Henson AL13 Review

If you are in the market for a new safety razor, you may have come across the Henson AL13. This razor is made with aircraft-grade aluminum and has a very sleek and modern design.

In this review, we will closely examine the key features of the Henson AL13, including the design, build quality, and performance. We will also compare it to other safety razors on the market to see how it stacks up.

Let’s get started!

Product Specifications

Feature	Henson AL13
Comb	Closed
Composition	Aluminum
Country of Origin	Ontario, Canada
Number of Pieces	3
Price	$70.00
Shave Performance	Mild
Grip	Etching
Blade Compatibility	All double-edge safety razor blades
Weight (oz)	1.30
Weight (g)	37
Length (in)	3.78
Length (cm)	9.6

Weight

The Henson AL13 is a lightweight razor, only 1.30 ounces. This makes it one of the lightest options on the market. The lightweight design can be a benefit or a drawback depending on your preference.

The lighter weight of the razor can make it easier to maneuver around your face, especially if you have sensitive skin. However, the lighter weight can also make it more challenging to get a close shave, as more pressure needs to be applied.

Additionally, when shaving, you’ll find that your arm may not get as tired as quickly as it would with a heavier razor. This can be a benefit if you have a lot of hair to shave or if you have a lot of trouble shaving.

Curious to see just how light the Henson AL13 is?

Here’s a chart showing the weight of the razor compared to other popular safety razors.

Length

When comparing the Henson AL13 to other safety razors on the market, it is important to consider the length of the razor.

The Henson AL13 is 3.78 inches long, which is about average for a safety razor. This length makes it easy to hold and maneuver around your face. So no matter your hand size, you should be able to get a close shave with this razor.

For context, here’s how the AL13 compares to other safety razors on the market:

Composition

The Henson AL13 razor is made of aluminum with an etched grip for better handling. The reliance on aluminum provides the razor a much lighter weight than other safety razors on the market.

In addition, the razors are not plated. Instead, they are anodized, which provides a more durable finish. So no worries about the razor chipping or peeling with time.

Blade Gap

Thanks to the precision engineering that the folk over at Henson Shaving have put into the AL13, the blade gap is set at 0.68mm. This narrow blade gap lessens the aggression of the razor and helps to reduce the risk of irritation.

Blade Exposure

Aside from the space between the blade and the safety bar, blade exposure is also important when choosing a safety razor. The blade exposure is the amount of the blade that sticks out from the razor. The blade on the AL13 only sticks out 0.0013″ – which they claim is half the width of a human hair.

Country of Origin

Henson makes the AL13 in Ontario, Canada. While they are a relatively new company (founded in 2020), they are quickly making a name for itself with its quality products.

Craftsmanship

While most folks equate Germany and Japan with quality craftsmanship, Henson Shaving matches these standards with its razor. By relying on CNC machining, every razor is made to the same high standards.

Number of Pieces

The Henson AL13 is a three-piece safety razor. It comes with a handle, a base plate, and a cap. Many wet shaving experts prefer the three-piece design as it is much easier to clean thoroughly and less likely to break with extended use.

Of course, changing the razor blade once every week or so may not be as convenient as, say, a butterfly safety razor, but it still is relatively effortless.

Shave Performance

The Henson AL13 is a mild razor that is well-suited for those with thinner facial hair or sensitive skin. The razor provides a close shave, though it may take a few extra passes to get a completely smooth result. The handle is comfortable to hold, and the blade is easy to replace when necessary.

When shaving around the nose, the head of the AL13 was unimposing and easy to maneuver. The razor is also very lightweight, which makes it easy to shave for extended periods. The moderate length of the handle also makes it easy to clean up on the neck and jawline.

Razor Bumps

Like all safety razors, the AL13 will cut hair only to the surface of the skin, never below. This significantly reduces the risk of razor bumps and ingrown hairs.

Razor Burn

As we mentioned above, the Henson AL13 is a mild razor. This means that it is less likely to cause razor burn. However, if, even after you have used the razor for a while, you still experience razor burn, you may want to consider working on your technique and applying an aftershave balm.

Shaving Cream

While the AL13 works well with standard shaving foam, we recommend using traditional shaving cream or soap for a better shave. The cream or soap will help to lubricate your skin and soften the hair, making it easier to cut. Just know that the narrow gap of the AL13 may require more frequent rinsing of the razor to prevent clogging, especially if you have a thick and rich lather of shaving cream.

Learning

When trying any new razor, it is important to take the time to learn how to use it properly. The Henson AL13 is no different. Expect a few days of trial and error as you get used to the proper cutting angle. Once you get used to it and muscle memory kicks in, you’ll be able to shave quickly and efficiently.

Blade Compatibility

Like your standard safety razor, the Henson AL13 can take any standard double-edge safety razor blade. So you are free to test any brand or type of blade to find the perfect one for your skin type and facial hair.

We recommend trying out a few different blades to see which one gives you the best shave (Amazon has plenty of variety packs). We also recommend starting with a sharp blade, like the Feather or Astra, if you are looking for a close shave. If you are looking for something a bit milder, you can try the Derby or Personna blades.

Peer Reviews

Aside from our review, we also looked at what other folks had to say about the Henson AL13. So we read several reviews on specialty shaving stores, Reddit, YouTube, and more. Here are some of the key takeaways from these reviews:

What People Liked:

The Henson AL13 razor generally has positive reviews, with many people finding it easy to use and providing a smooth shave. Outside of facial hair shaving, men also use the AL13 for shaving their head, chest, and legs with great results. So if you are looking for a razor that can do it all, the Henson AL13 is one of the few worthy options.

What People Didn’t Like:

While the narrow blade gap and exposure makes the Henson AL13 a great razor for beginners, some folks have found that it is not as aggressive as they would like. If you have thick facial hair or are looking for a razor that can give you a close shave with fewer passes, they found the blade gap too narrow (perhaps the Henson AL13 – Medium would be a better option).

Price

At $70, the Henson AL13 razor is definitely on the pricier side. But, in my opinion, it’s worth every penny. This razor provides a close, comfortable shave and is built to last. It’s an investment piece, but one that will save you money in the long run.

Here’s how the price of the AL13 compares to other safety razors:

Colors

The Henson AL13 Safety Razor is a sleek and stylish razor that comes in various colors. The silver, black, and blue versions are perfect for those who want a classic look, while the tan and copper versions add a bit of style to the razor. It is always nice to see a bit of variety in the razor market, and Henson Shaving has done a great job with this.

Other Models

Henson Shaving also offers a few other models of safety razors. Here’s what they are:

• Henson AL13 – Medium: This is the same razor as the AL13 but with a slightly wider blade gap. This makes it more aggressive and better suited for those with thicker facial hair.
• Henson Titanium: Want to go all-in on Henson? Then the Henson Titanium is the razor for you. Made from Grade 5 Titanium, this razor is lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant. Available in three different blade gaps (mild, medium, aggressive) and priced at $250, this is a razor that will last you a lifetime.

Here’s a table we put together to help you compare the different models:

Razor Name	Comb	Composition	Grip	Number of Pieces	Price	Shave Performance
Henson AL13	Closed	Aluminum	Etching	3	$70.00	Mild
Henson Ti22	Closed	Titanium	Etched	3	$250.00	Varies
Henson AL13 – Medium	Closed	Aluminum	Etched	3	$70.00	Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Here were a few common questions about the Henson AL13 that we found online: