PAA Alpha Ecliptic Slant Razor

I just received one of these razors in the mail today along with tubs of Coconut Oud and Honeysuckle shaving soap. Nice. The razor is in black aluminum and looks nicely finished although the edges of the top cap are sharp enough to shave with without a blade, I'll have to make sure to handle with care. I'll be using it in the morning loaded with a Rapira Platinum Lux blade. PAA advises to use a middle of the road blade for the first few uses to get used to it before you load it with the uber sharp. That would be Feather for me, hands down my favourite blade.

Has anyone else had experience with this razor?

I've never even heard of it, but I'm eagerly waiting for your review and photos!

I wanted it when I saw it, but then when I got to hold one of them, I changed my mind. Being made entirely of aluminum makes it exceedingly light. I prefer my razors to have some heft to them. I would still love to try it though. I've had a thing for slants lately.

Excellent, Marko! Can't wait to read your review

I've never even heard of it, but I'm eagerly waiting for your review and photos!

It wasn't hyped all that much and at $75 for aluminum its a little expensive - they just released it in bakelight for a lot cheaper.

I used it this morning with the Rapira PL blade and B&M Bay Rum classic base soap - its not as smooth as the Ikon 102 and will take a bit of practice.  I thought it bit me once but there was no blood flow, weird, maybe I'm dead?  I did get a couple of weepers but otherwise a decent shave for the first use.  I'll try it a few more times with the Rapira blade before I install a feather but I think the Feather will be very good in there, although I don't see this razor unseating the Rockwell 6s or the ikon 102 or any one of several other razors I have right now but who knows, maybe it'll grow on me.  I do find it a little light so I might try it with a steel handle to see if that makes any sort of difference to the experience.

Here are some images of the razor - the design puts quite a curve into the blade as well as the slant.

Thanks for the review and photos Marko! Keep us posted on how your experience progresses with this razor.

I almost bought the first version (just a different color), but it sold out in one day. I was out on a boat crabbing looking at it on my phone and when I got to shore it was gone. Let us know how it goes. It looks really interesting though. What is the aggression level?

I almost bought the first version (just a different color), but it sold out in one day.  I was out on a boat crabbing looking at it on my phone and when I got to shore it was gone.  Let us know how it goes.  It looks really interesting though.  What is the aggression level?

Its fairly aggressive feeling - not nearly as smooth as the 102

Seems to have a large gap.

Seems to have a large gap.

Its fairly large and like I said earlier, the top cap is really sharp, the edge of the cap is almost as sharp as some razor blades and the corners are super sharp too. This is a razor to be very careful with.