Rich's Journal: Adventures with Life and Sharp things

[Maryland998]

No need to answer found some news stories about the flash flooding.
Thinking about you Rich. Hope it all works out. Not sure how much you had in the basement. Hopefully nothing that was of sentimental value or Irreplaceable.
Hang in there and let me/us know anything we can do to help.
I know we are all spread out over the country. But don't be afraid to reach out.
Ken. And in the Kids way of dealing with things. #OHIOSTRONGRICH

 

[dangerousdon]

That's tough to hear Rich. I definitely have a special place in my heart for those who have flooding issues. Was it confined to the basement only? Hopefully nothing too important was lost. With all the craziness that is going on...you definitely don't need this on your hands. I'll add you to the prayer list...that seems to be growing by the hour. Reach out if there is anything we can do for you!

 

[Majorrich]

26 Mar 2020
Razor: Occam’s Razor ENOCH
Soap: Barrister and Mann 42
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop:
Brush: OZ shaving Silver Snow
AS/EdT: Barrister and Mann 42

Comments: this is the second of Occam’s Razors I’ve tried. The Enoch. The very name Occam’s Razor is an interesting thing in itself. It’s attributed to William of Ockham in the 12th century. Using “razor” meaning approximately “rule of thumb” Occam’s Razor is roughly interpreted as, ‘The best solution is the simplest’, or ‘the solution to a problem should be as simple as possible and no simpler. A neat bit of Google fu and synthetization on my part if I do say so myself.

The Hardware: Unlike the OREN which is more or less one piece. The Enoch is a three piece razor using the AC type blade. It is roughly formed using metal injection molding, then machined to it’s finished form. It uses three oblong “nubs” to securely hold the blade in place until the cap is tightened. A great comfort to one who has been fish gilled by a Feather AC blade (once was enough to learn) it feels quite solid and as much as I liked the OREN, my fundamental mistrust of a floating blade that close to my face has me favoring this design a lot more

The Software: B&M‘s soaps have never disappointed me for performance. 42 could be described as “aggressively floral” in its fragrance. Not a bad thing to me, as I quickly become nose blinded, but surely I would be “that guy” if I did the trinity (soap, as, and edt) and went to the office.

The Shave: The Enoch is an amazing razor I can’t afford. In reality it may rival the Vector in smoothness. i dare say even surpass it! I got a near grail shave in three+ passes. Perhaps after I’m done taking care of business with the flood, and everything that goes with it. I have an appraiser coming next week for a refi and a ton of shuffling to do before I can even breathe. Much less saving for my planned Corvette purchase.

 

[woodpusher]

I hear Ladas are cheaper the 'vettes and go just as fast when they are parked in the garage!

 

[Majorrich]

As I’m approaching ‘that age’ it’s getting difficult and undignified to enter/exit my Miata. I view the model vette ive identified (C5) as a big Miata.

 

[Maryland998]

Hey Rich.
Get what you want. And the heck with worrying about what others think.
Can’t take it with you.

 

[NurseDave]

In reality it may rival the Vector in smoothness. i dare say even surpass it!

No don’t you dare say it

 

[Smattayu]

No don’t you dare say it

He totally said it.

 

[Majorrich]

5 Apr 2020
Razor: Schick E-Type / Jos. Engstrom 6/8
Soap: Eleven DFS
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop: Griffin
Brush: ElCheapo del Grande Especial Boar by VDH
AS/EdT: Eleven DFS

Comments: Todays “E” themed shave was supposed to feature the Engstrom, but a wrench slipping of a bolt under full power has left my grip a touch on the sketchy side, so bringing in the Schick E in if things get sore. My first three knuckles are bruised like I tried to punch an anvil. But she does have rear brakes now. I can still move all my fingers ok, so I just bruised the bejeebers out of my hand.

The Hardware: The Engstrom comes out swingin’ for the fences. 50 laps on leather saw to that. In retrospect if I had stropped less I could have easily done the whole shave with this razor. But pass 2 and 3 were done with the Schick.

The Software: Eleven’s DFS is billed as a barbershop scent. But being tree pollen time I don’t smell anything shy of bacon cooking. It lathers pretty easy and drinks up pretty much all the water I throw at it. I can smell some powdery notes in the aftershave. Mama approves.

The Shave: Pass 1 with the Engstrom was as I expect from my Swedes. Like a lightsaber it cleaved through two days growth with no resistance (of course two days for me might be one day for you hairy guys) Toward the end of the pass I sensed my technique was getting sketchy. So.. out comes the Schick for clean-up duty. A role in which it excels. Since I got my M, I’ve not had this razor out much. As KJ says this alphabet challenge brings forgotten stars off the bench.

 

[Majorrich]

7 Apr 2020
Razor: Razo Rock Gamechanger .84 / Gillett Silver Blue
Soap: GTB
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop: Griffin
Brush: Sorrentino TSC Anniversary Badger
AS/EdT: GTB

Comments: Today is a G themed shave And the first soap that comes to mind is Ghost Town Barber. Although Green Irish Tweed made a case for itself. GameChanger and Gillette with the Green Anniversary Brush. I don’t think I could sneak mant more G’s in there without stuttering.

The Hardware: imwas kind of surprised to find the .68 plate on the razor, so switched that out for the .84. Other than that, the razor performed in top form. Gillette Silver Blue‘s are On my go-to list ant usually give a great shaving edge.

The Software: C’mon! It’s GTB!

The Shave: a pretty routine shave with a predictable outcome given these are all top-shelf components. I even gave myself a hot towel treatment pre shave. I look good, smell great, and can’t go anywhere.

 

[NurseDave]

The Hardware: imwas kind of surprised to find the .68 plate on the razor, so switched that out for the .84.

Wife in there messin' with your razors again huh?

 

[woodpusher]

GTB... and here I was thinking it was a clone of GIT based on the initials. Now I know what it is.
Not that it matters in any case, as I have smelled neither. (No, not "nether!" )

 

[Majorrich]

9 Apr 2020
Razor: CVH MK*24 3/8
Soap: Fine Italian Citrus
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop: Griffin
Brush: Sterling Boar
AS/EdT: Fine Italian Citrus

Comments: we are kind of in the sweet spot of the alphabet as far as my soap collection. I brought one of my seldom seen razors. The CVH 3/8 is a popular size in Sweden (so Arne tells me) it is very nimble, and hot off the strop.

The Hardware: Some might find the 3/8 a little strange. I admit I’ve not seen many on the Bay. This one is quite light and requires a lit of effort to keep it from twisting and blade stalling.

The Software: I like Fine soaps! the way they last, lather and perform. They really deserve more love than they get. But with so many super excellent artisan soaps available. I can certainly how they sometimes get looked over. This puck surprised me by still sporting the smiling fine man.

The Shave: While the soap was certainly up to the job, and the razor was adequately sharp, somehow the two didn’t completely mesh this morning. It was plenty close, but I must have had my angle off or something. The aftershave lit me up a bit. Not real bad, but enough to know I wasn’t on my A game today. I’ll try again in a couple days.

 

[woodpusher]

The thing about 3/8 blades is that they can be used to clean out your nostrils.

 

[Graybeard57]

I like Fine soaps! the way they last, lather and perform.

Italian Citrus is a great scent.

 

[Smattayu]

I have a couple of 3/8 blades as well. They can be tricky, but when you nail the technique they give a fantastic shave.

 

[Majorrich]

11 Apr 2020
Razor: Klas Tornblom 5/8 shoulderless
Soap: Speick Stick
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop: Griffin
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary Synthetic
AS/EdT: Speick

Comments: Klas Tornbloms have long been my favorite Straights. The steel is real hard and it takes a lot of work to get a proper edge. Once you get it there, it’s a prudent man that strops it properly to maintain that edge lest he have to re-hone it. Looking forward to the next few shaves I find myself planning ahead.

The Hardware: KT’s are wonderful razors. I have a number of them and each is an individual work. Of the 13 I’ve had none were identical, and when I found my NOS batch, they were all over the place. Still, the balance and geometry suit me just fine. The Cadre 2nd Anniversary Brush is a great addition to my growing collection. I wish it were set a but less deeply to ‘loosen‘ it a bit. But it is a great face latherer.

The Software: Speick often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It doesn’t look to take a lot rubbed to the face to make a pretty nice lather, and brother it’s it’s own Preshave. My default travel soap.

The Shave: its been quite a while since I’ve wielded this razor, so I took no chances. Pasted fire hose then leather. The Old KT was sizzling ready to Shave! Three passes and I am quite presentable. A double dose of Speick and I’ll be smelling fine in my CPAP. I would have been remiss not to denature this razor given a chance.

 

[Smattayu]

Very nice, Rich. I’ve wanted a good KT for some time. Sadly, the only one I was ever able to get had some really wonky geometry that made it unhonable for me.

 

[Majorrich]

13 Apr 2020
Razor: Blackland Vector / Schick pro
Soap: WSP Matterhorn
Scuttle: Captains Choice
Strop: Griffin
Brush: Maggard Synthetic
AS/EdT: WSP Matterhorn

Comments: This certainly is a “can’t lose” combination. I don’t often use the edt that came with the soap because of its firehouse-like spritzer. But there’s no denyin the performance and pleasant fragrance of the combination.

The Hardware: BLACKLAND Vector is in my opinion one of the best of the AC type razors. Just aggressive enough to keep me engaged, but forgiving if I have a lapse in attention.

The Software: WSP soap keeps surprising me how much water it can take. I got the lather to where it looked good, but then there was little to no post pass slickness. Almost sticky! I added water a couple times and it could have taken several more squirts.

The Shave: three passes with a bit of tune up and I’m pretty near a perfect shave (grail level). Between pass 1 and 2 I added more water, and still had to splash a bit of water to get some slickness to clean up.

 

[Smattayu]

Matterhorn is a really nice soap. It’s a clone of Creed’s Silver Mountain Water if I recall correctly.