Chapter 30. Wherein our hero tries to not turn his face into Chop Suey...

Razor: Gillette Super Blue Blade (a.k.a. 7 o'Clock Sterling)/Junjie handle
Blade: Tian Fu "disobedient" "painted" blade
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Mineral Fusion + Dove Hydrating Cream

As we wind down the month, I decided it was time for minor shenanigans and turned my attention back to last week's purchase of the Junjie razor from a local dollar store. Having already tried the razor, I figured it was time to try the blade which came with it- a Tian Fu brand blade. Running Google Translate on the wrapper comes up with some gibberish which includes the words "disobedient" and "painted", a suitably ominous sentiment.

To keep the experience somewhat authentic, I loaded it into a Chinese razor. Since I find shaving with the Junjie to be too uncomfortable, I went with the Gillette Super Blue Blade razor made for the Chinese market. Both razors as based on the later Tech, but the Gillette is better made and more comfortable. (It's actually one of two travel DE's that I use.) I did make one concession to the Junjie, though, and use its all-metal handle.

Before describing the shave, I should point out that I was actually advised by Neal to avoid this blade. (You know something is wrong when @NCoxSTL advises against doing something.)

In brief, it was tuggy from the first stroke which was particularly discouraging as I really didn't have that much growth to be shaved. After a WTG pass on both cheeks, I stopped to assess the situation. It was clear that a) the tugging was not going to get any better and b) there really was no discernible reduction. I'd clearly crossed into Tiger territory with this blade. (In one way, it's actually worse than the Tiger. Technically, the Tiger is only marketed as a "razor" blade, not a "shaving" blade. The Tian Fu, OTOH, is bundled with a razor which makes it a "shaving" blade, just a really, really bad one.)

Knowing when to quit, I relathered and went to Plan B...

Razor: F2 Gillette 195 Adjustable (3)
Blade: Astra SP (5)

From here on, there was little to report. A most excellent shave with the only issue being some slightly dry lather on the second pass. As far as I am concerned, I ended up catching the baby on this one despite the false start.

On a side note... I took another critical look at both the Junjie and the Gillette this morning and finally figured out why I find the Junjie to be uncomfortable to shave with. Basically, both razors are based on the last-generation Tech. The issue with the Junjie (besides it being a waste of a perfectly good sardine can) is that the safety bar is about half as tall as on the Gillette. It's like the difference between a New SC and a New LC except that, in the case of the Junjie, it is just *too* short. The problem is that, no matter how much you ride the cap, there come times when your face touches the safety bar. When it is a decent height, the SB acts like a skid. On the Junjie, though, the short SB causes the corners to dig in and the whole thing to feel like another blade.

I still need to figure out if the handle was at least worth the $1.00 I paid.

Me too, a ton. It was great to get to know you a little. Thank you for all the great pics you have put up. Happy New Year.

"A man's got to know his limitations."
Shenanigans notwithstanding!

you can soften the bristles more by loading the brush up with conditioner and letting it soak in over night. Also remember that boar brushes have a break in period and get softer with use as the ends split. Although you really cant go wrong with a plissoft knot ...

I've really enjoyed your pictures as well. Especially the collage photos. Most of all I've enjoyed getting to know you better. Happy New Year to you and your family.



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It's a very stupid, er, I mean, brave individual who goes against my advice when it comes to blades. Especially Chinese blades in Chinese wrappers. I salute you. There again, a blade that won't cut anything and just wants to tug and drag. At least the quality control on all of the native blades there is consistent. BAD!

Out with the old - well not out...
Decadent December wind down.

Route 66 BS Hop & JR #130
Gillette LC & Derby blade
Alum, Old Spice AS


New products, old products. A mix that served well today. Cypress handle crafted by our Jim @Jayaruh , set with a Maggards synth knot and an old fashioned Barbershop scented lather by Kathleen @Salty Belle . Plenty of creamy slick for three passes with a smooth shaving old time OC. Alum revealed less heat than usual and a DFS closeness.
Up and out, for an interesting project today. Using my cabinet building and geometry skill to craft a speaker box for 4 - 15" subwoofers.
Good Shaves Y'all!

That going to be some heavy Bass!

I just got the Kai Captain kamisori style. From first examination it blows the Feather out of the water. News at eleven.

It was definitely a decision which was not taken lightly.

I swear that there must be some subspecies of humans (aliens?) who have completely different beard characteristics than the rest of us and that there are blades secretly being made exclusively for them.

Razor: Gillette Slim K 4 1965
Blade: Voskhod Bocko II Teflon (7)
Brush: Elite Razor "Tres Amigos" Desert Ironwood Beehive w/Synthetic
Soap: Jeeves Soaps (Veteran Owned) Turkish Bath
Aftershave: Folsom Shambala

I was very happy with the performance of the Voskhod blade for seven shaves. I been a great month with some excellent shaves. Thanks to my Secret Santa for some excellent products and tools.
My next months focus will be on Route 66 Shave soaps and using a different shave brush each day. This way I will use brushes I tend to neglect.
I'm off to a grandsons hockey tournament tomorrow and will return Sunday.

Can't wait to see the brushes!

Having a set of tools, a fondness for geometry, some cabinet building experience, bills that just keep showing up every month, and no desire to go NB'17 - I cut up 2 sheets of 3/4" MDF into all the puzzle pieces needed to build two - two chambered boxes. My customer is a brother of a previous happy owner of a set of 3 double subwoofer boxes. Figuring cubic interior space to the manufacture's specs and making the boxes fit in their vehicles is all part of the service I provide. Doesn't hurt that I enjoy doing the project.

-Kai Captain
-DeRuitem Silvertip
-Stirling Hot Apple Cider Soap and Splash

Okay, hard pimping the Kai over the Feather was maybe a bit premature. It just felt SO darn good when I opened it. First thoughts:

-Heavy
-Jimped
-Heavy
-Jimped
-Seemed Way more metallic, less plastic
-Tapered out to the blade: No awkward angle.

The heavy aspect turned out to be crap. It was 4 grams. Nothing to really notice. I will say that I think the tapered vs. rounded head helps. Also, the Kai looks and feels more metallic. It is like really polished cast, whereas the Feather feels somewhat like rubberized... something.

The rubberized handle stops short on the Kai, where it follows through on the Feather.

All of these are observations compared to opinions. We have a month or so to go with those.....

Pics to show the "observations":

Great lineup Doug. Have fun with your grandson.

Thank you Clint.

Today was my last DE shave for a bit. Fresh blade and the New Style head. Brand new Stirling soap, extra M-bombed Lustray aftershave, and an alum bar that has never been dropped, but is getting too small to hold. Two passes and and some touch up for just a few whiskers shy of BBS. Still had some irritation from the Old Type yesterday, or this would have been a perfect DE shave. That said, I think my beater DE set, with the Pre-war Tech and New Short Comb are staying, and the replated set with the Post-war Tech and Old Short Comb are going. Will need to send the beaters out for some fresh coatings.

Decadent December!!

December 30

Razor - Soviet Consul
Blade - (2)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum, Nivea

Next to last day with the Consul and we are at 8 on the dial. Which is off the scale compared to the Slim. There was a slight but disturbing change in the feel today. When I have a Voskhod in a razor I can usually count on a smooth shave. There is a bit of harshness starting to show up and controlling it on the cap is critical. I truly believe that if I had tried this razor a year ago I would have stopped before now. SWMBO was watching me shave and as I finished the second pass she made an immediate comment about the redness of my neck especially. And I could feel it. I was at near-BBS but called it quits, and the alum was hot. No blood, no weepers, nothing like that but the irritation level is getting close to the point where I would stop. But, there's one more setting left. It's all the way open on 9 tomorrow for the final shave of 2016. If my technique holds up it should still be blood free, but it won't be irritation free. By a long shot. And the best way I can describe how the alum will feel is............

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!!​

What a FANTASTIC month it's been here!!! We're nearly at 100 pages and should make it easy by end of day tomorrow. For those ready to get an early start on January.......HERE IT IS!!!!

Decadent December 2016 - Day 30



Roll Tide! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a superb Saturday!