Henson AL13 DFS pass around

add me to the list andrewjs18 I'd love to try it. I've never done a passaround, so someone needs to tell me what to do haha

use the razor for a week or so and provide feedback in this thread.

Hi all,

here's the latest pass around list. please keep the razor for about a week and then pass it off to the next person on the list. Once you get time, please share your thoughts in here whether positive or negative.

Before shipping the razor, please try giving it a quick alcohol bath or something of that sort to help minimize risks.

USA:
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)
shaveSymptomatic (Florida)
rawfox1 (Nevada)
ALI (Connecticut)
Dave in KY (Kentucky) *removed at user's request*
Kaotikfusion (New York)
gvw755 (Washington) *removed at user's request*
Jimmyfn (Oklahoma) *removed at user's request*
boilerphan (Indiana)
Hardrock (North Carolina)
Calm_Shaver *removed at user's request*
george1906 *removed at user's request*
jbreakfield (Alabama)
Lesser (New York)
TheHandleBar (California)
andrewjs18 (Pennsylvania)

Quick update... after some shipping delays, the Henson finally arrived today.  

I will start with a shave tomorrow, and will report back sometime soon.

Thanks to HensonShaving  for providing the razor and to andrewjs18  for organizing this pass around. 
There has been quite a bit said about the tolerances of this razor, and I have to say I am very impressed with it as well. I have not seen a razor that had imperceptible play with the top cap fitted to the base plate… no movement whatsoever. I was very interested to see this design up close, and it is very innovative. Similar but different to other modern DE razors. 

Shave #1
Blade: Wizamet SI (Fresh)
Brush: Elite Razor hybrid w/ Odin’s Beard knot
Soap: Ethos Succes
Post: GentlemanJon Alum block
Post: Ethos Replenish
Post: Ethos Skin Food Splash

I was apprehensive about using this razor, as I have not had great luck with other aluminum designs. The other design that I’ve tried was so light that it basically skipped across my beard, and required a lot of added pressure, which made for a harsh shave. 
I didn’t need to be worried… first pass WTG was nice and smooth, and I was pleasantly surprised. Due to the design, the angle is very easy to find and maintain. The weight of this razor is a little deceptive, but they have done a great job with the balance. The use of the tungsten thrust bushing is genius, and I think that makes the difference in the balance that would otherwise not be there. Tungsten is so much more dense than aluminum, just that small bushing adds plenty of weight towards the head. I much prefer longer handles (I have large hands), and this handle is a great length for me. I think the handle design also helps with the overall technique of shaving with this razor. 
Second pass XTG was also smooth; I inadvertently added a little pressure here and there, but nothing too crazy. Small weeper showed up below my Adam's apple, but went away just as fast. 
The telling pass for me, ATG… this can be harsh for me with almost any razor due to my skin/beard combo. This is where the Henson shined with it’s firm blade clamping… nice and smooth pass, and only needed a little bit of cleanup. 
Ended up with a almost BBS shave, with just a few stragglers here and there. I didn’t want to push it just yet with this razor. Alum block gave just a little feedback, but I rarely have no feedback, so this was a very good shave. I’m looking forward to my next shave with the Henson, as it can take a couple of shaves to get things dialed in for me. 

Some thoughts after my first shave:
This is a great razor design, and surprisingly smooth and efficient for me. It has piqued my interest in the Ti version, but I want to get a couple more shaves in. 
This will now be my recommended beginner razor to anyone who asks. 

Lesser , you are next on the list to try the Henson. Please PM your shipping info so that I have it when I'm done with the razor. Thanks!

Lesser , you are next on the list to try the Henson. Please PM your shipping info so that I have it when I'm done with the razor. Thanks!

Done.  Not sure how quickly I'm going to get to review it because I've got several razors all converging on me this week.

Hey andrewjs18 , I conferred with Lesser and since he has other razors already arriving, if it's ok with you and @"TheHandleBar" we can switch their positions and I'll send it on the him first, then he can send to Lesser . Let me know if that works, thanks.

Hey andrewjs18 , I conferred with Lesser and since he has other razors already arriving, if it's ok with you and @"TheHandleBar" we can switch their positions and I'll send it on the him first, then he can send to Lesser . Let me know if that works, thanks.

sure, that's fine.

I finished up with the Henson last week, but just getting a chance to put a few other thoughts down. Razor was clean, sanitized, and is on it’s way to @"TheHandleBar"

Shave #2
Blade: Wizamet SI (2)
Brush: Maple Graydog w/Maggard’s SHD knot
Soap: Ethos Succes
Post: GentlemanJon Alum block
Post: Ethos Replenish (Greenfresh scent)
Post: Ethos Skin Food Splash

For my second shave with the Henson, I purposely didn’t use quite as light a touch to see how that affected the shave. Not lots of pressure, mind you, but not super light, either. The 3 passes were still very smooth, and I was still surprised at how well it handles the ATG pass, and how smooth that pass was. Ended up almost BBS, with a little more feedback from the alum this time, but I expected that. I also did a little more buffing than the previous shave. I think with some practice, I can get great shaves with the Henson, with little to no irritation.
I think that I have slightly sensitive skin, so a razor like this works great.

Third and fourth shaves were much the same, three nice smooth passes. I’m definitely interested now in opinions of the more aggressive Ti version of this design.

Thanks again to HensonShaving for loaning the razor, and to andrewjs18 for organizing the pass around.

I'd like to join the passaround please