I'm struggling with the logistics of both (light weight, mainly) ... who else has struggled with these and why (aside from the obvious "too mild", of course)?
Anyone here not like the Henson Mild or Moderate -- curious to know why
- Thread starter Greg788
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I’ve tried for several months with a Henson Medium. Different blades, angles, prep. I know my lather had a great part in my lack of success, so now that I’ve improved it to a much better consistency, I revisited my Henson. I made a comparison almost side by side with a SuperSpeed, same blade, soap, prep, and etc. There is no comparison in my book, the SuperSpeed feels much efficient and smooth. This last attempt with a Henson brought me irritation I hadn’t had in quite some time. Apparently my face just doesn’t like it. My beard isn’t coarse at all, but still the Henson pulls or tugs instead of cutting. Maybe I’ll try again in a couple more months (or years). For now I’ll just enjoy my SuperSpeed
I didn't like the weight - too light obviously - the absence of blade feel and the fact that you can't change the angle. I feel like I'm told what to do. I gave it to a friend who shaves head and he loves it. I barely did two shaves. Usually I put aside a razor I dislike in order to try it later on like @The Blackadder but for this one it was too much of a stretch.
Iridian
Cool and slimy
I am suspicious of first time posters with a loaded question.
I was interested in trying the aggressive version the +++. Although I did read one review where the threads stripped. I’m guessing those machine threads in aluminum are the problem. That’s one of the reasons I always prefer stainless steel razors.
There are many here who are fans of the Henson as well as many who prefer other razors. If you don't like the Henson, there are plenty of other options. What else have you tried, and with what results?
Handled Henson ALUMINUM, the handle cot be did not say I will stay in wet hand. Felt light n awkward.
Henson is selling to those who love product, heard some place its a great Razor, or bought their hype.
Henson is selling to those who love product, heard some place its a great Razor, or bought their hype.
The Henson works really well for lots of people and not so well for others. For me, it shaved well, but I don't like aluminum or Ti razors because of the lack of weight...they're just too light.
Now having said that, I have a Shave It "Shadow" aluminum razor and it's a terrific razor. It's the only aluminum I'll probably ever have again. I live in Canada and it's from a Canadian company that's unfortunately, going out of business.
Now having said that, I have a Shave It "Shadow" aluminum razor and it's a terrific razor. It's the only aluminum I'll probably ever have again. I live in Canada and it's from a Canadian company that's unfortunately, going out of business.
Henson has a lifetime warranty and will replace the razor if something like that happens. I personally had a titanium razor with the brass threads replaced with no issues.
A very common misconception that has largely fossilised into accepted fact around here.
Henson themselves have long maintained that the range of effective shave angles on a Henson razor is as large or slightly larger than most DE razors.
In my experience using all their razors, I totally agree. I find my Hensons to have larger "sweet spots" than my vintage Gillettes, for instance.
Scroll down to "available shave angles" for the official explanation.
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I repost this periodically because this misconception is so thoroughly entrenched...
First time I've seen that. Interesting.
Iridian
Cool and slimy
@Theodore hmm let's start out that I removed the facepalm smiley in order not to alienate you, I found this quite hard to believe. This "as large or slightly larger" thing. I just looked at my Henson and the whole cabinet of other razors. My left cheek sees quite some dry testing lately. Yes, there is a little leeway. Can I go as shallow as with my Chiseled Face Legacy or Wunderbar, or steep as with the Wolfman WR2 clones... just no.
Well, maybe some of the milder vintage Gillettes with little gap, but I seriously challenge Henson's statement there. It is even what their razor is all about, locking in the angle very much.
Well, maybe some of the milder vintage Gillettes with little gap, but I seriously challenge Henson's statement there. It is even what their razor is all about, locking in the angle very much.
I don't have a Henson anymore, but I did have all three versions at one point. The mild (+) version was very inefficient for me regardless of angle. FWIW, my experience doesn't agree with what Henson says on that page at all.
I would add, though, that the "aggressive" (+++) Henson worked acceptably for me, and I would guess that that the slightly increased blade exposure would allow for a bit more leeway in the shaving angle.
My theory as to why the mild and medium performed so poorly for me is that I have some patches of stubble along my jawline and on my neck where the hair grows almost flat. To cut that stubble effectively with the mild and medium Hensons required a fair amount of pressure. With the mild, I had to do more than 3 passes just to get an acceptable looking shave, but I had a fair amount of irritation due to the increased pressure required. The medium was a bit better, and I could get a socially acceptable-looking shave in about 3 passes. The aggressive was the best for me, but I had a lot of razors I like better so I sold it. In my mind you can get better performance for the same or less money.
This is just my personal experience, of course. Many report that the Henson works very well for them, and that's great!
My theory as to why the mild and medium performed so poorly for me is that I have some patches of stubble along my jawline and on my neck where the hair grows almost flat. To cut that stubble effectively with the mild and medium Hensons required a fair amount of pressure. With the mild, I had to do more than 3 passes just to get an acceptable looking shave, but I had a fair amount of irritation due to the increased pressure required. The medium was a bit better, and I could get a socially acceptable-looking shave in about 3 passes. The aggressive was the best for me, but I had a lot of razors I like better so I sold it. In my mind you can get better performance for the same or less money.
This is just my personal experience, of course. Many report that the Henson works very well for them, and that's great!
Iridian
Cool and slimy
I have the Medium Aluminum version, always wonder if the Ti +++ version would give me that little bit extra.
Not to derail the thread further, but I'm a Henson fan (I like all 3) and my experience agrees with this. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't find that there's much leeway with shave angles for the mild or medium, though the aggressive has enough blade exposure that I can deviate from the given angle a fair amount. I'm curious how Henson came up with that range for the mild.
I've found I prefer heavier razors. The light weight and the (IMO) ugly handle on the Henson just don't do it for me. For me the (sadly discontinued) steel Winning razor is better than the Hensons, while others have said they like the Henson better. (Yates said they are going to put out an updated Winning at some point. Will be interesting to see!)
I would also say that, IMO, no matter whether you like the Henson or not, I am glad it's there in the market, because the competition is good for the consumer.
I would also say that, IMO, no matter whether you like the Henson or not, I am glad it's there in the market, because the competition is good for the consumer.
I have the Henson mild & I used it for about a month solid after I first received it. I have experience with many vintage & modern DE razors, as well as numerous SE razors (injector / artist club / GEM), but the first few shaves with the Henson were decidedly rough & I felt like a shaving beginner again. Thereafter the shaves improved, but they were not carefree, as I did need to concentrate to avoid cuts & irritation.
My main issue with the Henson was that when using the built-in cutting angle, with the flat plane of the razor's head against my skin, the razor tended to keep sticking & not move smoothly over my face. I mostly alleviated this problem by swapping to a more slick soap (Palmolive Original, or Tabac) from my usual Proraso (green tub). I have also experienced the "sticking" issue with my Blackland Blackbird, which has a similar head geometry to the Henson. Using a steeper angle with the Henson reduces drag, but leaves my face both irritated & not very clean shaven.
I have gone back to using my Feather AS-D2 as my daily driver, with a few of my other razors occasionally making a guest appearance. Out of the guest razors, my Razorock Game Changer 0.68 is the closest in terms of performance to the Feather, it just needs slightly more care in use & it doesn't shave quite as closely. The differences are tiny though.
I did break out my Henson again last week, but after a couple of disappointing shaves, which were neither particularly close, nor comfortable when compared to the Feather, I returned it back to the shoe-box in my wardrobe where it normally resides. In fairness I did use my preferred Proraso soap with the Henson, but even with a slicker soap, the Feather is just much easier to use & provides better results.
My main issue with the Henson was that when using the built-in cutting angle, with the flat plane of the razor's head against my skin, the razor tended to keep sticking & not move smoothly over my face. I mostly alleviated this problem by swapping to a more slick soap (Palmolive Original, or Tabac) from my usual Proraso (green tub). I have also experienced the "sticking" issue with my Blackland Blackbird, which has a similar head geometry to the Henson. Using a steeper angle with the Henson reduces drag, but leaves my face both irritated & not very clean shaven.
I have gone back to using my Feather AS-D2 as my daily driver, with a few of my other razors occasionally making a guest appearance. Out of the guest razors, my Razorock Game Changer 0.68 is the closest in terms of performance to the Feather, it just needs slightly more care in use & it doesn't shave quite as closely. The differences are tiny though.
I did break out my Henson again last week, but after a couple of disappointing shaves, which were neither particularly close, nor comfortable when compared to the Feather, I returned it back to the shoe-box in my wardrobe where it normally resides. In fairness I did use my preferred Proraso soap with the Henson, but even with a slicker soap, the Feather is just much easier to use & provides better results.
I am a Henson fan and I also agree. I also like that Henson sets the angle for you. Most razors have an angle they work best at, the Henson is just more direct about it. I really enjoy a drama-free shave and this helps a lot. But the +++ with the 0.1mm exposure can work at more angles and you have to be more careful, given that exposure.
@Sceptic Pencil, this is just me, but I never did get good lathers with proraso green tubs, moving on to better soaps made all my razors work much, much better
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