LAMBDA ARES BRONZE PASS AROUND

[walpan]

PASS AROUND UPDATE
Since we have 8 participants, I have decided to extend the time with which you can use the razor. You can each use the razor for a period of 10 days rather than 7. I am trying to time this so that the razor will reach California by November. If for some reason, you believe you need a bit more time, just drop me a pm to discuss. But in no event, can this go past November.

 

[Big_T]

Yesterday's Ares shave was with a Feather blade and today I used a Bic chrome platinum. My overall shave using those blades was similar to what I previously posted using the Nacet, a good close comfortable shave with no complaints.

I'm 3 shaves in and here's my blunt and to the point opinion, and of course YMMV. I get a more comfortable shave with better overall results using the Athena or my Timeless .95. But those are not open comb razors, and I tend to not prefer open comb razors. If I shaved once or twice a week instead of every day the Ares would probably work out better for me.

The Ares is a beautiful piece of workmanship, almost like metal sculpture art. Just like the Athena, the quality you get is way above it's price point.

I'll be shaving with the Ares once more tomorrow morning then will be sending it on to @ewk. I can't thank Wally @walpan enough for giving me this opportunity to use his beautiful Ares.

 

[Big_T]

My blade suggestion matches @walpan's; the Ares works best with a nice sharp blade. The Nacet, Feather, Bic CP, and Gillette silver blue are nice and sharp as well as (IMHO) smooth blades that work well with it.

It's all cleaned up, boxed up, and heading to the post office soon. I'm including one of my nylon washers as a spare in case Wally's washer gets lost.

I really was thinking of adding the Ares as a companion to my Athena but since I was so lucky to try one out beforehand I've decided it's not for me. I'm sure I would have ended up selling or trading it just as I've done so many other razors. Now a stainless steel Athena....maybe one day.

For those wondering, my keepers are the La Faulx, which works like magic for me, the Timeless .95, the stainless steel Karve Overlander, the Athena, and the Blackbird; lately I'm favoring the Blackbird Lite for shaving everyday.

 

[walpan]

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - SHIPPED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC

4. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

5. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[walpan]

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - RECEIVED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC

4. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

5. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[ewk]

LAMBDA ARES BRONZE PASS AROUND -- First Impressions​

The Lambda Ares landed in the Low Country of South Carolina this afternoon as Debby is on her way up the coast. The sun shone for the first time in days, appropriately heralding the razor's arrival. The Ares is indeed a beauty. I used a Feather blade and shaved both face and dome this evening. I am very much looking forward to my time with the Ares and providing more detailed thoughts in the days to come.

 

[walpan]

Be advised this is a very small nylon washer. Here is a pic of it next to a standard nylon washer. I bought 100 of these from Amazon which I use on some of my other razors. @walpan I'm curious, did this tiny washer come with the razor from Lambda?

View attachment 1887741

I just ordered some M6 flat washers. They look just like yours and they fit the razors just fine. Instead of being 1 mm thick they are 1.5 mm thick and appear to work fine.

 

[ewk]

LAMBDA ARES BRONZE PASS AROUND -- Final Thoughts​

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Lambda Ares. It is a great privilege to use such a well-performing and beautiful piece of craftsmanship. Blade feel on the Ares is comparable to me of the Blackland Blackbird. The Ares is a very comfortable razor, but compared to the Athena I am not so sure its efficiency is greater. The "magic" of the Athena to me is the extreme comfort, lack of blade feel, yet high efficiency. The Ares feels different from the Athena, but is also quite efficient.

The razor is boxed and ready for postage. Although I am sad to see it go, I know the rest of the participants are in for quite a treat. Thank you @walpan for sharing this treasure with the community!

 

[walpan]

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - COMPLETED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC - SHIPPED

4. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

5. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[walpan]

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - COMPLETED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC - RECEIVED AND USING

4. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

5. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[Viko]

First shave this morning with this stunningly beautiful razor! Personna Blue blade, which always works for me.
Found a good angle was somewhat shallow. There is only a little blade feel and shave is quite smooth and more efficient than my Timeless SS .68SCL.
I was surprised by one small weeper on my chin. This closed prior to Alum.I found it more difficult for XTG
strokes but the great efficiency of WTG and ATG make up for it!
I also note fewer strokes on touchups required!
Overall, may well be the closest shave of my life! I am assessing my face after 6 o’clock and it is still pretty smooth! I’m a daily shaver,
so let’s see what tomorrow is like!
I do want to note a tiny bit of patina on the cap prior to my shave. It is too faint for me to image.This did not come off with a Timeless microfiber polishing cloth.

 

[walpan]

Just a slight rearrangement


1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - COMPLETED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC - RECEIVED AND USING

4. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI

5. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[Viko]

Interim report on the Ares:
My concerns about the function of the Ares as a daily shaver were completely resolved with a lighter touch and learning this razor. No further bleeding or significant irritation after the first shave. It is incredibly smooth. Again, I impressed with it‘s easy efficiency.
The design precludes clogging so the razor glides.
The wonderful etchings really add to this Greek beauty and the bronze is very much part of the charm. The Greeks have done so much for our civilization.We only have a tenth of the great ancient Greek playwright’s production. Fortunately, we will not lose
the contribution of Theo to our shaving community!
Count me as a fan! And I think it’s worth every penny! I’m on the waiting list!

 

[walpan]

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - COMPLETED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC - COMPLETED

4. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI - AWAITING ARRIVAL

5. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

6. BBSSBOSS, Boston, MA

7. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

8. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[Viko]

Final thoughts on the Ares:
I simply cannot imagine a shaving instrument with more elegance. It is very smooth and quite close. Because of the closeness, you must pay attention or irritation is possible. This chance is lower with knowledge of the razor, but you should be mindful when using this open comb razor. With mindful use, you will be rewarded with a truly splendid shave!
I am so grateful to Wally for arranging this pass around. He is a treasure on this forum!

 

[walpan]

View attachment 1901509
Final thoughts on the Ares:
I simply cannot imagine a shaving instrument with more elegance. It is very smooth and quite close. Because of the closeness, you must pay attention or irritation is possible. This chance is lower with knowledge of the razor, but you should be mindful when using this open comb razor. With mindful use, you will be rewarded with a truly splendid shave!
I am so grateful to Wally for arranging this pass around. He is a treasure on this forum!

I am thrilled that you had such a great experience.
Thank you for the very kind words. I am just trying to pay forward all the good things I have experienced with this razor and with the members of this board.

 

[walpan]

I am so grateful to Wally for arranging this pass around. He is a treasure on this forum!

I have decided to copy this and have it reprinted and framed and show it to my wife every day.

 

[walpan]

BBSSBOSS has just informed me that he was able to get the Ares SS and as such, won't need to be in the pass around.
Because of this, everyone can now use the razor for 2 weeks. Just let me know.

If there is anyone else that would like to join the pass around, I have an opening for 1 or 2 more.

1. Big_T King, NC. - COMPLETED

2. ewk, SC - COMPLETED

3. Viko, Monroe, NC - COMPLETED

4. AnimalCatcher, Warwick, RI - AWAITING ARRIVAL

5. Grundi, Lewiston, ME

6. sidpost, East Texas, Texas

7. Leverspro, Ojai, CA

 

[SinCityAg]

@walpan If you have an opening, I would love to now join the list. @Leverspro can send it to me in Vegas and I will return it to you or send it to anybody else at your direction if that is okay with you?

 

[walpan]

@walpan If you have an opening, I would love to now join the list. @Leverspro can send it to me in Vegas and I will return it to you or send it to anybody else at your direction if that is okay with you?

SinCityAg, glad to have you on board. Please PM me your full contact and mailing information and i will add you to the group.