Member
Chicago
I purchased the first offering of the Asylum and used it once, I didn't like the shave it was to mild (I use Polsilver blades) the handle to short, overall the razor to small, I put it away (this is my opinion on what I like this does not take away from others that like this type of razor and shave). A few months later the Brass XL version came out, I sold the Asylum and purchased the Brass (heavier with a longer handle) used it twice I liked the weight and handle length but the shave even with the additional weight was still the same mild shave. This razor did not give me the blade feel and close BBS shave I get everyday from the razors in my rotation, I put it away.
When I read hat Phil had commissioned a more aggressive plate and was asking for testers I asked to be one of them mainly because I like the concept of its historical design, I gotta a yes.
I received the Brass base plate and put it on my Asylum. Now how does this razor compare to my daily shavers the Timeless SS 95 OC, Timeless Ti 95 OC, Blackbird SB, Wolfman SS DC, Ever Ready Streamline, BBS 1 and the ATT SE1.
So you know I had no exceptions, Phil stated that the plate was more aggressive then the original, what does that mean? aggressive? compared to what other razor, the RX?
The next morning I took my shower and after got ready for my shave. I put in a Polsilver and watered my Paladin Chief (medium backbone super plush lathering) the soap was the new 4.3 SV Fern ( I enjoy the fern I purchased a few years ago so now I could try the new formula). I shaved the left side of my face and stopped, the shave felt as smooth as my Wolfman, I took out my Wolf and put in a Polsilver and shaved my right side. I then went back to the Asylum and got the same sound and feel but it was shaving like the Timeless SS 95 OC (which I used along side the Asylum on the 2nd shave, on the 3rd shave it was just the Asylum). As`far as my daily shave I always go for a BBS, the entire process takes me about 40 minutes from beginning to end, in-which I finish with alum, Thayers non-alk and raw shea butter.
I continued this comparison and was delighted on how well this new plate totally changed the shaving personality of this razor.I was also surprised how well my hand maneuvered the Asylum around my face. Before with the mild plate the razor did not perform for me so the razors sleek design and maneuverability was lost. Now with this new plate it has become a totally different razor.
As far as the handle is concerned I am pretty particular since all my handles are 13 to 14 in dia. I did not think about this until the first shave was over and again I was surprised. This sleek handle on this sleek head gives this razor great maneuverability meaning that this razor became a baton in my hand (I have never twirled a baton). I swirled this razor from blade side to blade side with my fingertips as well as up and down the handle, the grip is excellent.
I now have 3 shaves under my belt and my opinion has not changed it is a top notch razor with the new plate and for me I have gotten a BBS with each shave.
So to conclude I found this new plate renders a smooth and very close shave, that for me was not overly aggressive to where I had to pay a lot of attention to how I was shaving. So my opinion is If you like the Wolf or if you don't have a Wolf and want a razor that gives a somewhat identical smooth shave with the results of the Timeless 95 OC you will be very happy with the new Asylum aggressive plate.
One more thing, if you want to tweak the aggressiveness to its max use a Feather. If you have sensitive skin and want to tone it down a notch and still get an excellent efficient close shave then I would recommend blades similar to a Voskhod. Any way you go you will not be disappointed with the Asylum with this new plate. Please remember this is only my opinion but I feel quite confident in my assessment.
P.S. The new DV 4.3 fern is a super soap, the other soaps I used were Tallow and Steel and the new Grooming Dept tallow. Also as someone who owns the razor will I be able to purchase a mild or aggressive plate to add to this razor without purchasing a new razor?
When I read hat Phil had commissioned a more aggressive plate and was asking for testers I asked to be one of them mainly because I like the concept of its historical design, I gotta a yes.
I received the Brass base plate and put it on my Asylum. Now how does this razor compare to my daily shavers the Timeless SS 95 OC, Timeless Ti 95 OC, Blackbird SB, Wolfman SS DC, Ever Ready Streamline, BBS 1 and the ATT SE1.
So you know I had no exceptions, Phil stated that the plate was more aggressive then the original, what does that mean? aggressive? compared to what other razor, the RX?
The next morning I took my shower and after got ready for my shave. I put in a Polsilver and watered my Paladin Chief (medium backbone super plush lathering) the soap was the new 4.3 SV Fern ( I enjoy the fern I purchased a few years ago so now I could try the new formula). I shaved the left side of my face and stopped, the shave felt as smooth as my Wolfman, I took out my Wolf and put in a Polsilver and shaved my right side. I then went back to the Asylum and got the same sound and feel but it was shaving like the Timeless SS 95 OC (which I used along side the Asylum on the 2nd shave, on the 3rd shave it was just the Asylum). As`far as my daily shave I always go for a BBS, the entire process takes me about 40 minutes from beginning to end, in-which I finish with alum, Thayers non-alk and raw shea butter.
I continued this comparison and was delighted on how well this new plate totally changed the shaving personality of this razor.I was also surprised how well my hand maneuvered the Asylum around my face. Before with the mild plate the razor did not perform for me so the razors sleek design and maneuverability was lost. Now with this new plate it has become a totally different razor.
As far as the handle is concerned I am pretty particular since all my handles are 13 to 14 in dia. I did not think about this until the first shave was over and again I was surprised. This sleek handle on this sleek head gives this razor great maneuverability meaning that this razor became a baton in my hand (I have never twirled a baton). I swirled this razor from blade side to blade side with my fingertips as well as up and down the handle, the grip is excellent.
I now have 3 shaves under my belt and my opinion has not changed it is a top notch razor with the new plate and for me I have gotten a BBS with each shave.
So to conclude I found this new plate renders a smooth and very close shave, that for me was not overly aggressive to where I had to pay a lot of attention to how I was shaving. So my opinion is If you like the Wolf or if you don't have a Wolf and want a razor that gives a somewhat identical smooth shave with the results of the Timeless 95 OC you will be very happy with the new Asylum aggressive plate.
One more thing, if you want to tweak the aggressiveness to its max use a Feather. If you have sensitive skin and want to tone it down a notch and still get an excellent efficient close shave then I would recommend blades similar to a Voskhod. Any way you go you will not be disappointed with the Asylum with this new plate. Please remember this is only my opinion but I feel quite confident in my assessment.
P.S. The new DV 4.3 fern is a super soap, the other soaps I used were Tallow and Steel and the new Grooming Dept tallow. Also as someone who owns the razor will I be able to purchase a mild or aggressive plate to add to this razor without purchasing a new razor?
Steven