Above The Tie H1 and H2 review/use notes.

I started DE shaving almost exactly 3 years ago.  I was on one of the sites that listed bargains of the day and saw one for Body Shop Maca Root shaving cream where the deal was 3 for the price of one.
I bought 6(of which I still have 3).
This got me started and looking at soaps and I heard about this brush called the Stirling Kong.  I bought the Kong and some blades as well as a DE razor from the Stirling site.
Then learning from forums I bought a bunch of soaps and razors.  I found that I liked really aggressive razors and ended up acquiring 3 wolfman WR 1 with the biggest gap being 0.91.
In addition, I bought a Timeless 0.95 OC and 2 charcoal goods OC level 3(one kept as a spare).  And of course, the Muhle R41.  I also have a Merkur Futur which I think is as aggressive as anything available that I have run across.
Also, I shave every day for work so all of my experiences have been with 24 hour growth only.
I got in on the above the tie 50% off sale and got a H2 base and a cap.
The H2 is extremely aggressive and gives perfect shaves but it takes time and I have to be very careful.

I recently bought a H1 baseplate from a member here and used it today.  The shave was excellent.  Just a shade less aggressive than with the H2 plate but the results were a smooth BBS shave despite using a blade that I don't think is the sharpest for me(a Wilkinson Sword Classic--the one with the yellow packaging).
If someone likes aggressive razors, they should definitely try the H1 and H2.  Even now almost 12 hours afterwards, my face is still smooth.

I’m a big fan of the H2 (and the Timeless .95 OC, Charcoal Level 3 OC and R41 (2011 version)). I seem to recall the H2, at least in the stainless version I bought, may not be available in the future. Anyone have any news on this?

From my understanding all "classic" ATT razors and plates are no longer going to be made. I don't know if Stan has addressed making the open comb plates in the Windsor format but it would be nice if he did.

Aluminum razors still are available.

Just an update. I know sometimes there is a honeymoon period when a product seems to work better than it ultimately does after the "new car smell" fades. But with the H1, I've been using it and it hasn't faded. But, I'm also glad I got the H2 because I like using it as well and if I had gotten only one of them, I would have kept wondering what the other one was like.

OK so I have been using the H1 with one of my less liked blade: a Personna Platinum. It has worked really well. I am completely surprised at how smooth the shave is with this blade and I can see how people can really like the blade. If someone wants an aggressive type razor for a daily driver, the H1 is really a great razor for that.

From my understanding all "classic" ATT razors and plates are no longer going to be made. I don't know if Stan has addressed making the open comb plates in the Windsor format but it would be nice if he did.

That sucks. I guess I will NEVER be parting with my ATT S1. I love that razor and recommend (or used to I guess now) that razor out of all of the classic ATT razors. Still thinking about buying a Windsor, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Thanks for starting this thread, bkatbamna. I’ve long been curious about how the H1 and H2 compare to some other efficient razors, such as the Blackbird or the Mühle R41, but I’ve never had the chance to try one. Nice to read about your experience!

Also a note on Above the Tie — I’m disappointed that they seem to have done away with the 3" Atlas handle and now have a 3.5" handle which is based on the Calypso design. That little Atlas handle was a marvelous design, if you ask me. Furthermore, I kind of liked the old finish they had for the stainless razors, which was somewhere between a polished finish and the new satin finish.

Everyone has their opinions, these are my current thoughts. Perhaps my feelings will change if I start seeing some of the new razors in SOTD pictures. (Sometimes a new car model will initially look unappealing, yet several months down the road it might suddenly be the coolest thing ever.)

Thanks for starting this thread, bkatbamna. I’ve long been curious about how the H1 and H2 compare to some other efficient razors, such as the Blackbird or the Mühle R41, but I’ve never had the chance to try one. Nice to read about your experience!

Also a note on Above the Tie — I’m disappointed that they seem to have done away with the 3" Atlas handle and now have a 3.5" handle which is based on the Calypso design. That little Atlas handle was a marvelous design, if you ask me. Furthermore, I kind of liked the old finish they had for the stainless razors, which was somewhere between a polished finish and the new satin finish.

Everyone has their opinions, these are my current thoughts. Perhaps my feelings will change if I start seeing some of the new razors in SOTD pictures. (Sometimes a new car model will initially look unappealing, yet several months down the road it might suddenly be the coolest thing ever.)

I agree with you on the Atlas handle. I also like the brushed finish better than the bead blast finish that they have now. Two things will keep me from trying the new design. One is the long handle and the other is that the blade tabs are now covered. I know a lot of people like the covered blade tabs, but that makes the razor harder to maneuver, in my opinion.

From my understanding all "classic" ATT razors and plates are no longer going to be made. I don't know if Stan has addressed making the open comb plates in the Windsor format but it would be nice if he did.

That sucks.  I guess I will NEVER be parting with my ATT S1.  I love that razor and recommend (or used to I guess now) that razor out of all of the classic ATT razors.  Still thinking about buying a Windsor, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Stan indicated to me that the aluminum baseplate will fit ATT prior to the Windsor. I wanted a R baseplate and indicated that that baseplate would fit.

So I just wanted to update those that are interested: I've been using the H1 80% of the time the last few weeks and my opinion of it has only gotten better. It is aggressive enough for BBS 3 pass shaves and I'm so glad I got it. I haven't used the H2 plate in a while because of the H1.