Closed Pass Around: Asylum RX - Finished.

First shave with the Asylum RX.

On Tuesday evening, I poured a cup of tea down my throat. The problem was, it was the outside! So I start the shave testing with a light burn to the side of my neck. No blister, but skin pink and tender so please bear this in mind.

Appearance
Beautifully made razor. Excellent finish, with detailing very precise and cleanly machined. The overall impression is quite head-heavy and this is down to the relatively short handle. The aesthetics might have been improved with an additional 10mm on the length of the handle. It is, nonetheless, an impressively made razor.

Ergonomics
The blade fitting technique is a little different to most. It is a more elegant solution than the 'clamping plates' approach of most other manufacturers but it is also somewhat more fiddly. Blade positioning prior to closing the razor is a bit tricky and this is not helped by the shallow depth of the locating posts. I would like to see these more pronounced on a putative 'Mk. 2' version. Nothing here that a some practice doesn't help though. Balance of the razor was pretty much as expected from the appearance. Balance point was very close to the head and the razor will apply its own pressure if left to do so. I used a little 'negative pressure' to avoid damaging the skin where burned.

Shave
Soap - TFS Arancio Amarro, bowl lathered.
Brush - custom, with 'Tuxedo' synthetic knot.
In the light of the sensitive neck area, I deliberately chose a lot milder blade that I would normally use. I went for one of the supplied Feather Softguard blades. In other razors, the Mongoose in particular, I would not have got a reasonable shave with a blade like this. I was therefore quite surprised to find that the sensitive skin was not further irritated and that the shave quality was very good. Bear in mind here that I was aiming for a VERY light touch and expected to leave a little palpable bristle. This did not happen and I ended up smooth skinned with zero irritation. As I write (early afternoon) I can feel a faint touch of re-emergent bristle, about two hours earlier than usual. This is an excellent result and speaks of a very efficient razor. Alum sting was minimal and I used Trumpers Coral Skin Food as aftershave treatment.

Overall
An excellent first shave despite adverse circumstances. Tomorrow, by which time my skin will be normal, I will be using a Feather Pro blade which has seen a week's previous use. This should be a more realistic test for me.
 
The Asylum RX is now on the way to Oliver (Looney12345).

Please bear in mind that I have skin which can be disturbed by a passing breeze. Most people would class as 'mild' or 'moderate' a razor which I might find aggressive. I use, in ascending order of aggression, a Mongoose, a Claymore and a Hawk. The Rocnel SE50 I find too aggressive.

The RX is a beautifully made razor. The finish is great. For me the look is a bit head-heavy, which makes the handle seem a bit short.

in use, the impression of head heaviness is borne out. The balance point is very near the head which brings the razor quite forcibly against the skin. For me, with a 'broken in' Feather Pro loaded, it was just a bit too much. I had to be careful to apply a bit of negative pressure, otherwise I could feel too much blade edge and would have suffered from some rash. The Feather Softguard which I tried next seemed a better blade for me in this razor It allowed me to shave in a fairly determined fashion and let me get BBS without burn.

I would not buy one of these razors as it is just slightly too much for me and would have put me to the trouble of buying the slightly more expensive guard/mild blades. I do, however, think it is an excellent piece of engineering which would suit many users very well.
 
Hi Gents,

No sign of the RX Asylum yet today and it should have arrived at the very latest an hour and a half ago. I've spoken to the postman at work and he has confirmed that no special delivery items have been delivered thus far today.

I've asked Paul @globalm to advise what his tracking information says as maybe this can shed some light... Just waiting on a PM response. A delay has happened to me once when sending an item special delivery, it was delayed due to a road closure. Hopefully it's something along those lines with this package and it still turns up today as I'm not in the office tomorrow if they try and deliver it tomorrow! That's why you send things next day special delivery after all isn't it... to ensure you have them in line with your plans!
 
Hi Gents,

No sign of the RX Asylum yet today and it should have arrived at the very latest an hour and a half ago. I've spoken to the postman at work and he has confirmed that no special delivery items have been delivered thus far today.

I've asked Paul @globalm to advise what his tracking information says as maybe this can shed some light... Just waiting on a PM response. A delay has happened to me once when sending an item special delivery, it was delayed due to a road closure. Hopefully it's something along those lines with this package and it still turns up today as I'm not in the office tomorrow if they try and deliver it tomorrow! That's why you send things next day special delivery after all isn't it... to ensure you have them in line with your plans!

I've PM'd you. This won't be delivered until tomorrow courtesy of the 'guaranteed next day before 1.00pm' service.

Best part of ten quid for a service you don't get. It's rubbish. The last two SD items I have been involved have both failed. One received on Tuesday instead of Monday, now this one Wednesday instead of Tuesday.
 
I've PM'd you. This won't be delivered until tomorrow courtesy of the 'guaranteed next day before 1.00pm' service.

Best part of ten quid for a service you don't get. It's rubbish. The last two SD items I have been involved have both failed. One received on Tuesday instead of Monday, now this one Wednesday instead of Tuesday.
Thanks Paul, I've replied to your PM, this actually means I won't be able to pick up the item until Thursday as I am not in the office tomorrow. The whole reason for ensuring this was delivered to the office today. I'll advise the postman to leave this in my desk at work, not something I'm particularly keen on doing, but there's no other option.

As you've said, it's useless. Like you the last two things I've been involved with using RM Special Delivery, one as a sender and one as recipient have both cocked up. At least you'll get your postage fee back, consolation for you anyway ;)
 
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