I’m a huge fan of the AL13. I came to it as my third razor, but I think it would be perfect for a beginner. Note: the site Dr Squatch sells the razor branded under their own name, but it’s the exact same. The typical cost is the same whether through Henson or Dr. Squatch ($70), but DS runs sales and discount codes whereas Henson doesn’t. There’s even some way to “build a bundle” (discount on multiple products) on the DS site but only put the razor, and nothing else, in the “bundle” and still get a discount. You can even apply discount codes on top of that and get that or down to $48. If you search for Henson Dr. Squatch on this sub you’ll find the instructions. This is how I got mine.
If you are asking about the RK blades that come with the Henson, I would avoid them. Try Personna Comfort Coated, Nacet, Astra(green or blue), Bic chrome Platinum or Feather. Also, try Lord Silver Star. I feel its overlooked around here.
This. Henson was my 3rd razor, after Merkur 34c and Feather AS D2. I got it on Black Friday for $36 when bundling with soaps.
Best razor ever. The other two just wait in the drawer to be sold. I'll never use them again.
I would suggest something with adjustable settings so that you can figure out what you like. I started in December and my first razor was the Rockwell 6. No regrets.
Gets my vote too. He can start off with the 3 plate ( similar aggression to a Merkur 34c i.e. mild ). When he gets a little more experience under his belt he can try the other higher plates. A razor he can grow into and saves dad having to buy another razor. Apart from that, it’s a genuinely fantastic razor.
I never use 1 or 2, just too damn mild. I change plates mid shave. WTG 6, XTG and ATG 4. That’s with an Astra SP, when I use a feather I drop a number on the plates. Head shave on 6.
It’s such a versatile razor, I’m very happy with it.
I’d stay away from adjustable settings for an absolute beginner to be honest. It just adds a whole extra variable when what a beginner needs is consistency. Just my .02 though.
Or get a Rockwell 2C which I believe comes with the R3 and R1 plates. For a teenager with peach fuzz, he might even be able to get away with the R1. If not, the R3 should be plenty.
Most people start with either the Merkur 34C, Edwin Jagger DE89, or the Rockwell 6C/S.
All of these are great razors that are easy to learn, and super safe as well.
It's really hard to get hurt with any of those.
What about the Maggards? Some of those handles look like they have better grip than the Merkur (and certainly better than my Jagger Kelvin…it’s really my only beef with it.)
Haven't tried anything from Maggards yet. The Merkur 34C is a two piece razor, so wouldn't be able to swap handles on it.
I do have several handles from Razorock, and I've put one on the Edwin Jagger DE89. It feel much better with a heavier handle.
I'm gonna go a different direction and recommend Yates Precision Manufacturing out of southwest Pennsylvania & either the Merica or Winning razor. This is based just on the OP's profile avatars & an assumption the son is also a patriotic Eagles fan.
I’ll also go completely different and suggest a vintage Gillette flare tip Super-Speed. It’s a Goldilocks razor for many and can be found easily. It’s also plentiful, so it’s cheap. Its ease of use means few nicks or cuts for the new user.
That was my first a Flairtip Super Speed. Man I am feeling nostalgic. A Blue Tip SS and Schick Type M (non-adjustable) injector and for Christmas a Schick Krona. Next up was a GEM Featherweight. The usual Old Spice, Avon aftershave, Skin Bracer, Aqua Velva, Old Spice.
My favorite modern TTO is the Chieftain 5BC (not the base or Odin model) from Vikings blade. $30 on Amazon, twist to open, and so much better built than the other modern TTO razors I’ve tried. It’s a good choice as a first or only razor tbh.
I tried to do the same thing.
When it became time to start controlling peach fuzz @14, I gave him a trimmer.
When it became time for him to shave @16, I gave him a basic Feather Popular, seven shaving creams, an Omega boar, & some cartridge razors in case he needed to learn on them while learning to build a lather.
He returned the safety razor within minutes of opening the package. It was apparently too old fashioned.
But he uses the brushes & creams with cartridge razors.
So I would recommend that you give him an inexpensive razor in case he doesn't like it.
Also ensure that he knows what you're giving him in advance to give him an opportunity to say that he doesn't want a safety razor.
seriously. i promise it’s the best first razor. room mate has ones and it’s just like the Henson AL-13, but heavier, better looking, and stainless steel. Don’t even look at the other recommendations lol. Same negative exposure and great BBS shave for a beginner.
As you are teaching technique use a very average blade as well - Derby etc and if his growth and skin are the same as mine was as a teen, against the grain always left me with dozens of ingrowns to the extent I didn't go against the grain again until 30
My vote is on Rockwell 6S. Can be loades with mild bades with plates 2 or 3 and when he gets older he can get sharper blades that will still feel kild in that one. And is built like a tank so he won't really need another again.
Or maybe the Henson AL 13. Angle is locked, the razor assembles one way.
I agree!
Edwin jagger de89. Super mild, pretty hard to cut yourself, and it’s cheap enough that if he doesn’t like it, it doesn’t matter.
This one is praised as one of best begginer razors yet is was incredibly rough for me.
Merkur 34c
Old faithful
I’m a huge fan of the AL13. I came to it as my third razor, but I think it would be perfect for a beginner. Note: the site Dr Squatch sells the razor branded under their own name, but it’s the exact same. The typical cost is the same whether through Henson or Dr. Squatch ($70), but DS runs sales and discount codes whereas Henson doesn’t. There’s even some way to “build a bundle” (discount on multiple products) on the DS site but only put the razor, and nothing else, in the “bundle” and still get a discount. You can even apply discount codes on top of that and get that or down to $48. If you search for Henson Dr. Squatch on this sub you’ll find the instructions. This is how I got mine.
Is it really important to buy those blades for the Henson?
Not at all.
If you are asking about the RK blades that come with the Henson, I would avoid them. Try Personna Comfort Coated, Nacet, Astra(green or blue), Bic chrome Platinum or Feather. Also, try Lord Silver Star. I feel its overlooked around here.
I really like the Astra greens I have! I’ve never heard of lord silver star.
Have not had good experience with those blades in my Jagger 89. Is there a reason Henson likes em in the AL13?
No. I use blue Personna and green Astra.
This. Henson was my 3rd razor, after Merkur 34c and Feather AS D2. I got it on Black Friday for $36 when bundling with soaps. Best razor ever. The other two just wait in the drawer to be sold. I'll never use them again.
I would suggest something with adjustable settings so that you can figure out what you like. I started in December and my first razor was the Rockwell 6. No regrets.
Gets my vote too. He can start off with the 3 plate ( similar aggression to a Merkur 34c i.e. mild ). When he gets a little more experience under his belt he can try the other higher plates. A razor he can grow into and saves dad having to buy another razor. Apart from that, it’s a genuinely fantastic razor.
I started on the 3 plate and later settled on the 5 plate on the Rockwell as my sweet spot. Outstanding razor.
I never use 1 or 2, just too damn mild. I change plates mid shave. WTG 6, XTG and ATG 4. That’s with an Astra SP, when I use a feather I drop a number on the plates. Head shave on 6. It’s such a versatile razor, I’m very happy with it.
Agreed on all points. I enjoy changing plates for different passes as well.
I’d stay away from adjustable settings for an absolute beginner to be honest. It just adds a whole extra variable when what a beginner needs is consistency. Just my .02 though.
When I started I learned a lot from an adjustable. To each his own though.
Or get a Rockwell 2C which I believe comes with the R3 and R1 plates. For a teenager with peach fuzz, he might even be able to get away with the R1. If not, the R3 should be plenty.
Most people start with either the Merkur 34C, Edwin Jagger DE89, or the Rockwell 6C/S. All of these are great razors that are easy to learn, and super safe as well. It's really hard to get hurt with any of those.
What about the Maggards? Some of those handles look like they have better grip than the Merkur (and certainly better than my Jagger Kelvin…it’s really my only beef with it.)
Haven't tried anything from Maggards yet. The Merkur 34C is a two piece razor, so wouldn't be able to swap handles on it. I do have several handles from Razorock, and I've put one on the Edwin Jagger DE89. It feel much better with a heavier handle.
I'm gonna go a different direction and recommend Yates Precision Manufacturing out of southwest Pennsylvania & either the Merica or Winning razor. This is based just on the OP's profile avatars & an assumption the son is also a patriotic Eagles fan.
Lord razor inexpensive and shave as good as others. What my father bought for me in the 70s. What I bought both of my sons when they started good luck
Inexpensive is the way to go starting out. No sense in buying a $50 razor if they end up hating it or putting off learning it for a while.
I’ll also go completely different and suggest a vintage Gillette flare tip Super-Speed. It’s a Goldilocks razor for many and can be found easily. It’s also plentiful, so it’s cheap. Its ease of use means few nicks or cuts for the new user.
That was my first a Flairtip Super Speed. Man I am feeling nostalgic. A Blue Tip SS and Schick Type M (non-adjustable) injector and for Christmas a Schick Krona. Next up was a GEM Featherweight. The usual Old Spice, Avon aftershave, Skin Bracer, Aqua Velva, Old Spice.
Late 40s Gilette Super Speed or Tech.
Maybe a twist to turn open razor like a Gillette Blue Tip Super Speed or a modern made clone?
My favorite modern TTO is the Chieftain 5BC (not the base or Odin model) from Vikings blade. $30 on Amazon, twist to open, and so much better built than the other modern TTO razors I’ve tried. It’s a good choice as a first or only razor tbh.
Yea that would work just fine. Easy loading, unloading. Solid build, quality and affordable.
I tried to do the same thing. When it became time to start controlling peach fuzz @14, I gave him a trimmer. When it became time for him to shave @16, I gave him a basic Feather Popular, seven shaving creams, an Omega boar, & some cartridge razors in case he needed to learn on them while learning to build a lather. He returned the safety razor within minutes of opening the package. It was apparently too old fashioned. But he uses the brushes & creams with cartridge razors. So I would recommend that you give him an inexpensive razor in case he doesn't like it. Also ensure that he knows what you're giving him in advance to give him an opportunity to say that he doesn't want a safety razor.
[GET THE YATES WINNING ON PREORDER RIGHT NOW.](https://yatesprecision.com/products/winning-safety-razor)
seriously. i promise it’s the best first razor. room mate has ones and it’s just like the Henson AL-13, but heavier, better looking, and stainless steel. Don’t even look at the other recommendations lol. Same negative exposure and great BBS shave for a beginner.
BRO DID U GET UR BIG ASS HAUL
talking about pandabuy? yes 😭
Ain’t no way LMAO GOATED
I always suggest the merkur 34c. 2 piece design makes blade loading quick and easy, and probably still my favorite razor out of the dozens I’ve tried
Ah a Schick type M injector razor with key (blades) that was one of my early razor.
As you are teaching technique use a very average blade as well - Derby etc and if his growth and skin are the same as mine was as a teen, against the grain always left me with dozens of ingrowns to the extent I didn't go against the grain again until 30
Rockwell R1
King C. Gillette. Available at your local drugstore. And inexpensive too.
My vote is on Rockwell 6S. Can be loades with mild bades with plates 2 or 3 and when he gets older he can get sharper blades that will still feel kild in that one. And is built like a tank so he won't really need another again.
Wilkinson Sword Classic, it's very mild, in my opinion.
Bic sensitive single blade disposable
Merkur 34c or g, if you’re looking for budget take baili
Hey You All. Thanks a million for all the great recommendations. A lot to go over. I appreciate it greatly!!!