PAA Ascension Twist Adjustable.... Gimmick or for Real??

I actually get better results from the Ascension than the Blackbird. The Ascension does better ATG on my head where the Blackbird struggled. Just traded the Bird,

Just wanted to post a quick review.

I have the PAA Ascension in stainless. I also have a rough beard and very sensitive skin. Normally in order for a razor to give me BBS, I have to shave until I get significant irritation.

The only razor I have found that gets around this is the Blackbird OC.

And now the Ascension.

This razor is smooth. The tightening/loosening in order to adjust the efficiency is not a gimmick. 3 shaves in and I can get a BBS that lasts a tad less long than with my Blackbird, but is much more comfortable, and much gentler on my skin.

I have heard reports that both a steep (ride the guard) and a shallow (ride the cap) angle works well. I am still trying to figure it out for myself. What do you gents find?

Thanks. Do you use a steep or shallow angle?

I actually get better results from the Ascension than the Blackbird. The Ascension does better ATG on my head where the Blackbird struggled. Just traded the Bird,

Just wanted to post a quick review.

I have the PAA Ascension in stainless. I also have a rough beard and very sensitive skin. Normally in order for a razor to give me BBS, I have to shave until I get significant irritation.

The only razor I have found that gets around this is the Blackbird OC.

And now the Ascension.

This razor is smooth. The tightening/loosening in order to adjust the efficiency is not a gimmick. 3 shaves in and I can get a BBS that lasts a tad less long than with my Blackbird, but is much more comfortable, and much gentler on my skin.

I have heard reports that both a steep (ride the guard) and a shallow (ride the cap) angle works well. I am still trying to figure it out for myself. What do you gents find?

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Riding the guard is pretty much required for me with the Ascension.

Thanks. Do you use a steep or shallow angle?

I actually get better results from the Ascension than the Blackbird. The Ascension does better ATG on my head where the Blackbird struggled. Just traded the Bird,

Just wanted to post a quick review.

I have the PAA Ascension in stainless. I also have a rough beard and very sensitive skin. Normally in order for a razor to give me BBS, I have to shave until I get significant irritation.

The only razor I have found that gets around this is the Blackbird OC.

And now the Ascension.

This razor is smooth. The tightening/loosening in order to adjust the efficiency is not a gimmick. 3 shaves in and I can get a BBS that lasts a tad less long than with my Blackbird, but is much more comfortable, and much gentler on my skin.

I have heard reports that both a steep (ride the guard) and a shallow (ride the cap) angle works well. I am still trying to figure it out for myself. What do you gents find?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Thanks!

I recently purchased the Ascension SS twist because of some reviews I read. I have always liked the 1930's design of this lather catcher self-lubricating design, and have been intrigued with PPA's use of recreating razors with this design. It wasn't until I read a review that stated the SS version had good weight and was very efficient with a slight adjustment for blade feel that I decided to give it a try. I had nothing to lose for the money $80. if I didn't like I would sell it for $50-60, no big loss.

I like blade feel and feedback, I've stated this many times. The razors I use are Single Ring (Old Type) thin head Ball End (I switch out the handle for a stork Ti or SS 13 x 90), a CG Level 3 DC, British Streamline (gem blade), and a General SE SS using a Feather Super Pro. My go-to razors are the Single Ring and CG because I prefer a thin head, the Ascension SS has a thin head, so how does it shave?

I have used the Ascension SS twist now using a Polsilver a half dozen times and the shaves have been for me great from the very first shave (again I switched out the handle for a Stork SS 13 x 90, that's just me). I find this razor to be unbelievable smooth and efficient, I like the way I can slightly adjust the bade and the feedback is very accurate from start to finish. I might add the soaps were B&M, SV, Tallow and Steel.

I have no idea about the Aluminum Ascension razors they're to light for me. But to my surprise, I have found the SS version of this razor to be to my liking, an excellent smooth, efficient shaver that produces virtually no irritation.

Just wanted to post the results from this day's shave. I used a PAA Ascension on one side of the face, and a Blackbird OC on the other. 11 hours later and it's almost too close for me to call. The PAA side is closer! This is a significant feat as I previously thought the Blackbird was King.

I used a new Voskhod blade in each. PAA was fully twisted in.

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I started at one quarter turn. Nothing good. Back to one eighth which is perfect for me.

Almost a dozen shaves in with the Ascension SS and not a single bad shave with this razor. Uncany how smooth and yet efficient this razor is. I honestly can not find a fault with its performance. You can go from feeling a shave comparable to the .68 Gamechanger all the way up to a .95 Timeless OC razor. And yet, it keeps that inherent smoothness throughout that simple 1/4 turn twist or less depending on the feel you are looking for in a shave. I'm extremely impressed with the Ascension SS and would recommend it to anyone from a newb to a seasoned veteran. Easy to use and even easier to dial in your custom shave.

The one caveat that perhaps might matter to most is the handle itself. I feel as though the knurling on it is not as deep or pronounced as compared to other handles that offer better grip. Not that it has ever slipped or fallen from my hands but, I think with a better, deeper and more pronounced knurling to provide better tactile feel, PAA would have hit a grand slam with this tool. Still for the construction, alloy, quality of shave and value, it's a home run imho......

Second shave today with the Ascension and this razor is definitely a keeper. My first shave with it was Saturday morning and I used a Feather blade and did the 1/4 turn backward to increase the blade gap. I had a great 2.5 pass BBS shave with it like that. This morning, I used a Voskhod blade and tightened the handle all the way and had another smooth highly efficient 2.5 pass BBS shave. I agree with the handle change and put a Mongoose handle on mine which seems perfect for me. I have just about every high end razor available and this one is definitely a steel at the price they are offering it for. The machining and finish are outstanding and this one will be kept in the stable to pass down through the generations.
The picture is from my Saturday shave. This morning I used a Grooming Dept. soap called Incense and Rose.


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Handle looks a great choice.

Second shave today with the Ascension and this razor is definitely a keeper. My first shave with it was Saturday morning and I used a Feather blade and did the 1/4 turn backward to increase the blade gap. I had a great 2.5 pass BBS shave with it like that. This morning, I used a Voskhod blade and tightened the handle all the way and had another smooth highly efficient 2.5 pass BBS shave. I agree with the handle change and put a Mongoose handle on mine which seems perfect for me. I have just about every high end razor available and this one is definitely a steel at the price they are offering it for. The machining and finish are outstanding and this one will be kept in the stable to pass down through the generations.
The picture is from my Saturday shave. This morning I used a Grooming Dept. soap called Incense and Rose.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk