Menlo Nealon

[gvw755]

I just received the Menlo Nealon as part of a pass around. Menlo Shaving is a new company and the Nealon is it's first product. Like the rest of the razors coming out these days, this one is CNC machined stainless steel.



The razor itself was very well machined and finished. The design was interesting in that it had the top of the base plate scalloped in addition to the cap. The curve on the handle was very elegant in design, however the smoothness concerned me prior to my first shave.




Upon closer inspection prior to the first shave, I couldn't help but focus on the gap between the blade and the guard. There definitely was a positive blade exposure, but in addition to this, there was a large area under the blade that could be a problem. The guard was rounded and was raised upward to minimize the space (unlike the Stirling HA), but it was still something that I needed to figure out how to handle while shaving.



The razor came with three handles and so I started with the original production handle which was slightly shorter - the 92mm 4 groove. I started WTG riding the cap a little more than I usually do, and that seem to minimize my concerns with the blade. There was still blade feel to it, and adjusting the angle slightly showed that I was already at the most minimum blade feel I could get. I shaved very slowly, always being aware of what the razor was doing against my face. The WTG pass went very well and I could have stopped there with a near BBS. I decided to lather up again and move to my ATG pass because I was learning this razor. The ATG pass went slightly better, probably because there was less stubble to shave off. I did notice that although the smooth handle did not cause any problems with wet hands, I just could not find a secure enough grip for the razor to feel comfortable in my hand. Tomorrow I will switch to the 97mm waffle handle to see it that improves things.

Although I just needed a touch up, I decided on my usual XTG pass along my jaw line and under my chin. I ended up with a BBS+.

My initial impression of the Nealon is that this is a razor that needs your constant attention. If you are already late leaving the house for an important meeting, pull out your R89, do not pick up the Nealon. However, I must admit that the reward of your constant attention is that you will end up with one of the most efficient shaves of any razor.

Tomorrow, I will use the longer handle and probably experiment with riding the bar on some areas to see if I can get more efficiency by doing that.

This is definitely an interesting razor.

 

[GearNoir]

Interesting! Can’t say I’m enamored with the design or that gap though

 

[EMG06]

Nice review @gvw755 !
I wonder what advantages come with scalloping the top of the baseplate? Seems like it would just serve to reduce the contact between the blade and baseplate. This would perhaps lead to a less well clamped more chattery blade, so it would seem like they’ve done more work in milling more metal for a design disadvantage to me? Anybody have thoughts on what the scalloped baseplate adds?

 

[Luecke3262]

That sounds pretty great!

 

[Fightingillini22]

Nice review @gvw755 !
I wonder what advantages come with scalloping the top of the baseplate? Seems like it would just serve to reduce the contact between the blade and baseplate. This would perhaps lead to a less well clamped more chattery blade, so it would seem like they’ve done more work in milling more metal for a design disadvantage to me? Anybody have thoughts on what the scalloped baseplate adds?

Not sure I would have really thought about it but now that you call that out, I'm curious too! My logic would seem to land on the same conclusion you did, though, and that the shave would be a little more feedback heavy as a result.

 

[gvw755]

Nice review @gvw755 !
I wonder what advantages come with scalloping the top of the baseplate? Seems like it would just serve to reduce the contact between the blade and baseplate. This would perhaps lead to a less well clamped more chattery blade, so it would seem like they’ve done more work in milling more metal for a design disadvantage to me? Anybody have thoughts on what the scalloped baseplate adds?

Originally when I just saw the prototype, I thought that maybe it might have bee a throwback to some of those vintage razors that passed the lather through to the other side, like the Wardonia, however once I had it in hand, I know that it was not the case. The blade clamps well because the point of contact between the cap and the base is at the very edge where the scalloping starts. I am only guessing that other than pure aesthetics it was probably done to minimize the weight of the head, which would also explain the step down for the guard instead of the normal thick base plate.

 

[gvw755]

Second shave with the Nealon tonight. Last night I started off the way I usually do when shaving with a new razor - I ride the cap where I feel comfortable and adjust either higher or lower depending on the blade feel and noise. The Nealon had significant blade feel and so I adjusted it angle higher almost to the point of barely touching the guard to my face. Tonight I swapped handles and used the 97mm waffle, which did switch the balance slightly enough to feel comfortable in my hand. I also started off by riding the guard almost to the point of barely touching the cap to my face. I was completely blown away by the results.

Before moving on to the shave, I have to say that after last night's shave, there was not much to shave off tonight. The Nealon's shave lasted nearly 24 hours.

WTG pass went very smoothly without any blade feel. Like last night, I could have stopped after the WTG pass with a DFS+. I continued with the ATG pass and again, no blade feel and a very comfortable pass. I could have done just minimal touch up, but continued on with an XTG pass along my jaw line and under my chin. I ended up again with a BBS+, however the difference between last night and tonight was that riding the bar produced a slightly more efficient shave and a significantly more comfortable one.

I will keep the longer handle on for my final shave tomorrow night and will probably fool around with more angles, although I suspect I will end up riding the bar once again.

 

[Spider]

this is a razor that needs your constant attention

And I'm out.

 

[gvw755]

Final shave with the Nealon tonight. At the last minute since I was lathering my Hawaiian Shaving Co Laupahoehoe soap, I decided to swap handles and use my Hawaiian Milo wood handle.



As with the previous night, there was not much stubble to shave off, however I lathered up anyway. For the WTG pass, I tried an in between angle, and there was significant blade feel and noise. the shave was efficient though and so for those that need to hear the razor do it's work, I guess this would be the angle. I eventually reverted back to riding the bar for ATG and it was very smooth and efficient. It appears that the Nealon was designed to be a bar rider. I finished up with an XTG along my jaw line and under my chin only because that was what I did the previous nights. Another comfortable and efficient BBS.

I have to admit that the Nealon impressed me very much. I am not sure I will end up getting one only because my preference is to ride the cap and not the bar too much, however I am also very aware that the Nealon has given me three great and consistent shaves for the time I had it.