November 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

November 16, 2018- NOthing But Techs, Remembrance Week

Razor: Pre-War Gillette Fat Handle Tech
Blade: 7 o'Clock Permasharp Stainless (5)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Williams
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

This is the last shave for Remembrance Week; time for a bit of personal bit of reflection. My father was born in 1914. Somewhere around the middle of 1942, he volunteered for the Army. To be honest, I don't know if this was due to a sense of patriotism or simple economic realities. Because of an eye turn, he had been classified as fit for "limited military service after correction of defects" and spent his one tour of duty mostly working in the mess hall at posts such as Fort DuPont, Delaware.

So, what does this have to do with the Gillette Tech? Well, for most of my young life, I recall him shaving with one razor- a Nickel-plated Fat Handle Pre-War Tech. I don't know if he bought it before the war or if it was issued to him, but I have to believe that that Tech was *his* military razor. Unfortunately, that razor is long since lost, but I've never quite forgotten it and, so, one of my early purchases after starting my present journey was a very similar razor. That one is today's razor.

It is pretty much your basic pre-War Tech and is clearly user grade with a fair share of brassing on the handle and baseplate and even some peeling of the Nickel plating on the cap and baseplate. Oddly, it's the brassing on the handle where the collet meets the rest of the handle that reminds me the most of my ada's old razor.

So, after all that, what about the shave? Smooth and efficient with no issues. In other words, pretty much what I would expect after two weeks of using only Tech razors.

 

I've really enjoyed your comparison shaves, Andrew!
Love the pic of the boys!

TGIF!!!

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Whew! I was starting to wonder if I was going crazy. I kept looking at the picture and thinking that it looked more like a Clog-Pruf than an MMOC.

 

Don't tell anyone but that was a test for the group. I knew all along it was the Clog Pruf (no, really, the meds had nothing to do with my confusion) and just wondered who would be smart enough to notice it. Yeah, that's it. That's how it happened. I like that story. We'll call it the truth now.

 

Yes it does! I tried to Google it, but only found hotdog stands. @Pete123 - Got a link?

First suggestion is always use more product. The process know as Blooming or softening up the soap puck by a dribble of added water left to prehydrate assists in getting soap to your bowl. Don't be afraid to get some soap in that brush knot. Worst case is a little soap down the drain and you'll have enough lather for 3, 4, or more passes.

Did your ceramic bowl have any texture, smooth glossy finish? Many purpose made lather bowls have ridges or bumps meant to help incorporate air into the mix of soap & water.

Not only when installing it, she asked and was allowed to remove the needle. She's one smart cookie. I discourage "baby talking" to children. Her, her sister, and their younger brother all have vocabularies beyond their years. I could tell some stories ...

 

Sadly, that is probably not the biggest reality shift that an authority figure will expect me to accept today.

 

Great shave John and a great way to remember your dad! The Pre-War Fat Handle Tech is my favorite(yes even more then the flat bottom) !

 

Thank you, Jim!

 

ok, so I made up the name of the aftershave. I amuse myself easily.

It's really a vintage Avon decanter with a scent similar to Irish Tweed. I'm a bi9 UGA Bulldogs fan, thus the Junkyard Dogs, Ltd.

 

Wonderful photos and report, Andrew! TGIF!!!

 

Thank you, Perry!

 

NOvember 16th
Schick E3 w Personna
WD HMBadger/Cypress
B&M Latha Sandalwood SS
Thayers
Stirling Red Delicious AS

A rushed 2 pass shave early this morning to start off a rushed Friday. Hopefully I'll get a chance a little later to check out all your great shaves and reports. An uneventful shave with this consistent shaver and pleasant soap. It isn't the quality of his later bases, imho. The Red Delicious (thanks again, John!) is...interesting.
Have a great Friday afternoon and weekend all!

 

NOvember Focus

MW Sandalwood Rose~~Mondial 26mm~~Gillette Parat~~Feather SS~~Burt's Bees Bay Rum
Well, we're halfway through November and I am beginning to think the MW might hold out for the month.
Perhaps if I do overnight blooms; load for 20 minutes (after each pass) I will exhaust the soap.
But until then, I will continue to suffer this quality soap, which makes for wonderful shaves.
The Mondial 26mm knot is so very soft. It broke in quickly and was virtually scent-free from the start.
The verdict is still out on the handle. I like the size and geometry, but it is extremely light and feels cheap.
Here's a picture I grabbed off of the internet that shows the difference between the Rocket and the Parat.

The Feather blade is vying for top spot in my blade den: category "Longevity". Remarkable.
Finished with the not-pictured Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel followed by
some lovely sprays of the Burt's Bees Bay Rum. (Love this juice!)​

 

Great shot, Jason! I have a tub of Red Delicious and I found the scent to be somewhat feminine. Smells like a women's lotion to me.

 

Excellent shot, Joseph!

 

Beautiful picture, Jason.
I never tried the B&M Latha soaps. I really like the Glissant and Reserve bases, and in yet another moment of weakness, I have a soap in his new Excelsior base on the way.

Great photo, Joseph.

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I chopped it up and put it in a container. When I'm lathering it, I take the brush that has been soaking in warm water in the bowl, shake out some of the excess water and then load up the brush by swirling it around in the container. Once I feel like I've loaded enough I then lather it in the bowl that I was soaking the brush in after I had poured out most of the water. I leave a little bit of water to help with the lather. I work the brush in the bowl and keep at it for a minute or so until I have a good bit of lather on the brush and in the bowl.

 

We are so in tune to subtle or not so subtle Enabling around here. You go dropping the name of a shave product, especially a bacon flavored one... This isn't over yet.

 

Nice pictures and posts, Jason and Joseph!

 

That sounds like a good process. You can always load more on the brush first. Then add little bits of water while bowl lathering. You may want to bowl lather longer than you are currently. See just how far you can take the lather and how much water it can take, again with little bits at a time.