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Bourbon Country Shave Journal - Dave in KY
- Thread starter Dave in KY
- Start date
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thanks Guys
I second Don. As they say round these parts. "You are good people Dave". 
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thanks KenI second Don. As they say round these parts. "You are good people Dave".
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thursday September 17, 2020
Razor: Henson AL13
Blade: Wizamet (1)
Brush: @Graydog Quilt
Soap: Palmolive Stick
Aftershave 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla
Aftershave 2: CHH Tobacco
Fragrance: Mr Burberry
Saw some love for Palmolive was going around lately which caused me to grab my stick of it from it's Colgate & Co. Tin and get the great lather it always produces. It was brought to that with the help of 1 of my all time favorite brushes from Steve @Graydog
So on to the razor. A new Aluminum razor that I joined a pass around and then couldn't pass up a deal from Mark @ShaveMD in a BST sale. Yep, fell for the pass around trap again............. I don't like aluminum razors normally because I prefer some weight/heft to my razors and I do like a mid-aggressive but smooth razor. This is a light and MILD shaver that is easy to find the angle but also for me easy to lose it due to the lack of blade feel. A thinner lather helps this razor do it's job. While shaving I was thinking, This feels like I'm running a Trac II over my face but much preferred it over the cart. It was MUCH more efficient and rinsed clean with ease. I enjoyed the near mindless shave and with attention to clean up and adding a little pressure was able to get a very close shave with ZERO irritation. This razor was designed and brought to market for new converts from carts and the Henson has nailed what they were shooting for. I will probably play with the turning the handle back a little (1/2 -3/4 turn) to add aggression to it as some have and see if it helps or hinders the shave for me. On their site I see a choice between a mild and a medium aggression level. Not sure which this is or what the difference is. I can see keeping it around for occasional use and possibly a travel razor. It's a good looking razor and the tolerances it is machined to are spot on. Blade loads with ease and is secure with zero play. The end tabs of the blade are covered if that is a concern of yours. The built in Tungsten washer to protect the bottom of the base plate from scarring when threading on the handle is a very nice touch. Nice job Henson !
Topped off with the Aftershave from @Maryland998 He describes it as a basic drugstore aftershave in Germany. I guess a Skin Bracer or Aqua Velva from the states would be a comparison. Sounds good to me and was a nice one that did the job and dried down to feel good and well absorbed into the skin. Thanks again Ken, it's "Skippy" to me. Have a great day Cadre !!
Razor: Henson AL13
Blade: Wizamet (1)
Brush: @Graydog Quilt
Soap: Palmolive Stick
Aftershave 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla
Aftershave 2: CHH Tobacco
Fragrance: Mr Burberry
Saw some love for Palmolive was going around lately which caused me to grab my stick of it from it's Colgate & Co. Tin and get the great lather it always produces. It was brought to that with the help of 1 of my all time favorite brushes from Steve @Graydog
So on to the razor. A new Aluminum razor that I joined a pass around and then couldn't pass up a deal from Mark @ShaveMD in a BST sale. Yep, fell for the pass around trap again............. I don't like aluminum razors normally because I prefer some weight/heft to my razors and I do like a mid-aggressive but smooth razor. This is a light and MILD shaver that is easy to find the angle but also for me easy to lose it due to the lack of blade feel. A thinner lather helps this razor do it's job. While shaving I was thinking, This feels like I'm running a Trac II over my face but much preferred it over the cart. It was MUCH more efficient and rinsed clean with ease. I enjoyed the near mindless shave and with attention to clean up and adding a little pressure was able to get a very close shave with ZERO irritation. This razor was designed and brought to market for new converts from carts and the Henson has nailed what they were shooting for. I will probably play with the turning the handle back a little (1/2 -3/4 turn) to add aggression to it as some have and see if it helps or hinders the shave for me. On their site I see a choice between a mild and a medium aggression level. Not sure which this is or what the difference is. I can see keeping it around for occasional use and possibly a travel razor. It's a good looking razor and the tolerances it is machined to are spot on. Blade loads with ease and is secure with zero play. The end tabs of the blade are covered if that is a concern of yours. The built in Tungsten washer to protect the bottom of the base plate from scarring when threading on the handle is a very nice touch. Nice job Henson !
Topped off with the Aftershave from @Maryland998 He describes it as a basic drugstore aftershave in Germany. I guess a Skin Bracer or Aqua Velva from the states would be a comparison. Sounds good to me and was a nice one that did the job and dried down to feel good and well absorbed into the skin. Thanks again Ken, it's "Skippy" to me. Have a great day Cadre !!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thanks Guys, have a great day !Great review Dave.
Glad you enjoyed it Dave. That is a sharp looking razor. Get it sharp
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Good stuff today as always Dave! I haven't heard of the Henson Razor. There are just so many out on the market now! Have a great one my brother!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
There are quite a few razor artisans out there. Seems like I'm reading about a new one everyday I'm on here. I'm not particularly interested in mild razors, but you caught my attention with turning the handle back a bit to possibly increase the aggressiveness. That's some science I can get behind! Have a stupid good day, Dave.
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thanks Guys and nothing like getting the "Stupid Fun Day " green light from Ben
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Friday September 18, 2020
Razor: Henson AL13 Medium Plate
Blade: Wizamet (2)
Brush: @Smattayu Sorrentino Cadre Member Brush
Soap: CBL Orange Dirt
Aftershave 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla
Aftershave 2: Terre D'Hermes
Fragrance: Terre D'Hermes
Day 2 with the Henson razor and I decided to amp the efficiency up with a 1/2 turn as some have recommended. Well the 1st stroke with it like that let me know it may be more efficient as it had a definite blade feel now and actually felt harsh. Gone was the smoothness that was manufactured into it. Perhaps others that did the turn out had the mild plate instead of the medium plate. It would help if people indicate which they are using when posting to remove confusion. I am one that doesn't mind a touch of blade feel and efficiency but want it with smoothness. I'd rather take the original designed smoothness and a little more clean up to get my desired outcome. I did my 1st and 2nd pass (wtg & xtg) with the 1/2 turn but for the atg final pass went back to a properly tightened razor and immediately found the smoothness again built into this thing. If they come out with a Titanium or Tungsten model as they are indicating, I'm in the market for sure. A more aggressive plate would be nice too but ONLY if it has the smoothness built into it as well. That's it for me. I'm not big on aluminum razors but this will be my sole aluminum razor in the den as a keeper. Have a great day Cadre !!!
Razor: Henson AL13 Medium Plate
Blade: Wizamet (2)
Brush: @Smattayu Sorrentino Cadre Member Brush
Soap: CBL Orange Dirt
Aftershave 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla
Aftershave 2: Terre D'Hermes
Fragrance: Terre D'Hermes
Day 2 with the Henson razor and I decided to amp the efficiency up with a 1/2 turn as some have recommended. Well the 1st stroke with it like that let me know it may be more efficient as it had a definite blade feel now and actually felt harsh. Gone was the smoothness that was manufactured into it. Perhaps others that did the turn out had the mild plate instead of the medium plate. It would help if people indicate which they are using when posting to remove confusion. I am one that doesn't mind a touch of blade feel and efficiency but want it with smoothness. I'd rather take the original designed smoothness and a little more clean up to get my desired outcome. I did my 1st and 2nd pass (wtg & xtg) with the 1/2 turn but for the atg final pass went back to a properly tightened razor and immediately found the smoothness again built into this thing. If they come out with a Titanium or Tungsten model as they are indicating, I'm in the market for sure. A more aggressive plate would be nice too but ONLY if it has the smoothness built into it as well. That's it for me. I'm not big on aluminum razors but this will be my sole aluminum razor in the den as a keeper. Have a great day Cadre !!!
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I can't say I would never try an aluminum razor, but I can definitely say that it doesn't appeal to me. I gotta have some heft to it, and bit of aggression won't hurt me either. But smoothness? Can't sacrifice that, Dave. Have a stupid great day, hermano!
Dave in KY
Shave Newbie
Thanks hermano, you too. I'm out the door....
I'm with Ben on this one. I usually like some heft to the razor.
But in the scent department...Orange Dirt? Terre D'Hermes...damn to you smell good!
But in the scent department...Orange Dirt? Terre D'Hermes...damn to you smell good!