Just needed a couple of shaves with the La Faulx before putting down my thoughts.
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Adjustable La Faulx?
A few people have asked if the Horizon is an adjustable version of the La Faulx.
At first I thought the Horizon was quite similar to the La Faulx but it's more than an adjustable LF. The weight-balance-head design-gap does make for a different experience.
I thought it was a pretty close comparison at setting 4 (closeness not weight, balance etc) but with more shaves, the differences became more apparent. The elegant curve of the safety bar is missing and the gap has nearly doubled. The La Faulx is a very smooth razor but always feels very safe. If one is going to bite it will be the Horizon. While some settings mimic the efficiency of the LF plates, the face feel and blade feel isn't a carbon copy.
I don't need the large 1mm gap, the geometry of the LF is fine for my needs. This is near double compared to the Classic and + (.56 and .58) plates. And I do think, this makes for a different razor.
Both the Horizon and LF give very smooth shaves -- but for me the La Faulx is still more comfortable. And I do prefer the more compact head.
LF is much easier if you like to change direction frequently, i.e. shaving the neck etc.
I prefer the balance of the La Faulx -- towards the handle, the Horizon is definitely head-heavy. And the Horizon handle is lighter.
Wish the LF pass around had included the ++ as I don't know if there is a jump from + to ++ or a nudge.
So I don't know if setting 6 or 7 is the closest to the ++ LF.
While the shave isn't the same, my efficiency ranking is:
La Faulx classic = setting 4
La Faulx plus = setting 5
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Design
The adjustment mechanism although beautifully simple, means the head of the razor is substantial. Given the size and the minimalism of the Vestige, it's a little shocking when you open the box.
Easy to assemble if you follow the video from Augustin but you do need to really tighten down the handle to lock the adjustment and blade position.
Horizon handle is great, a lighter version of the La Faulx handle with finer knurling. Excellent grip. I may not order the razor but will certainly consider the handle. It is well balanced with the head (it's still head-heavy).
Easy, intuitive blade angle to find but I did change experiment with angles.
Easy to clean as it breaks apart like a typical three piece razor.
Clearly a heavy razor but not excessive during the shave. And much more nimble than it looks. Not cumbersome like the Mongoose (plus it's lighter overall). The Horizon handles more like a heavy modern GEM combined with a Mongoose (but shaves differently). However, I use the WR3 often so it's no problem for me. If your only AC razor is the Amakuni or Vector, this may not be your razor.
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Mongoose/Horizon/WR3
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Wish the head size was smaller but that may not be practical with the slider mechanism. The slider covers the notch with the adjustment level so you need to be careful when lining up and tightening down the handle.
Can you shave under the nose? Yes, with care but I can do this with the WR3.
The numbers:
Horizon
Handle 70g
Head 45g (cap 21g/baseplate 24g)
La Faulx
Handle 74g
Head 30g
Finishing as you would expect from Augustin.
This is my first true adjustable (not a multi-plate) razor in any format. I'm not used to it and keep forgetting that I can make adjustments mid-shave. Not a fault of the razor, plus it makes it harder to assess efficiency levels.
Test shaves
Mostly with the same Kai Mild blade. Also tested Proline and a guarded Kai blade.
Note - same setting for all passes to make it easier to compare (daily and multiple days)
[Your results and face may vary]
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Setting 3
-0.05mm
Very smooth but with an efficiency cost -- not a close shave, or long lasting. It is negative exposure so no surprise. Enough blade feel to tell where the blade is. Touch ups and repeated passes were necessary. I probably wouldn't use setting 3 for an entire shave but useful if you overdo on the higher settings.
Setting 3.5
Very similar to #4 and closer to LF Classic efficiency.
Setting 4
0mm like the La Faulx Classic
Very close shave to the LF Classic despite near double gap. Both are very smooth shaves. La Faulx is much better for contours of the face and switching directions. Easy enough to manoeuvre but not nearly as agile as the Classic -- never mind the Amakuni etc. Feels a little different without the signature LF curved safety bar.
Setting 4.5
A closer match for the LF + for closeness. Maybe a little less. The differences in design: signature curved safety bar, half the gap etc give me a safer feeling shave though.
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Setting 5
0.05mm like the La Faulx +
I'd say the LF is milder/more comfortable than Horizon @5. Horizon has little bit more blade feel (I'll dial back to 4.5 for another test). Maybe it's the additional weight or the blade gap. Efficiency is about the same.
Setting 6
0.10mm like the La Faulx ++ (untested)
With a Schick Proline blade.
Smoother than a Kai Mild blade from the first pass, considering I opened up to #6. Blade feel increases of course and I used a shallower angle. Obviously much more efficient than setting #3. However, I don't need this amount of blade exposure but it was fine and didn't bite. Wish I could say it's as close as LF++ but I have no idea if that is true or if you need to go higher.
I don't need more efficiency than #6 and didn't test 1, 2, 7, 8.
Threw in a shave on my ATT slant for a comparison. The balance is closer to the Horizon with the Atlas handle. Marginally less smooth than the La Faulx. Again, a much narrower gap and only one plate, which is somewhere between classic and plus on the LF scale for me.
Final thoughts
Both razors can produce very smooth shaves but... I still feel the La Faulx is a more comfortable and smoother razor than the Horizon for me. Add a Vestige handle to the LF and it's a completely different razor.
The Horizon is a smooth razor with very useable settings. If I you enjoy the AC format and adjustables you may love it. However if you already have the La Faulx it may not be necessary -- but don't let me stop you buying another razor!
The size of the head isn't a hindrance but it's not ideal. Just as well it doesn't take GEM blades... As I already have the La Faulx (and other AC razors) and am happy with the baseplates I have, I'm not about to order one. May need to test a bronze La Faulx at some point...
I'm not sure adjustables are for me. I don't think I changed the setting mid-shave even once (partly by design to test the razor). Still do like the razor alot but maybe not enough to order one. The shaves were very good. The problem is that the La Faulx is already a fantastic razor.
Once again thanks to Augustin for the innovation and the opportunity to test out the Horizon.
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