gvw755
Well-Known Member
A couple of years ago, PAA introduced a clone of the Grand Shave King self lubricating razor which was distinct because it was an open comb razor with an open comb cap. This razor was called the DOC (dual open comb) and was quite popular and so they had a great idea of making it an adjustable razor. The adjustability was not like the Gillettes or Progress where there was a seperate plate that could move up and down quite significantly, but a passive one similar to the Eclipse Red Ring or the Berkeley razors where it adjusted by about a quarter to half turn to loosen the cap to allow the razor to be more aggressive or milder. The early Gillette instructions for the Old Type suggested doing the same to adjust the shave. These were different instruction from the ones that instructed you how to make their razors a slant. 
Unlike the Berkeley, which had a shim between the head and the base to keep the tension so that the head did not get too loose, the redesigned Ascension put a more severe curve for the cap and base plate allowing the blade itself to keep the tension on the cap.
The original DOC was quite curved to begin with and I remembered experimenting with it by putting a rubber washer between the base plate and the handle to test out the concept before buying the Ascension. The Ascension did add a thicker cap to the design. There currently are three versions of the Ascensiion (when they are in stock). One is made of machined aluminum, a second one is made of stainless steel, and the third was made of copper. I originally bought the aluminum version, but the finish was rough and so I was getting nicks from the sharp edges of the comb in addition to a decent shave, and so it did not stay long in my den. I was satisfied with using my modified DOC as my poor man's Ascension, however the Copper version came up on a BST and stayed too long for me not to make an offer that was accepted.
First shave was tonight. I loaded a blade and started fooling around with the adjustment. Similar to all other passive adjustable razors, you have to first screw it until it is tight and then loosen the handle to get your desired aggression.
Mild setting
Aggressive setting
Like most adjustable razors, I started my WTG pass using the aggressive setting. The shave was very comfortable and efficient, but did require a slight adjustment in my angle when I shaved under my nose because of the thick cap. The thick cap, however, also allowed me to test out a variety of different angles. With the ATG pass, I shaved half of my face with the original setting, and the other half with the mild setting. What really happened was that I was getting such a comfortable shave with the aggressive setting that I forgot to adjust to the mild setting. The half of the face where I switched to the mild setting did allow for a closer shave, but only because I could do things like buff and apply a little more pressure. At no time from start to finish did I experience the extra scratches I got from the aluminum version Anyone interested in getting the Ascension, I would recommend either the stainless steel or copper versions.
Tomorrow I will shave with my original DOC with a rubber washer to compare the shaves.
Unlike the Berkeley, which had a shim between the head and the base to keep the tension so that the head did not get too loose, the redesigned Ascension put a more severe curve for the cap and base plate allowing the blade itself to keep the tension on the cap.
The original DOC was quite curved to begin with and I remembered experimenting with it by putting a rubber washer between the base plate and the handle to test out the concept before buying the Ascension. The Ascension did add a thicker cap to the design. There currently are three versions of the Ascensiion (when they are in stock). One is made of machined aluminum, a second one is made of stainless steel, and the third was made of copper. I originally bought the aluminum version, but the finish was rough and so I was getting nicks from the sharp edges of the comb in addition to a decent shave, and so it did not stay long in my den. I was satisfied with using my modified DOC as my poor man's Ascension, however the Copper version came up on a BST and stayed too long for me not to make an offer that was accepted.
First shave was tonight. I loaded a blade and started fooling around with the adjustment. Similar to all other passive adjustable razors, you have to first screw it until it is tight and then loosen the handle to get your desired aggression.
Mild setting
Aggressive setting
Like most adjustable razors, I started my WTG pass using the aggressive setting. The shave was very comfortable and efficient, but did require a slight adjustment in my angle when I shaved under my nose because of the thick cap. The thick cap, however, also allowed me to test out a variety of different angles. With the ATG pass, I shaved half of my face with the original setting, and the other half with the mild setting. What really happened was that I was getting such a comfortable shave with the aggressive setting that I forgot to adjust to the mild setting. The half of the face where I switched to the mild setting did allow for a closer shave, but only because I could do things like buff and apply a little more pressure. At no time from start to finish did I experience the extra scratches I got from the aluminum version Anyone interested in getting the Ascension, I would recommend either the stainless steel or copper versions.
Tomorrow I will shave with my original DOC with a rubber washer to compare the shaves.