When I became more environmentally conscious many years ago, I decided to switch to a safety razor to reduce plastic waste. I landed on a reputable safety razor with a ‘mild’ angle, something that would be good for sensitive skin. Even with a good shaving soap, I found that I would regularly still get some discomfort from razor burn, despite learning a solid technique.
Enter: the Henson. This was touted as a ‘new’ design of safety razor that fully supported the blade, making it particularly well suited for sensitive skin, and much harder to nick yourself.
Well, I’ve been using this thing for a few months now, and I can honestly say the marketing isn’t an exaggeration, it’s been a game-changer for me.
It really is MUCH harder to nick myself with this, to the point where I can press it against my skin firmly like a disposable, and I still don’t get irritation. It’s one of the most pleasant shaving experiences I’ve had, and I can heartily recommend one for anyone who wants a truly mild safety razor.
Its made of machined aluminum, and built to tight tolerances. I anticipate I’ll be using this sucker quite literally for the rest of my life.
Though do bear in mind, If you have a thick beard or non-sensitive skin, the mild henson might not be ideal for you. As an example I still use my old razor with it’s more exposed blade to shave my head, as this henson gets clogged up far too quickly for that application (unless the hair is already really short). But for the face with light facial hair? Perfection.
where can I buy them in europe?
The official website want >50€ for shipping alone.
They have some official distributors in Europe: https://hensonshaving.com/pages/international-retailers
I have had one for a year and will never buy a new razor. The blades are ultra cheap and give an insanely good shave. I’ve gifted these razors to all my sons as well. They also love them.
Been using a Dual Edge Safety Razor for a year. It’s so much more affordable and a better shave. I shave every day. I spent like $15 on my razor (1939-45 Gillette tech,) $15ish for 100 razor blades (I use Gillette Nacets) where each one I use for about a week. So what almost two years of blades? I use Arko shave soap which is like $8 a tub and it last me like 3 or 4 months. After shave about $10 again another 2 or 3 months. Most expensive thing was my shave brush which was like $35. Won’t buy another for forever.
Anyway. It’s a nice thing to do. It will take a few weeks to get used to. The shave is excellent and once your used to it you can shave just as fast as the disposable ones with a crazy close shave.
If anyone has a recommendation for one for head shaving, I’m all ears!
I do it with a Gillette red tip but you could get an adjustable one.
I haven’t checked the market in a long time, but new razors weren’t worth it when I was into it years ago, old models were perfect and cheap.
Many wet shavers that shave their head like the Leaf razor. Similar in design to modern manual razors so a comfortable transition if that’s what you’re used to. You also can buy regular safety razors and snap them in half yourself to avoid buying the Leaf proprietary ones.
The AL13-M Henson, which is more aggressive than the one I have, may work out for that. (even my ultra mild henson works for head shaving if I do it regularly, it just doesn’t work well if you wait too long between shaves).
I think most ‘normal’ safety razors would handle head shaving just fine. I use a cheap entry level Maggard razor from their starter kit, but something like a Rockwell 2C, or King C. Gillette would probably work just as well. I’ve also read good things about vintage Gillette Tech’s from ebay, which can be snapped up pretty cheap.
EDIT: Also just discovered the Lord L6, which only $6.69, but seems to be highly regarded as a solid razor! :o
If you are all ears, why do you need something to shave your head? Or do ears have heads?
It’s ears all the way down, and as you can imagine it gets tough to shave the nooks and crannies!
Personally, I think the vanderhagen kit at target is the perfect place to start for a beginner. Inexpensive, mild and forgiving razor. Blades are mild but not too much so. It gives you time to go through the very small learning curve and gain the confidence/trust needed for peanuts. Then step two I would say is try a variety pack of blades, then just start ordering the ones you like best. Optional step three is treat yoself to a nicer razor, once you realize what you like (mild vs medium vs aggressive, and weight) and/or try a good shaving soap+synthetic brush, or just enjoy your current razor and call it a day. Your skin and wallet will thank you either way
I have a 3D printer and I’ve found this to work well:
https://www.printables.com/model/475587-de-safety-razor
One big problem: I left it tensioned in sunlight and it distorted (PLA probably isn’t the best choice but I don’t print in ABS). I had to print new parts. Probably not “buy it for life” but making replacement parts is so much easier than for a commercially bought model that it’s probably now a “ship of Theseus for life”.
Any ladies or theys in the chat that can attest to how good it is for legs/bits? I assume that if it’s good for faces it’s good for any other part of the body as well, but I’d love to hear any personal experiences you guys may have on that front!
Face and leg razors have different contours (that’s why leg razors are more expensive) if you’re worried about cutting then stick to a leg razor
I was worried about that, especially with a straight razor when my legs don’t have many flat planes on them. I will say, though, I’ve used men’s brand razors for years instead of women’s brands, and haven’t noticed much difference between the two. I assume the price difference is just typical pink tax.
Do you have any recommendations for a non-disposable that is good for legs? I have had the same safety razor for almost a decade but still shill out too much money for disposables because the safety razor tears up my knees/ankles.
No, I am all cut up
Dang, I hate to hear that. I was worried about that with a straight razor on those areas. That and poking around blindly with it in my bikini area without knowing how well it does didn’t sound ideal.
I shave my tidbits with a safety and found it to be much better in every single way. Less itch, most importantly.
Nice, okay! Do mind if I ask if you use any special soaps or do any extra prep beforehand? Also, is there a brand of razor you recommend?
Edit: just scrolled to the bottom of the thread and saw where you go into more detail. Thank you!
Better prep leads to a better shave with any razor, but you don’t have to start complicating it more if you don’t want to. I would do whatever you do with cartridge razors now, then explore changes after. Unless the safety razor/blade combo you’re starting with is very aggressive, the prep need is the same.
I love my safety razor. Go with one that has a longer handle. I have a vintage Lady Gillette Starburst razor that I picked up on eBay. It’s a super close shave. I stay smoother a couple of days longer than I did with cartridge razors. It completely got rid of shave bumps and my skin irritation that was driving me crazy. West Coast shaving sells blade sample packs so you can try a bunch and pick the one you like most.
Fwiw safety razor shaving is a deep deep rabbit hole. You will drop a bunch of money up front but the benefits are great. Some people get into it to save money (it is cheaper than cartridge shaving) but then they turn into collectors with bunches of razors and a huge array of shaving soaps, creams, and after shaves. You don’t HAVE to go that deep.
Haha it’s funny that you mention the rabbit hole, because this post definitely sent me down one. I was researching using safety razors for body shaving, and people seemed to keep mentioning the lady Gillette! I may have to pick one up. Do you recommend any particular year, or are they all about the same?
They are all about the same. Most I have seen are from the 60s but they were manufactured 1961-1975. From my excursion down the rabbit hole, pink and blue are easily found but the champagne color was difficult to find.
My wife uses Merkur Futur (it has adjustable agression), and I use Chinese rip-off of Merkur Futur for body hairs. Those work great, as for Henson I’d say it’s a bit too mild for body hairs unless you have them very thin and soft
have had it for 2 years, solid purchase. get a nice brush as well!
I started using a safety razor around 10 years ago. Highly recommend it. Takes a bit to get the technique down, but then you’re golden. But what razor, blades, etc is HIGHLY personal. My face isn’t your face. You’ll have to experiment for what blades work for you, along with soap and post-shave.
But in 2015 I bought 100 blades for $22. I’m just starting to run out. So I’ve saved a ton of money and get a better shave.
I don’t understand how you guys can use blades for so long. That’s 1 blade per month. I tried about 20 brands. Feather was the best for me. I get 2 or 3 shaves. That’s it. All other brands i got 1 shave. I blew through 50 blades (bought in May) in the last 6 months. By the 3rd shave I’m getting nicks from dull spots.
It has to be hair thickness or technique or something. I normally use feathers about 5-10 times before I feel uncomfortable tugging, but I hear a lot of people also say the same thing you do.
Yeah, I’ve been around wetshaving a little while now, and it all comes down to personal preference. I swear I saw on Reddit that someone had used the same blade for a year to “see if they could”. Personally, the most I’ve gone is 12 shaves, but usually I swap em after one shave as I’m only shaving my head every 1-2 weeks and I feel they oxidise or something if I let them sit that long.
I have a beard, so I’m just shaving my neck and cheeks.
I bought the aluminium and loved it so much I upgraded to the titanium. No regrets, although I can’t say there’s much difference except for the weight feels better.
I haven’t used any other safety razors, but I can’t imagine how anything could be better. It’s so good I can shave with just cold water (no shaving cream) and it still comes out perfect.
Cartridge razors are the most prevelant scam in modern society, they’re more prone to ingrowns, gunk up far before the blades are actually dull (making consumers go through them MUCH faster than blades), AND costs literally 100x per unit what razor blades do. Subjectively, I also get a much closer, infinitely less irritating shave.
I have a life pro tip for people using cartridge razors and having them gunk up: canned air. Like the kind you’re supposed to use on your keyboard or computer. Blow your razor out to dry and clear debris. It will last a shitload longer.
If you don’t like canned air, you can use a blower/duster.
Just… Water coming from behind? My cartridges last like 6 months of shaving my beard and head once a week…
Are your whiskers more fine? I think maybe this is an issue with thick whisker. Like the hair itself is thick.
I avoided shaving for more than a decade. Electric razors and cartridge jobs left me with endless ingrown hairs and irritation so beard and clippers for me. The only thing I hadn’t tried was a safety razor for fear of nicking myself into oblivion.
Enter the Henson Al-13. I’m very happy with it. Amazingly easy, close shave with very little in terms of nicking. I switched from the RK blades it came with to a slightly milder blade and I’m super happy! I can shave clean every day or two with no ingrown hairs, no irritation, no nicks.
Brilliant equipment and extremely well machined. You can switch to milder blades if you’re struggling, or more aggressive ones if you need. The ability to tune the handle to fit your skin and hair is absolutely game changing. Truly BIFL.
I love my slant safety razor. Very few nicks. Load with an Astra platinum and it’s a dream shave with some arko cream.
The AL13, and not the AL13-M, I presume?
Yes, and apparently they’ve redesigned some aspects of my razor since I’ve bought it.
Oh nice.
I’ve used a safety razor for a little under 20 years. I’ve also spent maybe $30 in blades in that time. Love my merkur futur.
