Following up on yesterday’s post, I had my first shave with the new Harry’s razor and blade system. I had a three day beard growth, so a good challenge for any blade.
The handle has an excellent ergonomic shape and heft; no gimmicky rubber strips, racing stripes, or flashing lights – it has a real quality feel to it. Some critics have found it a little slippery when soapy and I would agree, although since I shave in the shower and can rinse it easily, it is a non issue.
The blade is outstanding. Unlike both the Fusion and the Schick Hydro 5 which feel “dead”, it provides lots of feedback although very little drag even with a three day beard. Again, unlike its competitors, the blade pivot system is firm and contouring rather than loose and flailing. It immediately brought to mind the difference between driving a BMW vs a Buick – this is a shavers blade, satisfying even to the classic DE user. Longevity and value remains to be seen; at nearly $2 a piece with shipping costs, it will need to last a long time to compete with a good DE blade at about $0.40 for 4-5 shaves.
The creme has received a lot of negative reviews mainly because it doesn’t lather. Note: It’s not meant to! This is NOT a lathering cream that you put in a shaving brush and build tons of soapy mousse. This cream is akin to many high-end creams such as Clinique’s; it is meant to lubricate and soothe. Lots of lather probably wouldn’t even work well as it would clog up the blades very quickly. The cream has a very pleasant smell, face-feel, and rinses off easily. I like it a lot.
Overall, an extremely fine shave that competes well with my DE collection. That’s saying a lot. For quick, low-risk shaves, it is much better than its competitors, which I find generally effective but “lifeless”. Now let’s see how long these blades last. Photos from Harry’s FB and web site.
ΚΑFΕΝΕΙΟ 
I have never understood the fairly common complaint that smooth razor handles (e.g., Edwin Jagger, Mühle, Elite Razor, and so on) are slippery if they get soapy. What’s the problem? A shaver rinses the razor continually as he shaves. If he gets soap on the handle, he should simply rinse it off, and why on earth is he getting soap on the handle in the first place? Is his lather so drooling that it’s running down the handle? Then he should clearly learn how to make good lather. But soap on a razor handle is not a problem for anyone with any experience at all in shaving.
This seems to me a total nonissue, on the order of not liking kitchen knives or silverware with smooth handles they are slippery if they get oil on them. Yeah. That’s right. The solution seems pretty obvious to me.
I’m with you 100%.
Sounds like a nice shave Steve. Will definitely have to try these out. Cheers for the report