A Good Razor From An Unusual Source

I recently bought a safety razor from an unusual source: the Luxury Razor For Men from Encalife.  I was not expecting such a good “bang for the buck.”

Background

Note: links to Encalife via geni.us are now affiliate.

I get “cold” emails from sites looking for publicity all the time.  They usually pitch something like review this product and we’ll give you one for free!

After blogging for 12+ years, the last thing I need is another “free” product.  “Free” products don’t put food on the table or clothing on the back.  In fact, as I mention in Sharpologist’s review policy, “…it is more advantageous for Sharpologist as a business to purchase a product and take the cost as an expense, than it is to receive a product without cost with its ‘fair market value’ classified as revenue….”

So when Encalife asked me to check out their double edge safety razor I was less than enthused.  

Encalife

And taking a closer look at the Encalife website it looked like a safety razor seemed out of place in their product line: most of their products were related to space-related gifts (star projectors, telescopes, lighted globes), “relaxation” products (white noise machines, massagers), and various other do-dads.  I suspected the razor was a cheap imported throw-away item.

I thought I should “take one for the team” and try the razor anyway, if nothing else as a cautionary tale for Sharpologist readers.  So I went ahead and purchased one.  Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a pretty good razor!

From The Encalife Website

“Experience a luxurious and precise shave with the luxury razor for men, which adds a touch of elegance to your grooming routine. The textured handle ensures a secure grip, even when wet, allowing you to shave with confidence. This eco-friendly and cost-effective razor is compatible with all standard double-edge blades, giving you the freedom to customize your shaving experience. It’s easy to clean and maintain, making it a hassle-free addition to your grooming routine. Enjoy a smooth and enjoyable shave.” 

What’s In The Box?

• 1 x razor for men
• 10 x blades
• 1 x holder
• 1 x cleaning brush

Technical Specifications

• Material: zinc alloy + aluminum
• Size: 10.3 cm x 4.2 cm x 2.5 cm

My Experience With The Encalife Safety Razor

I purchased this razor.  My opinions are my own and have not been reviewed or approved by Encalife.

Frankly, I had low expectations for this razor.  I’ve seen my share of cheaply made razors and I figured this would be no exception.  And when the shipment tracking info came in and I saw it was coming from a warehouse in China….

Presentation

Per the What’s In The Box section above.  There aren’t any logos on the items–even the razor blades are unlabeled.  The build quality is surprisingly good: the blade bank is acceptable, the razor stand is heavy enough to stay stable, and the razor itself disassembles and assembles smoothly and easily.  Maybe this razor set isn’t so bad after all…?

Specifications

• Weight: 53 grams (~1.8 oz)
• Handle: 9.6 cm (~3.5 inches); Total 10.3 cm (~4 inches)

The weight is a bit less than my personal preference.  On the other hand the center of gravity is noticeably balanced toward the head of the razor–something I very much prefer in my safety razors.  I find this combination makes this razor pretty good at “letting the razor do the work” of shaving.

The Shaves

The knurling on the razor handle is good and runs along most of the handle.  I doubt this razor will slip through wet hands.  The combination of knurling and balance make this razor feel good in my hand.

My first shaves were with a ‘known good’ blade that I prefer (in my case, Parker blades).  I wasn’t about to tempt fate and try this razor with one of the un-branded blades that came with it.  By the way, the razor’s top cap fully covers blade tabs.

After I got more familiar with the characteristics of this razor I tried a few shaves with one of the included unbranded blades.  While these blades are not exactly Feather or Kai levels of “sharp” they don’t pull or tug on me.  So, in my case, the included blades are acceptable (Your Mileage May Vary).

And–surprise!– I actually get excellent shaves from this razor!  I would classify the characteristics as the low end of the ‘average’ range of aggressiveness.  Maybe a 4 out of 10?  There is some blade feel but it is not excessive.  I think the “sweet spot,” the range of blade angles that still provide an acceptable cut of stubble without being too harsh, is fairly generous.  

Conclusion

Using the Encalife Luxury Razor For Men is a pleasant surprise for me.  I found the quality to be as good as many of the more well-known safety razors on the market but at under US $30, there’s more “bang for the buck.”  I think this razor would make an excellent gift kit for the old school wet shaving newbie and just might make it to my Best Safety Razors For Beginners list!