November 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

You know, on the other hand, the Vector is pretty nice to look at.

 

Oh the Vector is gorgeous.

 

If I might be allowed to drop a BM in the thread...

I thought it was quite futuristic. Like those Dyson bladeless fans.

 

Thank you, Gentlemen.

 

November 13, 2018- NOthing But Techs, Remembrance Week

Razor: British Four-Piece Flat Bottom Tech
Blade: 7 o'Clock Permasharp Stainless (2)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Williams
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

After skipping out on yesterday's shave, I'm back with another military Tech. Over the past couple of days, I've been involved in several discussion on multiple forums about WWII-era British military razors. As a result, I've slightly changed my running order and am going with the British Flat Bottom Tech for today's shave. Those of you who read my ramblings may wonder why it took me so long to get to this razor as it is one of my stated favorites. This is the reason.

According to conventional wisdom, the Flat Bottom Techs produced for military sets have the logo below the centerline (as opposed to above on civilian razors). To be honest, I don't know as mine came to me in the case from a Star military razor.

This razor has always been a bit of a puzzle to me as it has definitely been well loved but came with an unopened tuck of Gillette Blue Blades. For a long time, I assumed the case was a mismatch, but I've begun to wonder if the exigencies of getting razors to the troops may have made strange bedfellows of Gillette and ASR. (There is a version of the FB New which makes this possibility even more tantalizing.) Based on a few examples that I've seen, I suspect that material shortages forced compromises in the quality or thickness of the nickel plating.

The two-piece handle that came with this razor is also interesting. Looking at Achim's site, one will see handles with the barber pole knurling or the longitudinal grooves, but not both.

And the shave? As someone said yesterday, it's like shaving with a butter knife, even with the sharpest blade. An excellent shave with no issues.

 

NOvember Focus

MW Sandalwood Rose~~Semogue Taj Mistura~~1947 Super-Speed~~Feather SS~~DRH Pink
In keeping with this month's theme, I dubbed this a "NO more DRH Pink shave"
The MW soap base can be SO sticky, that if one is not careful, it (the gooeyness) will pull out the bristles of your brush.
That is exactly what happened this morning to my Semogue...times 3! I will accept most of the responsibility, because I am a
notorious "jammer", when it comes to loading.
Ok, so now there are only 179,997 hairs remaining in this knot. What's a mother to do?
In spite of the drama, the shave was wonderful. The Gillette Super-Speed, loaded with the still-going
Feather blade (I know, crazy, right??), proved its mettle and really delivered.
3 passes and clean-up for a fantastically close and comfortable shave.
Finished with---and the bottle of the D. R. Harris Pink AS. No replacement on the horizon.

As a moisturizing compliment, not pictured, was a dab of AoS Rose Absolute lotion.​

 

Thank you, Andrew! Those containers are from IKEA. They are the Grundtal containers. You may be able to get them on Amazon as well. They're terrific for shaving soap.

 

Excellent shave, John! Very interesting razor!

 

Excellent photo, Joseph! Congrats on getting one more bottle out of the den!

 

Thank you, Andrew!

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Nice shaves, gentlemen!

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Great report John. I have learned a lot from your posts.

 

NOvember 13th
'59 Flare Tip w Feather
Semogue Boar
TFS Mastro Miche SS & AS
Thayers


Had an early morning meeting, so had a very early shave. Next up for No Repeat November was this Flare Tip and this TFS combo. The razor had a Feather already loaded, and it was good for another day. Went with a full 3 pass shave this morning to hopefully wipe away the shave debacle from this weekend. The Flare Tip is a mild, smooth shaver. I guess that's why the basic head geometry lasted for over 30 years. Decent lather from this TFS soap- I find this formula with Lanolin much better than their vegan base. 3 passes later I was quite smooth. Not perfect, but certainly within range.
Have a great day all!

Brush Update-
I've decided to PIF the wood/resin handle I made this weekend -with the Maggards synthetic knot (thanks again @BaylorGator and your Shavey Awards). I'm not going to post it in the PIF thread as it is only open to a very select group of folks, all of whom are on this thread. If you are a regular contributor to the 30 Day thread, and do not have a 30DC LE brush, PM me that you would like in. It is basically the same handle shape. No need to tie the thread up with this. I will draw a name on Friday.

 

Great report and photo Joseph. Congrats on finishing the aftershave.

 

Great picture, Jason.

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Wonderful shave and photo Jason. Excellent idea on how to handle the PIF. Someone is going to end up with a very nice brush.

 

Excellent shave and generous offer, Jason!

 

There's always room for BM around here.

 

Nice photo and shave, Jason!

 

Safe travels, Jim! Have you been to Washington before?

Love your 'retro' filters lately, Perry! Glad you like the Maximo Gomez as well. It does pair very nicely with that Jeeves splash.

Sorry about your night, Randy. Happens to me quite often. Usually I wake up in the middle of the night for an hour or 2 and hopefully fall back to sleep again. I'm hoping it subsides after retirement in a decade...

'3 passes to perfection' is as good a start to the day as it gets, Jim! Super photo as always.

Glad to hear you got to avoid the commute today, Clint. FYI- the Fine Santal soap is on sale for under $10 at IB these days.

Your dad had very good tastes in razors, John! Great that you get to use it still. I also have one of those 24mm flat tops from APShave Co. glad to hear that it is a winner.
I'm also interested in your Valobra review- I've had their Fougere in the cart at Connaught a few times now.

Another very informative post, John. I've learned a great deal about the humble Tech this month from you.

A great write up as always, Joseph. I hope those lost bristles aren't the start of something, though.