The more razors I try the more I lean towards mild with a sharp blade (this seems to be a common pattern here). I want to buy a new precision-engineered, hi-tech razor to be my "last" razor. (I know, I know, but I'm giving it a shot; I didn't say last soap though!) I don't want to pull the trigger on the wrong pick and keep adding to the pile, especially at this price range, so I'm writing here asking for help in making an educated decision. The razors on my radar are the Hone Type 15, Feather AS-D2, and Henson AL13. There is also Tatara, but I use KAI blades and read here that the two are incompatible.
I bought a Henson already and it gets a lot of things right, but is not the razor for me. I like the effortless perfect reveal, the handle length, and the smooth, open wash channels. I like the curved sides of the head that seat between your pinch. I don't like the handle design, the weight, or the other aspects of the head design. I prefer smooth profile knurling to the disruptive raised bars and slightly more weight. I don't like that you need to hold the head steeper than flush to get the right angle, defeating the purpose of the design. I don't like that it can't get as steep as conventional heads because of how high it rises above the reveal. I do miss having a bar that flattens the skin with minor pressure. I'm honestly not sure where I stand on the extreme clamping; part of me feels it's less accommodating to the human condition.
I worry that the Hone 15s might be too heavy and slippery, so I'm considering the 15a. The logic being, light will want to slip less. Do let me know your experience between the two. I'm especially curious to know if the smooth handle gives any grip at all.
I don't know much about the AS-D2 except that many people like it, it has those horizontal blade holders instead of posts (like the Henson), and has an obnoxious logo on the head (like the Hone but more so) unfitting for its price point.
What precision milds do you recommend for a great shave and why? Both on and off my radar.
I bought a Henson already and it gets a lot of things right, but is not the razor for me. I like the effortless perfect reveal, the handle length, and the smooth, open wash channels. I like the curved sides of the head that seat between your pinch. I don't like the handle design, the weight, or the other aspects of the head design. I prefer smooth profile knurling to the disruptive raised bars and slightly more weight. I don't like that you need to hold the head steeper than flush to get the right angle, defeating the purpose of the design. I don't like that it can't get as steep as conventional heads because of how high it rises above the reveal. I do miss having a bar that flattens the skin with minor pressure. I'm honestly not sure where I stand on the extreme clamping; part of me feels it's less accommodating to the human condition.
I worry that the Hone 15s might be too heavy and slippery, so I'm considering the 15a. The logic being, light will want to slip less. Do let me know your experience between the two. I'm especially curious to know if the smooth handle gives any grip at all.
I don't know much about the AS-D2 except that many people like it, it has those horizontal blade holders instead of posts (like the Henson), and has an obnoxious logo on the head (like the Hone but more so) unfitting for its price point.
What precision milds do you recommend for a great shave and why? Both on and off my radar.
