The General in brass

Ferrum said:

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:-

• 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.

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.

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.

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Ferrum said:

It all goes together neatly and tightly. Compared to the Hone, there are slight but visible horizontal machining marks width-wise on the top-cap exterior, and rather more in the interior. That's to be expected, with the need to form the threaded post and the pins. The baseplate is pretty smooth both sides, and the handle likewise, with a bit of turning mark on the butt end. The handle isn't matt, but it isn't mirror-finish either. The overall look is "workmanlike" rather than "jewel-like".

I still think a name stamped or engraved in the baseplate, a la Hone top cap, would be nice, but that's just me. The other thing is that some discolouration has appeared already on the baseplate, and, as with the Hone, people will doubtless like it or be busy with the Peek or Brasso. Time will tell.

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Blademonkey said:

Thank you, I'm in agreement with you re the stamped / engraved name similar to the Hone but I'm sure I can overlook that small point.
I shall be leaving mine to tarnish as I have with the Hone.
I suppose the quality of the shave is of the most important part of any razor, jewel like looks alone does not make a good razor.

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wingman said:

Well the General certainly did not disappoint, a close smooth shave using an AC Pro
on its second shave just gave wonderful results. Very difficult to find fault with this beautiful razor.
It's a keeper and goes into my hall of fame.

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wingman said:

Hi Kypros,
Had to let the RX go but the Brass General has more than compensated, you will love it when it arrives.
It will give the OneBlade a run for its money, more positive feel and the blades on a shave for shave basis work out cheaper.
However that is not always what we buy them for, good luck my friend.

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