Not to get lost in the other monster thread (>40 pages now), what is the difference in the V1 versus V2 Ares from Lambda? Surely its more than metal options. I assume it is something like the early Muhle R41 vs the modern Muhle R41 (Zamaks) or the Muhle 41GS in stainless which all have slightly different head geometries.
Lambda Ares V1 vs. V2
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V1 has slightly more blade feel I think...and so, little more efficient.
V2 came about as some complained that V1 was a bit too much, exposure-wise.
V2 is obviously weighted more on the side of comfort than efficiency
V2 came about as some complained that V1 was a bit too much, exposure-wise.
V2 is obviously weighted more on the side of comfort than efficiency
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Mr. Shavington
Knows Hot Turkish Toilets
To be clear, I haven’t used an Ares v1, but….
The Ares v1 had a small amount of positive blade exposure, and the v2 has zero blade exposure (like the Athena which was released in-between the Ares versions). With the particular head design that the Ares and Athena have, it turned out that even this small amount of positive exposure made the Ares v1 a quite aggressive razor - ok for those who are used to high aggression and blade feel, but not as comfortable or as suitable for less experienced shavers.
The v1 handle was also shorter and narrower, so the razor was smaller and lighter than the v2, but the aggression was the main difference.
I do remember when the Ares v1 was launched (I think only 50 razors) the reviews on forums all said it was really very aggressive.
The zero exposure Athena and Ares v2 are so impressive and successful because of how gentle and smooth they are for the high efficency they offer. Theo said that he and other customers found there was no loss in efficiency from the v1 to the v2, and this design does not seem to benefit from having positive exposure. So, unless you really prefer stronger blade feel for its own sake, the v2 and the Athena are better configurations - and surely will be for most users.
I think a few people will want to get an Ares v1 for the strong blade feel or the challenge, and some for the sake of posterity as it is the original Lambda razor and it is quite rare. But I believe Theo thinks the Athena and Ares v2 are the way forward for him because the design is good for all shavers.
Anyway, here is a screenshot from a reviewer’s video showing the difference in measurements between the v1 and v2 Ares. It’s just a small difference in exposure but the effect was significant with this design.
The Ares v1 had a small amount of positive blade exposure, and the v2 has zero blade exposure (like the Athena which was released in-between the Ares versions). With the particular head design that the Ares and Athena have, it turned out that even this small amount of positive exposure made the Ares v1 a quite aggressive razor - ok for those who are used to high aggression and blade feel, but not as comfortable or as suitable for less experienced shavers.
The v1 handle was also shorter and narrower, so the razor was smaller and lighter than the v2, but the aggression was the main difference.
I do remember when the Ares v1 was launched (I think only 50 razors) the reviews on forums all said it was really very aggressive.
The zero exposure Athena and Ares v2 are so impressive and successful because of how gentle and smooth they are for the high efficency they offer. Theo said that he and other customers found there was no loss in efficiency from the v1 to the v2, and this design does not seem to benefit from having positive exposure. So, unless you really prefer stronger blade feel for its own sake, the v2 and the Athena are better configurations - and surely will be for most users.
I think a few people will want to get an Ares v1 for the strong blade feel or the challenge, and some for the sake of posterity as it is the original Lambda razor and it is quite rare. But I believe Theo thinks the Athena and Ares v2 are the way forward for him because the design is good for all shavers.
Anyway, here is a screenshot from a reviewer’s video showing the difference in measurements between the v1 and v2 Ares. It’s just a small difference in exposure but the effect was significant with this design.
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Per Theo’s website:
“Lambda Ares is a razor that has been first manufactured back in 2019. It was made in only 50 pieces and quickly became a collectable item. Now, Lambda Ares returns to the market with some updates, without changing its original style. It comes with a slightly longer handle which keeps the original analogy of an ancient Greek temple column. Razor head is the same style, but becoming a bit milder without sacrificing its exceptional effectiveness.”
The V1 and V2 are apparently the same in effectiveness but the blade feel or exposure of the V1 was more.
Another Day Another Shave (YouTube) has done reviews of both versions. I don’t speak Greek, but his facial expressions are informative in their own right.
“Lambda Ares is a razor that has been first manufactured back in 2019. It was made in only 50 pieces and quickly became a collectable item. Now, Lambda Ares returns to the market with some updates, without changing its original style. It comes with a slightly longer handle which keeps the original analogy of an ancient Greek temple column. Razor head is the same style, but becoming a bit milder without sacrificing its exceptional effectiveness.”
The V1 and V2 are apparently the same in effectiveness but the blade feel or exposure of the V1 was more.
Another Day Another Shave (YouTube) has done reviews of both versions. I don’t speak Greek, but his facial expressions are informative in their own right.
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Ah, clamping distance and blade angle! that little blade exposure difference sure doesn't seem significant but, I did notice that if I wasn't paying attention, the Ares V2 would give me a good weeper!
I am curious about the V1. I cancelled my V2 order last year because of reviews stating that the V2 was so so similar to the Athena.
Mr. Shavington
Knows Hot Turkish Toilets
Another Day Another Shave GR is the guy I took my screenshot from (above). He did a video about the Ares v2 and v1 in English language too. Very nice and knowledgeable guy, it seems. I believe he was in regular contact with Theo and I would regard this video as the most authoritative about the Lambda Ares razor.
I expect that the vast majority of the 50 Ares v1s were sold in Greece, as Lambda was a completely new manufacturer and was known only through Greek shaving forums at the time. Word got out just a couple of days before they went on sale and a few international customers on another shaving forum got one too. They all sold out within 48hrs, which was quite incredible for an unknown new razor brand. The next production batch was the first Athenas, and then Theo started making the Athena and Ares v2 in parallel. All in marine bronze then, and somehow he has still stayed close to the original price for the bronze razors, which were a hell of a bargain even on day one.
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Absolutely @Mr. Shavington. If you came across that Etsy page back then it would have been a steal. I remember seeing the Athena for the first time and immediately took to its looks.
Theo is planning to make a small batch of V1 Ares later this year.
Theo is planning to make a small batch of V1 Ares later this year.
Iridian
Cool and slimy
The Ares V1 is dangerously interesting for me, which is not dangerous for me, but for my wallet.
Ares is basically the Kurgan in the Lambda family.
The Ares V2 is the Ken to the Barbie (Athena).
These analogies might not be 100% perfect, thinking about it.
Ares is basically the Kurgan in the Lambda family.
The Ares V2 is the Ken to the Barbie (Athena).
These analogies might not be 100% perfect, thinking about it.
Hopefully even sooner
Fingers crossed...but he said in the Ares thread that..Hopefully even sooner
Either way, you and I are both on the waiting list if I understood Theo correctly, so we should be allright!!
Going on the Lambda site, its been seen, its been posted the Ares V1, so it is real. 
Look at specs V1 Blade Exposure of +0.10mm, blade gap 0.31mm, V2 Blade Exposure of 0, Blade Gap 0.31mm.
The V1 is considered an aggressive razor, this is most interesting and I mean that.
It does not seem like much of a spec difference (with these razors the specs I throw out the window but pay attention to regardless) but to me it will be interesting so see how current people who have shave with the Ares V2 and Athena compare it.
Look at specs V1 Blade Exposure of +0.10mm, blade gap 0.31mm, V2 Blade Exposure of 0, Blade Gap 0.31mm.
The V1 is considered an aggressive razor, this is most interesting and I mean that.
It does not seem like much of a spec difference (with these razors the specs I throw out the window but pay attention to regardless) but to me it will be interesting so see how current people who have shave with the Ares V2 and Athena compare it.
Razor: Lambda Ares V1
Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket
Blade: Muhle
Soap: Meštar Dišpet
Aftershave: Ralon The Original
I did not see anyone post a shave review of the Ares V1 so I figured I'd post it here to start.
The Lambda Ares V1 is terrific razor, very happy with it. This razor is more efficient than the Ares V2 for sure. I do not find it such an aggressive razor meaning its not too aggressive (at least for me and my preferences even though I like everything from mild to efficient) but definitely more efficient than the Ares V2. There was no tugging of any kind from the get go of the shave. There is more blade feel and blade exposure than the Ares V2 (as published on the website) but again not a big deal to me. The teeth of the of open comb was no issue either, it is more steeper than the Ares V2 but very still very comfortable to use. The short handle makes it more nimble to use, no issues with grip here, never had issues with the Ares V2 with grip either so. Essentially this is more efficient than the Ares V2, it is still very comfortable and enjoyable to use. I did enjoy the greater efficiency as I took down 9 days growth with ease. It was not only WTG but really ATG I wanted to see how it would perform and it was great. Very comfortable and easy to use. Very glad I did get this razor.
This was a superb shave, BBS all around the areas I get a BBS on, no cuts, weepers, irritation, great shave. Very impressed by the Ares V1 but again with Lambda these razors are just awesome so glad to have the first razor made by them.
Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket
Blade: Muhle
Soap: Meštar Dišpet
Aftershave: Ralon The Original
I did not see anyone post a shave review of the Ares V1 so I figured I'd post it here to start.
The Lambda Ares V1 is terrific razor, very happy with it. This razor is more efficient than the Ares V2 for sure. I do not find it such an aggressive razor meaning its not too aggressive (at least for me and my preferences even though I like everything from mild to efficient) but definitely more efficient than the Ares V2. There was no tugging of any kind from the get go of the shave. There is more blade feel and blade exposure than the Ares V2 (as published on the website) but again not a big deal to me. The teeth of the of open comb was no issue either, it is more steeper than the Ares V2 but very still very comfortable to use. The short handle makes it more nimble to use, no issues with grip here, never had issues with the Ares V2 with grip either so. Essentially this is more efficient than the Ares V2, it is still very comfortable and enjoyable to use. I did enjoy the greater efficiency as I took down 9 days growth with ease. It was not only WTG but really ATG I wanted to see how it would perform and it was great. Very comfortable and easy to use. Very glad I did get this razor.
This was a superb shave, BBS all around the areas I get a BBS on, no cuts, weepers, irritation, great shave. Very impressed by the Ares V1 but again with Lambda these razors are just awesome so glad to have the first razor made by them.
Excellent review @purecro - looking forward to additional shave experiences from you. I agree the V1 with the shorter and slimmer handle looks amazing. What would you say the comparison with the R41 is (Another Day, Another Shave on YouTube said it was more effective, but much smoother. Your review seems to attest to the same.
Enjoy! (counting the days when I can have my first shave too!)
Guido
Enjoy! (counting the days when I can have my first shave too!)
Guido
Is there a plan to reintroduce the Ares V1 into production? I would be interested in trying it out.
Great review! Thank you.
Iridian
Cool and slimy
I wonder which gentlemen called that aggressive. The Ares (V2, I don't have V1) has an effective geometry, but I doubt that this extra bit of exposure suddenly makes it truly aggressive.
I have not shaved with a R41 since I started wet shaving over 2 years ago. At the time I was a newbie and it being over 2 years I couldn't give a fair comparison. I do remember that I only used the R41 and it was like with over 10 days growth, I think, but it was only for the 1st pass Wtg. I found that it had only a small angle of "sweet spot" for shaving ideally, it took down growth with ease but it being so long ago (using the R41) I can't give you good comparison plus now I know how to shave so if I used a R41 now I would know all the tricks on how to use it effectively for a entire 3 pass shave instead of just using it for the 1st pass as I did over 2 years ago then using a milder razor for the rest of the passes. I have also seen others here, who do shave with efficient razors say how it can be harsh (R41) and that I do remember that part to, it can be on some parts of the shave I had with it I could see where it could be but because of being careful and all the growth it did not affect me.
I was quite tired when I wrote the review so I am glad that people were able to get something out of it and that another person on YouTube posted what they thought of it. The Ares V1 is quite effective but also comfortable so and is more so than the Ares V2, which as Lambda's website points out is a "mild to medium aggressive razor". Alot of people on here have the Ares V2, as I do and its a great razor, it really is.
I don't want to say who said that the Ares V1 was aggressive, I was not worried about it based on the specs plus also the design (and having shaved with the Ares V2 and Athena many times) but that is what I was told and also read, the reading part was quite a while ago while more recently told of the aggressive part.
To be clear, imho, this is not an overly aggressive razor at all, it is efficient and comfortable. Is it more aggressive/efficient than the Ares V2? Yes it is. Some people like more efficient, aggressive razors, others do not like blade feel at all. I have no problems with blade feel many times am quite oblivious to it so blade feel does not bother me at all but other people are not like that so anytime I review something I like to make sure that I am giving my experience and feedback so anyone can use that to help them out in deciding whatever they would like to buy, which on this site has helped me alot.
Sorry for the long post here I know you have been on here a long time @Iridian and forget the razors you have and your preferences so that is just my feedback and experience.
I would reach out to Lambda razors and see where they are at with the Ares V1 in terms of production, availability and plans for future batches to be made.
I think you can still join the waiting list. The v1 is listed on the new website.
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