dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
Journal Entry #23
TSC Straight Shave #4
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Shave Secret oil
Straight: Robeson ShurEdge
Strop: Tony Miller "Plain Chocolate"
Razor: none
Blade: none
Brush: Sorrentino Custom Tuxedo
Soap/Cream: Stirling Barbershop sample
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive Post-shave Balm
AS 3: Royal Copenhagen
Fragrance: none
Overview
Walt was right, as he often is. Today's shave was a disappointment. Actually, this was a whole Saturday of Doug not finding his straight razor mojo.
SOTD Pic
None today
Shave Quality
Pre was 30 linen and 30 leather laps. Post was 35 linen and 35 leather laps.
I thought I was doing a good job of following the advice to keep the razor shallow and just try to remove the lather. However, I came away with some lasting razor burn after three passes with the ShurEdge. I would call the shave CCS+, I think. On the up side, there was no blood. I even managed to save my lower lip from the razor biting. I was able to stop and back off as the blade was starting to bite down. No blood, no nick. It is definitely possible that I damaged the edge when I stropped it before the shave. When I took it to the linen side of my Tony Miller strop I may have touched the edge of the blade to the strop before the spine. I need to get my loupe out and take a close look at it. The lather was great and the Stirling sample is almost gone. I decided to stop after three passes although I was tempted to clean up with a DE. I figured that I would learn more from the shave if I didn't. The shave is merely passable.
Gear
Royal Copenhagen is a rather "Old School" scent. It was introduced in 1970 by Swank. According to BaseNotes.net the notes are: Bergamot, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Moss, and Amber. This is great smelling juice. The kids these days would probably be consider it an "old man scent," but it is a good one. It is definitely worth checking out. The lady cutting my hair today really like it.
Other Thoughts
So, today I failed to set the bevel on a cheap FleaBay razor. It was a good learning experience. I am not sure why it wouldn't raise a burr on either side. I worn out a strip of 9 micron film in the attempt. I did discover the joys of geometry problems. It is interesting how one side of a razor can sit perfectly on the hone, but flip it and everything is off. I figure if I put a bit of hone wear on that side I will be fine. (And I don't mind due to the cheapness of the razor.) I just don't get why I couldn't raise a burr on either side. I made hundreds of laps over the course of an hour. I was getting swarf, but no burr. Maybe I need to try a coarser grit? Maybe it is just crappy steel? I have some coarse wet/dry sandpaper. Maybe I will try that. It was just a frustrating first attempt.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
TSC Straight Shave #4
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Shave Secret oil
Straight: Robeson ShurEdge
Strop: Tony Miller "Plain Chocolate"
Razor: none
Blade: none
Brush: Sorrentino Custom Tuxedo
Soap/Cream: Stirling Barbershop sample
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive Post-shave Balm
AS 3: Royal Copenhagen
Fragrance: none
Overview
Walt was right, as he often is. Today's shave was a disappointment. Actually, this was a whole Saturday of Doug not finding his straight razor mojo.
SOTD Pic
None today
Shave Quality
Pre was 30 linen and 30 leather laps. Post was 35 linen and 35 leather laps.
I thought I was doing a good job of following the advice to keep the razor shallow and just try to remove the lather. However, I came away with some lasting razor burn after three passes with the ShurEdge. I would call the shave CCS+, I think. On the up side, there was no blood. I even managed to save my lower lip from the razor biting. I was able to stop and back off as the blade was starting to bite down. No blood, no nick. It is definitely possible that I damaged the edge when I stropped it before the shave. When I took it to the linen side of my Tony Miller strop I may have touched the edge of the blade to the strop before the spine. I need to get my loupe out and take a close look at it. The lather was great and the Stirling sample is almost gone. I decided to stop after three passes although I was tempted to clean up with a DE. I figured that I would learn more from the shave if I didn't. The shave is merely passable.
Gear
Royal Copenhagen is a rather "Old School" scent. It was introduced in 1970 by Swank. According to BaseNotes.net the notes are: Bergamot, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Moss, and Amber. This is great smelling juice. The kids these days would probably be consider it an "old man scent," but it is a good one. It is definitely worth checking out. The lady cutting my hair today really like it.
Other Thoughts
So, today I failed to set the bevel on a cheap FleaBay razor. It was a good learning experience. I am not sure why it wouldn't raise a burr on either side. I worn out a strip of 9 micron film in the attempt. I did discover the joys of geometry problems. It is interesting how one side of a razor can sit perfectly on the hone, but flip it and everything is off. I figure if I put a bit of hone wear on that side I will be fine. (And I don't mind due to the cheapness of the razor.) I just don't get why I couldn't raise a burr on either side. I made hundreds of laps over the course of an hour. I was getting swarf, but no burr. Maybe I need to try a coarser grit? Maybe it is just crappy steel? I have some coarse wet/dry sandpaper. Maybe I will try that. It was just a frustrating first attempt.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
