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What got me into long handled razors was, oddly enough, the Azor M Sensitive razor by King Of Shaves. It is probably one of the longest around at 13.5cm not including the cartridge bit, or 14.5cm overall, using 4 or 5 blade cartridges, and weighing 47g if you have used the metal version. And another previous razor, the Wilkinson Sword Protector, also has a fairly weighty handle. So my choice of DE razor had to be one with a long handle with some weight, and my original choice was the Merkur Barberpole 38C, at 10cm in length, weighing 120g.
But further searches took me to Edwin Jagger and the Chatsworth Barley chrome razor, weighing 110g, and 10.5 cm in handle length. I liked its shape, size, texture, and weight, and if I had stuck to buying the 38C I know I would have wanted the Chatsworth if I had seen it later on. So I took the plunge and got the Chatsworth.
Although the English Shaving Company website does not feature the Chatsworth Barley, only the plain chrome or lined versions, you can request the Barley pattern. That's what I did and got it.
It arrived 24 hours after I had ordered it from The English Shaving Company, along with some Derby blades, EJ shaving cream and free samples, and I started using the razor a few days later. I still had a few BIC single blade disposables which I used for a short period due to sore cheeks from the Azor. For some reason, after 10 months of okay shaving with this thing, I developed soreness and flaky skin which had started clearing up with the BICs, and has gone altogether since using the Chatsworth.
So that must be saying something, in that I began proper DE shaving in the middle of problem skin. The only other DE razor I have used was the Wilkinson Sword Classic between 1992 and 2000, which is not a bad razor for an absolute beginner. I did use a Schick Injector single blade razor in the late 1970s when they were still available. Other than that I can only compare the Chatsworth against cartridge razors against which the Chatsworth is definitely superior. Somehow, it brings pleasure to shaving, and that is something many DE users are finding. The shave is certainly better than the Azor, and on the second pass, I sometimes have a pencil thin line of cream left between the shaven patches, which tells me just how straight and accurate this razor is.
Although I'm right handed I always start on the left, shaving WTG, then 2 passes XTG in opposite directions, but no ATG. I rinse in tepid water, and at the time of writing this review I used One Planet shave balm which is pretty good – all natural ingredients.
The razor can be a little awkward to use with my left hand when shaving XTGL, but the good thing is that you can hold the razor further up or down the handle, giving you the best of both a short and long handled razor. But due to the bulbed end, it may be a little awkward to hold if you want a bit of leverage - think of it like a ladder leaning on a wall, but the natural pressure on my skin feels right. The grip is good, and I don't get wet hands when shaving. I'll practice more with my left hand as well. I could hear a mild crackle as the stubble yielded.
Changing the blade is easier to do if you place the razor head face down onto a cloth and turn the handle gently via the circular bit on the end. It is a three piece razor and I usually take it apart and wash with a soft bristle toothbrush in warm soapy water after every 4th shave, rinse in clear warm water, then dry with a paper kitchen towel, not forgetting to dry the internal threading at the top of the handle. I then leave the razor in pieces and put a fresh blade in the next day. The shaving brush can be washed in mild shampoo from time to time.
Is the £70 price worth it? If you use the Chatsworth as your only or main razor then it is. The weight and texture are probably what makes it this price, being brass with chrome plating. And somehow, brass is reminiscent of Victorian artefacts – no steel as far as I know which might make the razor seem too functional, unless the head has some. But if the razor merely gets added to a rotation and used once a week say, then a smaller, cheaper EJ razor may be more suitable. I don't collect razors, but I respect those who do because you have valuable knowledge of how one compares against the other.
I began using the razor with Ingrams shaving cream, but that was a leftover from when I used the Azor. That was followed by Erasmic, the old Jordan made coconut formulation. Also, a Men U boar shaving brush, but I have also used the Omega syntex 90065 albino badger effect bristle. Nowadays, I use the Edwin Jagger Chatsworth Ebony synthetic bristle shaving brush. I have also used various razor blades from sample packs and other purchases, as well as other shaving creams.
Overall, I think the Chatsworth Barley Chrome is well worth it as a main razor used most of the week. The savings in gel and cartridges (at around £5.95 for 6 KOS 'Enduriums') will take a while to recoup, but if the razor is that good I'll hopefully not want another one, and that will save me money as well.
What got me into long handled razors was, oddly enough, the Azor M Sensitive razor by King Of Shaves. It is probably one of the longest around at 13.5cm not including the cartridge bit, or 14.5cm overall, using 4 or 5 blade cartridges, and weighing 47g if you have used the metal version. And another previous razor, the Wilkinson Sword Protector, also has a fairly weighty handle. So my choice of DE razor had to be one with a long handle with some weight, and my original choice was the Merkur Barberpole 38C, at 10cm in length, weighing 120g.
But further searches took me to Edwin Jagger and the Chatsworth Barley chrome razor, weighing 110g, and 10.5 cm in handle length. I liked its shape, size, texture, and weight, and if I had stuck to buying the 38C I know I would have wanted the Chatsworth if I had seen it later on. So I took the plunge and got the Chatsworth.
Although the English Shaving Company website does not feature the Chatsworth Barley, only the plain chrome or lined versions, you can request the Barley pattern. That's what I did and got it.
It arrived 24 hours after I had ordered it from The English Shaving Company, along with some Derby blades, EJ shaving cream and free samples, and I started using the razor a few days later. I still had a few BIC single blade disposables which I used for a short period due to sore cheeks from the Azor. For some reason, after 10 months of okay shaving with this thing, I developed soreness and flaky skin which had started clearing up with the BICs, and has gone altogether since using the Chatsworth.
So that must be saying something, in that I began proper DE shaving in the middle of problem skin. The only other DE razor I have used was the Wilkinson Sword Classic between 1992 and 2000, which is not a bad razor for an absolute beginner. I did use a Schick Injector single blade razor in the late 1970s when they were still available. Other than that I can only compare the Chatsworth against cartridge razors against which the Chatsworth is definitely superior. Somehow, it brings pleasure to shaving, and that is something many DE users are finding. The shave is certainly better than the Azor, and on the second pass, I sometimes have a pencil thin line of cream left between the shaven patches, which tells me just how straight and accurate this razor is.
Although I'm right handed I always start on the left, shaving WTG, then 2 passes XTG in opposite directions, but no ATG. I rinse in tepid water, and at the time of writing this review I used One Planet shave balm which is pretty good – all natural ingredients.
The razor can be a little awkward to use with my left hand when shaving XTGL, but the good thing is that you can hold the razor further up or down the handle, giving you the best of both a short and long handled razor. But due to the bulbed end, it may be a little awkward to hold if you want a bit of leverage - think of it like a ladder leaning on a wall, but the natural pressure on my skin feels right. The grip is good, and I don't get wet hands when shaving. I'll practice more with my left hand as well. I could hear a mild crackle as the stubble yielded.
Changing the blade is easier to do if you place the razor head face down onto a cloth and turn the handle gently via the circular bit on the end. It is a three piece razor and I usually take it apart and wash with a soft bristle toothbrush in warm soapy water after every 4th shave, rinse in clear warm water, then dry with a paper kitchen towel, not forgetting to dry the internal threading at the top of the handle. I then leave the razor in pieces and put a fresh blade in the next day. The shaving brush can be washed in mild shampoo from time to time.
Is the £70 price worth it? If you use the Chatsworth as your only or main razor then it is. The weight and texture are probably what makes it this price, being brass with chrome plating. And somehow, brass is reminiscent of Victorian artefacts – no steel as far as I know which might make the razor seem too functional, unless the head has some. But if the razor merely gets added to a rotation and used once a week say, then a smaller, cheaper EJ razor may be more suitable. I don't collect razors, but I respect those who do because you have valuable knowledge of how one compares against the other.
I began using the razor with Ingrams shaving cream, but that was a leftover from when I used the Azor. That was followed by Erasmic, the old Jordan made coconut formulation. Also, a Men U boar shaving brush, but I have also used the Omega syntex 90065 albino badger effect bristle. Nowadays, I use the Edwin Jagger Chatsworth Ebony synthetic bristle shaving brush. I have also used various razor blades from sample packs and other purchases, as well as other shaving creams.
Overall, I think the Chatsworth Barley Chrome is well worth it as a main razor used most of the week. The savings in gel and cartridges (at around £5.95 for 6 KOS 'Enduriums') will take a while to recoup, but if the razor is that good I'll hopefully not want another one, and that will save me money as well.
