I always push down on the top cap with my thumb while tightening the knob, just a habit I got into.

Thanks, Jim. Round two is scheduled for Thursday.

I have had a few blades that didn't 'grab' the post well enough on my MonoBilt too, Adam. There are a few that I cut less than a 1/16" off of the one 'tab' end of the blade, as I found an occasional blade that the tension created by going under the tab pulled it off the post a bit. Really put the tension in the right place. Have only had to do it a few times, but it did make a huge difference. Usually don't have to, though, and for the life of me I can't remember which blade brands I did that to.
Other than that, I'm wondering if there is something wrong with yours, as the reviews are generally positive. Mine is an assassin and probably my favourite DE.

Thanks, Jason. I'm going to soak the internals of this one with sewing machine oil tonight, and see if I can loosen them up. I will try trimming the blade a bit and see if that helps as well.

October Focus

Tabac~~Rubberset~~Gillette Parat~~Perma-Sharp
Back by popular demand...well, maybe not that popular. @jtspartan maybe my only fan, but what the heck, it's better than none!
Since finishing up a puck of Tabac a while back, this unopened refill puck has been sitting in a box, staring at me
longingly ever since. Today being Tuesday, I cracked the seal and began another endless journey with the soap
that literally never ends...until it does.

Take a good look fellow-shavers.
Now, I am thinking to myself, what brush would really put a dent in this soap?
Answer...my Rubberset. No-brainer, right?
Bloomed the puck and after my shower, I poured off a glorious, gooey, aromatic soup into my Aesop SS bowl.
Seriously, you could get a successful shave from this soup alone.
HOWEVER, that's not how Primo rolls.
With a firm grip and a steady hand (at least until 5pm ) I started the process of eliminating yet another puck of Tabac.
Now, anyone who says they don't like Tabac has no idea about shave soaps---UNLESS they are commenting about the scent,
which, of course is a legitimate statement. I, on the other hand, adore the scent. So does SWMBO.
I first experienced Tabac in Krefeld, West Germany in 1978 and have loved it ever since.
There's nothing like it.
Lather is incredible...and I created heaps and mounds and oodles of the finest, shiniest, slickest lather known to man.
Now, the next part of my shave is not quite as good.
Loaded the thrice-used Gillette Super Stainless blade into my Gillette Parat.
I figured I could get a fourth...well, I figured wrong.
First pass, WTG and it wasn't awful, but not to my liking.
Rinsed and noticed a burning sensation on the left side of my neck. Did I do anything about it? No.
Second pass, XTG, left side of my cheeks and ouch. What the...? No blood, but I definitely removed a thin layer
of epidermis.
Stop the presses.
Ditched the SS and, still 99% lathered-up, reached into my blade stash and, not wanting to open up a new tuck of anything, fished out a singleton Perma-Sharp. Now, I have bitched about the glue spots on Perma-Sharps before and today was no exception.
"We don't need no stinkin' glue spots!"
Loaded in, glue spots and all and finished the pass and third pass sans problems.
Thayer's didn't burn, but I have a few reddish areas on the left cheek. (Face, you perverts)
I am getting to the bottom of my Tabac AS.
Note: Anyone interested, I have a full, unopened 9 oz. bottle of Tabac Cologne, with box, that I would be willing to trade for a
FULL bottle of the AS. PM me.​

I did soften up an Omega knot. There's no going back so think about it before you try this. After reading about cleaning boar brushes I mixed up vinegar and water and soaked a #20248 for a short time. Vinegar is a dilute acid and it will strip some minerals from the bristle if you have hard water. My brush wasn't really in need since my water is relatively soft. After doing the soak I lost much of the scrubbiness I like from boar bristle. This might hasten the break in period, and Omegas are know to be stiffer than other boars.

I would be honored to be counted as a fan, Joseph! Excellent post! I agree, Tabac can run with the best of them.You've just inspired me to call an audible for my shave tomorrow. Time to smell like the retirement home!

Great post, Joseph.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Exceptional post, Joseph! Always entertaining.

Two fans and counting!
Anything older than you is retirement age you, young whipper-snapper. BTW, the older the violin, the sweeter the music.

Thanks boys.

My wife's comment whenever I use Tabac is that I'm using the "retirement home" soap.

Tuesday morning October 16 - back to OC

Wardonia Sheffield 3-pc OC / Astra SP (1)
30DC LE Maple Cashmere synthetic brush
Hendrix Classics Barbershop soap
Alum and Hendrix Classics Barbershop balm test sample



Today's razor is from my latest group of cleaned razors. The case is a rather nice leather "Made in England" travel pouch. When the lid is unsnapped, it reveals a comb (which I believe is Bakelite) held in a strap in the lid, a razor, a blade bank, and two metal tubes. One tube is for a shave stick and still contains an anonymous stick of soap in disintegrating wax paper. Since the set is English, I suppose the stick might be Pear's Soap, or it could be Williams, Colgate or one of the other brands popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The other tube unscrews to reveal a travel brush made either of badger or dyed boar hair. The metal base of the brush is threaded and screws into the bottom of the tube holder to form a handle. The base of the brush is marked "Made in England" but otherwise has no brand on it. Interestingly, the lid of the brush tube has a paper label in it assuring the user that the brush is "Guaranteed Thoroughly Sterilised And Free From Anthrax Spores". Again, I think that sort of label dates the set to the period between the Wars. The razor itself is a 3-pc that looks much like a Gillette Old Type, except it is marked "Made in England" on the baseplate and "Wardonia Sheffield" around the ball on the Ball End handle.

From the looks of it, the travel set is very near NOS. There is no sign that the brush has ever been used -- the knot is still tight rather than bloomed at all, and the paper label on the inside of the tube lid has no signs of water damage. The soap stick has never been unwrapped and wetted.

How does the razor shave? Apart from the brand name, it is much like shaving with a Gillette 3-piece OC razor. I would put the sensation at somewhere between most of the Gillette Old Types and the NEWs that I have tried. Two passes to a near BBS with only a little bit of warmth in spots from the alum. The finishing rinse and application of balm calmed the alum tingle down.

It was interesting to try this set today. It could still be used as a very practical travel set today -- although the age of the hair in the brush knot might be cause for concern. Apart from that issue, the kit is still good to go...

Very cool travel set, John!

Nothing like another name change to keep everyone on their toes at work, right? Good luck with that and I hope it all evens out fast for you. The way businesses operate anymore makes me long for self-employment. Sure there are risks and disadvantages, but when your fate is tied to someone else it can be less than fun. As for the house - sounds like as long as you get done by the end of the year most contractors would say a "four to six month" goal was about right. Construction time, in my experience, runs much slower than the rest of time.

Was hoping to swing by on the way home but we had a later start out of Hugoton than we planned and had to go North through Hays to drop some things for a family friend that Mom had wanted them to have. Passed by Lawrence around 8-8:30 but I did wave. Also yelled hello. I'm sure you heard that.

That's a beautiful brush, Clint! Congrats!

Sorry about the bad shave, Adam. I predict you'll overcome the challenges on the next outing with the Cooper.

Add me to the list. The soap performs better than most, and I'm OK with the scent. I ought to get the AS for the Full Meal Deal.

Check with your local candy counter. In my mind Tabac is the same scent as Certs mixed fruit breath mints, from my grandmothers purse.

Amazing find! To think someone purchased, never used, but carefully stored the set for nearly a century. Glad you get to experience it.
For the brush, consider giving it a (human) hair conditioner treatment? Haven't tried it myself but the guys that restore brushes say it works.

Not sure of what studs you speak, but I've never been in your kitchen. (1......2.......3........ok you got it)

If I should ever sing My Old Kentucky Home, I promise, nay, swear, to be properly attired according to the best Kentucky traditions.

Thanks, Neal. Interesting, but not bad. Just kind of hiding and watching.

I thought I felt a disturbance in the force around that time. As if a thousand Russian blades cried out at once...