Thoughts on the Pils

Ladies and gentlemen:

The Pils reminds me of a little hammer that might be used on board a space ship. It has the weight to match, too. This is a sleek and precision stainless steel shaving instrument — mine has a striking matt finish — that asks for the utmost respect and, in turn, delivers the perfect shave.

Much has been written about the overall quality and workmanship of the Pils. All true. It is a two-piece razor that loads easily, with the top fitting over the head like a cap and thus covering the entire blade. I like that.

My Pils is a gift from the dearly beloved and it will always have its own mantle in my humble shave den. Henceforth it will be named the Dearly Beloved.

I shaved with it this morning for the first time, using the Gillette 7 O'Clock "Sharp Edge" yellow pack blade on its second shave. Yesterday I used the blade with the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" lined barley. I'll use it again with the Pils tomorrow and then retire it — as a rule, I change blades after the third shave, although some blades are changed after only one shave.

Yes, the Pils did require a small adjustment in technique for two important reasons:

Because of its heavy weight — it's a touch heavier than my Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley and even more so than my Feather — I had to reduce the razor's total weight on my face by moving my grip closer to the neck. It's like pulling the reins a bit tighter on the horse for a sweeter carriage ride. Ordinarily I grip the razor at slightly lower than the midpoint on the handle.

Unlike the standard razors in which the blade is housed inside the shave head on a slight arc, in the Pils it is flat. This requires lifting the handle to almost a perfectly horizontal position and thus flattening the shave head on the face. Whether moving with the grain, across the grain and against the grain, you have to hold this position to insure an optimal cutting edge. This position especially takes adjustment going south to north on the neck. I am still working on that.

On its maiden voyage the Pils gave me the perfect shave. When finished, I removed the blade, rinsed and dried the razor thoroughly and put it in the rack. I use the same cleaning process with My stainless steel Feather.

Is the Pils for everyone, beginner and old timer? It can be, yes, but remember the Pils treats everyone the same by demanding the utmost respect.

Regards,

Obie

Obie, thanks for the review. I have been waiting on this one since learning you had one coming. I am looking forward to other details as you settle in with you new Pils. Post some pictures of this thing too!

Much has been said about the Pils. probably more than any other single razor I've ever seen. Maybe, because of the price or maybe because of the typical assumption about German made products. There has also been diverse comment about it. I've glad it's not on my horizon.

Keep us informed Obie as you use it more and more.

I have lusted after the Pils...it is a very cool looking razor. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the iKon "Modern" all stainless steel razor. It looks similar to the Pils but has a knurled handle. No idea how it shaves yet but if similar to the iKon Bulldog, it will be a winner.

thank you for the update obie.

i hadn't realized that there is no bend in the blade.. would you say this is the most aggressive DE shaver you have come across?

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Originally Posted by vthomlinson

thank you for the update obie.

i hadn't realized that there is no bend in the blade.. would you say this is the most aggressive DE shaver you have come across?

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Hello, Victor:

I don't believe the Pils is any more aggressive than, say, the Merkur 34C or the 38C "barber pole," or the Progress as long as you don't play cavalier with it. This is a serious razor and it demands respect and care when shaving. Except for the change in angle, I shaved with it as carefully as I do with all my other double edge razors. I had no nicks and my shave was perfect.

No, it is not the Feather stainless steel, which I have grown to love, despite its mild tendencies. Some find the Feather forgiving. I don't put much credence in that: no deadly sharp object sweeping across my Hollywood face, the Pils or the Feather, the Merkur or the Edwin Jagger, no such shaving tool is forgiving if I don't take it seriously.

The Pils is in its own class and, I dare say, it demands great respect. I have not shaved with every razor on the market, past or present. Among the razors I have experienced, however, the Pilz is distinct, with pronounced characteristics and idiosycrasies. More importantly, it needs to be learned. I am in the process of doing just that — with the utmost care.

Regards,

Obie

Obie, because of your DE write ups you will likely be responsible for me having to make the difficult choice of which DE to buy next: the Pils, Chatsworth or the Feather..... sometimes I hate choices! :D

Well done, my friend, very informative.

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Obie, because of your DE write ups you will likely be responsible for me having to make the difficult choice of which DE to buy next: the Pils, Chatsworth or the Feather..... sometimes I hate choices! :D

Well done, my friend, very informative.

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Hello, Ryan:

Thank you for the kind words.

Those are three distinct choices, and difficult to make, I agree. The "Chatsworth" barley (mine is lined) is stunning. The workmanship alone is impeccable, and the razor is a lovely shaver.

The Feather, one of the sweetest razors I have experienced, is beautifully balanced, lovely to look at, and a good shaver. Yes, it is on the mild side, but it does grow on you. I love mine.

The Pils is a whole different world, a razor unlike any I have used through the years. The heavy weight takes getting used to, and the razor itself needs learning, as I noted in an earlier post. I have a feeling that like the Feather, the Pils will grow on you.

I'll shave with my Pils for the rest of the week — I am laying off the straights this week just to learn the Pils — and add to my thoughts

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

Obie, because of your DE write ups you will likely be responsible for me having to make the difficult choice of which DE to buy next: the Pils, Chatsworth or the Feather..... sometimes I hate choices! :D

Well done, my friend, very informative.

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There is really only one thing to do...buy all three. :D

i sense a pils in my future.

Well Obie now you've gone and done it. You've spread this contagion and now you will be responsible for kids going hungry and college funds being raided and guys being thrown out of their homes and cars repossessed. Now these guys have no choice but to go out and buy, buy, buy. You Devil.

Luckily I am immune from such things.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well Obie now you've gone and done it. You've spread this contagion and now you will be responsible for kids going hungry and college funds being raided and guys being thrown out of their homes and cars repossessed. Now these guys have no choice but to go out and buy, buy, buy. You Devil.

Luckily I am immune from such things.

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let us know what you think of yours when it arrives.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Well Obie now you've gone and done it. You've spread this contagion and now you will be responsible for kids going hungry and college funds being raided and guys being thrown out of their homes and cars repossessed. Now these guys have no choice but to go out and buy, buy, buy. You Devil.

Luckily I am immune from such things.

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Hello, thebigspendur:

Yes, I know, I am spreading temptation. Sin. You might just have to sacrifice, my friend, and order the Pils. She's a beauty, indeed. The Pils is in its own class. I can say the same thing about the Feather. They are worlds apart, but both superb razors.

I shaved with Pils again today and the shave was perfect, with no nicks. Three passes with plenty of care.

One thing I have noticed about the Pils is proving somewhat negative for me, though. Somewhere through the years I must have banged up my hands, I don't know. As a result — or maybe it's just old age — I have terrible arthritis in my thumbs. Since the Pils is a heavy razor, the heaviest I have ever used, and since the handle is somewhat slim, I find excessive pressure falling on my thumbs when shaving.

The Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" barley is heavy, too, though not as heavy as the Pils, but my thumbs do well with it. This is because of the barley design of the handle which prevents excessive pressure falling on my thumbs. The Feather, of course, is lighter than the two, and the textured handle helps me along. No problem there.

What's more, I am also back to studying the classical guitar (my playing is dreadful), which relies heavily on the left hand thumb bracing up the back of the finger board. Not folding over it. This extra pressure isn't helping me much.

Some years ago I gave up straight razors for a time, because they were hard on my thumbs. Occasionally now I have to lay off the straight completely for a week or so, sometimes more — I switch hands — to reduce the irritation to my thumbs. On such occasions I use the double edge, especially the Muhle 89R and the Edwin Jagger 89L, which are relatively light.

As I continue to learn the Pils, I must find a way to compensate for the pressure on my thumbs. I hope I can do it, because I would hate to give up my Pils because of the blasted thumbs. Ah well, at least I have a Hollywood face.

Regards,

Obie

* Note: This afternoon I have experimented moving my grip higher on the handle to just below the shave head. This might help. I'll try it tomorrow morning with an actual shave and pass on my thoughts.

Nice review. Thank you!

Gentlemen:

The Pils continues to give me perfect shaves. Glorious shaves. No nicks — well, I shave with care. I even get a perfect shave on my neck, where the stubble grows in a complicated network of crazy directions. I still find the razor about as aggressive as the Merkur 34C, 38C "barber pole" or the Progress. I think the comments about the Pils being overly aggressive are exaggerated.

I continue to admire the razor's overall quality and workmanship. It is superb in every way, including the shave, as I pointed out.

My only problem with the razor is its weight in relation to the relatively thin handle. Ordinarily this would not be a problem; however, as I also have noted, I have terrible arthritis in both thumbs. As a result, the thin handle fails to compensate in balancing the razor's weight in my banged up hands.

By the way, even though the handle's texture is smooth, I have experienced no slipping. I presume the matt finish is partly responsible, but I don't know.

I have moved my grip up closer to the shave head to compensate for the weight problem, and it helps to a degree, but not enough. I'll continue to experiment and see what happens and will keep you posted.

Ah, yes, the Pils is a gorgeous razor.

Regards,

Obie

Where would one find this "Pils" for sale? SRD? You've aroused my curiosity. I'm perfectly content with my Gillette "Fatboy," but I'd love to at least see one.

Hello, Wayne:

I purchased mine from Lee's Safety Razors:

Pils Stainless Steel Safety Razor

Also, you'll find comments on the razor at Shaving 101:

The PILS DE Razor

Regards,

Obie

Thanks, Obie!

Hello, Wayne:

You are very welcome. I'd like to hear you thoughts.

Regards,

Obie

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Wayne:

You are very welcome. I'd like to hear you thoughts.

Regards,

Obie

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First and foremost, for what the Pils costs, I could buy a top shelf straight, a Boker or Puma. After that, it seems a good idea. I'll stick to my Fatboy for now.

Actually, I'm interested in their shave soap. Anyone tried it yet?

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Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

First and foremost, for what the Pils costs, I could buy a top shelf straight, a Boker or Puma. After that, it seems a good idea. I'll stick to my Fatboy for now.

Actually, I'm interested in their shave soap. Anyone tried it yet?

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My dear Wayne:

Yes, yes, of course, to each his own.

I would love to have a Puma, too, and an older Boker. Yet, with four gorgeous Wackers, a Filarmonica, three Le Grelots, a string of other Thiers-Issard models, plus a collection of other exquisite razor brands, I have not deprived myself of straights.

I also have several lovely double edge razors, since I have continued my fondness for the double edge. I wanted the Pils. I am glad I bought it. The razor is exquisite, and a fabulous shaver. I am sure I will find a way to overcome my hand problems.

I take every razor for what it is, whether a straight or a double edge, and if I want it, if within my means, I will buy it and enjoy it. Beauty is hard for me to resist. That was the case with the Edwin Jagger "Chatsworth" lined barley, the all stainless steel Feather and the Pils.

I also love too much of a good thing.

Stay well.

Regards,

Obie

I took deliver of my PILS about 3 weeks ago. I really enjoy using that razor!! I also use a Merkur 34C, a Merkur Vision, and a Gillette FatBoy. The Vision and FatBoy are both awesome, although rather complex, razors (butterfly open and adjustable safety bar). In contrast, what I'm appreciating about the PILS is it's minimalistic simplicity. The PILS' functional simplicity does not compromise attention to detail however. Every edge and dimension seems to be optimized and perfectly machined. Using this precise and simple tool has inspired me to jump to the next level of simplicity and give straight edge shaving a try! :)

I figure I better get this exploration outa my system while I'm single. :)
(Who am I kiddin? I think I'm an addict now!)

Anyhow, I can provide an enthusiastic endorsement of the PILS!

Gentlemen:

The continuing saga of the Pils.

Initially the razor's weight (4 ounces or 115 grams) proved a challenge for the arthritis in my hands, especially the thumbs. (This is a problem for me with my heavier straights, too, especially those with hefty bone scales, such as the gorgeous Thiers-Issard "Dos Festonne.") The relatively thin handle is little help in compensating for the weight, although a thicker handle would mean an even heavier razor.

By moving my grip up on the handle closer to the shave head I have eliminated one part of the weight problem for my hands. I have also changed my overall grip of the double edge razor — in general. That includes switching strokes with the palm facing in as well as out. This makes my strokes quite optimal, especially with the Pils, and since I use mostly the dominant hand for the double edge. (For the straight, I switch hands.)

I have also experimented with various blades. The relatively mild Dorco 301 works quite well in the Pils: the blade balances the razor's hearty shaving characteristic. The Feather, Super Iridium, Derby, Persona "red pack" and some of the others work well in the Pils. The Feather I prefer to save for my stainless steel Feather razor.

The perfect match of razor and blade, at least for me, is the Pils and the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge "yellow packs." Although these blades are as sharp as the Super Iridium and almost as the sharp as the Feather, they are far smoother than both. I dare say, after using scores of blades through the years, I have concluded none has the silky smooth sheen of the Gillette 7 O'Clock "yellow pack" edge.

Obviously, this is the case for me, since blade preference is individual in shaving with the double edge. Another shaver in all likelihood will offer a different opinion on blades. That's an accepted reality in shaving with the double edge razor.

Henceforth I plan to mate the Pils with the 7 O'Clock "yellow pack." The Feather all stainless steel DE is mated with the Feather blade. The Super Iridium will go with the Edwin Jagger and Muhle-Pinsel. The Merkurs will have the Persona, Derby, Dorko 301, Astra and some of the other ones. I still don't have the iKon, but when I do, I'll find a blade that matches it the best.

Someone once said to me I made too much out of "this stuff." I said I make too much out of everything: love, beauty, friendship, sunrise, sunset . . .

Regards,

Obie

Obie, it's a good thing you don't have more razors. Mating the blade to the razor can get very confusing for us simple minded folk.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Obie, it's a good thing you don't have more razors. Mating the blade to the razor can get very confusing for us simple minded folk.

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My dear thebigspendur:

My recent practice of mating the razor with the blade started when using the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge "yellow pack" in the Pils for the first time.

Until then I had shaved with a variety of blades in the Pils — one shave per blade for testing, including the Feather. The "yellow pack" was an exceptional mating. Two more shaves followed with the same blade and they were remarkably smooth and comfortable.

I suppose I could call it the "that's it" moment — when everything works, when it becomes a revelation and you find yourself saying, "That's it." I am sure other gentlemen shavers will have their own "that's it" moments. This was mine.

In reality, though, you can shave with any double edge blade in any double edge razor. I think I also follow the practice of mating the razor with the blade for fun. More so, though, to enrich my wet shaving ritual.

Regards,

Obie

i had a lapse of judgement and placed a derby blade in my feather all stainless.. what a mistake that was.. it won't be happening again.