A while back, I came across a strange looking razor with a crooked and pent head made by Merkur. It was so strange looking, I had to get that razor. @efsk told me that the razor I got was a Merkur 75 which was a very early attempt by Merkur to make a diagonal slant. He also gave me quick lessons on how to use it, which was similar to the torqued slants - shave as you would any other razor. However with the pent head, I was to start with the angle that the pent gave me (not unlike the Gem type razors).
Later when PAA introduced their Alpha Ecliptic slant, I missed out on the first batch and had to patiently wait for the next batch, which came a couple of months later. I got the aluminum version first and then the bakelite version when it came out a couple of days later. I was impressed by that strange looking head (and also the one on the razor), and the fact that it came with instructions. Of course I was familiar with the instructions through my expereince with the Merkur 75. My first shave with the AES convinced me that the bakelite version was a keeper.
Later, @efsk mentioned to me that the PAA AES was not modeled after the REAL Walbusch but shared DNA with what was to eventually become the Walbusch/Merkur B3. From that day forward, I searched everywhere I could think of for a B3 and not coming up with much except for pictures and being outbid by $250 for one on eBay. Windrose did come up with a zamak clone but the reviews were not too favorable and so I had to continue to patiently search for one.
Finally I found one on eBay at a reasonable price and I immediately bought it. In researching the version that I got, I found out it was one made by (for?) Eros. I also found out that it did not have the standard M5 thread post, but an M4 and so none of my other handles would fit. I recall reading on the PAA site that the original AES that was cloned also had an M4 post. Not a major problem as I have learned to enjoy the light nimbleness of the bakelite razors.
Okay, so I finally got all in the family and it was time to compare the three:
The white razor on the right is the Merkur 75, the red one in the middle is the PAA AES, and the black one on the left is the Eros (B3).
First of all, all three razors have a pent head head. The Merkur 75 pent is symmetrical, where it contnues evenly from one side to the other. The AES and the Eros are asymmetrical, where one side is higher than the other, which folks refer to as a humpback. The AES comes close to being pointed, where the 75 and Eros are more rounded in shape. The razor that the AES was modeled from is also triangularly pent on one side, but slightly more tounded than the AES.
All three razors have a Progress type trough guard, which is very comfortable to use.
Finally, all three have an angled head (duh!), however the 75 is slightly more angled than the other two.
The 75 base plate is flat (like the Progress), the AES curves inward, and the Eros has somewhat of a RFB type base plate (except it is raised on only one side). The screw post on the 75 is angled and that is what slants the head. For the AES and Eros, the screw post is straight, but the shape of the top cap and base plate is what makes the blade angled. In all three cases, the top cap fits on the base plate only one way.
In anticipation of receiving the Eros, I shaved with my AES over the weekend, and was planning to shave with my 75 last night, but the Eros came and so I shaved with that. Tonight's shave was with the 75.
I reviewed the Merkur 75 and the AES before and basically I was extremely impressed with the shaves from both. The trough did clog quickly with both razors, especially with the 75. Frequent rinsing was required as it did affect the shave. The AES had the advantage of being very intuitive in finding the proper shaving angle, however the 75 did allow for some techniques done with regular DE razors because of the symmetrical top cap. Both razors gave a two pass plus touch up near BBS shaves.
So now the Eros (B3). This razor also needed frequent rinsing because the trough filled up with lather quickly, although I noticed it was less than the AES, which was less than the 75. It seemed that the trough was more outward and not as upward as the other two. The angle was very intuitive, however because it was more of a bell shaped curve instead of a triangle (like the AES), there could be times when the angle gets adjusted slightly causing some loss of efficiency. It did, however give the most efficient and comfortable shave of all three with a straight two pass near BBS and a one pass DFS. I guess this idea of incremental improvements really works.
For all you normal types, the PAA AES is readily available at a very reasonable cost and gives a great shave. For all you nutso Holy Grail types, searching for a B3 (or a 75) will be worth your effort.
Later when PAA introduced their Alpha Ecliptic slant, I missed out on the first batch and had to patiently wait for the next batch, which came a couple of months later. I got the aluminum version first and then the bakelite version when it came out a couple of days later. I was impressed by that strange looking head (and also the one on the razor), and the fact that it came with instructions. Of course I was familiar with the instructions through my expereince with the Merkur 75. My first shave with the AES convinced me that the bakelite version was a keeper.
Later, @efsk mentioned to me that the PAA AES was not modeled after the REAL Walbusch but shared DNA with what was to eventually become the Walbusch/Merkur B3. From that day forward, I searched everywhere I could think of for a B3 and not coming up with much except for pictures and being outbid by $250 for one on eBay. Windrose did come up with a zamak clone but the reviews were not too favorable and so I had to continue to patiently search for one.
Finally I found one on eBay at a reasonable price and I immediately bought it. In researching the version that I got, I found out it was one made by (for?) Eros. I also found out that it did not have the standard M5 thread post, but an M4 and so none of my other handles would fit. I recall reading on the PAA site that the original AES that was cloned also had an M4 post. Not a major problem as I have learned to enjoy the light nimbleness of the bakelite razors.
Okay, so I finally got all in the family and it was time to compare the three:
The white razor on the right is the Merkur 75, the red one in the middle is the PAA AES, and the black one on the left is the Eros (B3).
First of all, all three razors have a pent head head. The Merkur 75 pent is symmetrical, where it contnues evenly from one side to the other. The AES and the Eros are asymmetrical, where one side is higher than the other, which folks refer to as a humpback. The AES comes close to being pointed, where the 75 and Eros are more rounded in shape. The razor that the AES was modeled from is also triangularly pent on one side, but slightly more tounded than the AES.
All three razors have a Progress type trough guard, which is very comfortable to use.
Finally, all three have an angled head (duh!), however the 75 is slightly more angled than the other two.
The 75 base plate is flat (like the Progress), the AES curves inward, and the Eros has somewhat of a RFB type base plate (except it is raised on only one side). The screw post on the 75 is angled and that is what slants the head. For the AES and Eros, the screw post is straight, but the shape of the top cap and base plate is what makes the blade angled. In all three cases, the top cap fits on the base plate only one way.
In anticipation of receiving the Eros, I shaved with my AES over the weekend, and was planning to shave with my 75 last night, but the Eros came and so I shaved with that. Tonight's shave was with the 75.
I reviewed the Merkur 75 and the AES before and basically I was extremely impressed with the shaves from both. The trough did clog quickly with both razors, especially with the 75. Frequent rinsing was required as it did affect the shave. The AES had the advantage of being very intuitive in finding the proper shaving angle, however the 75 did allow for some techniques done with regular DE razors because of the symmetrical top cap. Both razors gave a two pass plus touch up near BBS shaves.
So now the Eros (B3). This razor also needed frequent rinsing because the trough filled up with lather quickly, although I noticed it was less than the AES, which was less than the 75. It seemed that the trough was more outward and not as upward as the other two. The angle was very intuitive, however because it was more of a bell shaped curve instead of a triangle (like the AES), there could be times when the angle gets adjusted slightly causing some loss of efficiency. It did, however give the most efficient and comfortable shave of all three with a straight two pass near BBS and a one pass DFS. I guess this idea of incremental improvements really works.
For all you normal types, the PAA AES is readily available at a very reasonable cost and gives a great shave. For all you nutso Holy Grail types, searching for a B3 (or a 75) will be worth your effort.
