Hey @Wgg2017 seems you are a serious case of "you should use an OC to leave some lather on your face" and get an Ares!
Wow. You noticed a lot of things for the first shave. It took me months to spot all these nuances of how the razor functions. Glad it worked so well for you.First shave with Lambda Athena.
After feeling their working qualities, I have to say that the unique design and perfect craftsmanship take a back seat. The focus definitely shifts to how he shaves. I have to admit that when I looked at the technical specifications, a gap of only 0.34 mm and zero blade exposure, I expected a compromise shave, at the expense of comfort. Well, nothing like that!
The theoretical specifications, in no way, suggest the practical possibilities and the way it actually shaves.
Got my easiest and fastest BBS today with absolutely no irritation. It shows that it was made by an excellent engineer with experience, skill and passion for shaving. This shaver is at least as efficient as the Muhle Rocca, and quite possibly more so (I have yet to find out) and is very close to the Blackbird, but the shaving comfort it offers is on a whole other level. (I compare with the mentioned razors, because of the ones I have, it is the closest to them in terms of efficiency). It's so soft, gentle and smooth that I feel like I can shave with just water. I don't use alum constantly, because for me personally, it irritates more than the other way around. But when I try a new razor, I check how much it scratched me. But now, I didn't feel anything, like running an ice pack over my face. You don't feel alum, you don't feel aftershave... total boredom. I guess the reasons for this performance are clever engineering decisions in the design of the head.
Even after the first rinse, I realized that the head holds water and gradually releases it when it is passed over the skin, thus creating extra slipperiness. BUT, it can drip more than one would like. If you don't want this water to stay in your head, you can shake the razor sideways and it will fall. The rinsing itself is also very interesting. When the jet of water hits the safety strip, the foam and water are removed from the grooves directed on both sides, coming out literally in jets. In fact, I've noticed that the lather comes out through these holes when shaving itself, even without rinsing.
According to the engineer who designed the razor, this specification ensures that the head will never clog and at the same time foam will not be driven towards the handle.
The blade grips perfectly between the two plates, without any vibration (so-called chatter or rattle) which makes shaving against the hair significantly more comfortable than any others I've tried.
I followed her for quite some time, but did not order because there was no availability, and I did not want to wait three months and more, signing up for the preliminary lists.
Now that I have already tried it, I understand that this is indeed a very special razor that is unlike any of the others I have, not only in appearance, but also in performance.
It definitely exceeded my expectations and I'm glad I was lucky enough to get it so easily, skipping the pesky pre-lists.
I haven't seen those, Guido...Until now. Thanks for posting the photo.
My understanding is that the SS, Copper and Titanium were all specs and special orders. The SS Athena was a small production run of 25. These are not in his main portfolio for purchase.
Do you have to contact him about say a Titanium or Copperwaiting list or how ?
By my measurement both the Athena and the Ares handles are 3.75 inches (95.25 mm)
THX.
This sums up my experience with this razor so far. I have a few razors that I (used to) lean on for a great and predictable shave. My Timeless .68sb or bronze.38 and my tech. I do need to make minor adjustments in angle and pressure (shush, it's British spiral handled aluminum tech and it ways less than a fart), and pair it with the right blade.
Lambda Athena | Stirling's Unscented with Beeswax | Feather | C&H 26mm G5C | Myrsol's Antesol | Stirling's Glacial Unscented PSB
