The Outlaw Mild is a solid stainless steel safety razor produced by the UK wet shaving company, Executive Shaving. This razor is a recent addition to the safety razor collection for review.
Overview and Design
Manufacturer and Brand
The Outlaw Mild is part of Executive Shaving Company’s line of Outlaw stainless steel razors. Executive Shaving is a top UK shaving supplier based in Scotland, trading online since 1993, and expanded with its own brand of supplies, including Outlaw razors, since 2014.
Material and Finish
It is an all-stainless steel razor, which contributes to its durability, strength, and longevity compared to razors made from other metals, explaining its higher cost.
The surfaces are hand polished, giving the razor an attractive appearance and removing the dull steel look. It is so well polished that it can be mistaken for chrome, though it contains no chrome plating.
Appearance
The razor has a superb, quality look, rated 9 out of 10 for appearance. Its slightly longer head is considered a positive design aspect, as it prevents blade overhang and enhances the quality appearance, along with the ESC stamps.
Handle Options and Grip
The Outlaw Mild is sold with various handle options, including deeply knurled. Buyers can choose from Super Grip (deeply knurled for maximum grip), Sure Grip (lightly knurled), and Elegant (long, lightly knurled) handle types to suit their preferences.
The Super Grip model provides excellent grip, rated 10 out of 10, described as a “super grip”. The length of the handle and overall razor is standard.
Weight and Balance
The Outlaw Mild weighs 100g with the handle and head, while the Outlaw Elegant Mild weighs an extra 4g (total 104g).
This weight is considered quite heavy for a double-edged razor, which is seen as a great advantage by the reviewer, as it means the weight does some of the work during shaving. It is described as a very well-balanced safety razor that holds comfortably in the hand.
Razor Type
It is a three-piece, double-edged safety razor. Being double-edged allows a user to shave with both sides of the razor head.
Head Design
It features a closed comb head, which is the most popular type of razor head. This design includes a safety bar at the bottom of the head without gaps or teeth, unlike open-combed types.
The bottom plate helps to slightly stretch the skin for an improved shaving experience. While it is said to have a low-profile head, the reviewer found it comparable to others, not necessarily lower.
Blade Gap
The blade gap is 0.52mm, positioning it well on the mildest side of safety razors.
Drainage
The Outlaw Mild offers good drainage and is easy to rinse.
Performance and Shaving Experience
Initial Expectations vs. Reality
Despite being marketed as “mild” and having a small blade gap, the Outlaw Mild did not seem mild at all during initial use; instead, it felt more aggressive than other mild razors like the Merkur 34C and Mühle R89. This is attributed to blade angle and exposure also influencing aggressiveness, not just blade gap.
Performance on Growth
It shaves well on 3+ days of growth despite its “mild” designation. It is described as “amazing to use on heavy growth over 3 days,” polishing it off easily after a second lather.
The aggressiveness and extra weight allow it to perform excellently on heavy growth, even topping razors like the Mühle R41 for the reviewer’s preference.
Blade Compatibility
The initial shave with a Feather blade resulted in too many nicks, indicating it was too aggressive for that blade. However, switching to a Personna blade made a significant difference, running much more smoothly and toning down the aggressiveness.
Learning Curve
It took the reviewer three shaves to become comfortable with the Outlaw Mild. Initially, it left the reviewer thinking it wasn’t what was expected and that it was pricey, but after the third shave, they were “sold on it”. Other consumers have also reported needing a few uses to get accustomed to it.
Ease of Use:
- Blade Replacement: As a three-part razor, it is slightly more fiddly when changing blades compared to two-part and butterfly razors. Users must unscrew the handle from the head, place the blade within the top cap, and then screw the three pieces back together, ensuring the blade is aligned when tightening the handle.
- Shaving Under Nose and Chin: The razor was found very easy to use under the nose and around the chin area, requiring typical nose manipulation.
- Blade Overhang: There is no blade overhang. The head is slightly longer, tucking the blade sides in nicely without negatively affecting the shaving experience.
- Optimal Shaving Angle: The razor seems to perform best at a certain shaving angle, typically around 45 degrees, a factor the reviewer was more aware of with the Outlaw compared to other razors.
Overall Shaving Experience
Rated 9 out of 10 for overall shaving experience. After finding the best blade, it proved to be a great safety razor, providing a close shave after two passes with usual touch-ups. It is a razor that “will grow on” the user.
Quality, Value, and Suitability
- Quality/Design: Rated 9 out of 10 for overall build quality and design. Its stainless steel construction ensures it is durable and long-lasting.
- Value for Money: Rated 9 out of 10 for value for money. Despite being an expensive razor (priced at £100 GBP), its excellent craftsmanship, machining, and attention to detail make it worth the cost. A stainless steel razor like the Outlaw Mild is expected to last many years, potentially a lifetime.
- Returns & Warranty: Executive Shaving offers a 14-day returns policy and a lifetime warranty on the Outlaw razor.
- Consumer Feedback: While there aren’t as many reviews as for more popular brands, many users rate the Outlaw highly, achieving great and close shaves.
- Target User: The Outlaw Mild is best suited for those at an intermediate level of wet shaving with safety razors. It is recommended for individuals who have used less expensive and milder razors (like Merkur 34c or Muhle R89) and wish to upgrade to a high-quality stainless steel model. It is not generally a good choice for beginners to wet shaving with safety razors due to its perceived aggressiveness.
The Outlaw Mild has become a favorite for the reviewer, potentially replacing their Mühle R41, especially due to its weight and similar aggressiveness. The reviewer expressed curiosity about trying the Outlaw Standard with a larger blade gap.
Alternatives
For those who find the Outlaw Mild too pricey, too mild/aggressive, or affected by shipping costs outside the UK/EU, alternatives include:
Merkur 34C
A milder and more affordable razor, suitable for beginners, though not made of stainless steel and has a smaller handle.
Check price on AmazonEdwin Jagger DE89:
Another mild and affordable safety razor, suitable for beginners, with various handle designs and lengths. It has a chrome finish and is made in Sheffield, UK.
Check price on AmazonMühle R41
An aggressive, open-comb razor that provides a similar shave quality, closeness, and aggressiveness to the Outlaw, especially for cutting through coarse hair. It is not as heavy as the Outlaw and is not made from stainless steel.
Check price on AmazonThe Outlaw Mild is a solid stainless steel safety razor produced by the UK wet shaving company, Executive Shaving. This razor is a recent addition to the safety razor collection for review.
