Which straight razor did you use today?
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
The Wacker damascus from hell made an appearance today. I've been honing it for years, and am slowly getting there. It now shaves ATG very closely, but not effortlessly where my beard resists most, just under the chin. It's the prettiest razor, with highly polished and very lightly etched damascus, giving a silvery pattern that looks the way I imagine Mithril to appear under moonlight. If I had a Rockwell tester I'd put a dent in the tang; this thing hones like it's been case-hardened. When I say I've been honing it for the five years I've owned it I really mean it - it is slowly getting sharper, whilst showing no wear at all on the spine. It is half-hollowed, but very light for its size. I checked with a magnet as I couldn't remember for sure whether it was carbon or stainless, and it more attractive to the magnet than a Livi or Friodur, but less than a pure carbon steel razor. Perhaps I should leave it in the rain.... no, it must be carbon to be this hard. I'll send a pic to Wacker and ask.
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
TZ damascus, Trumper Coconut, Crown Perfumery Eau de Russe:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
TZ damascus mammoth ivory, Coates Lime, L'Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
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Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
Big Daddy, Somerset E3, new batch of MkIII Shaving Soap, No.89:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
This one is rather special, as the razor that arrived today has been three years and three months in the making. Tim Zowada has stopped taking custom orders, and makes what he feels like these days, and I can't say I blame him as it can't be much fun to deal with picky customers. But since we had been discussing it so long, he relented and made it. I wanted a modern version of a classic Sheffield chopper, using a softer steel than his usual damascus and Timahagane blades - I chose O1 tool steel. The reluctance was palpable, but I'm glad to say he admits enjoying working with something easier for a change. So we have a 17/16" round-pointed quarter hollow blade, with Honduran rosewood scales, all beautifully fitted and finished. Now he has hardened it to 64.5HRC, saying he knows I can hone (I wanted it to be like old Sheffield razors, so maybe no more than 62HRC, but I have to be punished somehow!) As a compensation though, he has honed it on his new Japanese natural stones, and the edge is just miraculous. At that hardness, it should last a long time, and I'll have to see how I get on without any JNats when the time comes. In size and weight it's much like Big Daddy in the post above, but whereas Big Daddy makes a quiet sound like a zipper being closed when shaving, this one has a much finer, higher frequency sound as it slides through the beard with no perceivable resistance, even ATG. I saved up a three day beard in anticipation, and have had the best straight shave of my life. Absolutely exceptional! If he ever makes another one like this, jump on it quick!
TZ Custom (I need to give it a name), MkIII shaving soap, Dominican Lime Bay Rum:
TZ Custom (I need to give it a name), MkIII shaving soap, Dominican Lime Bay Rum:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
I gather you both have benefitted immensely from this transaction. I trust you and he will enjoy many years with your new acquisitions! Congratulations!
Last edited by brothers on Fri Mar 15, 2019 5:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
Re: Which straight razor did you use today?
I'm afraid it will get boring for a long time to come as I don't see any reason to use any razor other than the last one I showed. Eventually curiosity and adventure will make me try some others, but right now I have my Grail Razor.
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace