RADecimator - The Pils 101NN

[barticus]

I've been in this RAD fueled journey for about 10 months now and for the most part been enjoying it. Enter the Pils. I've been eyeing them for quite some time, and gave in when one popped up on the bay for a very reasonable price. I have been using it exclusively for about 3 weeks now, and it has brought my rad and desire rotate between 30 or so razors to a screeching halt.

 

[global_dev]

It worked great for me! I had the angle down and it was a beautiful shave. I miss mine, but alas straights kept murmuring to get rid iof that "SOB".

 

[Silence!]

Terrific picture of the Pils. It's certainly a beautiful razor. I'd get one if I could afford it.

 

[oakeshott]

I'm on to straights now too, but a friend lent me his Pils and I used it straight for 2 weeks. The most perfect razor I ever used, but for reasons I don't comprehend, I could never love it. I think perhaps because it requires that your technique be excellent which, for me, means that I'd have to use it every day. I like using different razors though.

I turned a friend on to wet shaving and he eventually got a Pils. It put all his other razors on the shelf.

 

[ltjaw]

One of the few modern DEs I haven't tried. Not sure why that is.

 

[Mick]

They are great razors. I enjoy mine.

 

[jsj_297]

they really are a good shaver, but I too find myself only "in like with it" not "in love with it"......I think its a beauty of a razor, well balanced, I like the blade changing on it actually. My only complaint, would be the handle is a little thin for my liking, its not slippery for being SS without knurling (is that the right word lol) on the handle.......Its definitely a lifelong type quality of a razor for sure. Hope it brings you years of happy service!!

 

[barticus]

I'm on to straights now too, but a friend lent me his Pils and I used it straight for 2 weeks. The most perfect razor I ever used, but for reasons I don't comprehend, I could never love it. I think perhaps because it requires that your technique be excellent which, for me, means that I'd have to use it every day. I like using different razors though.

I turned a friend on to wet shaving and he eventually got a Pils. It put all his other razors on the shelf.

I enjoyed your write up calling it "The Hammer of Thor" perfect description. I do agree that it requires more attention than other razors I own, but it works plain and simple.

 

[watchiekong]

It's VERY modern but really nice. The head reminds me of the Tradere (bar version). I've been looking at this razor for a while.

My only reservation is that handle - a bit too slim and no knurling for gripping. How does the OP (and others) regard the handle. Can one get used to the handle or would the matt finish version be an improvement?

 

[crfcom]

It's VERY modern but really nice. The head reminds me of the Tradere (bar version). I've been looking at this razor for a while.

My only reservation is that handle - a bit too slim and no knurling for gripping. How does the OP (and others) regard the handle. Can one get used to the handle or would the matt finish version be an improvement?

I have one, and the handle is the one feature of the razor I have not been able to adjust to. Too thin, too slippery, and razor overall is way too top heavy. My Tradere Solid Bar is everything I wanted the Pils to be. The Pils head design is wonderful, if it was a three-piece I would just buy a different handle but, alas, its a two-piece design. The Pils will probably be on BTS soon.

 

[barticus]

It's VERY modern but really nice. The head reminds me of the Tradere (bar version). I've been looking at this razor for a while.

My only reservation is that handle - a bit too slim and no knurling for gripping. How does the OP (and others) regard the handle. Can one get used to the handle or would the matt finish version be an improvement?

The Pils has been very rewarding, but isn't for everyone. The handle really hasn't been an issue for me, but I do think the brushed stainless version would be a little grippier. It is a very head biased razor, which does take a little getting used to.

 

[xillion]

I own the brushed stainless version and the grip has never been an issue for me.

Love my Pils.
View attachment 308205

 

[global_dev]

I own the brushed stainless version and the grip has never been an issue for me.

Love my Pils.
View attachment 308205

sweet pic, is that the muhle case?

 

[xillion]

sweet pic, is that the muhle case?

Thank you. You are correct, that is a Mühle case.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Beautiful Razor for sure. How would it compare shaving of a Titan H1 ? Is pils All Stainless Steel?

 

[barticus]

All Pils razors are stainless, the 101NN is nickel plated. The Pils is head heavy vs neutrally balanced. It's also much less aggressive than the H1 with a narrower range of workable angles, but I find it just as efficient and less irritation causing.

 

[oakeshott]

All Pils razors are stainless, the 101NN is nickel plated. The Pils is head heavy vs neutrally balanced. It's also much less aggressive than the H1 with a narrower range of workable angles, but I find it just as efficient and less irritation causing.

Brett, thanks for your kind words on my review. I enjoyed writing it.

I think the "head heavy" characteristic of the Pils is intentional and part of the performance design. I remember my first few shaves with it were bizarrely awkward and can imagine that someone new to it would just toss the damn thing then and not continue any longer. Stick with it, however, and the awkwardness dissipates and what happens is the shaver learns to manage the razor letting the head do all of the work which is the way we're supposed to shave. The Pils forces one to let the head do the work to a greater extent than any other shaver I've used and this wouldn't be possible without that unique balance.

And to echo what others said here, the grip was never an issue for me either.

 

[barticus]

Almost a month with the Pils, and I can't find fault with it. Using it almost exclusively has improved my technique and speed as well. Letting the head do all the work was something I wouldn't always remember to do with other razors, but don't need to with this design. Only thing I need to do now is make a stand for it.

 

[Mick]

Now I am going to have to dig mine out for today's shave. Been way too long since I used it last

 

[oakeshott]

Now I am going to have to dig mine out for today's shave. Been way too long since I used it last

Careful Turtle. The Pils is a jealous mistress and hates to be ignored. She might bite.