- Joined
- Wednesday January 14, 2015
- Location
- North of the Black Stump
First time around with this, and it's another first-class razor.
I went for a North American-themed morning, with Razorock's 400 Rubberset-style brush and Don Marco Bergamot Neroli soap. Blade is a thrice-used Schick Proline P-20 from my Hawk, and there aren't any fit or load problems with that blade.
Impressions:-
All in all, it's a pleasure to use. I'm not fussed whether razors are light, heavy or in-between, and I use everything from the Fine plastic slant to this, the Hone and a couple of other heavyweights, but in the heavy class, this is an exceptionally nice razor. If you prefer a heavier razor, then you'll probably like this.
- it's heavy (but, of course, we know that.)
- I prefer longer handles, but the slightly shorter one here is exactly mated to the head, and the whole thing feels good and well-balanced in the hand.
- it heats up and holds it incredibly well, so if you have very hot water, be careful.
- as usual with a razor this heavy, minimal pressure is needed, and it whizzes around more smoothly and slickly than even the aluminium model, with marginally less effort.
- there is considerable audible feedback, which I welcome; much more than the aluminium.
- two passes WTG and XTG, and it's "job done", with nothing adverse detectable after the liberal application of Fine Fresh Vetiver.
I'm tempted to compare the brass and aluminium, but this would be invidious. Both are superb shavers, but they are different in feel and use.
I still haven't worked out what exactly makes these two so good. Setting apart the handle and materials differences, and comparing them side-by-side, the form of the heads looks identical. I guess that it's down to a perfect combination of shape, geometry and blade gap. The new stainless AC SEs with rounded heads (not flat planes like Hawk and Alumi/Mon-goose) such as the Claymore and the Rocnels have thicker or bulkier heads than the slimmer, thinner Generals. Maybe this is significant?
My verdict? I like it very much. My problem? I'm running out of razors to dislike.
Great write up, I ordered my General the second they opened the web page. It was in London two days later but still nothing, I only live in Kent! Perhaps I am getting the personal service and the postman is walking from Heathrow. Do hope it has shrugged of it's old name Thief-row. Have to go the aluminium route for now.