My experience is the same as @Teutonblade
Lambda Athena Cap and Baseplate Pass Around
- Thread starter Wgg2017
- Start date
Attempt 3 - another day and a half has passed and I tossed in another new lab blue and listened for the symphony...and crickets. Just kidding - the loudest angle was maybe a tick toward steep from where I perceive as neutral. I will say the comfort did increase, but by only a touch. Ultimately, I think this razor falls into a notch above what I want in aggression. While the cutting angle is very generous, I would say the optimal cutting angle is a little narrow for me. That being said - if I used the razor everyday, I am assuming it would become second nature. I've never had a razor that really increased drastically from where I originally thought it was after a shave or two and this is not an exception to that - Or maybe I just gave up on them too early 
. I just like mindless auto-pilot-like shaves and this is not that for me.
What I am thinking about doing is doing a wtg pass (or 2) with my overlander and then just try the ATG performance to see if this could be a niche razor for me. I've been known to use two razors before and not opposed to that if one excels ATG more than the other. Then it is back to its home!
. I just like mindless auto-pilot-like shaves and this is not that for me.What I am thinking about doing is doing a wtg pass (or 2) with my overlander and then just try the ATG performance to see if this could be a niche razor for me. I've been known to use two razors before and not opposed to that if one excels ATG more than the other. Then it is back to its home!
- Thread starter
- #223
Attempt 3 - another day and a half has passed and I tossed in another new lab blue and listened for the symphony...and crickets. Just kidding - the loudest angle was maybe a tick toward steep from where I perceive as neutral. I will say the comfort did increase, but by only a touch. Ultimately, I think this razor falls into a notch above what I want in aggression. While the cutting angle is very generous, I would say the optimal cutting angle is a little narrow for me. That being said - if I used the razor everyday, I am assuming it would become second nature. I've never had a razor that really increased drastically from where I originally thought it was after a shave or two and this is not an exception to that - Or maybe I just gave up on them too early
What I am thinking about doing is doing a wtg pass (or 2) with my overlander and then just try the ATG performance to see if this could be a niche razor for me. I've been known to use two razors before and not opposed to that if one excels ATG more than the other. Then it is back to its home!
If the Overlander works great for you stick with it and don’t look back. I don’t know why but I sometimes try razors that are too aggressive for me and every time the same whisker on my neck ends up becoming an ingrown. I really wish I could nuke that one whisker. If I’d just stick with what works for me I’d have no problems.
Attempt 4 - I did a 1 pass wtg with the Overlander than went 2 passes ATG (the second pass being more of a cleanup pass) with the Athena. I was originally hoping it would only take 1 pass wtg as that would be a gamechanger for me as the Overlander always requires the 2. The Athena also required the 2 passes. I didn't quite get to BBS and I think that was because I tried to go as light as possible with pressure because I was worried about irritation. It did cut through everything fairly well but for me it didn't doing anything better.
I will say that polished bronze is a very cool metal. I wish my overlander looked like this. I am not sure if it is worth twice the price of brass as I hate patina but I think that depends on the preferences of the user. The fountain thing is certainly cool but I drenched the top of my sink a bunch of time rinsing the razor; I usually rinse it fairly close to the top of the faucet which is well above the sink basin. That resulted in spraying water all over the counter. Those fountain jets are no joke.
Thanks so much to @Wgg2017 - this was a cool experience. There is so much talk about this razor that my curiosity just was out of control. Good luck to @Pineapple who is getting this next!
I will say that polished bronze is a very cool metal. I wish my overlander looked like this. I am not sure if it is worth twice the price of brass as I hate patina but I think that depends on the preferences of the user. The fountain thing is certainly cool but I drenched the top of my sink a bunch of time rinsing the razor; I usually rinse it fairly close to the top of the faucet which is well above the sink basin. That resulted in spraying water all over the counter. Those fountain jets are no joke.
Thanks so much to @Wgg2017 - this was a cool experience. There is so much talk about this razor that my curiosity just was out of control. Good luck to @Pineapple who is getting this next!
Thanks @catchacoolbreeze and @Wgg2017 I'm looking forward to the Athena. It has a lot of fans and I appreciate the generous opportunity to try it out.
The Athena arrived today thank you again @catchacoolbreeze and @Wgg2017 . I swap blades on Saturday so the Athena got a fresh Rapira Swedish Super steel. I ended up using the Bayonetta handle, balances well and doesn't look too out of place.
To me the blade feel is pretty minimal but it is there, but the blade feels solid with no chatter so it felt really predictable during the shave.
During the first set of passes I did try different angles using the sound of the blade. Went from neutral to steep and steep does feel slightly scrapey. I did try only side of the neck neutral and the other side steep, I was able to feel more stubble on the steep side so stuck with the more comfortable neutral angle. I usually only do atg passes even under the nose which is usually a single buffing pass. The Athena made it easy with the small gap and exposure which makes it feel safe with a solid predictable blade feel. It was pretty efficient for me on the first shave. Skin felt smooth with no irritation post shave. I do think I need to try shallow and wanted to try another handle but the current Bayonetta felt great.
To me the blade feel is pretty minimal but it is there, but the blade feels solid with no chatter so it felt really predictable during the shave.
During the first set of passes I did try different angles using the sound of the blade. Went from neutral to steep and steep does feel slightly scrapey. I did try only side of the neck neutral and the other side steep, I was able to feel more stubble on the steep side so stuck with the more comfortable neutral angle. I usually only do atg passes even under the nose which is usually a single buffing pass. The Athena made it easy with the small gap and exposure which makes it feel safe with a solid predictable blade feel. It was pretty efficient for me on the first shave. Skin felt smooth with no irritation post shave. I do think I need to try shallow and wanted to try another handle but the current Bayonetta felt great.
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- Thread starter
- #227
After you get a couple more shaves in I’d be curious to know how it compares in terms of smoothness atg with other razors you’ve used.
Yesterday, frst shave with the Athena it felt mild and safe. Being an unfamiliar razor to me I was able to use it well moving through different angles and not being over cautious, just using a light touch but still shaving without much caution. It worked well but like a few mild razors I have I want just a little more so I used a little pressure today. I used a shallow angle it does shave well shallow and didn't bite when a light touch wasn't used. I think for me it does shave better around neutral maybe just slightly towards steep.
I want to try a lighter handle tomorrow and see how it shaves. The Athena still feels very mild but much more efficient than it feels. I do have to do a few touch ups along the undersides of the jawline and chin but I have to do the same with a few other low exposure razors as well.
I want to try a lighter handle tomorrow and see how it shaves. The Athena still feels very mild but much more efficient than it feels. I do have to do a few touch ups along the undersides of the jawline and chin but I have to do the same with a few other low exposure razors as well.
First one that came to mind was the Ghost, the .90 is still mild similar to the Athena. The Merica and Winning V2 are also mild and good atg, Winning requires a a little pressure for me and it's angle is locked. The Merica was a favorite for a while but I think the SS version may have worked better for me but I've been only using the newer Ti which is lighter and has the newer baseplate. There's also a few vintage Gillettes that may fit in there but it's been a while since they were used. Favorites being the New improved Tuckaway, #58, and Aristocrat Jr. Last 2 being smooth like the Athena and way more efficient than the shave felt.
Well has the boat sailed on trying before you buy?
- Thread starter
- #230
Yes, I’m afraid the opportunity to join this pass around has ended.
Regarding the Wild Whiskers you have, tried to pullThat stop the ingrown for a while, until it takes time to grow back?
I personally get once in a while what I call, Wild Whisker Hairs, one THICK & Black, and one Gray Fine growing out of exact spot on neck, or face. Easy to locate, by poking & touching with my Surgical Tweezers, the Thick Black Whiskers HURTS when touched, like someone stick me with straight pin. Again I poke, locating the THICK BLACK WHISKER, pulling it out. As soon as it is pulled, face or neck feel 110% better, and pain free.
I do really appreciate how the Athena shaves. It's mild and pretty much an auto pilot shave for me. I pushed her hard yesterday and she didn't bite or leave any irritation. Today used a lighter handle and just shaved, not trying to keep any particular angle just got a quick shave before work. Same results smooth and comfortable, still needing touch ups on the normal problem spots the jawline and chin.
- Thread starter
- #233
Yes, much like you I’ve found that plucking the offending whisker is the only solution once it becomes ingrown. Even if I switch to a mild razor after it becomes ingrown, the spot is still inflamed and it just keeps burrowing into my skin until I pluck it. Very frustrating and annoying and a big reason why I rarely try aggressive razors.
I am fortunate I've ever had an issue with ingrown hairs. This also might be a reason I prefer slightly more blade feel and enjoy some slightly more aggressive razors. The Athena for me doesn't come close to being aggressive but shaved better than some of those. I'm grateful for this opportunity to use the Athena, I have always liked the look of the actual head but not so much for the handle. So I don't know if I would have actually purchased one because it's not an inexpensive impulse buy, there's a waiting list also. After using one I would consider buying one, it's a great razor but I do have other razors I currently own that work better for me. I also have some I really enjoy that don't shave as well as the Athena.
I cleaned the Athena up tonight and just need to get it back home to @Wgg2017 , thank you again for your generosity on this pass around.
I cleaned the Athena up tonight and just need to get it back home to @Wgg2017 , thank you again for your generosity on this pass around.
If you want to try the Lambda Ares I have started a pass around for that razor. Equally outstanding and a bit more efficient.
LAMBDA ARES BRONZE PASS AROUND
LAMBDA ARES V.2 PASS AROUND I have been given permission to start a pass around of this fantastic razor. It has been reviewed and tried by many, but I wanted to give those who haven’t had a chance to try this razor an opportunity to do so. This is my personal razor and not one given by Lambda...
www.badgerandblade.com
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