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.
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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.
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