Outlaw Mild Razor Review – A Stainless Steel Mild Safety Razor
Outlaw Mild Safety Razor
The Outlaw Mild is a good solid stainless steel safety razor made by the UK wet shaving company, Executive Shaving. The razor is sold with various handle options, including deeply knurled.
Pros
Traditional razor made from stainless steel that’s durable and long-lasting
Hand polished which gives the razor an attractive appearance
Various handle options are available to choose from
Nice and weighty and it feels solid
Shaves well on 3+ days of growth despite being a mild razor
Good drainage and easy to rinse
Cons
It is a bit pricey
It might be on the heavy side for some guys
Not really that mild
The most recent addition to add to the safety razor collection that’s up for a test and review is the Outlaw Mild from the Executive Shaving Company’s line of Outlaw stainless steel razors.
The Outlaw range of razors includes the Outlaw MILD Super Grip, Outlaw Super Grip, Outlaw Elegant, Outlaw Sure Grip, Outlaw Mild Elegant, and Outlaw MILD Sure Grip. These razors differ in handle grip and blade gap only, although the elegant model is also long handled.
The company has most definitely covered the needs of various types of safety razor users with mild and standard, and the handle lengths and grip styles. It gives a buyer options.
In this review, we will take a look at the features and design of the Outlaw Mild, tell you all about how it shaved with various days of beard and stubble growth, and I will also give a recommendation of who it’s best suited for.
The Company & Brand: The Executive Shaving Company is one of the top UK shaving suppliers that are based in Scotland and retails online for the UK, EU, and Worldwide. They have been trading since 1993, and the passionate owner Brian Mulreany took over the company in 2009. The ESC sells all the shaving supplies required for wet shaving, from shaving creams and brushes to safety razors and blades. Since 2014 the company has also expanded with its own brand of supplies which includes the Braveheart and Outlaw razors.
Outlaw Mild Description & Features
The Outlaw Mild is geared toward those that use safety razors with a smaller blade gap, and it offers sensitive skin types some ease while shaving. Many guys switching from using cartridge razors will usually start with a milder razor.
- Materials and finish – This razor is an all-stainless steel type that offers durability, strength, and longevity compared to other metals used, and this is why you’ll see they cost quite a bit more than your average brass and chrome types. The surfaces are hand polished, removing the dull and less attractive steel appearance.
- Handle – The handle on the super grip model is deeply knurled for maximum grip, the sure grip is lightly knurled, and the elegant (long handle) is also lightly knurled. Buyers have the choice of these three handle types and can choose the one that would suit them best.
- Double edged – The Outlaw is a double-edged safety razor that enables a user to shave with both sides of the razor head.
- Closed comb – Closed comb razors are the most popular of razors and have a safety bar at the bottom of the head that does not have any gaps or teeth, unlike open combed types. The bottom plate will help stretch the skin slightly to improve the shaving experience.
- Three parts – This razor comes apart when twisting the handle thread from the two top sections, giving a user three parts of a razor. These are slightly more fiddly when blade changing; however, they can be cleaned up perfectly, and the tops or handles are interchangeable if needed.
- Blade replacement – A user must unscrew the handle from the head and place a blade within the top cap before screwing the three pieces back together. A bit trickier than two-part and butterfly razors, and attention must be given to keeping the blade aligned when tightening the handle.
- Dimensions & Weight – The Outlaw Mild weighs 100g with the handle and head, and the Outlaw Elegant Mild weighs an extra 4g (total = 104g). Head length – 43mm, handle length – 85mm (Elegant edition – 95mm), handle diameter 13mm.
- Blade gap – The blade gap is 0.52mm which leans well toward the mildest side of safety razors.
- Returns & Warranty – Executive Shaving has a 14-day returns policy and offers a lifetime warranty on the Outlaw.
Which handle should I choose?
Based on the three types of handles (super grip, sure grip, and elegant) a buyer that needs the best grip possible may find the super grip handle is best, and if deeply knurled handles are not their thing then the sure grip might be the best option.
And finally, if a buyer wants a longer handle then they can purchase the great-looking elegant model which is not heavily knurled.
Note: Don’t forget there are also two types of base plates (heads) which are mild (this one reviewed) and standard (larger blade gap). This means a handle and head can match a buyer’s needs or preferences.
How well does the Outlaw Mild perform and Shave?
I had become aware of the Outlaw razor being available at the Executive Shaving Company not so long ago and was pleased to get to test one out and offer a review on it.
I had quite high expectations because it is among the expensive price range of safety razors, priced up at £100.
First impressions – A great-looking polished-up razor that felt nice and hefty ‘how I like them’ and with (as they describe) a super grip handle.
I put together a shaving kit for my first shave test and chose a Feather blade. I chose this blade because the razor was sold as a mild razor, and I knew the blade gap was quite small.
It was one of those days and razors where the Feather blade was too much. A few too many nicks!
What I did discover at first was the Outlaw did not seem mild ‘at all‘ and was more aggressive than other mild razors like the Merkur 34C, Mühle R89, and others. I’ve always said this and continue to experience it; blade gap is not the only measurement of aggressiveness (blade angle and exposure also make a lot of difference ).
What I did discover at first was the Outlaw did not seem mild ‘at all’ and more aggressive than other mild razors like the Merkur 34C, Mühle R89 and others.
The Outlaw Mild not seeming very mild is in no way a complaint as I now have a preference for aggressive safety razors; however, I probably wouldn’t recommend it as the first choice of mild razor for beginners to the art of wet shaving with safety razors.
After a week of using the Outlaw I discovered…..
It is amazing to use on heavy growth over 3 days. It seriously did just polish it off after the second round of lathering up on the first occasion when I had 3 days of growth.
On three days or more growth, I usually enjoy a razor like the Mühle R41, which is an aggressive open-combed safety razor that I have come to love. However, if you’re like me and prefer a razor with some weight then this seemed to even top the R41 because of the extra weight on top of the aggressiveness.
A change in razor blade made a whole lot of difference……
After running into trouble with a Feather blade I found a Personna ran much more smoothly with it. I just needed to tone it down a bit, which worked great!
It took me three shaves to become comfortable with the Outlaw Mild……
And on the third shave while using the Personna, the Outlaw really shone for me.
Some razors I loved from day one, while others I didn’t like from day one; however, the Outlaw Mild initially left me thinking this wasn’t what I expected, and it was also pricey. Then after that third shave, I was sold on it!
Is it easy to use shaving under the nose and chin area?
It is said to be a razor that has a low-profile head. However, I found it has a lower profile than some razors and the same as others.
I did find it very easy to use under the nose area with a bit of pushing the nose over to the left and right as usual, and I had no issues at all with shaving under and around the chin area.
How about blade overhang?
There is no blade overhang at all. The head is only a few millimeters longer, which tucks the blades sides in nicely, and this slightly longer head did not affect the shaving experience negatively whatsoever.
Bottom Line: I found after getting to know the Outlaw Mild while finding the best blade for myself suited to the razor that it was a great safety razor, although I do not find it mild, and that suits me just fine. I’m looking forward to getting used to it more as it gets better as I shave with it each time.
Handle and Grip 9/10
The grip will depend on which handle type of the model the user has (i.e., super grip, sure grip, or elegant). The super grip model I have is just that, a super grip.
The length of the handle and whole safety razor is a kind of standard length, so there are no surprises there for buyers.
Weight and Balance – 9/10
Weighing in at around 100g is quite heavy for this type of double-edged razor, and for me that is a great advantage. The extra weight is the reason it could take over the job of my Muhle R41, although I may need to try out the Outlaw Standard to see if that extra blade gap is even better for me.
It’s a very well-balanced safety razor that holds comfortably in the hand, and the weight does do some of the work for a user.
Look & Design – 9/10
The Outlaw is a superb-looking quality razor that’s stainless steel and extremely well polished. It’s so well polished that I thought it was chrome and contacted Brian at the Executive Shaving Company, and he confirmed it has no chrome plating.
The slightly lengthier head is a positive, as mentioned above (no blade overhang), and everything, including the ESC stamps makes it look like a quality razor.
Nice drainage also with the Outlaw.
Ease of Use – 8/10
There is nothing that stands out that makes the Outlaw difficult to use, although any three-part razor is slightly harder to change blades compared to 2 part and butterfly safety razors.
One thing worth noting though –the razor seems to work at its best at a certain angle while shaving, which is the case with all safety razors, and it’s usually about a 45-degree angle that a user needs to shave with. I was just more aware of this blade angle factor with the Outlaw.
Value for Money – 9/10
While the Outlaw Mild is an expensive razor (£100 GBP) it’s obvious it has been made and machined very well. The attention to detail also stands out, which makes it worth the dosh.
A stainless steel razor like this will likely last many years and even a lifetime.
Any Common Consumer Issues, Complaints, or Positive Reports?
There are not ‘not at the moment anyway‘ anywhere near as many reviews and consumer comments about the Outlaw Mild compared to razors from popular brands and models.
However, there are plenty of guys that rate the Outlaw and get a great and close shave from the razor.
A Youtuber had the same issue as me when he first got the Outlaw and found himself disappointed at first, and he found he needed to use it a few times to get used to it. I heard this guy out loud, and fortunately, it wasn’t long until I really liked it as mentioned above.
Final Thoughts – and who is the Outlaw Mild best suited for?
A peculiar unimpressed beginning for me with the Outlaw Mild and then bang I got to love it, and it’s one razor that will grow on me. It gets rid of my 3 day growth very easily and gives a close shave after two passes with my usual touching up after.
I guess the Outlaw Mild would be a great safety razor for those that have used less expensive and milder razors like the Merkur 34c, Muhle R89, and others, and wish to upgrade to a high-quality stainless steel model. Also, I see it makes a great razor for those at the intermediate level of wet shaving with safety razors, but not a good choice generally for those new to using them.
I’m left curious now about how I would get along with the standard base plate of the Outlaw with a larger blade gap, as I could like it even more than the Mild.
A great razor that will join my shaving kit and shelf well into the future, and it may have put my Muhle R41 out of business.
Alternative Safety Razors
While the Outlaw Mild is a fantastic razor it is not going to suit and meet the needs of all gents. It could be too pricey, too mild or aggressive, or prove to be expensive for those outside of the UK or Europe because of shipping costs.
Here are some alternative safety razors to consider!
Merkur 34C
The Merkur 34C is a mild razor that a heck of a lot of guys new to wet shaving with safety razors have got along with very well. It’s nowhere near as pricey as the Outlaw, although that would be because it is not made from stainless steel.
This razor has a smaller handle than most safety razor which is worth noting that may not suit every guy. However, some gents love short and stubby handles.
The 34c feels much milder than the Outlaw and can make a good razor for those with sensitive skin.
See Review: Merkur 34C
Edwin Jagger DE89
The Edwin Jagger DE89 is another mild safety razor that’s suitable for beginners in wet shaving with safety razors and it’s a very affordable quality razor.
What is very likable about the DE89 that is like the Outlaw is you can choose from the various handle designs and length.
This is a chrome-finished mild razor that’s made in Sheffield (UK) by a family-owned business and it’s their most popular razor that’s sold worldwide.
See Review: Edwin Jagger DE89
Mühle R41
I have to give the Mühle R41 a shout-out as the Outlaw felt like the closest razor to this one despite its differences. The Outlaw is heavier and open combed and made from stainless steel, however, the shave quality, closeness, and aggressiveness were similar.
The R41 is an open comb razor which means the bottom safety plate has openings that make it easier for the razor blade to cut through hair, and this can increase the aggressiveness.
This razor is not as heavy as the Outlaw and is not made from stainless steel. However, it’s a great-looking razor and cuts through any type of beard growth, especially coarse hair, very well.
Looking for an aggressive razor? Well, this is one to consider!
See Review: Mühle R41
