Is The Henson Shaving Hype Real? Henson AL13 and Ti22 Review

The @HensonShaving Company has done a lot of the last several years to bring new comers to the wet shaving world. They have great ads on social media platforms, they have strong supporters, and a good product. But is the Henson hype all it's cracked up to be? Can it compete with the heavy weight safety razors of the world?

[williampotter]

Not subscribing or liking. The music in the background is distracting.

[tomsellout]

Great review. I do have to point out though, as a machinst, the $200 price increase for titanium over aluminum sounds fair. Not only is titanium a much more expensive material, it’s much harder. Stronger metals require stronger tooling and more rigid machines as well as a significant increase in machine time.

[thwh]

I didn't like the Henson AL13 either because it wasn't efficient enough for me.
I was about to sell it but my girlfriend tried it, liked it, claimed it and adopted it.
She said, "It's as beautiful as your smile when I told you my parents were going away for Christmas and we didn't have to visit them."

[timgeurts]

I love the youtube universe where I look for a review on a product and first find a small youtuber who shares their lunch. Such a cute touch

[haveanicedave]

I've never tried any other safety razors but I just got the AL13 and it's fantastically easy to shave with and gives me a closer shave than the disposables I've used for decades. I guess I'm a new to all this and I love it.

[keithosmond]

Canada pronounces aluminum the same way you do in the US.

As for the Henson razors... back when they first launched, what is now the mild razor was marketed as the women's razor and the medium or ++ was the men's. The "men's" was my first DE (and it cost almost half then of what it costs now). They quickly changed their marketing to mild and medium.

Clearly, their target are newbies, as I was. And - aside from price - it is the perfect gateway razor: built in angle; nearly impossible to cut yourself; can take (almost demands) cartridge-level pressure. They don't even sell the AL13 in +++ on their site, given their focus on new shavers, though they have finally compromised and started making it for other retailers.

I really loved my ++ - so much so that when I found out that Henson was going to make a batch of +++ in V1 last year for a group of wet shavers, I managed to get on the list. TBH, the difference is noticeable but not huge. Meanwhile, I'm using both less and less as I have found razors I like better. They are good, no doubt, and for sentimental reasons I'll never sell my medium. But I'm starting to wonder if I really need both.

If they ever make the +++ in stainless steel or brass, it might be more to your liking. But any experienced shaver who likes a heavier razor is likely to react as you did to the standard, mild aluminum.

[ChrisLael]

I was also underwhelmed by the Henson. It's definitely a smooth razor, but not nearly efficient enough for my taste. I think you're right on the new shaver aspect. They're pulling new shavers into the wet shaving world, and I'm sure after a while those new wet shavers will desire something more efficient. So it's a good thing. Just not my thing.

[xuser]

I just bought an AL13 and mounted a Feather blade in it. Best shaving I've ever had and I like heavy DE-shavers as well.

[bogbel]

Had the Al 13 for a month now. Used every other day...so 15 shaves or so. Best razor I've ever owned by far. Gladly pay $100 for it. Super grip on the handle, bbs shave is easy. Not sure you can nick yourself with this if you tried. I agree the rounded bottom is strange though. Doesn't affect me though since I hand it up on a stand when I'm done. The secret to this razor must be the way they completely eliminated blade chatter and the blade gap and exposure calculations they made and hold to incredibly tight tolerances. My first aluminum razor and I really like the light weight.

[jkatkat]

AL13 was my 2nd DE razor - 1st being a Wilkinson Sword from the pharmacy - I still find it a bit too aggressive and blade dependant - and while I think my fav is a Gillette fat handle tech the AL13 is still routinely out - especially if I find I need to shave for more than 2 or 3 days in a row - at that point I really appreciate the mildness - but that's just me. As for aluminum - we say Aluminum - but no one here says tomato - we all say tomato ;)

[brianh]

I'm not a fan of light razors. I don't like aluminum razors. The Henson is my favorite razor of my 80+ razors. Yep I even like it better than my konsul, which I love. Stand it on it's head silly, it works great 😁 Awesome video Greg !

[billjohnsonseattle]

I’ll admit, I was one of the ones pushing you to try the Hensons, and while I still believe they’re definitely great razors, especially for beginners moving from cartridge razors, you are right that they’re not the best, especially in the mild configuration. The +++ is a big step up over the mild. I will say IMO though, that they are still better than the Rockwell 6S as far as shaving against the grain around the nose / mouth areas. For me, the 6S couldn’t completely shave there without leaving a stubble. With that being said, when I took the advice from another YouTuber & got more premium razors like the Karve Overlander & Charcoal Goods razors, they completely blow away the Hensons as far as shave quality. The difference is something that you just have to experience for yourself. I know that my experiences may be different than others, but razors are just one of those things that you just need to experiment with until you find that perfect one that works best for you & your beard & skin type. I have learned a lot from you and appreciate your dedication to helping us all through the journey of better shaving. Thank you Greg.

[dave_dhannoo]

Have the AL13, this razor would definitely convert a non-wet shaver, proper Love the manufacturing process of the razors, clever people at Henson. :)

[bop]

FINALLY... We have someone who knows how to put out decent shaving vids. The music in the background is perfect, btw.

[abrahamsolis]

Hey Greg! I love watching your videos. I think you have the best cinematography of the shaving community.

It's too bad you didn't like the Henson, but you're definitely entitled to your own opinion. I'd like to speak from my own experience - I haven't tried Henson's mild offering, but I do own their aggressive +++ plate (aluminum). It pains me to say it, but it gives me my best shave compared to my other 14 razors (standout razors: Muhle Rocca, karve CB razor D plate, Pearl flexi, vintage Gillette slim adjustable & black handle super speed, twig leaf thorn). It mows down my trouble areas (chin and mustache area) EASILY. I normally fixate and do some buffing with other razors, but i don't find myself doing so with the Henson. It might be due to how aggressively it bends the blade to reduce blade chatter, among other things. I would LOVE to own their Ti aggressive razor, but i already own the aluminum version. I wouldn't think they'd be too different + I don't want two razors that look exactly the same.

I'm glad you were able to try them out anyway - it's good to find out what you do & don't like.

[thewaltman]

Used it as my starter razor and now view it as my traveling razor with a pack of Feather blades. The razors used to come with Astra Green blades, but given circumstances in the world now, they swapped to RK blades.

[TheRelger]

Im Canadian and own a Henson AL. Love it. And we say a- loo -min -um.
My other shaver is a Merkur. I like the heavier razors too but this one rocks.

[rustyshaklferd]

I’ve been wet shaving for about 8 years now and have a collection of about 10 different double edged razors. The feather asd2 is the most expensive, I have open comb and closed game changer by razorock. The razorock lupo. The merkur 37 slant is great. Several others, but those are my favorites that I usually grab. I am interested in the precision machining of the Henson but haven’t tried it yet. It’s on my radar and probably my next purchase. Trying to check as many reviews as I can, but in the end the only way to know is to try it. Once purchased and used I will review it, until then I’m researching it the best I can.

[Sola_Scriptura_.]

As a wet shaver, I can state any DE Razor without adjustment is a crime. The beard growth you can shave is limited, and the versatility of blade selection is also restricted. I find adjustability allows you to dial in a larger range of blads. I have only ever owned adjustable razors and have never been disappointed.

[jimmynagy]

I’m kinda not surprised due to how light the razor is and your affinity for weight on your razors, but I feel like getting the mild was not doing Henson any favors either. I personally use an AL13 Medium with Gillette Platinum blades and it’s my favorite shave I’ve ever had (in my limited experience). To each their own though, and glad you at least gave it the good try.