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.
+1 to safety razors in general. The disposables always used to make my neck and chin look like a horror film, not for lack of research on using. Switching to safety razors, I only shave around my beard so I use the same blades for a long while and shave infrequently, and I’ve been using the same pack of blades that I bought 5+ years ago. A little cardboard and metal, way less waste, I have a huge supply of razors so I haven’t thought about buying in ages, and I get a way better shave after just a little practice.
And the waste reduction can’t be understated.
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.
I have a beard, so I’m just shaving my neck and cheeks.
I got one too, been a little under a year.
Just wanted to comment and vouch 100% for what OP is saying. The razor is actually surreal at times due to how little you feel it. It’s like rubbing the side of a pencil against your skin or something lol, except the hair is gone afterwards.
I did manage to nick myself under the knee once. You see, the razor feels so safe that it actually baits you into a state of over-confidence. So I ended up just absolutely FLYING with it to see how fast I could get the job done. I would advise staying cautious in sensitive areas, it is still a razor after all.
But yeah absolute game changer. Already paid for itself several times over. Plus I just like it, it’s nice having a piece of metal instead of another piece of plastic
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”.
have had it for 2 years, solid purchase. get a nice brush as well!
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.
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 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.
I’ve considered it, but as someone with meh dexterity who does very quick and lazy shaves I’ve heard bad things about safety razors for my use case, is that the case for these as well? I hate using plastic razors, but the whole “shaving ritual” thing sounds awful compared to my 30 second shave
I also preferred quick and lazy before getting a safety razor, bleeded a lot, too.
With the safety I’d recommend always starting the shave in the direction of hair growth and then doing across and against if you feel like it. You can find more instructions on-line, I wish I had this advice earlier, that would have helped a lot even with cartridges.
Be warned, safety razor shaving can become a rabbit hole if you’re not careful. I’ve spent a fair bit of coin on various razors, brushes, soaps, blades, and numerous other accessories. I was pretty settled on my setup for the last 2 years, but really wanted to try a lighter weight razor (aluminum or titanium). These have historically been very expensive. I stumbled upon this Henson AL13 razor and decided to try it out. Still expensive for me at roughly $80, but much cheaper than options I was looking at a few years back.
It’s been a couple of months now, and I am extremely happy with it. Compared with my previous razor (Karve Christopher Bradly, which I was very happy with) I barely even feel this razor on my skin, but it gets just as clean of a shave. I have very sensitive skin, so this is a blessing for me. 100% recommend.
I love my leaf razor. Practically zero learning curve ( just a little nervousness with the weight at the beginning), three blade design and they are designed so you can just get regular safety blades from any company and snap them in half to use. I hate when companies design their products so you have to keep buying things like blades from them.
