Review & Discussion - PAA Ascension

[Randomangle]

One of the best modern open comb (dual open comb mind you) razors made to date. Superb smoothness and efficiency. Not much is said about the PAA Ascension series of razors but, you’d be wrong to discount this as just another razor in the sea of open combs. This razor right here, the Copper Ascension is a heck of a deal for what it brings to the shave table, performance wise.

It matters not what razor you may have. The Ascension takes a back seat to no one. That’s how good these razors are. Love it.....

View attachment 49713

I can't see the nylon washer in this photo ... Do you not use them?

 

[Str8Mug]

I can't see the nylon washer in this photo ... Do you not use them?

Good catch. I do for nearly all of my razors but, on this one the curvature of the base plate is more severe and the nylon washer doesn't seat completely flush with the bottom. And the finish coating is done quite well, I hardly have any marring from the handle/base plate union. Another thing is, if I had plans on reselling it down the road I probably would have kept a washer in it. Truthfully, it's not going anywhere.....

 

[Randomangle]

Good catch. I do for nearly all of my razors but, on this one the curvature of the base plate is more severe and the nylon washer doesn't seat completely flush with the bottom. And the finish coating is done quite well, I hardly have any marring from the handle/base plate union. Another thing is, if I had plans on reselling it down the road I probably would have kept a washer in it. Truthfully, it's not going anywhere.....

I do like the copper version ... I will put myself on the email list. Thanks for such a great reply!

 

[gwsmallwood]

Good catch. I do for nearly all of my razors but, on this one the curvature of the base plate is more severe and the nylon washer doesn't seat completely flush with the bottom. And the finish coating is done quite well, I hardly have any marring from the handle/base plate union. Another thing is, if I had plans on reselling it down the road I probably would have kept a washer in it. Truthfully, it's not going anywhere.....

 

[Clouds]

They impart some serious curvature on the blade, but at the same time current blades don't really have enough spring in them to stop the head from rotating when its loose. I turned this "locking handle" to do that and use the PAA head with it.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

They impart some serious curvature on the blade, but at the same time current blades don't really have enough spring in them to stop the head from rotating when its loose. I turned this "locking handle" to do that and use the PAA head with it.

View attachment 109351

Just making sure I get this. With the handle you made you can adjust the razor and then lock down the particular adjustment you decided on? I'd assume doing so is easy enough to allow you to change the adjustment on the fly, too?

If so, that handle should be commercially available.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Clouds]

Just making sure I get this. With the handle you made you can adjust the razor and then lock down the particular adjustment you decided on? I'd assume doing so is easy enough to allow you to change the adjustment on the fly, too?

If so, that handle should be commercially available.

Happy shaves,

Jim

All the handle really does Jim is lock the Top Cap. You can have a completely loose bottom plate but the Top Cap will be locked.

Adjustment is easy, loosen twist knob, loosen/tighten the handle, re-tighten twist knob.
I use it for a couple of heads but if it was made for a specific head, you could put some sort of dial on it.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

All the handle really does Jim is lock the Top Cap. You can have a completely loose bottom plate but the Top Cap will be locked.

Adjustment is easy, loosen twist knob, loosen/tighten the handle, re-tighten twist knob.
I use it for a couple of heads but if it was made for a specific head, you could put some sort of dial on it.

Thanks. Very cool handle.

 

[Tortuga]

Copper now in stock at PAA

 

[slapo]

Copper now in stock at PAA

And gone again.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

And gone again.

Wonder how many there were. That was fast!

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[slapo]

Wonder how many there were. That was fast!

Happy shaves,

Jim

Couldn't have been many.

I already have two steel Ascensions, so I'm good on those, but I wanted to buy a second META-4.
I emailed them earlier and Frances replied that they had been expecting them, but don't have a firm ETA, though she mentioned they were hoping for March.
They seem to have had supply issues for a while now, and I wonder whether they got into a contract with a loophole they can't get out of, because as it is, it has to be frustrating for them and somewhat harmful to their business.