Completed Asylum RX - Finished.

sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
Shave #6
As my final shave with the Asylum RX I'll do an oil-only shave. While only a small proportion of my shaves are oil shaves, I like to see how a pass around razor copes.
I'm surprised to report that I didn't enjoy this shave very much. The ProGuard blade didn't feel as smooth without a slick, cushioning lather and I'm left with a few weepers. Nothing that needs medical attention. The alum and ASL gave me quite a bit more sting than after the other shaves.
The end result is another very close shave, I can't argue with that.
I'm not a great fan of oil shaves, but even less so with the Asylum RX. On a positive note, the handle was not at all slippery, even with slightly oily hands.
I'll pretty much disregard this shave for my final verdict, as this is not my usual use case, but it had to be done. Proper slick, cushioning lather is required for the Asylum. Noted. Who shaves with oil anyway?
The razor has been cleaned and disinfected and will be posted to @Nishy next time I stumble upon a post office.
Final verdict to follow shortly.

P.S.: The ProGuard blade was slightly more difficult to remove. I had to take the head apart. No problem, just worth mentioning.
 
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sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
The razor is on its way to @Nishy
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sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
My final verdict
No
This was a very interesting razor to test drive. Thanks a lot @Paul for giving us this opportunity.
Let's have a look at the good and bad points:
Good points
  • I love the looks of this razor. Futuristic, yet elegant. I like the matte/satin finish. Nice. Nothing like the brick head of a Mongoose razor. This and the Cobra were designed, other Feather AC razors were merely constructed.
  • Weight and balance are good for me. Some say the handle is too short, but I had no problems whatsoever handling the razor. The balance was fine for me as well. I'm not picky though. Light or heavy, short or long - I love them all.
  • The handle has enough grip, even with oily hands. No complaints.
  • Blade changing is easy enough. Loosen the head, shake out the old blade, insert the new blade, tighten the head. The ProGuard blade wouldn't 'shake out', I needed to take the head apart. Not difficult either. Personally I wouldn't use the Feather Professional Super blades as they would get stuck in the head. Plenty of other blades to choose from.
  • Which brings me to the blades - the Feather AC style blades are known to be extremely sharp. Sharpness is a good thing for blades. Out of the blades I tried I liked the ProGuards the best. Not as 'direct' as the others, they are still very sharp, but they were smoother and more enjoyable than the others. I mostly liked the blades I tried.
  • The packaging is understated, yet functional and sturdy. Just the way I want it.
  • The razor cleans easily. A rinse and a wipe and it looks pristine. No polishing required. A minor advantage, but I enjoyed it.
  • The way the two halves of the head slot into each other is just cool. Wow. Ingenious. My first thought was 'Look at that - those clever bastards'. Nice and pleasing detail.
  • The Asylum RX gave me a perfect shave every single time. Problem areas were no problem. No touch up required. Smooth all over. Every. Single. Time. That's the most important job of a razor and the Asylum RX delivered as well as any other razor I have tried.
Not so good points
  • Let me get my biggest criticism out of the way first: The head. I know that once the manufacturer has decided on the Feather AC style blades, the width of the head is what it is... too wide. At least the head is not as bulky as that of the Mongoose/Alumigoose. It's more like the Cobra Classic head in size and that's a good thing, although from memory the Cobra head was a bit more nimble. I may be mistaken though and have asked @Darkbulb to kindly provide a picture of the two heads side by side. But I can't overlook the fact that the blades were designed for Feather AC shavettes and not for SE safety razors. The head is too wide. Period. I can't for the life of me figure out why almost everyone designs new razors for the Feather AC blades and not for injector blades (or a modern version of the 1912, if I may dream).
  • All the available blades are quite pricey. Roughly a pound per blade. That on its own wouldn't bother me. I have happily paid three times that for NOS blades (Personna 74 injector blades) and if you want to save money - grow a beard.
  • Finally, the price of the razor. It's a bit high, to put it mildly. Let's work this out. $230 for the razor plus $25.38 shipping to the UK makes $258.38 or £210.30. Add 20% VAT and £8 Royal Mail ransom you end up with £260 delivered to your door. that is a lot of your hard earned for a bit of stainless steel in a cardboard box.
Conclusion
Without doubt, this is a very good, enjoyable razor. If you want perfect shaves (who doesn't?), if you want a really good looking razor (who doesn't?), if you have £260 burning a hole in your pocket (who does?) and if you don't mind the width of the head (I do!), this might be the perfect razor for you.
If this razor was designed for injector width blades and therefore had a narrower head, I'd have sleepless nights trying to justify spending that kind of money on a razor. For £260 I'd want a razor that is perfect for me in every aspect and this razor isn't. Even after six shaves, the width of the head annoys me. This is not specific to this razor, it's a problem I have with all razors using Feather AC style blades.
Would I buy one?
With regrets.. No.
 
sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
I have claimed - from memory - that the head of the Cobra Classic is smaller (from front to back) than the head of the Asylum RX.
@Darkbulb was so kind as to send me a picture of the two razors side by side

A little bit of photo editing work later: (not involving any resizing of the heads)

Ha! I was right! :dance: The difference is not big, but it might be enough to make a difference when manoeuvring the razor in tight spaces (just under / almost inside the nose).
 
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Nishy

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Asylum RX received safe and sound thanks Andreas. At work so just a visual based inspection.

First off build quality; not great. I am comparing the RX to razors costing a similar price, that being my Timeless and Wolfman. I can see metal protrusions beneath the head plate and slight tea stains near the bar. I will provide pictures of both when I get home and pick up my camera. When assembling the head the gap to the left where the plates join looks wider than that on the right (when looking head on at the razor head). The handle has excellent knurling and handle length is never really a deal breaker for me, so no issues with the handle. Attaching the head to the handle, thread is smooth no issues. But again not as smooth as the Wolfman. At its current price delivered to the UK and on appearance only, this razor is not at the level I would want. Look forward to shaving with it this evening and re-analysing the gap between plates when a blade is inserted. Everyone is different but when it comes to myself aesthetics and performance have to be at the pinnacle of my collection, in order to make a razor worth around £200 stay in my den.
 
sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
Thanks, Avnish
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Nishy

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
Just had my first shave with the Asylum RX. I used icoloniali soap and a kai captain mild blade. Overall it was one of those few razors that actually reminded myself of a straight razor. The shave felt as though the razor was a true extension of my am. Efficiency is superb and the level of aggression again is best described IMO as that of using a straight razor. You feel the blade, it is not as subdued or 'timid' as with the ATT SE1. The angle places this blade on your face, angle is similar to a cartridge (such as the mach 3). As long as you respect the weight of the razor (very well balanced) thus appreciating the pressure required, it is a very comfortable shaver. Now this is all after only one use, so I need to use it more to fully understand angles and the balance of the razor, as well as best blades. But I definitely want one, it is almost a slightly more mellow version of the KC (IMO) but the head is more dynamic. It is slimmer, feels more manoeuvrable and tactile.

Here is a picture of the underside, which is the only real negative I have. It doesn't affect the shave but I know it is there.
IMG_3585.jpg

hard to see but sharp metal protrusions on the bottom of the central part.

the head:
IMG_3588.jpg


This razor left the stage, after its first shave with tumultuous applause! More thoughts to follow.

IMG_3586.jpg


IMG_3587.jpg
 
D

D_SM

Über Member
Thanks for your thought and impressions Riverrun and Nishy..great analysis and pictures.

Am I right in assuming this only takes the feather pro and Kai mild blades?
 
sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
D_SM said:
Thanks for your thought and impressions Riverrun and Nishy..great analysis and pictures.

Am I right in assuming this only takes the feather pro and Kai mild blades?
Click to expand...
It takes all Feather AC style blades, but the Feather Pro Super are really a bit too wide (although they are included in the pass around)
 
sɐǝɹpu∀

sɐǝɹpu∀

riverrun
ben139 said:
Can I be added to the list please? This looks like a good one!!
Click to expand...
Certainly.
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Nishy

Nishy

Forum GOD!
Staff member
2nd use of the Asylum RX with the Kai Captain mild on its second use. This razor shaves very well.

Blade loading is still cumbersome. But I know this is user error, only completed my second shave and its not brain science. That initial impression of 'bite' was again my angles. I'm now using it like a fixed end cartridge razor. Handle closer to the face. It is incredibly smooth. Handles trouble areas with ease and leaves an incredibly close finish.

Again only second use but in terms of shave feel it is similar to the KC. Where the SE1 feels like an M plate this feels like the H plate. You feel plenty of the blade, but it isn't uncomfortable. Looking at it from a price perspective, it is certainly expensive for what it is IMO, but I would definitely like it in my den.
 
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