The Tempestuous Pils

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07-08-2011, 04:45 PM
Obie

The Tempestuous Pils

Ladies and gentlemen:

The Pils reminds me of a tempestuous beauty with a magical spell. The razor is stunning in its workmanship and precision. I also find it heavy and aggressive.

After a few fiery encounters because of that, I passed the Pils on, only to replace it a short time later with another Pils. I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because I am drawn to its personality as much as its beauty.

In the year that took me to write my first novel, Will's Music, working on it seven days a week while holding a full time radio gig, I realized Mariette, the French-born female protagonist, was creating herself precisely that way: as a tempestuous beauty. I fell in love with her.

I think I have fallen in love with the Pils.

After trying scores of my preferred blades in it, including Feather, Super Iridium and Gillette yellows, none seemed to be the ideal fit. Yesterday and today I tried the mild-tempered and soothing Personna "Red Pack" blades and could only beam from ear to ear. It was the perfect fit — for me. The two reminded me of lovers of opposite temperament who somehow get along.

For the shave, I used John Allan's Slick Water, which I consider a good pre-shave product, an Omega boar brush and La Toja Manantiales soap. This also was the first of three shaves, one with double edge and two with straight razors, to write my review of the La Toja in the coming days.

Sitting at my desk now with a cup of tea, I can't resist the result of today's shave — Hollywood all the way.

Regards,

Obie
07-08-2011, 07:13 PM
KidFrost

Obie,
You are tempting me... I couldnt agree more, I fell in love w. the PILS the first time I saw it, as you already know.

Cant wait until I am experienced enough to purchase such a piece of art.

I mean JUST LOOK at it ..

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...p/Pils101g.png

-KidFrost
07-08-2011, 07:23 PM
whavens

Well done Obie. Somehow you always find a way to write a wonderful post. This one is no different. Perhaps one day I will take the plunge to purchase a Pils. I am getting more and more attracted to DEs.
07-08-2011, 07:41 PM
Obie

Quote:

Originally Posted by KidFrost

Obie,
You are tempting me... I couldnt agree more, I fell in love w. the PILS the first time I saw it, as you already know.

Cant wait until I am experienced enough to purchase such a piece of art.

I mean JUST LOOK at it ..

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f4...p/Pils101g.png

-KidFrost

Hello, KidFrost:

Yes, yes, do wait for a while before you reach for the Pils, because is a different shave, and it is more aggressive than your current razors. That set is just gorgeous, though. The stand is a beauty. So is the razor. The brush, I understand, is a silver tip, but I can't tell how it stands against the great brushes in the same price range. I've never used the Pils brush. That's something to consider before you make the purchase down the line.

Yes, indeed, a beautiful set, but the price gives me hot flashes.

Regards,

Obie
07-08-2011, 07:43 PM
Obie

Quote:

Originally Posted by whavens

Well done Obie. Somehow you always find a way to write a wonderful post. This one is no different. Perhaps one day I will take the plunge to purchase a Pils. I am getting more and more attracted to DEs.

My dear friend Wavens,

Bless your heart for the kind words. Thank you, sir. I enjoy it, especially doing so here at Straight Razor Place for my friends.

Stay well.

Obie
07-09-2011, 12:32 AM
Ryan82

Obie,

Something tells me a Derby may do well when paired with your Pils. The smooth nature of that blade may very well tame the razor's aggressiveness. Let us know how it works out for you.

Best regards,

Ryan
07-09-2011, 12:49 AM
Obie

Hello, Ryan:

Thanks for the suggestion on Derby blades. I did try the Derby with the Pils, but the smooching between the two didn't move beyond the first date. I have used Derby blades with a variety of razors, but have failed to cozy up to them.

Say well.

Obie
07-09-2011, 01:25 AM
Ryan82

Oh well, just a thought. Glad to hear the Red Personnas are working out for you though. If you have any Crystals (aka Israeli Personnas) definitely give them a shot too. I've yet to find a razor that doesn't like those blades, and I do prefer them to the RP's.
07-09-2011, 03:06 AM
Obie

Hello, Ryan:

Yes, I like Crystals. They are the Israeli Personna "red packs" in different clothes, your right. I have not used them for years and must put in an order. Thanks for the reminder. Good blades.

Regards,

Obie
07-18-2011, 04:16 PM
yohannrjm

Like Obie, I've had an 'interesting' relationship with the Pils DE razor.

I am on my third one. I've always loved the workmanship on them, but I wasn't too thrilled with the shave. In fact, unlike Obie, I didn't find it to be particularly aggressive. Heavy, yes - aggressive, no.

I think that was the problem - I was expecting a certain knid of shave, and I was disappointed when that shave did not live up to my expectations.

The third time around, I approached the razor without any expectations. My shaves with this third Pils have been excellent. I don't know if it was my attitude that caused this difference in the outcome, or the Shark blades that I've been using, or some other factor, but I really like it now.

It's unlikely to displace my Fasan OC slant on the top of the DE pile, but it certainly holds it own now.

If it sold for $120, I'd say it was an excellent value. The actual market price is a little high for what you're getting, but there's no denying that the quality of the work is amazing.
08-06-2011, 09:34 PM
Gibbs

The design features of the Pils, and probably the iKon razor as well are singular unto themselves. The idea of non-flexed blades would seem to be more in line with straight razors than anything else out there. Getting the right blade with the right razor is a dance of harmony. It is not like the hip-hop dance of the clubs where one tries out the BIC disposable or Gillette Good News as well as a lot of those other 2-3-4 blade affairs, but more like a ball room dance. Straight razors and DE/SE razors have a certain "class" about them that begs more indulgence, more thought than merely cutting off a piece of hair. Like the ball room dances, the dance can be a memorable one, something that draws you back again and again.

Obie has a unique way with words. If you were not already a writer, it would be a underlying hint that you should be.

A recent blade I tried happened to leave an impression on my mind. With all the talk of Russian Iridiums, PolSilver Supers, Voskhod, Gillettes made in Thailand and several other "flavors" I tried one made right here in the U.S. that was a complete surprise to me. Personna Medical Prep blades. You might not think about such a blade as smooth, but it was an eye opener for me. Might be worth trying one....or two sometime.

I've tried Congressional slick water, but it left me irritated. One time I combined it with Senate Committee soap and between the two you couldn't cut the fuzz off a peach.