of Aluminum is this?
The aluminum type used for our AL13 razor is 6061-T651.
@@HensonShaving Thank you, it means a lot that you're so open about your product.
I love love my Henson razor.
I won’t go back
I wish I could afford one.
We would love to assist you any way we can. Reach out to our team at support@hensonshaving.com and we will see what we can do.
The space razor.
It sucks not to be able to carry-on air travel with safety or straight razors. I'm old enough to have done both. Makes me leary to invest in a new razor system.
Hi! Not sure if you check this channel or reply to visitors but just in case: Can you *_please_* explain to me, why my regular AL13 (with just one "+") looks entirely different to the one you are showing (and most of the images on your website and everywhere else your razors are promoted)? Mine most notably has a rather large gap - there are also more superficial differences, e.g. it doesn't have what i call 'corners' on the base plate, like that one in your video does....
Do you get my meaning? It seems like maybe i have a medium model?....but it's just got the one + on the plate underneath and it came in the just plain AL13 box.... 😵 confused
FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW: One "+" indicates regular/mild aggression, two "++" is medium, and if you have the Ti22, we also offer aggressive which is identified by three "+++".
These plus' are found under the head. ^ This info was e-mailed to me by Henson.
A couple months ago we made some enhancements to our razor. The AL13 in this video is our older design. We still have our mild and medium design. If you would like more details, you can reach out to our team again at support@hensonshaving.com
@@HensonShaving Ahhhh, so perhaps mine is the newer design? (it doesn't have the right angles in the corners on the base-plate and yeh, as i already mentioned the gap is way bigger....) - I _did_ e-mail and the answer i got...well...wasn't an answer at all 😥... Hopefully my 2nd email will have a better reply.
Thanks
What blades are the best for this razor? And how long a blade usually last?
This is a DE razor so literally any double-edged blade on the market will work (and their website emphasizes as much). What blade is best for _you_ is the question, and you do that by trying many types and brands (people sell them in variety packs). I don’t own one of these (yet), but as an example, I use Shark Super Chrome blades. They’re a bit forgiving and what they are really good for is the combination of sensitive skin and coarse hair I have. Sharp enough to cut through it, forgiving enough to not leave my face covered in nicks like a Feather one would.
A single blade lasts one shave. _Maybe_ two but that’s stretching it. The blades are absurdly cheap though. I can get 100 for $6. (Just, for the love of god, don’t throw them in the recycling.)
@@liesdamnlies3372 Thank you for the info.
AL13 is a great razor but a bit of an unfair comparing it to a $2 DE. Compare it to a similar costing razor and blade alignment wouldn't be anywhere as bad as the example used.
You have aluminium and titanium razors available with the prices goes from $70 to $250.
Is there plans to produce a stainless steel version with a price somewhere in between?
it broke at the thread on me after 3yrs. false lifetime warranty. didn't get a replacement.
p.s. put the NAME of the Razor in the title and/or description! (I predict your views and subs will go up a lot!)
Has anyone any experience on using for legs, underarms, etc?? ;) thank you
Make it in stainless steel, Please!!
Why?
@@liesdamnlies3372 Because that's everybody that loves Stainless razors wish for!!
The Winning razor is the only option...
@@SIGSOLO Okay but...why do you want such a thing made of steel instead of aluminum? Is there any pragmatic reason beyond a vague "I like it"?
@@liesdamnlies3372 The look of the razor has nothing with it. The extra weight is very helpful.
The light weight takes a lot of getting used to. A lot of users complain that the Alu is too light and make then apply too much pressure and therefore overshave and get burns/rashes…
With a heavier razor that does not happen as much…
@@SIGSOLO ...okay...literally all of that is addressed on their website, and in the technical specs of the razors. Aerospace grade aluminum is a hell of a better choice than stainless steel, if you're trying to make it last a lifetime.
How about a little longer handle . Give it some heft...
i bought the T-3 and crack the handle.
replaced with the Shave Rite 210 Aluminum
26mm handle half measures availed us nothing wheelchair larry
0:45
do not touch the blade like that for gods sake
Yea I was thinking exactly the same man! That gave me the chills!
Perfect for a hairless kid 👍
Crappy safety razors will be crap. Higher quality ones are gonna be good. I have a henson, and it's a good product but it lives in my shaving rotation with my other safety razors. Doesn't replace them
I like this product but because I am all fixed income I'm going to have to save my money up for a couple of months to get one but I plan on doing so.
Did you just grab that razorblade by its sharp edge? Doing that whit a live blade I would lack a finger. That was either a demoblade (please mention it in the video if it was), you have hands of steel (do more superman stuff in your lifetime please), or I lack a certain technique (enlighten me please).
You can't cut yourself, you'd have to jerk sideways or use force. I suggest you try it first before you make such a stupid claim.
I donno man, I just tried my Henson for the first time and it cut me twice. Also, the shave was really bad. Stopped using it after like 10 seconds.
If you reach out to our team at support@hensonshaving.com, we would love the opportunity to troubleshoot with you. If used correctly, it is very difficult to cut yourself with a Henson razor. We can take a look at what could be going on.
"one thousandth of an inch" doesn't sound Canadian does it? Metric please!
"that sticks out only for half of thickness of hair" that thing made for baby hair lol
I would like to be your customer but if you are good at traditional shaving, you never hold the razor between your finngers from the sharp sides. Secondly, i think this little gap for razor is not enough for long beards. And finally ı can buy 2 edwin jagger de89/mühle r89 at same price. Why should ı your customer?
Shut up...