Wonderful shave, Joe! I guess a straight wouldn’t work so well on the dome. I’m trying to imagine the contortions you’d have to go through to do the back of the head.

In my younger days, I always loved a leather bottom shoe....... In summer

In winter, I was traveling in days when communicating with the office was done on a thing they called a 'pay phone' (as if everything else was free). After 'dropping the dime' in that booth reeking of hobo urine you could stand there listening to all the problems nobody wanted to take care of as the pavement promptly sinked the warmth of your body right through those wonderful leather soles.

I think I still have my fave pair. Prolly 35 years old and had a half sole and heel dozens of times.

The Imperials had a triangular brass wear cleat imbedded in the heel. Shoes like that, could outlast the owner easy.

Week 3 (Comfort Week)
Feb. 21 Episode 21: “Where Civil Blood Makes Civil Hands Unclean!”

Parker Variant
I love the way this razor looks and feels in my hand, but will it be enough?...



Week 3 Gear

• Blade: Personna Blue (3)
• Brush: Kong
• Soap: Stirling Texas on Fire.
• AS: Tsuka. “The Tsuka was angry that day, my friends…” Again with the burning. Either (a) Stirling AS products do not agree with me or (b) a common fragrance oil is the culprit. Do I have a skin sensitivity to bergamot? Hope not--seems like bergamot is in everything.
• Balm: Stirling Glacial Unscented.

The Shave
My shave with the DE89 this week was good enough that I had high hopes for finally finding the sweet spot for the Variant. Like the DE89, I ignored the visuals, and simply played with the angles till it felt right--except it never did. 1st (WTG) pass. Not feeling it.

2nd (XTG) pass. Still not good. The results were just fine, but the shave itself was tuggy and unpleasant. Got my cheeks and jaw squared away, went on to the neck, and got bit. Three spots around the Adam’s apple, one of which needed the styptic--shave over.



Too bad. My cheeks and sides of the neck are nice and smooth with almost no irritation. Still, a rather unpleasant journey to get it. Unless there is some sort of shave miracle next week, the Variant and I might be parting ways. Sad, really; I want to like this razor.

The Score

• Comfort: 0
• Closeness: 0

Tally



The results look pretty grim, but again, (aside from the Variant) these were all really good shaves--painless and smooth… just a bit bloody.

Hope everybody has a fantastic Friday! I've enjoyed all the reports so far today, and will catch up with the rest later this afternoon

Great report, Dale. Sorry to hear the Bullet Tip isn't doing it for you. I've got a couple razors that fall into that category that as well. They won't live to see March.

Wonderful photo and companion, Jeff! And you'll be protected from penguins practicing imposture...

Beautiful picture, Clint!

Thanks, Jeff! I can use my shavettes or straights to headshave. However, I prefer using DE's because there's less of a chance that I will cut myself. Also, shaving the lower neck crease is difficult because the hair grows in different directions and it is tough with a straight. I can get an IBSS with a straight, but to get a full press BBS the safety is the way to go. I will headshave with a straight in order to keep my skills sharp.Yes, I intended the pun. Lol!

Terrific picture, Jeff!

Great shave, Terry!

Love those Satsuma shaves, Joe. I aim to get such fantastic results from a 2 pass, no touch-up shave--inspiring

Great picture, Joe!

Great shaves, Tom! You always bring it when it comes to cool gear

Lovely picture, Jason!

Sorry about the not so stellar shave, Tim! I would pif the razor.

Thanks, Tim! It is a good goal, but it takes time to really know your beard map, having a sharp razor and tweaking your technique.

Great shave report, Tim! Sorry about the blood.

Razor: Karve Christopher Bradley SS OC w/ "C" Plate
Blade: Personna Platinum (7)
Brush: Elite Razor Tres Amigos Desert Ironwood Beehive w/Envy White Knot
Soap: Grooming Dept Ingress
Aftershave: Floid Vigoroso
Bowl: @twhite 3D Printer Bowl

Keep getting great shave after great shave with this equipment. Nothing to add!

I would prefer a Spring wonderland. Sick of Winter.

February Focus

Hemingway Accoutrements~~Simpson "The Hive"~~Heljestrand MK32
This razor should now be quite familiar to my fan base.
I have to say that I have an urge for some Lutefisk
That'll have to wait, at least until I complete this post.
Chose a cream today, someday they'll be used up. Someday...
Lovely lather from the HA
See below:

Stropped with the Straight Razor Design 3" leather, the Heljestrand MK32
performed as expected. No irritation, no nicks nor cuts.
No complaints.
Excellent smelling juice completed another excellent shaving experience.​

Thank you Joe.


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