And I have read other comments at that other place. It could be inconsistencies in the production, which would account for one of my recent bad shaves. I never got a good shave with Astra SPs, so I believe they are not for me. But blades that work well for me have not given bad shaves unless I was at fault. The yellow Bic is probably my first blade since coming to DE shaving that is inconsistent. Thanks for the input!
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A Place for Deep Thought
- Thread starter MaineYooper
- Start date
mrdoug
"TSC's Shave Sales Deal Finder"
I used to like BiC Chromes. I haven't shaved with one in a while, but I recall getting 4 good shaves out of a blade. That said, I do think BIC has the worst QC in the business.
Of course, with blades especially, there's a big YMMV attached to any discussion of what's good and bad.
Of course, with blades especially, there's a big YMMV attached to any discussion of what's good and bad.
Exactly!
It's been a week now with the Bic Chrome Platinum. I have had remarkably easy shaves, very comfortable. So I still can't answer definitively blade or user, but can say that user was mindful of the process and working to enjoy the best shave possible. So I will repeat this again soon. I have read some posts that the Bic can be a sharp blade, and if I am too careless with sharp blades, I get an aggressive shave that leaves irritation. Personna Reds rarely do that to me, even if I take multiple swipes! It may be that I didn't respect the blade enough, shaving on autopilot and rewarded with irritation!
Next up is to do the same mindful shave process with the open comb Karve plate A. On its last couple of outings, I noted aggressiveness and not really liking the feel of the teeth. But this is the A plate, so technically less blade exposure than the B safety bar that I enjoy on a daily basis. I tend to find open combs aggressive feeling in general, and need to focus on this one. So the upcoming will will be the Karve open comb A plate, my smooth Personna Red blade, the SynBad brushes, and CBL Granite shave soap. The goal is what I call an RCS, Really Comfortable Shave (swiped from another forum sometime in the past. He had said he doesn't pursue BBS or DFS, just wants close and comfy after 3 passes!).
Next up is to do the same mindful shave process with the open comb Karve plate A. On its last couple of outings, I noted aggressiveness and not really liking the feel of the teeth. But this is the A plate, so technically less blade exposure than the B safety bar that I enjoy on a daily basis. I tend to find open combs aggressive feeling in general, and need to focus on this one. So the upcoming will will be the Karve open comb A plate, my smooth Personna Red blade, the SynBad brushes, and CBL Granite shave soap. The goal is what I call an RCS, Really Comfortable Shave (swiped from another forum sometime in the past. He had said he doesn't pursue BBS or DFS, just wants close and comfy after 3 passes!).
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I think BBS is for those who love to challenge themselves. I sure do, but I also recognize that I don't always need a challenge and comfort should be a priority.
I used to think that everyone can find a razor/blade combo that will give them BBS without irritation if they also have a good pre/post routine. See enough very experienced shavers that end up preferring not going that route to guess maybe that’s not true. Hope you find your grail shave.
mrdoug
"TSC's Shave Sales Deal Finder"
I never tried the NLC, but I had a NSC, a RR SLOC, and a Merkur Old Type (supposed same design as the early Gillette OC?). The Merkur was by far the smoothest of my OCs. They all went bye bye... I just couldn't do OCs no matter the relative smoothness.
Start of a new week, so it's time to try some new stuff. The razor is my Karve CB brass razor with the B solid bar. The brush is my 26 mm SynBad.
First new(ish) item is courtesy of @CBLindsay, an unscented puck of @CBLSoap.com Tonsorial soap. I really liked the samples I got to try as part of his testing, and I look forward to trying out the real thing!
Second, the blade is new to me and gets a lot of positive mentions here. I commented in another thread about never having tried Wizamet blades and 2, count them, two, members sent me some! Just proves again to me what a wonderful group the Cadre is! Thank you so very much, @Dave in KY and @The Monkey!
A note to self, try to put in a note regarding open comb, and also thoughts and feelings regarding Neil Peart passing away. So prominent in my formative years as well as providing a large part of the sound track of my life.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
First new(ish) item is courtesy of @CBLindsay, an unscented puck of @CBLSoap.com Tonsorial soap. I really liked the samples I got to try as part of his testing, and I look forward to trying out the real thing!
Second, the blade is new to me and gets a lot of positive mentions here. I commented in another thread about never having tried Wizamet blades and 2, count them, two, members sent me some! Just proves again to me what a wonderful group the Cadre is! Thank you so very much, @Dave in KY and @The Monkey!
A note to self, try to put in a note regarding open comb, and also thoughts and feelings regarding Neil Peart passing away. So prominent in my formative years as well as providing a large part of the sound track of my life.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
You called it, @GearNoir! What fantastic lather, and the blade was so smooth for its first time!
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
So the open comb week ended, and I am two shaves in with the solid bar again. I much prefer the SB. The OC is nice, and I did get used to it, sort of, but I prefer the feel of the SB. And 2 shaves in with the Wizamets and the unscented CBL Tonsorial. Wow, I am really really digging them!! 
I was going to write something about Neil Peart and Rush and my life, but after reading several nice articles (a good one on the NPR website) I decided not to write about him so much as about what his music has meant to me. Spirit of Radio, The Trees, Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, Far Cry, One Little Victory. They all just spoke to this boy, this not one of the cool kids, this science nerd, this troubled first marriage partner, this divorcee changing careers and going back to school, and now this older guy dealing with changes in work, health, and challenges that life brings both me and my wife (second if you've not been skimming!!).
Yes there are friends, family, church, and God's Word. All very important, all having there place. And the "thinking man's hard rock," as someone once labelled Rush, was part of all that too. Neil was not just the drummer, and what a fantastic drummer! But also their lyricist.
And a funny note, in one of his books, Neil talks amusingly about how when drumming each of his limbs is doing something different, even keeping different times. Yet it took him 2 or 3 attempts to pass his motorcycling driving course, because he had difficulties coordinating hands and feet!!
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Oh, and I changed my mind again, waffling?!, and cancelled my SS Karve. I like my brass one and enjoy what I have. The money can help us with other things, and I can continue with my minimalist tendencies!
I was going to write something about Neil Peart and Rush and my life, but after reading several nice articles (a good one on the NPR website) I decided not to write about him so much as about what his music has meant to me. Spirit of Radio, The Trees, Tom Sawyer, Subdivisions, Far Cry, One Little Victory. They all just spoke to this boy, this not one of the cool kids, this science nerd, this troubled first marriage partner, this divorcee changing careers and going back to school, and now this older guy dealing with changes in work, health, and challenges that life brings both me and my wife (second if you've not been skimming!!).
Yes there are friends, family, church, and God's Word. All very important, all having there place. And the "thinking man's hard rock," as someone once labelled Rush, was part of all that too. Neil was not just the drummer, and what a fantastic drummer! But also their lyricist.
And a funny note, in one of his books, Neil talks amusingly about how when drumming each of his limbs is doing something different, even keeping different times. Yet it took him 2 or 3 attempts to pass his motorcycling driving course, because he had difficulties coordinating hands and feet!!
Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Oh, and I changed my mind again, waffling?!, and cancelled my SS Karve. I like my brass one and enjoy what I have. The money can help us with other things, and I can continue with my minimalist tendencies!
My refund was promptly issued. I am sad that there can be no email response to questions regarding the purchase, but when a refund/cancel email is sent, the reply is within an hour, 2 at the most. But I will lose a little money due to exchange rates, and I am okay with that. Oddly, I do have a little regret over the cancel, but not as much buyer's remorse that I remember lasting for a day or two when I impulsively bought the SS due to, of all things, free shipping!! Spend $205 CAD to save $14 USD on shipping, ha. Probably why I am not a millionaire!
GearNoir
“The Disney Princess’s Apprentice”
Hey, save money where you can right?
I wasn't a Rush fam till I went to see them with a friend back in the '80s. Was I ever impressed! They played a solid 3 hour set with no breaks, not even between songs. Immensely talented trio.
A very tough weekend. My wife is fighting through several chronic diseases, and we called an ambulance as we were so concerned and wanted to not do the wait and see. She has chronic kidney problems and we decided better safe than sorry. Great folks responded and I thought of the Cadre's own first responders, like @bentheduck. Things turned out well, for which we are thankful.
In shaving news, @The Monkey Parson's soap is a hit! I look forward to trying it out this week.
Eric, typing with 1 finger on my phone.
In shaving news, @The Monkey Parson's soap is a hit! I look forward to trying it out this week.
Eric, typing with 1 finger on my phone.
Sorry to hear about the wife. Prayers that this week is better.
I'm sorry to hear of your wife's troubles. Better safe than sorry, there are so many things that can go awry that we can't see but only feel. I wish her and you all the best. Holler if you need somebody to talk to.
@MaineYooper How much snow did you get?