Henson AL13 Review: The Machined Razor Worth the Hype

The Henson AL13 is a machined aluminum safety razor that earns its reputation as one of the most beginner-friendly close-shaving razors on the market. It cuts efficiently while staying forgiving, which is a rare combination at its price.

If you want a razor that hides almost no blade and still resists nicks, the AL13 is worth the hype. Here is what actually sets it apart.

What makes the AL13 different

Henson machines the AL13 from aircraft-grade aluminum on the same CNC equipment the company uses for aerospace parts. According to manufacturer figures, the blade extends only a few thousandths of an inch past the guard, less than the thickness of a human hair.

That tiny exposure is the whole design idea. The blade acts like a rigid extension of the razor head, so it cuts hair rather than skin.

How it feels to shave with

The AL13 gives you a lot of feedback. You hear the blade working, which helps new wet shavers learn the right angle faster than a muted, mild razor does.

It comes in Mild and Medium aggressiveness levels. Most people moving over from cartridges do well starting with Mild, then deciding later whether they want more. If you are unsure where you land, our mild vs aggressive razors guide breaks down the tradeoffs.

Build and value

At its street price, the AL13 undercuts most stainless razors while matching them on cut quality. The aluminum body is light, which some shavers love and grip-focused users need a moment to adjust to.

It uses standard double edge blades, so you are not locked into a proprietary system. If you are still building your kit, see our best safety razor for beginners roundup for how it compares.

Who should skip it

If you prefer a heavy, planted razor that does the work with its own weight, the light aluminum head may feel too active for you. Fans of dense brass and stainless razors sometimes bounce off it for that reason.

Very coarse beards may also want the Medium version out of the gate, since Mild can take an extra pass. New to the motion entirely? Start with our how to use a safety razor walkthrough first.

The verdict

The AL13 delivers a close, efficient shave with a low nick risk and a price that shames pricier metal razors. For a first serious safety razor, it is one of the easiest recommendations in wet shaving.