Completed Asylum RX - Finished.

Mr Bigmem

Forum GOD!
@Mr Bigmem, Phil at Bullgoose informed me that the rattle makes no difference to the shave as it doesn't rattle when loaded. Personally as soon as my Asylum started rattling the shave became a lot harsher so was sold. Look forward to hearing your thoughts with the super.
I hear you Nish, the rattle not happening on shave don't mean its not an issue if the razor was made to clamp on the blade at a certain point and angle the rattle means the flush gap is now wider so will make a difference as its a bigger gap to close round the blade. If the razor was made with a gap and rattle when new then they'd know it was a known design characteristic. This is a developed flaw. But lets see how the super fairs lol
 

Mr Bigmem

Forum GOD!
Ok shave 2 this evening.

I knew I was going down a slippery slope by choosing to go with the Feather super blade in a razor i'd only ever shaved with once before. To reduce risk I again went with known softwear in the shape of village barbers shave oil as a pre shave and KIF shave cream.

So blade locked and loaded face washed and prepped and whipped up some lovely lather with my cadman tuxedo knot.

First pass..... :eek: this is not looking good. Within the first stroke of the first pass WTG it felt like to much blade and it seemed to not even be shaving along the full length of the blade. I stopped mid first pass and there it was OUCH! a cut centre of my neck and 6 weepers. I'm going to be honest I took the blade right out of the RX loaded it in my general to see if it was the blade. I finished the pass with the general and as always it was a pleasure with such a smooth close pass. So I knew it was not the blade that was the issue. So I went back to the RX and gave it a good spray and clean with clippercide. So loaded the blade back in carefully made sure everything was lined correct. I lathered up again and went in for the second pass. So again had to stop as it was not comfortable or even bearable at all. I've used £5 cheapo zamak razors with really bad fit and finish that have not felt this bad to shave with. Ok this was no doubt the combo of blade and razor and not the fault of the razor alone but not anything I could willingly submit my face to anymore. Ended up finishing my shave off with my general to a much smoother, closer, and safer shave in pure swiftness.

My face is BBS but alum and AS showed how messed up I was left.
I'm going to let myself heal up and do the final shave as a comparison shave with a half and half with a pro AC in the RX and in my general.

For now I can't see this being a turn around for me with this razor.
Its just the looks and the feel in hand as the only thing I like so far.
 

Mr Bigmem

Forum GOD!
Ok so the last shave with the RX. This was going to be a comparison along side my General. Both loaded with AC Pro's

Long story short, I started with my usual prep. Lathered up a healthy batch of Haslinger honey and started my shave. First pass left side RX felt ok but not amazing. The strokes were mowing down a good 4 days growth and the feel of the blade all tho there was no way as bad as my last shave with the super. Finished the first pass with little or no damage just a small spec showing through the residue soap as I wiped down for the right side with the General. So the General steps up and I have one of those passes that your hand and razor become one and you are in unconscious competence mode where don't think you just shave! So smooth so gentle yet so close. And at that point I was tempted to call it a day. But I went through the complete shave and finished off both sides of my face with both razors but didn't do any finishing on purpose to get the wet hand feel test.

So left side with RX not an amazing shave but just ok and on the flats it was verging on good but i'll really say based on my last shave with the RX that it was the blade and the razor together not the razor alone. What I will say again is that I do like the balance on there razor, its how the head and handle feel correct in my hand. It works well when maneuvering and even with the weight I didn't feel finger fatigue. All strokes, be passes done and I was left with a few ruff spots in the usual places but no major cuts or weepers like the last time. Socially acceptable shave on the left.

So the right side of my face was as expected and hopelessly smooth. I don't think this was a fair fight as the guys at Colonial must have used magic on making the General! The General when shaving is not telling you with sound or feeling how good it is be then boom you touch your face and its like WTF how did it get that close so effortlessly. I've never had shaves from any other AC style SE. That includes the likes of Cobras and Mongooses and the Hawk. Ok so this isn't a review of the General and I digress lol.

Final thoughts, the RX asylum razor had so much promise with its look and balance and the innovation and engineering in its dovetail head construction were just looks and feel. The things like the rattle that I know has no doubt affected the shave. The fact that even with it on a flat it feels like the blade isn't laid flat on my face maker me worry how bad this razor will get after prolonged use and loading unloading of blades.

I'm grateful to @Paul for putting the razor up for pass around and @sɐǝɹpu∀ for organising it. I happy i've tried the razor and feel it could end up being a very good razor if iterated and perfected. As is it still feels like a beta model.

So @sɐǝɹpu∀ what now my friend?
 
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