The Geo. Korn got the call today. Sub-par reduction on the first pass - OK on the second but a clean, smooth finish with minimal noise from the alum. So, does it matter if the result is nice but the journey wasn't what was expected? Hot water preparation AOS Lavender PSO Haslinger Schafmilch Shave Soap Savile Row 3824 Silvertip Geo. W. Korn 7004 5/8 Osma Bloc d'Alun T&H Classic After Shave Balm Happy shaving - Karl
The end is what matters most. But, did you have any tugging, or did you have to apply extra pressure to get to the smooth results? If there was a yes to any of these two questions, well, you know what you have to do.
Actually I have been experimenting with lighter pressure than usual and maybe that was the X factor. I'm hoping the steel quality is not the problem. The next shave with it should tell the tale. I wouldn't have thought it but maybe there is such a thing as too little pressure with a hollow ground. When I say sub-par reduction I mean I can still see the stubble easily and have to pass over it multiple times (e.g. 4 or 5 times kind of thing.)
Tonight's shave was with my Little Stubby Wedge Razor. I had silent and smooth, 2 pass shave. I was left smoother than a baby Dolphin. Only one small nick, out of nowhere. I didn't even feel it. Very nice razor. Razor- W.Greaves & Sons. Brush- B 400 By Tom Soap- Mitchells Wool Fat Aftershave- Osage Rub.
Another embarrassingly ugly razor, but a great shaver. A "Royal Blue" wedge, pitted and honed almost to a nub. One of the first old razors that I cleaned up and honed myself. I still pull it out occasionally and take it for a spin. It never disappoints!
Another evening with some Sheffield steel. Tonight's date was wit G. Johnson. Three passes and dolphin skin
I don't know if this applies, but what the heck. 2nd shave with my new Gemisori. A home-made GEM blade shavette. I made it for the $2.00 DIY challenge ( => *click* <= ). It is made from a copper pipe which I basically bashed flat with a hammer and which I hacksawed, filed and sanded further into shape. I dulled the corners of the GEM blade a bit as well, so as not to scratch myself too much... 2 passes with the Gemisori and a final pass & touch-up with the albino injector. Smoooooth.
George Korn razors are amazing. The steel on them is the ultra-fine grained New York/Little Valley/ Pennsylvania steel that was used by W.R. Case & Sons, Cattaraugus, Kinfolks, and other cutleries. I would say unless the temper was lost, the steel isn't the issue. Korn was a master grinder from Germany, and he worked for all of those companies. I have several of his razors, and they will take and hold an amazing edge. Mine tend to give amazing shaves, but since they are all small blades I do find myself using a little more pressure.
Wow! I really need to add some "lookers" to my stable. I just drool over most of the razor photos in this thread!
