I’ve mentioned this before, but here’s full disclosure on this week’s shaves: This isn’t the first time I’ve shaved with this razor and blade combo. Back in March, after getting my Henson mild, I paired the Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge (yellow) blade with it because it was a favorite from trying it with my King C Gillette razor (my primary at the time). In fact, this pairing was the first combo I used with the Henson mild.
The yellow is such a favorite blade that once I finish using it this week and next, it will be the most-used blade in my collection with 18 shaves.
That week feels so long ago in terms of my shaving journey, but the memory (and notes) stick with me because I’d been closely tracking my shaves for about a month by that time.
I noted that the combo was very comfortable, but the closeness was lacking. And that has stuck with me. In fact, I’ve talked about it here as being a shave I’d reach for if I just wanted a comfortable shave with minimal to no blade feel and didn’t really care about closeness.
I’ve learned a lot since then, so let’s see if we can put that learning to the test. While it should be noted that that first shave with Henson and this blade was also my first shave with the Proraso white soap setup, I was still definitely learning how to make a good lather.
The Ratings
Sunday’s Shave, #215. The Proraso white, Henson blue and 7 O’Clock yellow shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Henson AL-13 + mild
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge (yellow)
- Pre-Shave: Proraso Sensitive pre-shave cream (white)
- Brush: Proraso boar shaving brush
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Proraso Sensitive shave soap (white)
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Proraso Sensitive aftershave balm (white)
As a quick reminder, I closed out last week with the Rockwell with a shave using plate 2, which is roughly equivalent to the Henson mild in terms of aggressiveness. And I loved that shave. It was almost perfect, and just a joy–no irritation to speak of, and very close.
I expect similar results this week, but while I haven’t talked about this, the experience with the Rockwell 6C plate 2 and the Henson mild is vastly different. Someday I’ll speak to that, but the basics are that the Henson just goes where the head is supposed to, and it has a very light touch because of its weight. The Rockwell has a heft to it that helps it keep in contact with the skin.
It should also be noted that I haven’t used the Proraso white soap in just about 5 weeks–this is something brought on with the rotation through the other Proraso lathers, including the Proraso white cream. But I haven’t lost my touch lathering with it, as it made a great, thick, slick lather in short order, and slickness helps the Henson razors just glide across my face effortlessly.
As per usual with the Henson mild, I made multiple passes and used extra strokes to get the closeness I want, and did not incur any added irritation. In fact, there was no irritation with the alum at the end of the shave, which is wonderful.
This shave told me that my technique in prep and shaving have improved, and this combo is one to keep coming back to, because I don’t think it will ever fail me.
Comfort: 25 of 25
Quality/Closeness: 22 of 25
Overall: 23 of 25
Tuesday’s Shave, #216. The Arko shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Henson AL-13 + mild
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge yellow
- Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Unscented pre-shave shaving stick
- Brush: Omega 10019 boar shaving brush
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Arko Shave Stick
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Nivea Men’s Sensitive Soothing Post Shave balm
Yes, this shave was almost perfect like the one on Sunday. But there were some key differences that make me appreciate the new rating system and illustrate how a great shave might not be as great as the last.
The comfort was slightly worse than Sunday–a bit of irritation with the alum, but it didn’t last the whole minute I left it on. But the closeness was improved over Sunday. Both of these can probably be attributed to the pre-shave and lather, which aren’t quite as elite as the Proraso. Or, it could be due to Sunday’s shave being after 2 days off. Or it could be a combination (this seems likely).
The Arko lathered well and is nicely slick, but with the Razor Emporium pre-shave under it, isn’t as slick as any Proraso combo I use. And that likely helped contribute to the added irritation. I needed to make about the same number of extra strokes to cut down the stubble, but that seemed to do a better job on the closeness front, so I’m going to attribute that not to technique or products, but to having less beard to get through.
One way to help determine the causes of the irritation and closeness will be Thursday’s shave. Looking forward to it!
Comfort: 24 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 23 out of 25
Overall: 23 out of 25
Thursday’s Shave, #217. The Nocturnal Savage shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Henson AL-13 + mild
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge (yellow)
- Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Unscented pre-shave stick
- Brush: Omega 10019 boar brush
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Hoffman’s Grooming Nocturnal Savage shaving soap stick
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Dollar Shave Club Post Shave Cream
Closing out the shave week, it’s very clear that my skin really likes this razor and blade combo. Every single shave has been almost perfect, missing perfection with just minor issues. Today’s shave missed because there was widespread instantaneous sting with the alum on my neck, but that sting stopped very quickly. And the closeness isn’t the best I’ve felt, but is certainly close enough for a great shave.
And I’m going to say that based on this shave, the slight increase in irritation or sting is due to there being just two days of stubble, as the comfort was really similar to Tuesday.
This was the first use of the Hoffman’s Grooming Nocturnal Savage soap, and while I’m not a fan of its fruity scent (blackberry, raspberry, champagne, musk), it doesn’t hang around after the shave, easily fading or getting covered up by the unscented Dollar Shave Club balm. But now having used all three Hoffman’s soaps, I can say that I really like their base–it lathers very well, is thick and rich, and provides excellent slickness.
So, closing out the week with the Henson mild, I’ll move on next week to the Henson medium with the Gillette 7 O’Clock yellow. I’m expecting the shaves to be very good, but I’m not sure they will reach the almost perfect range.
See you next week.
Comfort: 24 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 23 out of 25
Overall: 24 out of 25