Henson Shaving built a loyal following by borrowing aerospace tolerances and applying them to a humble tool: the safety razor. If you shave with a single blade razor because you want fewer ingrowns, or you prefer the quiet control of a well-made handle over the tug-and-yank feel of a disposable razor, Henson fits the bill. The tricky part is figuring out where to buy in Canada, which models are actually in stock, who carries blades and accessories, and how shipping and taxes stack up against your budget.
I’ve bought Henson razors in Canada since the early days, and I keep a rotation that includes a mild Henson AL13 for daily use, a Henson Ti22 for travel, and a Merkur 34C and a Shavette for when I want to compare feel. Below, I’ve mapped out Canadian sources that reliably carry Henson Shaving, what you’ll pay for razors and double edge razor blades, and when it makes sense to go direct versus using a local retailer. I’ll also touch on adjacent gear like a shaving brush and shaving soap, because a razor is only as good as what surrounds it.
Understanding the Henson lineup before you shop
Henson’s naming is simple once you know the pattern. AL13 denotes an aluminum body. Ti22 is titanium. Each comes in aggression levels marketed as Mild, Medium, and Aggressive, with the vast majority of users landing on Mild or Medium. In practical terms, Mild covers daily shaves and sensitive skin, while Medium suits those with a denser beard or who shave every second or third day. Aggressive is an edge case for heavy growth and confident technique.
If you’re stepping up from a disposable razor or a cartridge, the AL13 Mild feels intuitive. The blade angle https://jaredflwc378.timeforchangecounselling.com/shavette-vs-straight-razor-which-traditional-tool-is-right-for-you is locked in by the head geometry, so you don’t have to hunt for it the way you do with some traditional safety razors. The Ti22 costs more than a weekend trip but will outlast your luggage. It gives a slightly different balance in hand, a touch more rigidity, and a glide that rewards slow, light passes.
Henson uses standard double edge razor blades, which keep your running costs low. If you’re coming from an edge razor cartridge system, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. A sleeve of 100 razor blades from a reputable brand can last one to two years, even if you shave five times a week, and costs less than a month’s worth of cartridges.
Direct from Henson Shaving: when buying from the source makes sense
Ordering from Henson Shaving’s own Canadian storefront tends to be straightforward, especially for new releases and colors. Stock is usually freshest and full ranges of AL13 and Ti22 are available. You’ll see transparent pricing in CAD, and shipping often crosses the threshold for free delivery if you pick up a razor plus a few packs of safety razor blades or a shaving soap. Turnaround times within Canada are typically efficient, since fulfillment is domestic rather than cross-border.
The direct route shines if you want:
- A specific colorway or finish that third-party retailers don’t carry, or that sold out elsewhere. Bundles that include blades or a shaving brush with a small discount baked in. Early access to new revisions, handle updates, or limited runs.
There are trade-offs. Retailers sometimes run seasonal sales that beat direct pricing, and if you want to add other grooming items like a Shavette, Merkur 34C, or cigar accessories in the same cart to save on combined shipping, a multi-brand shop has the advantage. Direct orders also limit you to the Henson ecosystem unless you add a separate order for blades or soaps.
Canadian specialty retailers with real stock and informed support
Canada has a healthy network of shaving specialty shops. These are the places that will answer questions about blade pairing and help you find the right aggression level without pushing you into gear you don’t need. They also tend to pack well and deliver quickly.
Expect to find Henson razors at well-regarded grooming retailers in major cities and online. Storefront names change and inventories fluctuate, but the pattern is consistent: a handful of shops in Ontario and Quebec carry the full Henson line, western Canada has a couple of reliable stores that ship nationwide, and a few boutiques in Atlantic Canada keep the AL13 in stock and bring in Ti22 on request. Stock depth varies, so if you have your heart set on a particular finish, call or chat before you order.
Pricing at specialty retailers usually mirrors the manufacturer’s suggested retail. The margin comes from service and curation. You can throw a top-up of double edge razor blades into your order along with a shaving brush or a tin of shaving soap, and one box lands at your door. If you like in-store pickup, a specialty shop is your best bet.
The real value of specialty retailers is advice. Henson’s geometry changes how a blade feels compared to other safety razors, so a blade that bites in your Merkur 34C may feel smooth in a Henson. Staff who shave with these tools daily can steer you toward a blade type that matches your beard coarseness and your chosen Henson model.
Big-box and marketplace options
Large online marketplaces list Henson Shaving products, often fulfilled by the platform’s own logistics. It can be tempting to click and be done. Prices are not always better, and color selection tends to be thin. You also run into shipping times that vary with the seller, and returns may be handled by the marketplace rather than the brand.
If you go this route, confirm the seller is authorized, check that you are looking at the Canadian listing with CAD pricing, and read the return terms. I only use a marketplace listing when I need overnight delivery to a remote area, or I’m using a gift card. Otherwise, I prefer a Canadian specialty retailer or direct.
Typical Canadian pricing for Henson and alternatives
Razors: The AL13 generally lands in the mid three-figure range for a premium aluminum safety razor, often between the price of a RazoRock and a Rockwell 6C. The Ti22 sits considerably higher, reflecting the cost of titanium machining and tighter tolerances. Aggression level does not usually change the price, but color can, particularly for limited or hard-anodized finishes.
Blades: Expect to pay in the range of 15 to 40 CAD for 100 double edge razor blades, depending on brand. Feather and Kai command the top end, Astra and Gillette Silver Blue sit in the middle, and many perfectly good blades occupy the value tier. If you shave daily with a Henson Mild, you’ll probably get three to five comfortable shaves per blade. Coarse whiskers might shorten that to two or three.
Accessories: A decent synthetic shaving brush costs 20 to 50 CAD, a boar brush 15 to 35, and an entry-level badger 50 to 120 depending on grade. Shaving soap runs 10 to 35 CAD for a puck or tub, and a pre-shave or aftershave adds another 15 to 30. If you’re swapping from an edge razor cartridge system, the upfront cost of the razor plus soap and brush can feel steep, but the ongoing spend drops sharply once you’re stocked.
Alternatives: The Merkur 34C remains a benchmark in the safety razor category and often costs less than a Henson AL13. It shaves differently, with a bit more blade feel and a different angle. Some users prefer it, particularly if they like a classic weight-forward handle. A Shavette or straight razor trades blades for technique. The learning curve is real, and maintenance for a true straight is another commitment. I keep a Shavette on hand for detailing sideburns and cleaning the neckline, not as a daily driver.
Shipping realities inside Canada
Shipping costs depend on three levers: distance, order value, and carrier. Most Canadian grooming retailers offer free shipping above a threshold, commonly in the range of 50 to 99 CAD. Henson’s own store also uses thresholds or subsidized rates. Orders under the threshold tend to cost 8 to 15 CAD to ship within a province and 12 to 20 CAD across provinces.
Delivery times are predictable in urban corridors. If you’re in the GTA, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, or Calgary, two to four business days is normal with standard shipping. Rural addresses and the territories can take longer. When I send razors to friends in the Yukon, I budget a week or more and avoid liquids in winter if I can, since freezing ruins some aftershaves.
Note taxes: GST/HST or GST plus provincial tax applies based on your ship-to address. Direct Canadian orders keep you clear of customs surprises. If you order from a US marketplace listing by accident, you risk brokerage fees. Stick with a Canadian seller for a Henson razor to avoid cross-border friction.
How to pick the right Henson model for your beard and routine
Face mapping matters. If your growth is fine and you shave every weekday, the AL13 Mild is hard to beat. It’s forgiving, quick, and consistent. If you have medium to coarse stubble or you skip a day or two between shaves, the AL13 Medium gives a touch more efficiency without throwing you in the deep end. The Ti22 mirrors that decision tree, with the same aggression levels and a different hand feel.
I started a friend with sensitive skin on a Henson Mild and a slick tallow-based shaving soap. He’d been using an edge razor cartridge with three blades and battling neck rash. Within two weeks, the irritation faded because the single blade razor reduced the number of passes and the geometry kept his angle honest. He eventually tried a Feather blade for more bite and settled on Gillette Silver Blue as his daily blade for the Henson, which tells you there’s room to tune without changing the razor.
If you’re coming from a Merkur 34C, expect the Henson to ask for less pressure and a shallower angle. Think of it as gliding the cap along your skin rather than scraping with the guard. The first week feels different, then your muscle memory adapts and your shaves speed up.
Finding blades in Canada that pair well with Henson
Henson razors play nicely with many blades, but the clamping and exposure minimize chatter, so blade personality changes a little. Feather, famously sharp, becomes manageable and efficient in a Henson Medium. Kai runs wide and can feel slightly more present on the skin. Astra Green and Gillette Platinum are steady mid-sharp options at good value. If you’re nervous, start mid-sharp and work upward.
Buying blades in Canada is easy if you know where to look. The same shops that sell Henson typically stock many brands and will offer sampler packs. Marketplace sellers also carry bulk sleeves. I buy samplers first, then a brick of 100 once I like a blade. For most users, one or two brands will cover every need, from a three-day growth mow-down to a gentle daily pass.
What about travel, storage, and maintenance?
Henson’s head geometry makes it tolerant of rushed mornings, but the razor deserves a few basics. Rinse under warm water during the shave and at the end. Loosen the head and let it drain if you use a thick shaving soap that might cake. Every ten shaves or so, disassemble and give it a brief clean with a soft brush. Aluminum doesn’t like harsh alkali cleaners, so keep it to mild dish soap.
For travel, the AL13 wins on weight. I drop it into a small sleeve with five blades. If I’m flying carry-on only, I pack the razor and buy razor blades at my destination, since airport security will confiscate double edge razor blades. The Ti22 handles drops and knocks well, but I still prefer a case. A cheap protective tube beats tossing a handle loose in a dopp kit.
Brick-and-mortar vs online: when to walk in and when to click
If you live near a city with a good barber supply or grooming shop, walking in is worth it, especially for your first safety razor. You’ll handle the AL13 and Ti22, feel the balance, and talk to someone who shaves with them. A five-minute chat can save you returning the wrong aggression level.
Online buying is unbeatable for selection. If you want a rare color or a bundle, online is the way. Shipping times are short enough within Canada that you won’t be stuck with stubble for a week. I use local for urgent pickups or to smell shaving soaps and aftershaves, then I order refills online when I know what I like.
Practical comparison with other safety razors Canadians actually buy
I keep a Merkur 34C as a reference point because so many beginners start there. The 34C has more audible feedback and a bit more blade feel than a Henson Mild. If you enjoy tinkering with angles and you appreciate a stout handle, the Merkur remains a classic. If your priority is zero-fuss efficiency and skin comfort, Henson’s fixed geometry feels like training wheels you never outgrow.
Compared with something like a Rockwell 6C or 6S, which offer plates to change aggression, Henson opts for a single-purpose head per aggression level. You lose adjustability but gain a head that’s designed without compromise for its purpose. That trade-off suits people who want a set-and-forget razor. Tinkerers may prefer a plate system.
A Shavette or straight razor sits in another lane. A straight is the ultimate single blade razor but demands stropping, honing, and unhurried mornings. A Shavette uses half double edge razor blades and rewards perfect technique. I enjoy them on quiet weekends. On a weekday before a 7 a.m. call, the Henson wins.
Common Canadian buying scenarios and what I recommend
A first safety razor for daily shaves and sensitive skin: Buy a Henson AL13 Mild from a Canadian retailer or direct, add a sampler of double edge razor blades, a synthetic shaving brush, and a mid-price shaving soap. Use short strokes and no pressure. Expect two-pass shaves in under ten minutes after a week of practice.
A coarse beard with two-day growth between shaves: Choose the AL13 Medium or Ti22 Medium if you want the titanium feel. Pair with a mid-sharp blade first, then try a Feather once your technique is steady. Consider a pre-shave wash and a slicker soap. Shop at a retailer that carries blades in bulk so you can experiment affordably.
Gift shopping with a firm budget: Look for a Henson AL13 bundle with blades and a case. Retailers often run holiday promos. Order early for rural addresses, and keep your receipt in case you need to swap aggression levels after the first few shaves.
Upgrading from a Merkur 34C: If you like the 34C but want less irritation on the neck, start with the Henson Mild. If you sometimes need to clear three days of growth, the Medium will save you a clean-up pass. Buy from a shop that allows returns within a reasonable window if the feel doesn’t click.
A quick reality check on hype
Henson razors are well made, and the engineering claims hold up in daily use. That doesn’t mean they’re magic. Prep still matters. Lather quality still matters. If you rush with a dull blade, you’ll get tugging even with perfect tolerances. The geometry reduces the angle guesswork but can punish too much pressure, especially on the Adam’s apple or under the jawline. Give yourself a week to adapt.
I also see people overspending on titanium when aluminum would serve them just as well. The Ti22 is a joy to own if you appreciate materials and balance, but it won’t suddenly solve technique issues. If your budget is tight, put money toward good blades and a comfortable soap first.
Final notes on stock, returns, and warranty in Canada
Inventory comes in waves. If a particular color shows as out of stock everywhere for a week, it often reappears within a month. Retailers will backorder for you if you ask. Most Canadian sellers offer 14 to 30 days for returns on new, unused razors. Once a razor is used, returns are trickier for hygiene reasons, but some shops will work with you to swap aggression levels if the head is pristine. Henson’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, and Canadian retailers will help you navigate claims.
If you need to outfit a full setup in one go, choose a retailer that carries your preferred shaving soap and blades so you can hit the free shipping threshold. If you want the exact finish you saw on a friend’s handle, buy direct. If your mailbox is a freezing outdoor slot in January, avoid liquids that can crack. The razor won’t care about the cold, but aftershaves sometimes do.
The bottom line is straightforward: Canadians have excellent options for buying Henson Shaving gear. Start with the model that fits your beard and cadence, buy from a seller with clear shipping and taxes, and focus on blade pairing and lather. A well-chosen Henson, a reliable blade, and a simple brush-and-soap routine will beat any disposable razor on comfort and cost, week after week.