Gillette Slim v Henson AL13

[Bud2024]

Tonight, I decided to pull out my Gillette Slim because I have forgotten what a shave on the 1 setting was like. I was really curious as to how it would compare to my recent shaves with the Henson.

I put a new Astra SP in my Slim and went at it. It seemed to me that the Slim was more forgiving when it came to angle. To my surprise, this didn’t result in greater efficiency than the Henson. The shave didn’t feel comfortable on my two-day stubble. It felt like there was some tugging and pulling in certain areas such as my chin. The result was pretty disappointing as there seemed to be quite a bit of places where touch ups were needed. Now, I haven’t used this razor in a while, so perhaps my technique with it is rusty. I’ve also heard it said that certain blades just work better for some razors. Perhaps, had I used a Feather, the results would’ve been better.

I had an Astra SP with a few shaves under its belt in my Henson and decided to do a second pass again WTG with the Henson because so many touch ups were needed. Well, the Henson performed beautifully as usual. I know the Slim took down the brunt of the stubble, but the Henson performed just as beautifully with some second-day stubble in past shaves. My question was: is the Henson that much better than a Gillette adjustable on a 1? I can confirm that it certainly is. I continue to be impressed by this razor.

 

[srgjazz]

A Slim is ineffective at the lower settings. My experience is you need to set it around 4 or 5 before it shaves well. 7 was ideal for me. The Henson + and ++ worked for me.

 

[Leo K]

This is helpful because I am getting serious about buying a Henson, the mild version.

 

[willk93]

This is helpful because I am getting serious about buying a Henson, the mild version.

The mild AL13 is my desert island razor. If I could only have one, this would be it

 

[StewB]

This is helpful because I am getting serious about buying a Henson, the mild version.

If you buy from Henson's web site they have a generous return policy for first time customers. If you decide to get the Henson, I would be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences with it.

 

[Joezamboni]

I think the Henson has a solid market for certain sensitive skin types and for head shavers like me. However it does require attention to angle to get an effective shave and any Gillette adjustable between setting 5-7 (depending on model and blade) will give me a closer shave with less attention to angle on my face, even compared to a Henson Aggressive. My face is much more forgiving though.

The Henson is a solid razor for sensitive skin types/areas in a way the Gillette really can‘t achieve. Ultimately it’s up to the user to determine that though.

 

[D19M]

This is helpful because I am getting serious about buying a Henson, the mild version.

They are great razors

 

[awk_m4]

My vintage Gillette's are all very good razors: I have the Slim, Fatboy, and Tech.

My Henson's are exceptional razors. I'm a daily head shaver and I've been using them exclusively for two years.

Henson Razor First Use: October 14, 2021
"First ever Face and Head shave with the Henson AL 13 Mild. I had my doubts with the small blade gap but the results just blew me away! Ridiculously good!"

Henson Usage (number of shaves) through 12/10/2024
Total shave with Henson Razors: 1142
Detailed breakdown by aggression:

Henson + = 617
Henson ++ = 222
Henson +++ = 303

 

[abies]

I use a Slim almost daily, love really mild razors — the smoothest shaves for me are my Tatara Muramasa between 1 and 2 — and even I don't use the Slim at 1. Usually it's at least 2. That's the beauty of an adjustable I suppose.

 

[tm3]

This is helpful because I am getting serious about buying a Henson, the mild version.

Henson mild is one of my most impressive DE razors. You may come to the same conclusion, depending on what type of DE you tend to favor (I like milder razors, and occasionally pull out the Fusion or Mach 3).

 

[Leo K]

Henson mild is one of my most impressive DE razors. You may come to the same conclusion, depending on what type of DE you tend to favor (I like milder razors, and occasionally pull out the Fusion or Mach 3).

I mostly only use mild razors, such as the Gillette Blue Tip Super Speed, Ball-end Tech, Fatboy set at 2, etc. I am very hopeful now the Henson will work really well!

 

[Doc Dan]

My Gillette Tech, ca. 1946-1949, is a good shaver, and mild. However, overall, the Henson beats all of my Gillettes, Razorocks, and other brands of razors. I have the AL13 +, ++, and +++ and like them all. I also have a Ti22 ++. I like the way they took laboratory science to solve the shave. I also like the connection to the space industry (my father helped put the first men into space, on the moon, and on the first space station).

 

[creamgravy]

I didn't realise the Slim on 1 could actually cut hair, I always thought it was a travel setting when you didn't want to damage the blade

The Henson is a modern classic.

 

[Bud2024]

I didn't realise the Slim on 1 could actually cut hair, I always thought it was a travel setting when you didn't want to damage the blade

The Henson is a modern classic.

I very recently acquired a Fatboy and it has done a fantastic job on a 1. I got such a great shave in only two passes. I may have to put it head-to-head against my Slim because it was amazing. I would be totally happy if the Fatboy was the only razor that I could own for the rest of my life. Perhaps wear and tear or a factory defect caused such a difference, but my Fatboy seemed to be significantly better than my Slim on a 1. They both appear quite minty though.

 

[Doc Dan]

I've got the James Bond Gillette Slim and I've never been wowed by the way it shaves. it does the job, but isn't the most comfortable razor I own. Back in my youth I also had a Fatboy and remember it being better.

 

[Alex Jr]

I've got the James Bond Gillette Slim and I've never been wowed by the way it shaves. it does the job, but isn't the most comfortable razor I own. Back in my youth I also had a Fatboy and remember it being better.

Same here. I use and cherish all my vintages but once you feel what real blade rigidity feels like you can never go back. Those TTOs are not comfortable ATG for me and my hard stubborn stubble.

Techs can be a little better, but not quite there as well.

 

[profusion]

I can't get a close shave at all with a Slim any lower than 3.

 

[razorfool]

Tonight, I decided to pull out my Gillette Slim because I have forgotten what a shave on the 1 setting was like. I was really curious as to how it would compare to my recent shaves with the Henson.

I put a new Astra SP in my Slim and went at it. It seemed to me that the Slim was more forgiving when it came to angle. To my surprise, this didn’t result in greater efficiency than the Henson. The shave didn’t feel comfortable on my two-day stubble. It felt like there was some tugging and pulling in certain areas such as my chin. The result was pretty disappointing as there seemed to be quite a bit of places where touch ups were needed. Now, I haven’t used this razor in a while, so perhaps my technique with it is rusty. I’ve also heard it said that certain blades just work better for some razors. Perhaps, had I used a Feather, the results would’ve been better.

I had an Astra SP with a few shaves under its belt in my Henson and decided to do a second pass again WTG with the Henson because so many touch ups were needed. Well, the Henson performed beautifully as usual. I know the Slim took down the brunt of the stubble, but the Henson performed just as beautifully with some second-day stubble in past shaves. My question was: is the Henson that much better than a Gillette adjustable on a 1? I can confirm that it certainly is. I continue to be impressed by this razor.

To me it is an apples and oranges comparison. I prefer the heft of the slim and its great shaves, but the Henson gives great shaves too, but each of these razors is a very different experience IMO. Both provide an enjoyable experience for me.

 

[mozartman]

The Slim was an engineering marvel of its day. It's hard to believe a 60-year old adjustable razor can work so well. But imvho, these vintage razors were designed for DE blades that were thicker and less flexible than those of today. Inevitably, when DE razors returned to fashion, even those modeled after the classic designs began to feature more rigid clamping and were smoother, more efficient and easier to use. Comparing the Slim to the Rockwell 6S just isn't a fair contest. I'm sure the same is true of the Henson and many of the uber-expensive high-end models of today. I still enjoy using the Slim and often travel with it. Sadly, some young airport security personnel didn't know what it was (!) and gave me a hard time.