August 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

That's true! But your example has the toe facing sideways E and W or W to E. However, I was quite specific when I said the toe is facing down to the floor and in that position the blade can only be vertical and that is the inverted position. In other words, turn the blade 90 degrees counterclockwise from the blade's initial horizontal position on right side of face with right hand as if you were going to stroke southward for a WTG pass. Left side, left hand would be same thing, but you will be rotating blade from horizontal 90 clockwise.

 

First shave with the non-safety DE-Vette Safety Razor. An elite edge forward shaving device.



While taking my shave photo it occurred to me that in a manufacturing environment, the safety committee would have no part of this tool. Extra precautions were observed.

While I totally subscribed to the @Primotenore theory that the use of a safety bar is not required on most razors when attempting to achieve lowest shaving angle, I recall my first impression was that this tool is a stunt shaver. Later, I decided to jump in on the pass around to put some of my very own skills that I learned here at The Shave Den to the test.

Proraso menthol pre-shave.

I used Stirling Unscented Sheep soap, not because of the unglorious base animalistic stank it provided but because I've never found a better shave lube than this mutton tallow soap. In the past, I was successful at hiding the sheep funk with Piacenza EdT, but the Tuscany I used today fell short.

Learning to wet shave I found cold water seemed to reduce irritation, less so after I took up straights, So I used hot.

Gillette Silver Blue is my favorite shavette blade, so it got the call here. GSB's have more rounded corners than some and I did not think muting them was necessary. The blade is secured firmly in place with a small amount of fiddling, then held flat unlike most DE's which impart a blade curve.

For sure this ain't no popsicle stick razor stunt shaver. True to Tom's @twhite nature the device is very well thought out and meticulously made. I don't think I have ever seen such a lean and secure blade holding setup.

Using the 'ride the cap' method is a bit difficult due to the very low geometric shaving angle, which is lower than the shavettes I have and most of my straights. I'm gonna guess around 15 degrees, @twhite Tom? I also experienced some 'sticktion' riding a flat cap. The best approach for me was riding the edge, with an intense concentration on the shave angle. I'm sure some muscle memory can be acquired in time.

There are a few areas that a DE vs. a straight handling design bring an advantage for me, due to limits of my dexterity. It is far more challenging to maintain a consistent angle since the handle needs to be almost 90 degrees from the shaving plane. Maneuvering the shave angle on a stroke downward over the jawline on a straight is a matter of rolling the fingers or tipping the wrist, here it is a more complex feat since punishment can be easily had.

In the end.... Great satisfaction. Close. Zero alum alert (even though I thought I might've got myself.) Great comfort. Great finish with the unisex Tuscany scent (Hint... Deliver a great shave with the DE-Vette and you can wear any glorious stank you want!).

 

Note bumper sticker

 

Word.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

thank you Clint,

 

Very nice shave and congrats on the new razor Bill!

 

thank you Andrew..

 

thank you Blair..

 

@b1hart @jgreenepa @FaceScraper - If you go to 4:34, then you will see the inverted use of the blade. Hope this clears everything!

 

cool shave and pic Bill..

 

SOTD August 1, 2020. Boar Month
Razor: Gillette SS Blue Tip TTO (1956 B-1)
Blade: Treet Classic
Brush: Jayaruh 329 Boar
Lather: Pre de Provence No. 63
Aftershave: Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender Toner
Additional Care:
Barbero Alum Block
Thayer's Witch Hazel - Aloe Vera
Busy day so a late post. Early morning shave following a workout. Cooked a few entrees for my oldest daughter’s birthday BBQ. Following the BBQ, late evening trip to New Jersey for my son’s lacrosse tournament tomorrow morning.

I am going to attempt to use my boars for the entire month. The rest of the shave will offer me sum variety since I have finished the JustOneJuly format.

 

Not really. At 4:34 in the video, this is what is seen.



In all the Google searches that show the toe of a straight razor, the toe is the point of the razor, the heel is the opposite side, sometimes by a shoulder (if designed that way). Blade inverted for a south to north pass, the toe is facing the sky, spine is facing the floor, whether looking at it from either end, or from the blade face or the blade back.

 

This is actually one of Tom White's creations on a pass-around. I believe it was engineered as a result of Joseph's belief that the best DE shaving begins with a pivot of cap to cutting edge where the safety bar or Comb never really engages.

 

fine shave Joe..

 

That's really cool Bill! I had looked at Tom's creation and pass around, but my summers are tough on time, didn't want to hold a pass around up. Awesome shave and report on it!

Nice setup and shave Joe! All boar knots in August.....sounds like fun, I love boar knots.

 

~18 seconds in....Classic Shavings explanation of the toe of a straight razor.

 

Thank you Gary

 

Superb first run with the De-Vette, Bill! I’ve been following on the separate thread and it sounds like a unique shaving experience for sure.