Eating a little crow - fastest dethroning of favorite razor ever

[rgod55]

I chased those unicorns for the first several years. In that period I bought and sold too many razors, soaps and creams to count. For me getting that great shave was more about technique and patience. With that said I wouldn’t change anything with what I did. Looking for razors in the wild has given me countless hours of enjoyment. I met dealers in antique malls that were passionate about what they did. Many held razors for me and I still see them occasionally.

The best part of this was finding Badger and Blade. The forum has evolved into so much more than shaving. The mods and the members are the best on the net.

I concur. This site and all the info has been amazing for someone just lurking and slowly dabbling into this hobby. The conversations and amount of thought put into posts brings such pleasure to read. Thank you all!

 

[D19M]

I was blown away by the Henson the first time I tried and nothing has changed over the last few months.

It's still the best razor I have used, it works with every blade I have put in it.

I am not interested in looking for a replacement for it, brushes and creams are a different matter and I am likely to try new products.

 

[thombrogan]

@D19M , I’ve never tried the DS Cosmetic synths you use, but I have one of their silvertip badger brushes and it’s a unique experience. My favorite synths use G5C, G5A, and Titanium UHD knots from @apshaveco The G5x knots each feel like one might expect badger to feel, but in different ways (and without being scratchy, smelly, or expensive). The Titanium UHD has a different luxury feel that’s also amazing and it seems to make perfect lathers faster. If you want a lather-exploding wall of luxurious floof, I’m a fan of those knots and have suspicions that others may also enjoy them.

I’m also biased for the AP ShaveCo G5C knot because it was set in a cream-colored handle with a dinosaur skull etched on its side.

I have an AL13+ in blue and it’s growing on me. Its 0.25mm of positive exposure is a gentle teacher.

 

[Brutus]

Don’t beat you up over it; as Voltaire said: ”The best is the enemy of the good”.

I stay away from “best ever” superlatives (Don’t you dread these mediocre “best ever” videos on the Internet?), as a better solution might be just around the corner.


But that does not keep me from being interested in what is “best” at this moment and sometimes I even part with my money.
To err is human.


Regarding Hensons, maybe I was only lucky , because none of their razors ever appealed to me.


B.

 

[Phoenixkh]

John, since this is your thread, I thought I'd say Happy Birthday here... so, Happy Birthday.

 

[Razrnewb]

I agree with @nemo one has to give a product some time to properly evaluate it. I think a lot of folks dump a razor or a soap too soon before they understand it. It took me two weeks to get the most out of the Henson AL13++, but then it was giving me consistent, comfortable BBS shaves with my favorite blades. It did not do that for the first week, however.

It took me just about 5 shaves with the Yaqi Ghost Ti 70, it was less different from my other razors than the Henson, I guess. But now I have that dialed in and it's giving me the same great shaves the Henson does. Not better, mind you, but I just like the feel, the heft, the balance of the Yaqi, it's more familiar to my hand.

But now I understand the enthusiasm people have for other high-end razors like the Blackland Blackbird. Soaps can take me from maybe 3 shaves to a couple weeks to truly figure out. Blades, I'll usually use several before passing judgment on them. The idea that one can instantly figure out new hardware/software is false, I think.

I suspect there are another half dozen razors I may like as much as the Yaqi, but at this point, I think I'm done. How do you get better than repeated, daily BBS shaves with absolutely no irritation at all? Where do you go from there? I think I'm going to PIF a few razors I never use anymore and trim the herd a little.

Edited for clarity.

We’ve all done it or will eventually. I cant count how many times I’ve seen post here about the greatest razor ever and then seen the same guy post that same razor on BST soon after. I’ve done it myself after technique improved or being exposed to something different or better.

 

[JCinPA]

Funny, now I’ve replaced the Ghost 70 with the Ghost 90! I think it’s over. But I’m not sticking my neck out like that now.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

What do you find the difference between the two to be and what makes the 90 better than the 70 for you.

 

[JCinPA]

What do you find the difference between the two to be and what makes the 90 better than the 70 for you.

They are both very comfortable shaves, and both feel very safe, but there is a bit more blade exposure in the 90. The 70 is closer to the Henson AL13++ in blade exposure. The 70 was recommended to me by @Dtownvino who also has the Henson. He likes the heft and the fact you can control the angle better, and I agree.

I love the Henson, but I got a short handle for it, they no longer make, which I prefer, but it's still a super-light razor, and I agree the heft and feel of the 70 is more familiar. When I got the 90, I also got a monster of a handle, I think the combo is about 81 grams, and it reminds me of the feel of old Ikon or other makes of solid steel handles. And I love the look of it.

Frankly, I get the same quality of shave from all three razors with the same comfort level. Now that I understand the Henson it feels fine to me. But I'd say just from the familiarity of the feel, one of the Yaqi razors would be my choice. For a new shaver, I'd recommend the Henson without hesitation.

I'll likely use the Henson again tomorrow, it's been a couple weeks, but I find the shaves to be equally good. The 90 feels to me like a DE89 (only safer) with a heavy handle and I think it's strictly preference for me. Hope that helps.

The shave will be very close to the same with either the 70 or 90. If you like a bit of blade feel, just because, go for the 90.

 

[JCinPA]

@DrakeMegrim

Well, now that I've gotten used to three razors over the last couple months ...

• Henson AL13++
• Yaqi Ghost 70Ti
• Yaqi Ghost 90SB on Ti spiral handle

I just rotated between them a day at a time, 3 shaves on a BIC Chrome and what I can tell you is they all shave the same. Just as efficient, just as close, just as safe, just as comfortable afterwards. My last 3 shaves in the What did you use today thread were all 9.5/10 DFS+ shaves, using Ethos Dragonsbeard, S.V. Opuntia, and Tabac (tallow) soaps, followed by Thayer's WH and various aftershaves, and I can tell no difference in the shave quality or comfort.

So it comes down to personal preference. For whatever reason, or no reason at all, really, I seem to prefer the heavier Ghost 90 and I like the blade feel, probably because it reminds me of either the Merkur 34C or he EJDE89 on a heavy steel handle. Just feels familiar. Between the Ghost 70 or the Henson, I really have no preference, I guess. I'm an expert with the Henson at this point, but the 70 feels more familiar, if that makes sense. But I'm really indifferent between using those two.

I want to emphasize I can tell no difference in the shaves. At my experience level, with these three razors, I get identical end results with all three, no discernable difference in closeness or comfort, post-shave.

Not helping you if you're making a decision, am I?

 

[DesertIguana]

I think people who find something that work well, some time fall in to trap.

Seeking better, some time you drop big buck on something sexy, and new.

But find it hard to say after dropping big buck. Old Cheap Vintage is best.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

You are not! It's okay. I bought a Slim from BST and will likely keep using that for a very long time before upgrading but we seem to have similar preferences so I was just curious what you thought.

 

[Lurking_Grue]

As an aside, if you like the Yaqi, you might want to support the companies who actually put the time and money and sweat into designing and making the original razors that Yaqi ripped off in China.

Paradigm and Yates, for starters, deserve some credit.