Phoenix Artisans Alpha Ecliptic slant plus PA Alt-Eleven

Yesterday I received my new Alpha Ecliptic slant from Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements. I think I missed the announcement, so my order was not among the first. The razor is also available (for $20) in Bakelite in the color Ox Blood, a color with some negative connotations in the context of razors. At the link you’ll find a good history of the razor and how it came to be: worth reading.

As that history explains, the Alpha Ecliptic is modeled on the Walbusch humpback plastic slant, which for me is excellent for me. That razor seems to be identical to the French Eros slant, so I suspect the Eros is just a rebranded Walbusch. (Take a look at the photos in this post.)

You’ll note the very large drainage cutters, which resemble those of the Merkur Progress and are replicated in the Alpha Ecliptic: this razor will never clog.

It’s hard to judge from just one shave, so my impressions now are tentative and will solidify as I use the razor more. I also want to try it with my Eros/Walbusch to compare.

First, of course, was the prep: Phoenix Artisan’s Alt-Eleven is excellent: easy lathering, very nice to the skin, and a good fragrance. The Fine Classic is quite a soft brush, so guys who like their brushes scrubby will probably prefer the Fine Stubby or a natural bristle brush, but I like it a lot.

The shave went well. No nicks happened and the final result is quite smooth. I experimented some with the angle and found a good angle easily. The razor doesn’t have so much glide and there is a fair amount of blade feel, so I am undecided about the comfort—here’s where more experience is needed—but certainly it is efficient. I kept a very light touch and it did the job well. (I sort of want to get the Bakelite version now, which would be a more direct comparison to my Eros/Walbusch.)

I applied a dot of Alt-Eleven aftershave balm—nice stuff. Altogether, a good first encounter with the razor (and I like the retro-futuristic package, shown below).