- 5 stars: 2 (100%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
After a year of exploring traditional wet shaving and experiencing some extraordinary razors from exceptional makers, I have learned that the razors I enjoy most are not necessarily those that maximize any single characteristic. What captivates me is balance—efficiency, blade feel and smoothness working together so naturally that I stop analyzing the razor and simply enjoy the shave.
Theo Dragonas achieved something very special with the Ares V1.
My first shave with my mirror-polished titanium Ares V1 was on five days of growth with a Gillette 7 O’Clock blade. I shave somewhat differently from many enthusiasts: my objective is generally a single, comfortable WTG pass rather than pursuing BBS through additional passes. I want to look impeccably groomed, enjoy a natural five-o’clock shadow later in the day, and above all leave my skin happy.
One pass. Five days of growth. Zero alum.
But those numbers don’t really explain the experience. The Ares V1 had a wonderfully judged, pleasant mild aggression. There was enough blade feel to know precisely what was happening, remarkable efficiency without feeling as though efficiency was being forced, and a smoothness that made the entire shave almost hypnotizing.
I could easily have relathered and continued XTG and ATG. But why? The razor had already accomplished exactly what I wanted, beautifully and without irritation. Continuing would have been shaving for the sake of shaving rather than improving the result.
I call that my Perfect Executive Shave.
There are many superb artisan razors, each expressing its maker’s particular ideas about geometry, materials and the shaving experience. I greatly enjoy exploring those differences. The Ares V1 deserves to be appreciated on precisely those terms: it has a distinctive personality of its own, and the extraordinary harmony of its characteristics makes it far more interesting to me than a razor that simply pursues maximum efficiency or minimum blade feel.
The fact that this was Theo’s original design makes the experience even more remarkable. He hit the ball out of the park.
Beautifully designed, beautifully made, and an absolute joy to shave with. Well done, Theo.
Rasoir doux et une très belle finition