Lamba Ares or Guerrilla or Muhle R41?

[sidpost]

LAMBDA ARES BRONZE PASS AROUND - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/lambda-ares-bronze-pass-around.654629/page-7#post-12840984

I have @walpan's Lamba Ares razor right now and I am into it for one shave so far. I was loaned an Aluminum Guerilla with the 0.84 and 0.99 base plates and also own a Muhle R41. My daily DE driver is normally an all stainless Muhle Rocca.

First, for visual impact, the Lambda Ares is simply stunning, a real thing of beauty. The Muhle Rocca with Birch handle is very nice too but, in a beauty contest, the Bronze Lambda Ares wins. The R41's are nice but, pretty average IMHO.

In terms of performance, I should note I am a FOCS member being a fan of the Fatip Open Comb shavers with the Piccolo being a nice cheap razor that works well above what it should at its price point. A FOCS is a true bargain to me and is better than a Zamak Muhle R41. The Lambda Ares is simply in another league of awesomeness!

I can shave with a Muhle R41 without weepers to a BBS standard most days. However, there is always some irritation, nothing bad but some sting from the Witchhazel or even a clean towel drying off and some aftershave face balm is normally a good idea. With one Lambda Ares shave, I can't make final definitive statements but, I am super impressed at this point. With this morning's torture test with a lot of beard growth, no irritation, NONE!

Against my Muhle Rocca or Edwin Japper 3one6, both very similar razors to myself, the Lambda Ares is more efficient. All three razors will do BBS shaves on a normal day with no irritation but, the Ares is going to get me there faster with less buffing or follow-up strokes. Once I shave a few more times and get the angles dialed in, I think the Lambda Ares may become the new daily driver once my number comes up on the Lamba website.

I was seriously debating getting a Bronze Guerilla in 0.99 and even have it sitting in my shopping cart. The aluminum model I test drove was smoothest for me with the 0.99 baseplate. The 0.84 was a bit rougher than the 0.99 for me to use in terms of overall irritation with a full shave. Some of this was attributed to it being aluminum and inconsistent hand pressure from myself to get it to shave like I wanted. I prefer a heavy razor to do the work and mute any hand pressure differences. I won't be buying a Guerilla razor at this point though, I might get a gently used one at some point to revisit a more direct bronze or stainless Guerilla against the current king of the hill. The Ares Lamba bronze to me is simply a better razor at a similar price point than the equivalent Guerilla razor which is no slouch in terms of premium shave gear.

My second shave with the Lamba Ares will be tomorrow!

 

[Iridian]

Ah, so you already have a R41.

Well, comparing them, despite both having an OC, is not really fitting. As you clearly noticed yourself, the Mühle R41 is an aggressive razor, while the Ares is quite the opposite. But still very effective.

And yeah, the Guerilla, if it changes remotely like a Game Changer, sits somewhere between the two.

I would get the Ares. Seriously. I even considered buying the SS version despite having the Bronze version already.
This said, there are alternatives to Lambda as well. I like the Yaqi Harlequin a lot, too, and it is much cheaper. Just doesn't have the premium tag attached, but it is a very, very good razor as well.

 

[Iridian]

Also underappreciated, more efficient than the Ares for instance and still well behaved: Stando Chors, #11 on the Svarga handle. This razor polished or machined might have ended RAD for many. It's a very nice season finish, would still love this in a more machined or polished tone, but that's just me.

You can find Stando on Etsy and he also has a shop in Poland.

Credits to @gdawg55 who remembered me of my Chors and made me curious about the Mokosz. Also recommended for @m949. It easily surpasses the Rocca die instance, IMO. Not only because standing razors are extremely customer friendly priced.

 

[Guido75]

Thanks for the updates and reviews Sid. Very helpful. I have restrained from getting the Ares so far, but your experiences definitely sing to its praise! Might need to rethink my position.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Thanks for the updates and reviews Sid. Very helpful. I have restrained from getting the Ares so far, but your experiences definitely sing to its praise! Might need to rethink my position.

I'm anxiously awaiting my Ares, marine bronze, from the soon to be released batch.... If you want further recommendations that go right along with @sidpost 's, the Ares is in @Mr. Shavington 's top three razors: the Athena, the Ares and the La Faulx Classic.... I have two of the three.... and love them both. I believe the Ares will be worth the investment.

 

[Eric_75]

I believe the Ares will be worth the investment.

It's one of my clear favorites.

 

[Calm_Shaver]

SoTd pic : Lambda Razors Ares v2
Effective, smooth and very enjoyable. I really enjoy its design like how it bends the blade and how the Open Comb really feels like a Straight bar.

 

[LRod]

Odd man out opinion:
You might've read that I sold my Stainless Ares soon after receiving it.
Couldn't get a close shave no matter the angle
(this isn't the first time this happens with a razor since my stubble is rock hard and I don't shave
ATG) and the handle was in my opinion, terrible.
It felt uncomfortable and it was slippery!
Nonetheless, a work of art aesthetically though!

And then there's the Guerrilla!
Probably my favorite razor right now, especially the Bronze one. Aluminum is a close second but the bronze rules. They're different!
It's everything a razor needs to be for daily use, period! (for me!)
The head, handle, weight, balance,
performance, etc.. it's got it all!

The R41 (I have one) is a good performer, but I always find it to be a bit rough on the shave.
Not a favorite!
So that's my take. Good luck!

 

[sidpost]

Odd man out opinion:
You might've read that I sold my Stainless Ares soon after receiving it.
Couldn't get a close shave no matter the angle
(this isn't the first time this happens with a razor since my stubble is rock hard and I don't shave
ATG) and the handle was in my opinion, terrible.
It felt uncomfortable and it was slippery!
Nonetheless, a work of art aesthetically though!

And then there's the Guerrilla!
Probably my favorite razor right now, especially the Bronze one. Aluminum is a close second but the bronze rules. They're different!
It's everything a razor needs to be for daily use, period! (for me!)
The head, handle, weight, balance,
performance, etc.. it's got it all!

The R41 (I have one) is a good performer, but I always find it to be a bit rough on the shave.
Not a favorite!
So that's my take. Good luck!

Yep, soaped to clean it, that handle is super slick!

I'm finding the ARES certainly had blade preferences. The Nacet was really good for ~4 shaves and the Personna I use in my other razor did pretty good but, took extra effort. Next up should be one of the Feathers I bought.