The PILS aesthetic - love it or...?

[K.T.]

I know the Pils gets a lot of love around here. From the looks of it, it seems to be a fantastic, premium quality razor; really fine materials and craftsmanship.

I don't want to be presumptuous as I've never handled a Pils, let alone seen one in person, but I had to get this off my chest: the design of the handle leave me somewhat cold. While I love the look of the head - it's got a very cool robot/ 70's DeLorean vibe to it, I feel the handle is too easy. It looks like brushed stainless rod stock with some nice capping at the ends. IMO, it (the handle) looks like something my classmates and I might have designed after our first few days in computer 3D modeling class, when we couldn't make anything more complex than some basic shapes with rounded edges. After reading all the love that the Pils was getting, I have to say I was a little disappointed when I was the pics for the first time.

Again, it's just my opinion. I know a lot of folks love the look of the Pils, and I don't want to imply that my view is better or anything like that. It's just that I've only ever seen great, passionate affection for this razor, and to me it somehow doesn't quite resonate. Does anyone else feel the same, or is it just me?

OK, I feel better, now.

K.T.

 

[Kevan]

I've never seen one in person nor handled one, and by all accounts it performs fantastically, but it looks like something that someone knocked together in their garage.

YMMV.

 

[siouxsie]

Well, you're entitled to your opinions, but I quite like the minimalist, elegant design. If you made me give up either the PILS or the Feather stainless, I'd have a really hard time deciding.

 

[Stubblefield]

I've never seen one in person nor handled one, and by all accounts it performs fantastically, but it looks like something that someone knocked together in their garage.

YMMV.

However, when you hold one in your hand that is the last thing you think. The heft, finish, and tolerances on this razor are fantastic. Knocked together it is not. YMMV.

 

[ssultan]

The whole package ...well...just works...it's a very minimalistic design...and if you're the type of individual that notices the finer details...you'll love the machining on the razor...it really is a beautiful piece. Remember, you're buying this razor because you appreciate the design and want to own one...you can get the same shave from a $25 razor...

 

[Kevan]

Like I said, I haven't held one. And I agree the head is definitely unique. But even from that pic, the angle makes me think of someone getting a metal pipe and sticking a slab of steel on the end.

Maybe it's just the non-traditional design that puts me off, I dunno.

 

[Kevan]

The whole package ...well...just works...it's a very minimalistic design...and if you're the type of individual that notices the finer details...you'll love the machining on the razor...it really is a beautiful piece. Remember, you're buying this razor because you appreciate the design and want to own one...you can get the same shave from a $25 razor...

Yeah, I agree with that. The same is true of the Feather, which I own and adore for all the reasons you just stated.

 

[siouxsie]

I seem to recall you bashing the Feather before you bought that too.

I see a PILS in your future.

 

[Kevan]

I seem to recall you bashing the Feather before you bought that too.

I see a PILS in your future.

I bashed the Feather because it seemed to be $160 for a Tech-clone. But I always loved the aesthetics of it. The Pils.....like I said, it must be the non-traditional design, but I just don't think it's purty.

 

[Stubblefield]

Maybe it's just the non-traditional design that puts me off, I dunno.

That might be it--it really is like no other razor out there. Traditional it is not.

Oddly enough, after handling it I cannot imagine the handle being any other way.

 

[Sueto]

Well, you're entitled to your opinions, but I quite like the minimalist, elegant design. If you made me give up either the PILS or the Feather stainless, I'd have a really hard time deciding.

I'd just assume to shoot the person asking me and keep both.

To own one shows the lust for a minimalist aesthetic. It's a fine shaving instrument. It's the first tool I use almost everyday, the other days it's the Feather. It's something that has been made for one purpose and stripped down to the very essence of what it is used for. While it is just basic geometry, some of the best art through the ages were just manipulations of the triangle.

It's hard to decide which bumper sticker might apply... My other razor is a Pils.

 

[K.T.]

OK, I admit that picture looks delicious. Still, I'm ambivalent about the handle.

Looking at it further, I think it might be this: because the capping on both the top and bottom appear to be the same height, the razor looks top-heavy, especially with the head on top, too. Like there's not enough weight or support on the bottom, visually. Maybe if the capping on the bottom of the handle were taller than the capping on top, the handle would look more balance and integrated.

I do like the minimalist look. There's just something about the handle that just doesn't look right to me.

K.T.

 

[Kevan]

I'm searching the forum now for pics. There doesn't seem to be a review so I'm hoping someone has posted detailed views of the Pils from several angles. Maybe I'll change my mind if I see them.

 

[siouxsie]

I'm searching the forum now for pics. There doesn't seem to be a review so I'm hoping someone has posted detailed views of the Pils from several angles. Maybe I'll change my mind if I see them.

There are a bunch of nice pictures on razoremporium.com. Outside of Stub's photos, they are the nicest I've seen.

 

[Kevan]

Thanks for that link. Seeing those pics have definitely made me appreciate the design, though I have to say it looks best in gold and probably black handle too. Seeing it from the front and with a disassembled head reveals the clean lines and workmanship. Not an instant-love sort of thing but I could grow to appreciate it.

 

[Stubblefield]

Looking at it further, I think it might be this: because the capping on both the top and bottom appear to be the same height, the razor looks top-heavy, especially with the head on top, too. Like there's not enough weight or support on the bottom, visually. Maybe if the capping on the bottom of the handle were taller than the capping on top, the handle would look more balance and integrated.

The capping on the top is actually taller than the bottom cap.

I took a bunch of pix today but I need better light--I'll post some up tomorrow.

 

[Tha Baron]

I'll reserve my full judgement when mine arrives by the end of the week!

I'm not put off by the handle at all... If you want something "innovative" and "over-engineered" you could find a Gillette Fusion handle with a battery inside!! Honestly, I like the simple handle with very little to muck up a pretty cool minimalist design and impecable craftsmanship.

 

[K.T.]

The capping on the top is actually taller than the bottom cap.

Bingo. That's it. I think that's why it doesn't work for me. It's not so much the simplicity of the handle, it's the visual weighting. It was something I couldn't quite put my finger on, but it just feels too top-heavy. The taller height of the top cap subtly contributes to the anemic feel of the bottom half of the handle. It just doesn't feel right to me.

If the bottom of the handle looked more visually balanced, I'd be lusting after one, too!

We'd love to see more pictures.

K.T.

 

[siouxsie]

Both neck ring and end cap on mine are 13.5 mm...?

 

[Stubblefield]

Both neck ring and end cap on mine are 13.5 mm...?

Yeah, after I posted that I measured, you are right. Tho it did look like it at the beginning.

Bingo. That's it. I think that's why it doesn't work for me. It's not so much the simplicity of the handle, it's the visual weighting.

That certainly is something to consider. Even tho I am aware of it, I don't notice the weighting at all.