September 30 Day/Rule Focus Pix & Discussion

A prerequisite for any brush that I purchase is a centered label. But seriously, about 60% of my brushes come from that era.
Simpson 3 "Chubby" (Super Badger)
Simpson 2 "Chubby" (Super Badger)
Simpson Emperor 3 (Super Badger)
Simpson Persian Jar PJ3 (Best Badger)
Simpson Astor 90 Year Anniversary LE 82/90 (Super Badger)
Simpson Tulip 2 (Super Badger)
Simpson The Keyhole KH4 (Best Badger)
Simpson The "Duke" D3 (SiLVERTiP Badger)
Simpson Milkchurn (Best Badger)
Simpson 59 (Best Badger)
Simpson Polo 8 (Super Badger)
The BIGGEST difference that I see is the Best Badger from that era to the modern Best Badger. Today's hair is MUCH coarser and far more prickly. I surmise, and I have zero proof, that they are harvesting the hair from much younger animals.

 

Never used a Gem. What kind of blades do they take? Do you have to modify them? Curious...?

 

Oh, I have no doubt the harvesting process has changed considerably. For one, badgers are now farmed in China. For another, there is multiple harvesting of fur from the same animal. Either would change the quality of hair available, I would think.

 

I only have one plate for the matte black and mirror Supply SE. I have all 3 plates for the matte stainless. I’ll break it out later this month.

 

No experience yet. I’ve thought about learning for my rifles and pistols.

 

Where did they used to get the badger hair?

 

I am not professing to be an expert in any form on this, but my understanding is that badgers were harvested from the wild and that 'farms' in China are somewhat recent. It might explain why badger knots are so plentiful, inexpensive and readily available from there these days.
When I first bought knots from TGN 4 years ago or so, he even had a disclaimer on there that Badgers were not farmed to let folks know ( I assume) that they were buying something that had been harvested from nature.
It is also my understanding that they are a protected species in much of Europe and North America.

 

They take a Gem blade, but one has to be careful where they're sourced, because there's an identical looking version that is used for paint scraping purposes.

 

I have a '51 Tech you can practice on...I'll send you the Vancouver Canuck colours in case you need them.

 

Yes, the are closely linked. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Safety_Razor_Company#Ever-Ready

 

Great shaves, Bruce! Glad you're back!

 

That's a great classic shave, Andrew!

 

Zero modification necessary. The GEM blades are very similar to ones used in scrapers. However, you don’t want to use the ones from Home Depot (or similar). They have a different grind and less polishing. To say the shave would be rough is an understatement (yes, I’ve tried it). All the usual shave suppliers carry the ones for shaving. I usually use the carbon blades from CVS. I find them to be super smooth right out of the package. The only (minor) drawback with carbon steel is the need to dry them after use. A quick pat with a towel works just fine. If you’d like to try a GEM for yourself, let me know. Just shoot me a PM.

 

Perhaps the Royal family supplied Simpson...

 

Thank you, Joe!

 

We can only hope that @Primotenore doesn't put the crops at risk.

 

That's a generous offer, Bruce. Thanks.

 

A generous offer, indeed. My own 2 cents would be to suggest starting off with a GEM PTFE blade, and then move into a Carbon if warranted. The stainless PTFE is bombproof and hassle free when used in any ER or Gem razor that doesn't require any modification(virtually every razor from those brands).

 

Old dog, new tricks.

It's the same of yesterday.
Handle is from slate. The hole helps to keep the weight under control.
About grip, It's good too.

 

I would second the PTFE. I would be glad to send you a few if you’re interested.