SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Monday
Brush: Omega 13522 Pure
Cream: Arko Lemon
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Indian Wilkinson
A/S: Afta Fresh
Cologne / Fragrance: Drakkar Noir
Mike
Brush: Omega 13522 Pure
Cream: Arko Lemon
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Indian Wilkinson
A/S: Afta Fresh
Cologne / Fragrance: Drakkar Noir
Mike
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Today’s mug shave will feature one of the two Thistle Cut Co. straight razors I own. The first Persian model is a bit beat and on its way to Glen Mercurio for scale shortening and his usual vintage razor spa treatment. This model is in excellent shape for a 120-130 year old razor and represents one of the best kept secrets in the vintage straight razor world. It’s all about the steel grasshopper! There are better known central New York makers that command higher prices (ie Case and Genco), but the extremely fine grained steel in these blades can take an edge second to none, according to one expert restorer who shall remain nameless. He informed me that they can take and hold a 30k Shapton edge that is truly whisker melting. Well you know I had to try!
After examining the edge under my USB microscope, it was apparent that there was a rudimentary bevel that was uneven and inconsistent. The blade was a bit wavy and the seller complained that he could never get a decent edge. $15 and a brand new $5 Gold Dollar and it was mine. The razor failed Dr Matt’s Tilt ‘n Wobble test which would have resulted in shoulder and/or spine metal removal to restore it to flatness by one of his adherents of which I am not one. Being retired and a long time custom knife collector, I’ve decades of knife sharpening experience where finding the proper sharpening angle could sometimes be a challenge. The beauty of sharpening (ie honing) a straight razor is that the angle is built in.
Being retired and not a professional honer where time is money, I have the luxury of time to assess my honing progress. Last night I traveled to my son’s workshop and made use of his Shapton series progression from 1k through 30k on this razor. In conjunction with my laptop and USB microscope, I first reset the bevel on the Shapton 1k by honing, stopping and reexamining, and then returning to the hone until I had a balanced even bevel along the entire length of the blade which passed the Lynn Abrams thumb pad test. As I worked my way up the stone progression through to 30k I followed the same methodology. The result was a gleaming mirror-like edge which I then stropped on chromeox pasted linen followed by .25 and .1 diamond sprayed linen, finishing on leather.
I passed on my usual dome shave this morning to give my scalp a chance to heal from the savage drubbing it took from my French Spadson safety razor yesterday whose top cap I repaired last night on my son’s belt grinder. After my shower this morning I whipped up the nice, thin, slick MWF lather I like for my mug shaves. I can honestly say that it felt like I was just brushing the lather away during my shave. There was no burning toast melody, just a series of my usual sweeping WTG strokes on that first pass leaving behind a smooth almost whisker-free surface. The same held true for the following ATG and XTG passes that followed. I now understand ‘whisker-melting sharp’!!! I feel clean and unbelievably velveteen!
RAZOR: Thistle Cut 5/8
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Viking Silvertip Badger
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Old Spice Fresh Lime.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Zowada O1 custom, RazoRock Muguet de France soap, Apothecary Shop brush, L'Artisan Parfumeur Verte Violette:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Lea Classic soap
WCS Tuxedo synthetic brush
Merkur 34G razor
Gillette London Bridge blade
Aqua Velva Sport aftershave
WCS Tuxedo synthetic brush
Merkur 34G razor
Gillette London Bridge blade
Aqua Velva Sport aftershave
Best regards,
Basil
Basil
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
After my great mug shave yesterday with the Thistle Cut 5/8, I was curious to see if it was a fluke, or just wishful thinking. So I stropped the razor, and discovered there’s something about a 30k Shapton edge that is truly special. The razor blazed through my stubble above the jawline in two passes (WTG, ATG). The additional XTG pass below the jawline sealed the deal and put the baby to bed. It was one of those mug shaves that one finds themself reaching up and touching the shave surface hours afterward, amazed at the velveteen smoothness achieved. After my run in with the French Spadson two days ago, I debated with myself about holding off for another day. My shave-crazy side won. I grabbed my Colonial General V2, removed the Feather Super blade and replaced it with a Feather Proguard blade. Given the amount of irritated scalp, I took it very slow and easy ending up with a decent shave. I happily settled for it. I feel refreshed, clean and acceptably smooth on the dome and velveteen smooth on my mug!
RAZOR: Thistle Cut 5/8 (Mug), Colonial General V2 (Dome)
BLADE: Feather Proguard AC
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE Aluminum Monster Tuxedo Synth
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Krampert’s Frostbite AS Splash.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
W&B chopper, RazoRock Mughetto di Bologna, Apothecary Shop brush, L'Artisan Parfumeur
Timbuktu:
Timbuktu:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Wednesday
Brush: Omega 13522 Pure
Cream: Imperial Leather
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Indian Wilkinson
A/S: Family Dollar Spice Scent
Cologne / Fragrance: Aramis
Mike
Brush: Omega 13522 Pure
Cream: Imperial Leather
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Indian Wilkinson
A/S: Family Dollar Spice Scent
Cologne / Fragrance: Aramis
Mike
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Mappin & Webb wedge, RazoRock Boston Tea Party, Simpson PJ3, L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea For Two:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: DRH & SilkSmoke
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: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
After two amazing shaves with my newly acquired, pristine Thistle Cut 5/8, I needed to see how the shave compared to my current favorite, the Sheffield Steel Manhattan Cutlery French Point (MCFP) 13/16. The Thistle is an awesome shaver, but there’s just something about how the MCFP feels in hand, and I like the accessibility the French Point gives me in outlining around my unusually shaped goatee. In any case, my heart still belongs to the 200 plus grand old lady. After stropping, the mug shave was a three pass (WTG, ATG, XTG) delight. Since my tussle with the French Spadson, I pulled out the much more forgiving, and incredibly efficient LaResche 51 and experienced the kind of dome shave I enjoy. Since my scalp is still in the middle of the healing process, I selected a Sharp Star for my noggin shave. As far as DE blades go, it is efficient, but nowhere near as sharp as my usual Feather DE. The resulting shave, despite my concerns, just about reached the desired velveteen level. I left a bit of stubble around some of the more abraded areas in the back of my dome. I feel clean, smooth and refreshed with my better than expected dome shave. The LaResche 51 is a true precision tool.
RAZOR: Manhattan Cutlery 13/16 (Mug), LaResche 51 (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T-400 Tribute with 26mm Two Band Badger Ferrule
CREAM: Castle Forbes Lime Essential Oil
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with Glyce Glycerin soap followed by Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Royall Lyme AS/Cologne.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
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: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Abraham Knyn 4/8 wedge, RazoRock Caprician Lemon, Vulfix 2-band, Taylor's No.74 Victorian Limes:
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Believe it or not, my long awaited package from Glen Mercurio containing two newly restored straight razors arrived yesterday. Of course I had to shave with the restored Wade & Butcher 7/8 this morning. I’ll shave with the other tomorrow. Glen finished it on his Escher, and the edge was truly sweet! The pseudo Barber’s notch looks to have been installed post manufacture high and small enough not to interfere with the edge’s temper. The shave was an excellent three pass (WTG, ATG, XTG) that left yours truly velveteen smooth.
I transferred the Sharp Star blade from the LaResche 51 to the LaResche 77 for its second and final two pass (ATG, ATG) shave this morning which surprisingly left my dome velveteen smooth. The LaResche 77 is a remarkably efficient model that gently and effectively sheared all stubble, even that around the formerly damaged Spadson areas in the back of my dome right down to the velveteen bliss level. I feel refreshed, clean and truly velveteen again for the first time in several days! It's back to my regular Feather DE for my dome shave tomorrow.
RAZOR: Wade & Butcher 7/8 (Mug), LaResche 77 (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE Aluminum Handle Monster Tuxedo Synth
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by HumphreysLilac WH. Finished with Williams Aqua Velva AS Splash (Spanish Version)
De Gustibus Non Disputandum
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Friday
Brush: Made Rite Pure Bristle #5
Cream: J.M. Fraser's
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Polsilver
A/S: Afta
Cologne / Fragrance: Aramis
Mike
Brush: Made Rite Pure Bristle #5
Cream: J.M. Fraser's
Razor: '52 Super Speed
Blade: Polsilver
A/S: Afta
Cologne / Fragrance: Aramis
Mike
Re: Rooney Finest and DRH Marlborough stick
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: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
My oldest son has been shaving with straight razors for over two decades, and in that time has built a huge straight razor collection. He gifted me with what looked like just an ordinary razor. It had been sitting in his to-be-worked-on drawer waiting for scales. The old bone scales were chipped and needed replacement. He has what he believes is a complete collection of their offerings from 4/8 - 7/8. This was the 4/8 that went into the lend/lease program. He gets it back whenever I transition to the other side of the grass. In any case, it went to the master, Glen Mercurio, for a new set of scales along with a Wade & Butcher 7/8 that I shaved with yesterday.
Simmons Hardware Co. was an American cutlery company based in St. Louis Missouri. Best known for their “Keen Kutter” brand, they were in business from 1868-1960. This razor was produced in the very early 1900’s according to my son. He really likes the brand and is a real fan of the steel’s edge holding ability. Glen finished this razor on an Escher. After shaving with it, I understand why my son is such a fan. The razors were primarily made for the barbering trade, and were advertised for their edge holding capability. I can’t speak to that yet, but can say that the shave was excellent! This is my first 4/8 size blade, and I really like its maneuverability.
The rehandled Pro48 Boar easily generated the two types of MWF lather I like. For my dome shave I selected one of my top two Gem shavers, the MMOC, the other being my Ever Ready Streamline. The MMOC cleaned away my dome stubble with aplomb, and left me feeling refreshed, clean and smoothly velveteen. Another great shave in the books! Rather than spend money on new straights, I think I’ll just raid my son’s collection. I tried for his Hoshi Tonbo 8000, but got nowhere! Christmas is just around the corner, and being a grand master of Guilt-Jitsu, I’ll appeal to how happy he’ll make his poor, old decrepit father in his final days! We’ll see!
RAZOR: Simmons Hardware 4/8 (Mug), Gem Micromatic OC (Dome)
BLADE: Pella PTFE Gem
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Sapele/Resin Handled Pro48 Boar
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Osage Rub.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
Spear 4/8 wedge, RazoRock Mentolipto soap, Rooney beehive, Musgo original:
All of the Razo Rock soaps I have used this last week are old stock and don't appear on their website, but if the current ones are as good then they are fine indeed.
All of the Razo Rock soaps I have used this last week are old stock and don't appear on their website, but if the current ones are as good then they are fine indeed.
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Re: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
C&E Moroccan Myrrh soap
Semogue Caravela Mistura brush
Colonial General razor
Kai Captain Original blade
Aqua Velva Sport aftershave
Semogue Caravela Mistura brush
Colonial General razor
Kai Captain Original blade
Aqua Velva Sport aftershave
Best regards,
Basil
Basil
Re: Omega boar and Marlborough stick
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: SOTD December 14 - December 20, 2020
I so enjoyed my shave the morning before last, that I stropped the new W&B 7/8 and proceeded to have another exemplary three pass (WTG, ATG, XTG) shave with this nicely sized razor. I really like the heft in hand. My two pass (ATG, ATG) dome shave with a Feather Super loaded into my faithful Colonial General V2 was every bit as good! My scalp is healed, and I feel clean, velveteen smooth and refreshed on this bright sunny cold day in the Philadelphia suburbs!
RAZOR: Wade & Butcher 7/8 (Mug), Colonial General V2 (Dome)
BLADE: Feather Super AC
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Sapele/Resin Handled Pro48 Boar
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Osage Rub. Finished with Pre de Provence Bergamot & Thyme Balm.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum