The PILS 104NL is, in a word, elegant. It even looks gentlemanly, with its black acrylic handle making the razor appear as though it were dressed in a tuxedo. Everything about the razor reflects quality and refinement, from its solid 112g weight to its tight tolerances, graceful curves, and restrained blade presentation.

The 104NL is a variant of the iconic 101NE. Mechanically the two razors are identical, with the only difference being the handle. Instead of a solid stainless steel bar, the 104NL uses a smooth black acrylic sleeve over what appears to be a steel core. ShaveSplash chose the 104NL not only because of its distinguished appearance, but also because the acrylic wrapped handle is slightly thicker than the all steel version, which better suits our preference for larger grips. The reduction in weight from 123g to 112g also makes the razor feel a little more nimble, although the balance shifts slightly toward the head.

Like the razor itself, the history of PILS is distinctive and, to some extent, mysterious. The company was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1980 by Werner PILS, a former sales director in the fragrance and cosmetics industry who believed the market lacked truly premium men's grooming products. Long before artisan safety razors became commonplace, PILS was applying industrial design and precision machining to traditional wet shaving. Werner retired in 2003 and sold the company to Micha Birkhoffer, who also came from the fragrance business. Although the exact introduction date remains uncertain, the now famous 101NE appears to have entered the market during Birkhoffer's tenure in the late 2000s. Whatever its exact origins, it has become one of the longest standing designs among modern artisan safety razors and remains instantly recognizable today.

The design itself is unlike anything else currently available. CNC machined from stainless steel, the 104NL is a two-piece razor in which the handle and baseplate remain permanently attached, while the handle rotates freely. As the threaded stud from the top cap engages the baseplate, the handle is simply turned to tighten the assembly. The top cap is equally distinctive, with side flanges that fold neatly over the blade. The alignment posts are located on the baseplate rather than the cap. They hold the blade securely, but the cap must be seated carefully to ensure the blade is clamped evenly.

Architecturally, the 104NL is a classic Edge Clamper with a clamp width of 19 mm. The top cap is also 19 mm wide, leaving a 1.5 mm blade reveal that produces the familiar T shaped profile seen on razors such as the Wolfman. Unlike many razors, however, the baseplate contributes very little additional curvature. Even the bevel near the outer edge remains remarkably flat, allowing the blade to lie almost straight throughout its length. Because the top cap maintains continuous contact with the blade across its full width, rigidity is excellent, with only the faintest trace of blade flutter during the shave.

That blade orientation defines the character of the razor. The 104NL performs best at an exceptionally shallow shaving angle, with the cap at a 15-20% degree angle from the skin and the handle approaching perpendicular to the face. Those who naturally ride the cap will adapt immediately, while shavers accustomed to steeper angles may need several shaves before finding its sweet spot. PILS publishes no technical specifications, but by observation ShaveSplash estimates the blade gap at roughly 0.6 mm with slightly positive blade exposure. Running a piece of cardboard across the shave plane supports that assessment.

The engineering translates directly into the performance scores. The narrow blade gap and restrained exposure bridle Efficiency at 6, but thanks to excellent blade rigidity Comfort earns a 9. Ease of Use also receives a 9. Once the proper angle is found, the razor becomes remarkably forgiving. Consistency scores an 8 because the shallow shaving angle leaves less room for variation than razors with a more neutral geometry. The result is a Composite Score of 32, placing the 104NL toward the upper end of the BBS- category, which corresponds to a 5 on the ShaveSplash nine-point scale.

The comparison that comes most readily to mind is the Karve Overlander. While both razors produce similar shave results, they arrive there through different engineering solutions. The Overlander uses an 18 mm clamp width, but pairs it with a 19.5 mm top cap that extends over the blade to provide additional support and reduce blade reveal to roughly 1.25 mm. Equipped with the 4” inch handle, it weighs 113g, almost identical to the PILS, although its balance feels noticeably more neutral.

Both razors display exceptional machining, beautiful polishing, and forgiving shave characteristics. Both also produce consistently close shaves without demanding perfect technique. The Overlander gradually separates itself in small but measurable ways. Efficiency is slightly higher and, with additional buffing, it can occasionally reach the BBS/BBS- category. Blade support is marginally better, which improves Comfort. Its more balanced weight benefits Ease of Use. Finally, because it naturally encourages a shaving angle closer to thirty degrees, it is easier to shave consistently, giving it a modest advantage in Consistency as well.

The PILS 104NL succeeds because it offers something beyond shave performance. It has an unmistakable personality, combining elegant styling, distinctive engineering, and meticulous craftsmanship into a razor that feels genuinely special every time it is picked up. Enthusiasts who appreciate thoughtful industrial design, precision machining, and the history of modern artisan razors will find much to admire. It could easily become a daily driver for those who enjoy its shallow angle technique. For buyers searching for a single razor where absolute performance is the only priority, ShaveSplash gives a slight edge to the Karve Overlander. For those who appreciate originality as much as results, however, the PILS remains one of the hobby's true classics.