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Old 01-03-2023, 06:23 PM   #78
DoubleF
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Henson safety razor is $90CAD for a fixed safety razor head in aluminium.

https://hensonshaving.com/collections/henson-razors

Rockwell razors are $80, $150 or $180 CAD for razors that can be adjusted. (Chrome, Stainless steel and all in 1).

https://www.getrockwell.ca/pages/products

If you know a little about safety razors and you buy the Henson and it works great for you and you figure out a razor + razor blade combo that works best for you, awesome. To repeat, the Henson + avatar combo is awesome.

But if you don't know much about safety razors, the Rockwell IMO is a much better entry level razor because you can tinker with settings 1 through 6 with different razor blade combinations to figure out which you like the most. You won't be stuck with a fixed head design that is too aggressive or not aggressive enough and you can select different ones for different scenarios.

I don't have hands on experience with the Henson, but I assume the Henson AL13 is along the "aggressiveness" of the Rockwell on plate 1 or 2. The AL13-M "medium" is probably along the lines of Rockwell plate 3 or 4. I don't assume a "medium" would be the full aggressive exposure of a blade like Rockwell plate 5 or 6. No idea what the Ti22 is, but with the ability to select mild, medium and aggressive, I'm assuming it's a fixed head made in titanium as described above and aggressive is akin to the Rockwell plate 5/6 option. This is just how the blade will work and doesn't not address the balance of the razor.

Henson touts aluminium/titanium build and lightweight. Personally, a heavier razor isn't a bad thing and I actually kinda prefer the weight of it. I've tested out cheap butterfly head double edged safety razors that were super light and they're alright. It just feels like a better disposable vs something proper and robust. No experience with the Henson, but I feel like it's a modernized safety razor. It'll probably be quite good, but it won't feel like your grandfather's safety razor (not that it's the be all end all of a good razor anyways).

The Rockwell model T ($180) is an all in one butterfly head style that has level 1 through 6 that you can select. Rockwell model 6C ($80) vs 6S ($150) is chrome vs stainless steel with plates you can chance from level 1 through 6. There is a different weight feeling while using them and I think the handle on the S is slightly longer than the C as well. I've tried all 3 Rockwell razors (6C, 6S and T1) and I liked them all for a variety of reasons. I actually would say I like each for different scenarios. Usually I recommend the 6C for anyone wanting to dabble and the 3 guys who bought it were all happy with it and didn't feel the need to upgrade. I will say the 6S and model T feel better in bigger hands than 6C, but it's not necessary. The wife did annex the 6C for personal use and gifted me the Model T v1 in return.

TBH, durability is not a factor, because assuming you use the razor correctly and you don't drop it or whatever, any Rockwell or Henson safety razor should basically last you your lifetime, even with regular use. You'll likely replace it out of boredom or by stupidly breaking it by accident vs normal wear and tear.


Razor blades are the bigger debate and experiment you'd want to figure out. A fixed blade that feels bad can be awesome with a different blade inside. Blades are based on sharpness and flex combinations that work or don't work with certain razor heads/designs and weights. By "work with", I mean personal preference.

Last edited by DoubleF; 01-03-2023 at 06:26 PM.
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