A new stainless SE on the block - Alpha Claymore Evolution

My Claymore didn’t fit Prolines. Paladin Shave had to take it back after one got stuck. He made it right by fixing the issue, but I do think these need to fit the P-30s.

Ok, so I did end up ordering a Claymore Evolution from Executive Shaving and it has arrived. First shave was quite astonishing to me and I am very, very pleased I got the razor. For £140 (I chose the polished version) or £115 for the matte finish it is incredible value. Honestly, if you are looking for a mild-feeling razor that is very efficient (as so many people are), this beats anything else I’ve tried at any price.

I used a Schick Proline P-30 blade. It fit into the razor extremely easily so I think the calibration of the posts to accommodate all popular AC blades is completely a non-issue now.

Is it better than my Blackland Vector? I would certainly say it is as good, and it gives a different enough experience that I think it is well worth owning both (although either could easily be your best or only razor). The Vector has a bit more blade feel and is significantly less smooth on my face (but it’s a pleasant blade feel that is never rough and gives it a scalpel-like sense of precision). The Vector is a touch more efficient (though only by the tiniest margin), and the Vector’s slim head design is something very nice to experience. I actually like the look of the Claymore Evolution and its handle, and the weight and balance feel really good in my hand. The polishing on the Claymore is excellent, by the way, and I don’t know how they can offer this standard of finish for only a £25 premium.

This is a pretty enthusiastic review, but there are two things about the Claymore that really stood out compared to any of my other razors (about 40 premium modern razors - I’ve got most things that people would compare against - but not all, of course):

First is what I said about the very mild, smooth feel but genuine efficiency. I got a completely smooth shave with no irritation at all, and my face stayed smooth even pressing on my skin for another ten hours. I normally look for highly efficient razors that have some blade feel but are reasonably smooth and comfortable. I was always disappointed with mild razors that are supposed to be very efficient - they are nice but never efficient enough for a two-day shaver who likes a long-lasting, irritation-free shave. This is the first mild razor that completely satisfied me with its efficiency, or even came close. My target for a perfect shave is 12-15 hours complete smoothness with pressure on my skin, but I will take 10 happily for how smooth this razor felt. Maybe I can do a bit better, but for a first shave with this razor it was already a standout and an unprecedented result for me.

Second is hard to describe but I just felt instant total comfort in holding and using this razor. I felt completely in control and at one with the razor, like it was an extension of my hand. It glided effortlessly across my face, perfect weight, perfect balance, unhurried and calm. More than I’ve felt with any other razor. Maybe not everyone would feel the same, for their preferences, but this was really striking to me. I don’t know whether the matte version glides as well as this polished one, but the glide on mine is remarkable.

Love my new polished Alpha Claymore Evo (1st shave). I’m still in the honeymoon period.

I had a perfect 3 pass shave with Proline & B&M Vespers Omni, what a Base!! It was so smooth on all 3 passes, the Proline blade really shined on its 2nd use. This razor glides so smoothly on the skin and removes whiskers very easily and effectively. It is much smoother than I anticipated. Also, from my observation it is deceptively efficient. Definitely belongs in my Big Dog SE rotation with Vector Ti and Cobra Classic. I can’t wait for the next shave. I’m impressed. Definitely the biggest sleeper razor of the Year!! (As smooth&efficient as Timeless Titanium .95, maybe smoother imo, ymmv)

An effortless shave this morning with the Claymore Evo. Face & neck are completely clear of whiskers with an uber smooth face feel to the touch. It had been some time since my last shave with the Evo and I figured I would need a pass or two to get back into the groove with it. No such thing occurred as it was spot on from the first mid-stroke and on. A super comfortable shave with an effectiveness in cutting that few razors can achieve regardless of format. I’ve never requested an exchange with Alpha concerning the minor top cap discrepancy as the results were never affected by this minut issue. Overall it is an excellent shaver with a superb combination of mild yet efficient like characteristics in a shave tool that simply works to near perfection. It reaches the middle ground in terms of affordability if one compares it to the RR Hawk V3 as the low end leader vs the Blackland Vector which is substantially priced at a higher premium. And both are great razors. If you have either of them especially the Hawk V3 with the “A” plate or “OC” version, obtaining a Claymore Evo may be redundant. I think the Evo is a bit more effective in cutting over the Hawk V3 and is equally as smooth if not smoother. As for the Vector, the Evo nearly goes with it toe to toe perhaps only loosing out in how precise and how easily it is to maneuver the Vector over one’s face and neck. To some the lighter weight of the Vector is a key factor on the overall shave feel it provides. But, the Claymore is there and that extra weight does help and yet it still maintains very good balance & feel in the hands. It kicks the Vector’s butt in the price department for an almost equally performance driven razor in the Evo that actually feels a bit softer or warmer if you will on the skin. Can’t speak of the Vector Ti as I’ve never experienced one.

A very good value with excellent quality make up (it took a month or two to sort out the gremlins but, it achieved it) and sound customer service from the maker in getting it right. Is it in the Goldilocks zone of SE razor existence? I don’t know but, it sure is darn close.

Great shaves to all….

Fantastic shave once again as I am getting the Alpha Claymore EVO SE razor dialed in.  Wonderful 3 passes with a great result, BBS. I really like this razor. Finally found the perfect handle for it, what else but the Alpha Ti handle,… In my opinion it goes extremely well together. Also Proline & Claymore Evo = perfect combo.  

Enjoy your Shaves Everyone! Cheers!! 

Picked up a polished Evo when Alpha had their 50% off site wide sale a couple weeks back and it came in yesterday. My first Evo was of the matte finish and it performed as good as any other SE I’ve used in the AC format. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to experience the Evo with just two particular blades. The Feather Pro & the Schick Prolines as my razor was one of the early ones from the first release that would not accept all of the blades. I never sent it back as I felt it wasn’t necessary as the Evo with its shortcomings still delivered fabulous shaves.

Well, as you can see from the pic below, I installed a Feather Pro Super (one of my favorite if not most favorite blade in the AC format) and it was a superb, superb shave. For those that don’t know and those that do, I don’t mind a bit of blade feel in my shave and have come accustomed to blade forward designed razors. The Asylum V1 was an exceptionally blade forward design that really needed one to dot their i’s and cross their t’s in using it as well as another favorite of mine the Ikon El Jefe. When used with proper technique & care, there weren’t many razors in all of shave kingdom that could equal that feel and performance.

Here, the Claymore Evo does not come close to those two legendary razors in feel but, in performance it’s lockstep with those aforementioned two with a much easier feel on the skin and nearly as smooth performing as if a Proline were installed. Only other razor that I think comes close if not surpassing it is the Vector from Blackland. Though the Vector is more nimble in hand and such an easy razor to maneuver anywhere on one’s face, the Claymore Evo is no slouch. It does feel more robust and substantial yet, there is an excellent balance with the razor in hand. I think that my Brass General is just a tiny bit smoother than the Evo but, it’s not by much. And the Brass General is my favorite AC styled razor of all time and is in my top 3 favorites regardless of blade format. The Claymore Evo is in good company. Easier than either of the Rx & El Jefe and right there with the Vector & Brass General in efficiency with combined smoothness.

Just a fantastic performing razor with a Feather Pro Super installed. Great shaves to all…

Picked up a polished Evo when Alpha had their 50% off site wide sale a couple weeks back and it came in yesterday. My first Evo was of the matte finish and it performed as good as any other SE I’ve used in the AC format. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to experience the Evo with just two particular blades. The Feather Pro & the Schick Prolines as my razor was one of the early ones from the first release that would not accept all of the blades. I never sent it back as I felt it wasn’t necessary as the Evo with its shortcomings still delivered fabulous shaves.

Well, as you can see from the pic below, I installed a Feather Pro Super (one of my favorite if not most favorite blade in the AC format) and it was a superb, superb shave. For those that don’t know and those that do, I don’t mind a bit of blade feel in my shave and have come accustomed to blade forward designed razors. The Asylum V1 was an exceptionally blade forward design that really needed one to dot their i’s and cross their t’s in using it as well as another favorite of mine the Ikon El Jefe. When used with proper technique & care, there weren’t many razors in all of shave kingdom that could equal that feel and performance.

Here, the Claymore Evo does not come close to those two legendary razors in feel but, in performance it’s lockstep with those aforementioned two with a much easier feel on the skin and nearly as smooth performing as if a Proline were installed. Only other razor that I think comes close if not surpassing it is the Vector from Blackland. Though the Vector is more nimble in hand and such an easy razor to maneuver anywhere on one’s face, the Claymore Evo is no slouch. It does feel more robust and substantial yet, there is an excellent balance with the razor in hand. I think that my Brass General is just a tiny bit smoother than the Evo but, it’s not by much. And the Brass General is my favorite AC styled razor of all time and is in my top 3 favorites regardless of blade format. The Claymore Evo is in good company. Easier than either of the Rx & El Jefe and right there with the Vector & Brass General in efficiency with combined smoothness.

Just a fantastic performing razor with a Feather Pro Super installed. Great shaves to all…

I couldn’t agree more with you Gus!! Wonderful that  you got the polished version. Thats high praise if the Evo is in that legendary company. I find it to be terrific as well. With prolines p-30 the shaves are sublime. Its very well made. I think I need to grab the polished handle to go with it. Wonderful Sotd. Happy Shaving my Friend.