Stirling Soap 316 Stainless Steel Razor

This has gone into the category of instabuy for me based on these reviews. Rod, may I ask how you plan to make us aware the razor is ready? I want to be sure to buy before you run out of stock. Also, is there any difference in the way the matte versus the polished shave?

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I'll send out an announcement via our email newsletter and on social media as soon as they are ready. I don't foresee them selling out. Between the ST and HA, I think I've got 400 being machined. I don't expect them to sell out because I expect people to balk at the 200 plus price tag, and I am going to be very upfront when I market them that a customer shouldn't buy them unless they are 100% positive they can handle a razor this aggressive.

All of the first batch will be mirror finish. I haven't had any made in the matte finish yet.

I am definitely purchasing the HA but wondering if there will be an option to just get the SA baseplate?


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Yes. You will be able to get either or both.

And when will there be a matte finish?

I honestly don't know. I had hoped to have these ready months ago. Every time we get close a new issue arises or the world as we know it shuts down. I fully expect the machine shop to call me any day now to let me know that a meteor destroyed the razors.

My time is done with these two great razors. They've been cleaned & sanitized with Barbecide then dipped in Alcohol. All packaged up and ready to be dropped off at the post office and headed to gwsmallwood. Will pm with tracking info.

I will include my final thoughts on both razors later today as I had no time last night to get it done because of a work related issue.

I can't wait. I'm a fan of aggressive razors, so I'm anxiously awaiting my turn. I definitely plan on putting the HA through its paces, but you have me curious about the SA now, too. I have some money saved up that I've been thinking about putting toward a high end razor, but which one is always the big question these days.

The razors have been shipped to the next participant gwsmallwood and as they would say of The King....




Though my stay was short with the razors and I would have loved to have shaven with each razor for a week, those two shaves with each one of them gave me more than enough feedback for a solid feel and a definite direction on where I would be heading in acquiring one or both of these Stirling creations. The fit and finish is excellent on both of them from the handle screwing into the top cap thread, to the cap and base squeezing down on the blade locking it into place giving both solid support and rigidity. The feel in the hands is of a top notch tool that feels both luxurious & purposeful with a tactile presence that they both mean business. The knurling that is offered by both handles is superb and though they are both offered differently on the length of each handle, they present one with more than sufficient grip to allow some adjustability on how one would like to hold these tools.

The HA is exactly what Rod at Stirling says that it is. It’s a whisker whacking beast that has some manners to it. Think Ikon Tech blade feel with near Timeless vice-like clamping on the blade, properly supported. Make no mistake about it, this razor was designed & built to give the user more blade feel and be the de facto 1-2 pass razor in one’s arsenal. You like blade feel? Check. You want to get done in 2 passes or less with NO touch ups required? Double Check. You like your Ikon Tech but, you want better construction or a hommina-hommina exotic alloy? Check. Do you like to oogle & aah your shiny new facial hair terrorist? Again, Check. Yet, this thing has some manners because even though it is a forward feeling blade razor, it’s smoother than the I-Tech and just as efficient. That was my only two issues with the I-Tech. The make up in alloy and the blade flex because I feel it’s not as properly supported as it could have been. The HA solves that very, very nicely. If you do not like blade feel on your face, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU.... If you do, get your charge card ready, pay down your debt, send the wife and kids on a vacation when this razor becomes available. You will want to be alone when you get this razor in your hands and get your first shave in as you will giggle uncontrollably in sheer delight. Like a 3rd grade school girl sitting next to her crush at recess. It’s totally worth it in my estimation. It will give you one of the finest, closest shaves you’ve experienced. You’ll get some nice skin exfoliation as an added bonus if you treat it with disrespect. I’d recommend it to anyone except for the newbie that just got his/her first DE and is still sporting their Huggies. If you know your razor and have a good foundation on shave technique, a 6 month private to a grizzled battle tested razor vet of many years will find success with the HA. 

The ST is an excellent performer as well. And to be truthful and blatantly honest, I liked the ST more. I know, I just pulled all the manly hairs out from my chest and waxed out my bikini line after going all out, full testosterone mode on the HA. Hear me out on this one. I love blade feel as I still do straight shave on occasion and will always do so. I have plenty of blade forward razors that give me nearly the same shave feel as the HA, just not as beautifully made or constructed of a premium alloy. The PAA EVO SS, Ikon El Jefe, I-Tech, Asylum RX and a couple of others as well. The EVO & RX are both constructed of premium alloy but, not as beautiful to look at (in my eyes) as the Stirling razors. These two razors almost have a Timeless like look to them though they are quite different in design and head geometry. The ST cemented itself into my mind as a go to everyday shaver that cuts hair with nearly that same efficiency of it’s bigger brother, the HA but, does it with substantially less blade feel. Sort of like somewhere in between a Gamechanger .84 SB & a Timeless .95 SB. Nearly in the middle but, tuned more toward the Timeless .95 side. It felt so good on the face that I nearly had it racing across my face after the first stroke. It was fantastic on the ATG strokes with nice audible feedback from the razor. The HA shows it as well, perhaps more so but, you need to pay more attention with it as well or it can be well, you know, distressing. The ST gave me solid 12-13 hours of shaved skin smoothness losing only by 3-4 hours to the HA in total longevity. Nevertheless, the quality of shaves (2 only) were superb and never ever did I feel it would try to turn on me and bite. It was love at first shave, seriously.

So, where would I go? Both if you asked me and my manly compulsive side. Truthfully though, the Misses knows I’m onto these and she’s already conceded on me getting one. I’ve tried on two for quite some time. Every time I bring it up and mention the release is coming soon with a limited number of razors, she asks me one question. “Honey, do you like sleeping in our bed or, would you prefer the couch indefinitely?” I always cringe and bow my head slowly walking away and mumbling “You, Dear”. 

It’s the ST for me. Besides, I like sleeping with my Old Lady....

GlazedBoker Great review Gus but which handle did you prefer (knurling at the bottom or top) and did using one handle ATG work better for you than the other ?

GlazedBoker Great review Gus but which handle did you prefer (knurling at the bottom or top) and did using one handle ATG work better for you than the other ?

Both handles were great amigo. But, I enjoyed the feel and balance on the HA knurling on the bottom just a tad bit more. I could do well with either one and wouldn’t be upset at all if I were left with one or the other.

Happy shaves, brother....

And when will there be a matte finish?

I honestly don't know. I had hoped to have these ready months ago. Every time we get close a new issue arises or the world as we know it shuts down. I fully expect the machine shop to call me any day now to let me know that a meteor destroyed the razors.

When will the Sterling SS be available for sale.

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And when will there be a matte finish?

I honestly don't know.  I had hoped to have these ready months ago.  Every time we get close a new issue arises or the world as we know it shuts down. I fully expect the machine shop to call me any day now to let me know that a meteor destroyed the razors.

When will the Sterling SS be available for sale.

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Seriously?

And when will there be a matte finish?

I honestly don't know. I had hoped to have these ready months ago. Every time we get close a new issue arises or the world as we know it shuts down. I fully expect the machine shop to call me any day now to let me know that a meteor destroyed the razors.

When will the Sterling SS be available for sale.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

I don't think Rod wants to give a definitive or approximate date with all that has been happening as of late. These razors would have been done quite some time ago if it weren't for the original manufacturing situation that reared its ugly head about 6-8 months ago. Looks like there won't be a date until he knows definitely that they are complete and to specs. Honestly, I don't blame the man for keeping the lid tight until he knows it's 100% ready for consumer release. I know it will be worth the wait. Just a little bit longer as I'm sure we have plenty of razors to keep us in check until then.

The razors have been shipped to the next participant gwsmallwood and as they would say of The King....




Though my stay was short with the razors and I would have loved to have shaven with each razor for a week, those two shaves with each one of them gave me more than enough feedback for a solid feel and a definite direction on where I would be heading in acquiring one or both of these Stirling creations. The fit and finish is excellent on both of them from the handle screwing into the top cap thread, to the cap and base squeezing down on the blade locking it into place giving both solid support and rigidity. The feel in the hands is of a top notch tool that feels both luxurious & purposeful with a tactile presence that they both mean business. The knurling that is offered by both handles is superb and though they are both offered differently on the length of each handle, they present one with more than sufficient grip to allow some adjustability on how one would like to hold these tools.

The HA is exactly what Rod at Stirling says that it is. It’s a whisker whacking beast that has some manners to it. Think Ikon Tech blade feel with near Timeless vice-like clamping on the blade, properly supported. Make no mistake about it, this razor was designed & built to give the user more blade feel and be the de facto 1-2 pass razor in one’s arsenal. You like blade feel? Check. You want to get done in 2 passes or less with NO touch ups required? Double Check. You like your Ikon Tech but, you want better construction or a hommina-hommina exotic alloy? Check. Do you like to oogle & aah your shiny new facial hair terrorist? Again, Check. Yet, this thing has some manners because even though it is a forward feeling blade razor, it’s smoother than the I-Tech and just as efficient. That was my only two issues with the I-Tech. The make up in alloy and the blade flex because I feel it’s not as properly supported as it could have been. The HA solves that very, very nicely. If you do not like blade feel on your face, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU.... If you do, get your charge card ready, pay down your debt, send the wife and kids on a vacation when this razor becomes available. You will want to be alone when you get this razor in your hands and get your first shave in as you will giggle uncontrollably in sheer delight. Like a 3rd grade school girl sitting next to her crush at recess. It’s totally worth it in my estimation. It will give you one of the finest, closest shaves you’ve experienced. You’ll get some nice skin exfoliation as an added bonus if you treat it with disrespect. I’d recommend it to anyone except for the newbie that just got his/her first DE and is still sporting their Huggies. If you know your razor and have a good foundation on shave technique, a 6 month private to a grizzled battle tested razor vet of many years will find success with the HA. 

The ST is an excellent performer as well. And to be truthful and blatantly honest, I liked the ST more. I know, I just pulled all the manly hairs out from my chest and waxed out my bikini line after going all out, full testosterone mode on the HA. Hear me out on this one. I love blade feel as I still do straight shave on occasion and will always do so. I have plenty of blade forward razors that give me nearly the same shave feel as the HA, just not as beautifully made or constructed of a premium alloy. The PAA EVO SS, Ikon El Jefe, I-Tech, Asylum RX and a couple of others as well. The EVO & RX are both constructed of premium alloy but, not as beautiful to look at (in my eyes) as the Stirling razors. These two razors almost have a Timeless like look to them though they are quite different in design and head geometry. The ST cemented itself into my mind as a go to everyday shaver that cuts hair with nearly that same efficiency of it’s bigger brother, the HA but, does it with substantially less blade feel. Sort of like somewhere in between a Gamechanger .84 SB & a Timeless .95 SB. Nearly in the middle but, tuned more toward the Timeless .95 side. It felt so good on the face that I nearly had it racing across my face after the first stroke. It was fantastic on the ATG strokes with nice audible feedback from the razor. The HA shows it as well, perhaps more so but, you need to pay more attention with it as well or it can be well, you know, distressing. The ST gave me solid 12-13 hours of shaved skin smoothness losing only by 3-4 hours to the HA in total longevity. Nevertheless, the quality of shaves (2 only) were superb and never ever did I feel it would try to turn on me and bite. It was love at first shave, seriously.

So, where would I go? Both if you asked me and my manly compulsive side. Truthfully though, the Misses knows I’m onto these and she’s already conceded on me getting one. I’ve tried on two for quite some time. Every time I bring it up and mention the release is coming soon with a limited number of razors, she asks me one question. “Honey, do you like sleeping in our bed or, would you prefer the couch indefinitely?” I always cringe and bow my head slowly walking away and mumbling “You, Dear”. 

It’s the ST for me. Besides, I like sleeping with my Old Lady....

Gus, thank you for such an informative review that also managed to have me laughing out loud.

P.S.  Glad you didn't choose the couch.