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Natterings of a Nasal Barbarian

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SOTD WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 1, 2021

I thought I’d kick off December with the Barbasol Floating Head and the huge Edgar Allan Poe 8/8 stubtail. I’ve told the stubtail’s story before, but in a nutshell, this huge unsharpened 225 yr old, unused, NOS blade ended up along with another of similar vintage at a well-known razor restorationist’s shop, apparently taken in trade some years ago. The details weren’t memorable. The blade was imported at the latest in 1815 from Sheffield, England by the Richmond, Va. Mercantile firm of Ellis & Allan, in business from 1801 - 1824. John Allan, the stepfather of Edgar Allan Poe, was the American UK resident agent and partner with his friend, Richard Ellis, residing in the states. This is the rationale for the stubtail’s name.

After purchase, it was honed, not an insignificant undertaking on this huge full wedge of almost Bowie knife proportions, and dressed in bone scales with period brass pins, custom beehive washers, and fitted with an amber wedge. Although it looks unwieldy, it balances beautifully in hand, but given its size requires some careful handling during the two and a half pass mug shaving process. Despite these drawbacks, and the need for both hands on this hefty, huge blade during the last half pass of neck stubble flatblading cleanup, the result was a porcelain smooth mug.

Barbasol made two razors for a very short time in the early thirties, a floating head (BFH) and a non floating head (NFH), both with safety bars. The “floating” head refers to the way the cap appears to float over the guard with no visible means of support. The BFH was created as the “perfect” safety razor to overcome what Barbasol saw as a shortcoming in the design of the Gillette OC razors of that era where the blade lay flat on the OC safety bar. With that Gillette OC design only 50% of the edge is available to cut anything. With the BFH 100% of the blade was available. I was fortunate to be able to purchase a NOS BFH at the Shave Collectibles Show held in Cincinnati, OH back in October of 2019.

The BFH is without doubt the most efficient shaver in my vintage DE collection. The thing I always need to keep in mind when shaving with Madame Barbasol is that she is a very jealous lady who demands my full attention during use. Any lapse and she will definitely bite! I used to count the Ikon Tech and my 2011 Muhle R41 as my most efficient shavers, but that was before the BFH arrived in my den. I have since sold the Ikon Tech and am considering selling my 2011 R41. The BFH is just a spectacular shaver, and always leaves my dome very closely shaved. Madame Barbasol again in two ATG passes left me clean and velveteen from noggin to shoulders.

RAZOR: Edgar Allan Poe Stubtail 8/8 (Mug), Barbasol Floating Head (Dome)
BLADE: Feather DE (Dome)
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T-400 Tribute fitted with 26mm Boar Knot Ferrule
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Cremo Cooling Post Shave Balm.
 
jgreenepa said:
View attachment 68762
SOTD WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 1, 2021

I thought I’d kick off December with the Barbasol Floating Head and the huge Edgar Allan Poe 8/8 stubtail. I’ve told the stubtail’s story before, but in a nutshell, this huge unsharpened 225 yr old, unused, NOS blade ended up along with another of similar vintage at a well-known razor restorationist’s shop, apparently taken in trade some years ago. The details weren’t memorable. The blade was imported at the latest in 1815 from Sheffield, England by the Richmond, Va. Mercantile firm of Ellis & Allan, in business from 1801 - 1824. John Allan, the stepfather of Edgar Allan Poe, was the American UK resident agent and partner with his friend, Richard Ellis, residing in the states. This is the rationale for the stubtail’s name.

After purchase, it was honed, not an insignificant undertaking on this huge full wedge of almost Bowie knife proportions, and dressed in bone scales with period brass pins, custom beehive washers, and fitted with an amber wedge. Although it looks unwieldy, it balances beautifully in hand, but given its size requires some careful handling during the two and a half pass mug shaving process. Despite these drawbacks, and the need for both hands on this hefty, huge blade during the last half pass of neck stubble flatblading cleanup, the result was a porcelain smooth mug.

Barbasol made two razors for a very short time in the early thirties, a floating head (BFH) and a non floating head (NFH), both with safety bars. The “floating” head refers to the way the cap appears to float over the guard with no visible means of support. The BFH was created as the “perfect” safety razor to overcome what Barbasol saw as a shortcoming in the design of the Gillette OC razors of that era where the blade lay flat on the OC safety bar. With that Gillette OC design only 50% of the edge is available to cut anything. With the BFH 100% of the blade was available. I was fortunate to be able to purchase a NOS BFH at the Shave Collectibles Show held in Cincinnati, OH back in October of 2019.

The BFH is without doubt the most efficient shaver in my vintage DE collection. The thing I always need to keep in mind when shaving with Madame Barbasol is that she is a very jealous lady who demands my full attention during use. Any lapse and she will definitely bite! I used to count the Ikon Tech and my 2011 Muhle R41 as my most efficient shavers, but that was before the BFH arrived in my den. I have since sold the Ikon Tech and am considering selling my 2011 R41. The BFH is just a spectacular shaver, and always leaves my dome very closely shaved. Madame Barbasol again in two ATG passes left me clean and velveteen from noggin to shoulders.

RAZOR: Edgar Allan Poe Stubtail 8/8 (Mug), Barbasol Floating Head (Dome)
BLADE: Feather DE (Dome)
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T-400 Tribute fitted with G53mm Boar Knot Ferrule
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Cremo Cooling Post Shave Balm.
Click to expand...
Very nice Jeff! That Poe is one beautiful slice of beefy steel! 😍
 
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SOTD THURSDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 2, 2021

Decided to switch the software for this morning’s shave from my usual MWF. Fine Snake Bite is a soap and splash I enjoy now and then. It’s a decent soap, but doesn’t hold a candle to MFH, particularly with respect to the long term post shave skin benefits. My mug shave featured the F. Herder 49 15/16. My son had borrowed this razor for the past few weeks and just returned it yesterday.

Being a persnickety soul, he killed the edge I’d put on it, and rebuilt it on his jnat progression. He really liked the feel and heft of this razor and offered to trade a NOS Cape or Tanifuji razor from his Japanese razor collection for it! I already have a nice Tanifuji, and although I was tempted by the NOS Cape, the fact that it’s featured in this morning’s mug shave reflects my response to his offer

Last night I killed my son’s jnat edge, which I find too harsh, and instead used a series of successively diluted slurries on my jasper stone to rebuild the kind of edge I like. I finished with the wonderful 9 Ball Slate my friend Glen told me about a few months ago. I really like the edge it delivers.

There really is something special about the heft and feel of this F. Herder 49 in hand. It’s a very well-balanced razor that reduced my facial stubble in the usual two and a half passes. That last half pass completely eliminated the swirly roughness on either side of my Adam’s Apple, leaving your happy narrator quite pleased with the glassine smooth result. This is one straight razor that will never be leaving the den.

There’s something special about a great Gem blade shave. First of all, the notion of blade chatter has no reference to these great stiff, thicker blades. There are a number of different Gem blade holders I enjoy shaving with, but my absolute favorite would have to be my Ever Ready Streamline. The knurled handle, the ability to strop and maintain the edge all contributed to this morning’s excellent, highly efficient noggin shave. One I know my hand will be returning to throughout the day. Two ATG passes left me cool, clean and supremely velveteen from dome to shoulders.

RAZOR: F. Herder 49 15/16 (Mug), Ever Ready Streamline (Dome)
BLADE: Pella PTFE Gem
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Omega Pro48 Boar Knot
SOAP: Fine Snake Bite
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Fine Accoutrements Snake Bite AS Splash.
 
jgreenepa said:
Being a persnickety soul, he killed the edge I’d put on it, and rebuilt it on his jnat progression. He really liked the feel and heft of this razor and offered to trade a NOS Cape or Tanifuji razor from his Japanese razor collection for it! I already have a nice Tanifuji, and although I was tempted by the NOS Cape, the fact that it’s featured in this morning’s mug shave reflects my response to his offer

Last night I killed my son’s jnat edge, which I find too harsh, and instead used a series of successively diluted slurries on my jasper stone to rebuild the kind of edge I like. I finished with the wonderful 9 Ball Slate my friend Glen told me about a few months ago. I really like the edge it delivers.
Click to expand...
Father vs son SR edge wars! With the poor Herder caught in the middle! 😂
 
ED8EB4AA-B5E3-4098-AF8D-7D82017182F1.png
SOTD FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Instead of returning to my regular MWF, I pulled out the Nancy Boy Signature Scent shave cream and matching balm. Nancy Boy is one of the best kept secrets in the wet shaving community. They've been a fixture for almost 25 years. I like the simple clean soapy scent that pairs well with just about any other, and the post shave skin benefits rival MWF.

The firm does no direct marketing of any kind, preferring to rely on word of mouth which has served them well, and allowed them to source all organic ingredients. They provide two other varieties of shave cream. The scents, being organically sourced, and not chemically enhanced are subtle, and may not be the right choice for those of you who prefer strong scents.

The Wade & Butcher 7/8 is a lovely razor that feels good in hand and holds the kind of edge one would expect from Sheffield steel. A touchup on the 9 Ball Slate followed by a run through the constroption last night set things up for what turned out to be an excellent mug shave. Two and a half passes delivered a delightfully smooth result.

With all the Kickstarter brouhaha coming out of Supply Razor with two new models and a new Seki City, Japan source for their injector blades, I realized I’d been neglecting one of my favorite SEs. I prefer the Schick Twin injector blades in my SS model. I understand the need for continuing development, but how does one improve existing perfection. I initially signed up to support the new injector, but cancelled. After this morning’s great two pass ATG noggin shave, I’m glad I did. I’m velveteen smooth from shoulders to dome.

RAZOR: Wade & Butcher 7/8 (Mug), SS Supply (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Injector Twinblade
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE LE #007 Knurled Aluminum Handle Hybrid Knot
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Nancy Boy Signature Scent AS Balm.
 
jgreenepa said:
View attachment 68893
SOTD FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Instead of returning to my regular MWF, I pulled out the Nancy Boy Signature Scent shave cream and matching balm. Nancy Boy is one of the best kept secrets in the wet shaving community. They've been a fixture for almost 25 years. I like the simple clean soapy scent that pairs well with just about any other, and the post shave skin benefits rival MWF.

The firm does no direct marketing of any kind, preferring to rely on word of mouth which has served them well, and allowed them to source all organic ingredients. They provide two other varieties of shave cream. The scents, being organically sourced, and not chemically enhanced are subtle, and may not be the right choice for those of you who prefer strong scents.

The Wade & Butcher 7/8 is a lovely razor that feels good in hand and holds the kind of edge one would expect from Sheffield steel. A touchup on the 9 Ball Slate followed by a run through the constroption last night set things up for what turned out to be an excellent mug shave. Two and a half passes delivered a delightfully smooth result.

With all the Kickstarter brouhaha coming out of Supply Razor with two new models and a new Seki City, Japan source for their injector blades, I realized I’d been neglecting one of my favorite SEs. I prefer the Schick Twin injector blades in my SS model. I understand the need for continuing development, but how does one improve existing perfection. I initially signed up to support the new injector, but cancelled. After this morning’s great two pass ATG noggin shave, I’m glad I did. I’m velveteen smooth from shoulders to dome.

RAZOR: Wade & Butcher 7/8 (Mug), SS Supply (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Injector Twinblade
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE LE #007 Knurled Aluminum Handle Hybrid Knot
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Nancy Boy Signature Scent AS Balm.
Click to expand...
Great shave Jeff! Happy Friday to ya!
 
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