Apologies for the delay. I couldn’t post last night as I had a job issue that I had to attend too. Without further ado, my final thoughts on the Stirling razors....
Though my stay was short with the razors and I would have loved to have shaven with each razor for a week, those two shaves with each one of them gave me more than enough feedback for a solid feel and a definite direction on where I would be heading in acquiring one or both of these Stirling creations. The fit and finish is excellent on both of them from the handle screwing into the top cap thread, to the cap and base squeezing down on the blade locking it into place giving both solid support and rigidity. The feel in the hands is of a top notch tool that feels both luxurious & purposeful with a tactile presence that they both mean business. The knurling that is offered by both handles is superb and though they are both offered differently on the length of each handle, they present one with more than sufficient grip to allow some adjustability on how one would like to hold these tools.
The HA is exactly what Rod at Stirling says that it is. It’s a whisker whacking beast that has some manners to it. Think Ikon Tech blade feel with near Timeless vice-like clamping on the blade, properly supported. Make no mistake about it, this razor was designed & built to give the user more blade feel and be the de facto 1-2 pass razor in one’s arsenal. You like blade feel? Check. You want to get done in 2 passes or less with NO touch ups required? Double Check. You like your Ikon Tech but, you want better construction or a hommina-hommina exotic alloy? Check. Do you like to oogle & aah your shiny new facial hair terrorist? Again, Check. Yet, this thing has some manners because even though it is a forward feeling blade razor, it’s smoother than the I-Tech and just as efficient. That was my only two issues with the I-Tech. The make up in alloy and the blade flex because I feel it’s not as properly supported as it could have been. The HA solves that very, very nicely. If you do not like blade feel on your face, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU.... If you do, get your charge card ready, pay down your debt, send the wife and kids on a vacation when this razor becomes available. You will want to be alone when you get this razor in your hands and get your first shave in as you will giggle uncontrollably in sheer delight. Like a 3rd grade school girl sitting next to her crush at recess. It’s totally worth it in my estimation. It will give you one of the finest, closest shaves you’ve experienced. You’ll get some nice skin exfoliation as an added bonus if you treat it with disrespect. I’d recommend it to anyone except for the newbie that just got his/her first DE and is still sporting their Huggies. If you know your razor and have a good foundation on shave technique, a 6 month private to a grizzled battle tested razor vet of many years will find success with the HA.
The ST is an excellent performer as well. And to be truthful and blatantly honest, I liked the ST more. I know, I just pulled all the manly hairs out from my chest and waxed out my bikini line after going all out, full testosterone mode on the HA. Hear me out on this one. I love blade feel as I still do straight shave on occasion and will always do so. I have plenty of blade forward razors that give me nearly the same shave feel as the HA, just not as beautifully made or constructed of a premium alloy. The PAA EVO SS, Ikon El Jefe, I-Tech, Asylum RX and a couple of others as well. The EVO & RX are both constructed of premium alloy but, not as beautiful to look at (in my eyes) as the Stirling razors. These two razors almost have a Timeless like look to them though they are quite different in design and head geometry. The ST cemented itself into my mind as a go to everyday shaver that cuts hair with nearly that same efficiency of it’s bigger brother, the HA but, does it with substantially less blade feel. Sort of like somewhere in between a Gamechanger .84 SB & a Timeless .95 SB. Nearly in the middle but, tuned more toward the Timeless .95 side. It felt so good on the face that I nearly had it racing across my face after the first stroke. It was fantastic on the ATG strokes with nice audible feedback from the razor. The HA shows it as well, perhaps more so but, you need to pay more attention with it as well or it can be well, you know, distressing. The ST gave me solid 12-13 hours of shaved skin smoothness losing only by 3-4 hours to the HA in total longevity. Nevertheless, the quality of shaves (2 only) were superb and never ever did I feel it would try to turn on me and bite. It was love at first shave, seriously.
So, where would I go? Both if you asked me and my manly compulsive side. Truthfully though, the Misses knows I’m onto these and she’s already conceded on me getting one. I’ve tried on two for quite some time. Every time I bring it up and mention the release is coming soon with a limited number of razors, she asks me one question. “Honey, do you like sleeping in our bed or, would you prefer the couch indefinitely?” I always cringe and bow my head slowly walking away and mumbling “You, Dear”.
It’s the ST for me. Besides, I like sleeping with my Old Lady....
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Hope the ST is better for you 
