Alpha DE Razor Appreciation Thread

Alpha DE Razor Appreciation Thread

I have enjoyed using Alpha Outlaws since 2018.  Details and pictures pertinent to the razor follow.  I have purchased 3 coppers, one steel, and one brass over the years.  These razors are in my weekly rotation per my preferences (3 pass daily shaver, prefer low exposure razors).  I really have appreciated Steve’s customer service and offerings.  Hope to purchase a Ti variant this year.  Now on to the data and pictures.

SPECIFICATIONS (Original, not the Evolution)
• Gaps: 56 and72
• Exposure: slightly positive
• Closed Comb head
• Blade covered by head, no exposed blade tabs
• 316L (2018), Copper (2021), Bronze (2023)

Outlaw Evolution – 316L and Titanium (2024). The Evolution was revised by offering a more steeply dipping top cap and bolstered razor baseplate clamping walls (wider) – providing better blade stiffness, no chatter, as pictured in this thread.

RAZOR HEAD (picture included)
• Lather channels are not compartmentalized and run almost the length of the baseplate
• Rounded top cap with no linear topography or ridges
• Lather channels have rounded ends
• Closed comb bar is scalloped moderately with diagonal indentations.
• Razor blade fit is accommodated and centers on two top cap columns and the center thread.
• Razor blade clamping is accommodated by raised walls which run the length of the blasé plate and are slightly wider in the Outlaw Evolution. Razor on the right on the compare picture
• The bottom of the base plate maintains a recessed well thread
• The bottom of the base plate shows the Alpha insignia tastefully engraved
• Top cap has thickened edges to meet tangentially with the base plate walls for a significant razor clamping surface area.
ACCESSORIES
• The razor heads are provided with various handle lengths and styles with various grippy options.  The Alpha website provides the lengths and diameters per the style you prefer.
• Razor stands are available and are ink well styled in the various matching metals.

OBSERVATIONS
• Feedback is significant.  One of my favorite features is this audible feedback.
• Provides an efficient daily shave
• The razors are hefty and well balanced
• Blade insertion and alignment is a cinch per the top cap and base plate design
• Razor clean up is not too tedious.  However, due to the recessed wells on the base plate and the blade clamping walls, it is more involved.  The lather channels are easy to de-scum. 
• The blade fir and head design optimized the reduction of blade chatter.
• I have found the best blades for the head are the smooth – sharp variants (Astas, Reds, Yellows, Silver blues), and not the super sharp blades (Feather, Blacks, Chromes): but YMMV.

Alpha Outlaw Evolution 316L

Sent from my SM-A536U using Tapatalk

Copper

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

Copper 56 gap

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Copper

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     Great razors. I have the original Outlaws in SS and Copper (Medium Plates). I also have the Evolution in Bronze. You know me, I do favor the more assertive razors with some bite. These Outlaws are mild/medium, but do provide just enough feel to not be too mild for my taste. However, even with the mild/medium gap and perhaps slight exposure, they provide a highly efficient shave. I find them similar to the Overlander. Not saying they are the same, but they both fall into that milder category while provide outstanding efficiency. The Outlaws are definitely excellent daily drivers, even for 3 pass shavers.

     Vlasta has great razors at great prices. I feel the price/performance ratio to be outstanding and his customer service has always been outstanding for me. Back when I bought my Betahive aluminum brush form him, I wanted a different knot and he was kind enough to swap that out for me no problem. 

Copper 72

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

     Great razors. I have the original Outlaws in SS and Copper (Medium Plates). I also have the Evolution in Bronze. You know me, I do favor the more assertive razors with some bite. These Outlaws are mild/medium, but do provide just enough feel to not be too mild for my taste. However, even with the mild/medium gap and perhaps slight exposure, they provide a highly efficient shave. I find them similar to the Overlander. Not saying they are the same, but they both fall into that milder category while provide outstanding efficiency. The Outlaws are definitely excellent daily drivers, even for 3 pass shavers.

     Vlasta has great razors at great prices. I feel the price/performance ratio to be outstanding and his customer service has always been outstanding for me. Back when I bought my Betahive aluminum brush form him, I wanted a different knot and he was kind enough to swap that out for me no problem. 

That bronze is a beauty brother.

I am with you, Steve is the best. I bought several brushes from him about 6 years back. He understands his customer base.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

     Great razors. I have the original Outlaws in SS and Copper (Medium Plates). I also have the Evolution in Bronze. You know me, I do favor the more assertive razors with some bite. These Outlaws are mild/medium, but do provide just enough feel to not be too mild for my taste. However, even with the mild/medium gap and perhaps slight exposure, they provide a highly efficient shave. I find them similar to the Overlander. Not saying they are the same, but they both fall into that milder category while provide outstanding efficiency. The Outlaws are definitely excellent daily drivers, even for 3 pass shavers.

     Vlasta has great razors at great prices. I feel the price/performance ratio to be outstanding and his customer service has always been outstanding for me. Back when I bought my Betahive aluminum brush form him, I wanted a different knot and he was kind enough to swap that out for me no problem. 

That bronze is a beauty brother.

I am with you, Steve is the best. I bought several brushes from him about 6 years back. He understands his customer base.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

It really is a beauty. The pictures never do it justice. And the price for it was $169 with stand. I bought one without the stand so I think I paid around the $129 mark? I can't find my email confirmation. Either way, totally worth it. Beautiful razor, nice polish, outstanding performance.

HI Tommy - many thaks for starting this thread. I can answer (almost ) andy quezstions you haver about Outlaw razors or indeed any Alpha stuff. Thanks again.