September 30 Day/Rule Focus Pix & Discussion

brit · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
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awesome Bill,cool razor..

brit · Sep 7, 2020

wristwatchb said: ↑

This model would be more your speed, Gary.
View attachment 234217

If it only had flames...
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that is awesome Charlie..

brit · Sep 7, 2020

wristwatchb said: ↑

Gary, you probably have a better chance getting a gold one than a red one.

View attachment 234221
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..i haven't seen many gold brush handles for sale..want one for my gold standard set ups..

brit · Sep 7, 2020

b1hart said: ↑

Sweet looking RFB Gary! Big fan here also of the A&E, both the old soap base and the new Kaizen base.

Congrats on your 200/200 shave milestone Joe!

Such a great backdrop in your image Doug! Love the shave combo too!
Click to expand...

thank you Blair.my newest is the asian pear set.i am not sure which base it is ..but it and the grecian horse are awesome..

brit · Sep 7, 2020

Keithmax said: ↑

Sorry I don't have time to catch up but here is an update on two epic shaves.

Sunday was the first full day for my woman to be free after 2 weeks of quarantine. So for our first date I went with my big 8/8 Osiris with a 3/4 grind and a wonderful edge. I added a few drops of lanolin to the Castle Forbes and paired with a Silverloaf handle that has a Shavemac flat top knot.
View attachment 234231

Monday is back to work so a safety razor shave. I have not used the Merkur Futur in a long time. It used to be my favorite adjustable, so I decided to give it a go. I loaded it with a Kai (2) and set it wide open. I quickly found the angle. For ATG I turned her down two notches. It shaves as nice as any DE I own but it is a bit awkward to handle.
View attachment 234230
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awesome shaves and pics Keith..

b1hart · Sep 7, 2020

MrEE said: ↑

Thanks Blair! Both the brushes I did yesterday turned out awesome. Today my wife reminded me to order more aluminum and promissed one of her friends I would have a light blue dye soon. Apparently I am making a few makeup brushes.

I didn't put it together that women might like fancy makeup brushes as much as we like fancy shaving brushes.

Anyway, the last time my wife got really excited about the stuff I was making, she let my buy my lathe.

What do I buy this time, Blair? What do I buy this time?
Click to expand...

b1hart · Sep 7, 2020

Keithmax said: ↑

Sorry I don't have time to catch up but here is an update on two epic shaves.

Sunday was the first full day for my woman to be free after 2 weeks of quarantine. So for our first date I went with my big 8/8 Osiris with a 3/4 grind and a wonderful edge. I added a few drops of lanolin to the Castle Forbes and paired with a Silverloaf handle that has a Shavemac flat top knot.
View attachment 234231

Monday is back to work so a safety razor shave. I have not used the Merkur Futur in a long time. It used to be my favorite adjustable, so I decided to give it a go. I loaded it with a Kai (2) and set it wide open. I quickly found the angle. For ATG I turned her down two notches. It shaves as nice as any DE I own but it is a bit awkward to handle.
View attachment 234230
Click to expand...

Love seeing that Osiris blade every time Keith! Great news for the quarantine release. And...I ended up BST’ing my Futur. Handle is so slick, not very confidence inspiring.

b1hart · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

I use an edgepro apex for knife sharpening. The inventor of this device published the chart below addressing different grit scales for Chosera (Naniwa mfg) and Shapton stones vs Edgepro OEM (2k-6k are diamond films). For that setup (and other rod guide systems) Shaptons were reportedly the top performers (also the most costly).

View attachment 234238

I have read articles explaining why this occurs and seen other similar conversion charts.

I am not versed well enough in the technicals to give an explanation of why, but I've read quite a few in blade forums discussing sharpening.

Your senses and 'feel' may not be deceptive at all.
Click to expand...

Wow. No wonder it’s a rock rabbit hole. Thanks for the chart. Makes women’s shoe sizing almost look reasonable.

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

Incredible thoughts and processes Bill. Awesome report!

jluc · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

Great report, Bill!

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

jgreenepa · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

@jgreenepa

WARNING.... Giant sucking sounds have been detected in South Eastern PA.
Click to expand...

Bill, it’s the sound of my wallet! Aieee!

jgreenepa · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

That is one pretty razor, Bill! That sucking sound you hear is focused on Japan! Also there’s a very well-known vendor of Japanese razors with whom it seems I’m now on a first name basis. Oh well, at least I’m making new friends.

Primotenore · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

Excellent read, Bill.

JACarbone · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

Very nice shave Bill. I do enjoy the BL soap.

Trigger · Sep 7, 2020

Edison Carter said: ↑

The last use of the Wacker Barbers Bride indicated it was time for me to work on the edge.

Made by a small family business in Solingen that had reportedly been commissioned to make razors for European Royalty, now in the 4th generation.

I elected to receive this piece 'shave ready' by the hands that made it. A good solid shaver right out of the box it was, not the best, but good. Originally maintained with an occasional use of pasted balsa strops loaded with Dovo green, red, and black pastes. Probably had about 40-50 uses when I thought it could use more work. I had it on my Naniwa 12k, then balked due to a warp I was not prepared to tackle. It was this that ultimately lead me to the antiquated European craftsman's practice of deliberately convexing a razor hone to address razors lacking perfect geometry. FWIW, the US advocate for this convexing practice has said he'd never seen a Japanese razor that is anything other than dead flat.

Numerous methods are commonly used by honing aficionados to work around this condition, the greatest is sometimes termed 'honing gymnastics'. I still have not acquired the necessary skills be successful in doing this well.

I chose to send the Barbers Bride to a gentleman whose reputation for great edges finishing on Shapton glass 30k.
It came back okay, but the good shaves didn't last long, and the tool was getting bench time while I played with other stuff.

The opportunity to work more with my new jasper stone was here. X strokes, rolling X strokes, hand held, bench style, different slurries, soap, water...... nothing seemed to get me where I wanted to be, mostly due to a lack of flatness.

Worth pointing out, that without a method to evaluate your work, most of this honing stuff is frustrating. People use arm hair topping, hanging hair tests, and many others for feedback. For me, the thumbpad test proved to be the most interpretive. I'd done it for years with knives, but originally shuddered at the thought of doing it with razors.

Ultimately it came around to a honing style that has worked well for me. A convexed black ark with a slurry from a coticule bout, then a 6 pasted balsa progression ending with .1 micron cBN. Then bench roo strop.

The shave test confirmed. This razor has never shaved smoother. There are both advocates and naysayers for those things I have made to work for me. I'm always shaving smoothly, but think I could be a little sharper.......... the never ending pursuit.

View attachment 234239
Click to expand...

Thanks for the informative post, Bill!

blondblue · Sep 7, 2020

This morning's shave was good enough, but for a cut and nick almost with back-to-back strokes on the first pass. 0:30 to load the Stoylin Glacial Lime soap onto the Stoylin brush. Actually I had to do an additional load, as the brush appeared to not have enough soap on it. 1st pass everything was fine but for the aforementioned situations. 2nd pass, no additional issues. I certainly got enough of the Glacial soap loaded, as my face and neck felt nice and chilly for quite a while after the shave. The cut and nick happened on opposite sides of Porcupine Alley. I did miss a chunk on the right side of Cactus Nation, but I'll be sure to kill off the astroturf tomorrow. Not one of my better shaves, but OK. Pretty Excellent. Tomorrow, I'll experiment with another of the Mach 3s(with a Sensor Deuce warming up in the bullpen if needed). I credit Mr. Cawtuh with "bullpen"-nice touch .

Trigger · Sep 7, 2020

Paul Turner said: ↑

This morning's shave was good enough, but for a cut and nick almost with back-to-back strokes on the first pass. 0:30 to load the Stoylin Glacial Lime soap onto the Stoylin brush. Actually I had to do an additional load, as the brush appeared to not have enough soap on it. 1st pass everything was fine but for the aforementioned situations. 2nd pass, no additional issues. I certainly got enough of the Glacial soap loaded, as my face and neck felt nice and chilly for quite a while after the shave. The cut and nick happened on opposite sides of Porcupine Alley. I did miss a chunk on the right side of Cactus Nation, but I'll be sure to kill off the astroturf tomorrow. Not one of my better shaves, but OK. Pretty Excellent. Tomorrow, I'll experiment with another of the Mach 3s(with a Sensor Deuce warming up in the bullpen if needed). I credit Mr. Cawtuh with "bullpen"-nice touch .
Click to expand...

Tomorrow will be better, Paul.

blondblue · Sep 7, 2020

Trigger said: ↑

Tomorrow will be better, Paul.
Click to expand...

Yes it will, even if I have to go to the "bullpen". The earlier I get a cut, the worse the shave can be, as the cut may well linger through the rest of the shave-not a nice thing to look at in the mirror. Thanks Joe.

myles wilson · Sep 7, 2020

Paul Turner said: ↑

Myles, about your Rat Pack avatar-I once saw Sammy Davis Jr. smoke a cigarette while he was singing....
Click to expand...

That’s cool!

clint64 · Sep 7, 2020

September 7, 2020
Supply Co SE V2 ●●●
Schick Proline
OKŪ Botiho
AOS Lavender Shave Cream
Fine Lavender Pour Homme After Shave

I decided to go with the Supply Co SE and 3 dot plate for this week. It has been a long time since I used the 3 dot plate. The little OKŪ brush is a face lathering dream machine. The brush is so soft but with excellent back bone and good flow through. I love the scent of the AOS Lavender shave cream. My wife loves to give me AOS creams as gifts. I think she's on a mailing list for sales and can't help herself. That's fine with me as AOS creams work very well for me. Three passes and touch ups ended in a drama free BBS shave. I will say that the 3 dot plate required less touch ups and buffing on my neck to get the same results. I off to take my Mom to lunch today. I hope everyone has a fantastic Labor Day.

b1hart · Sep 7, 2020

Sept 7th

Zingari Man SS, ASB, RS - The Wanderer
Simpson Trafalgar T2
Feather AC DX (Kamisori style)
Schick Proline B30

Another 5am shave and out the door. Everything worked as expected. 2 full passes, nada on the crimson. BBS- results.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

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September 30 Day/Rule Focus Pix & Discussion

Will you use a single edge this month?

Yup, that's all I will use...

Of course... I always use one single edge...at a time.;-)

My SE razors are Cutthroats, so natch...

I think I'll mix up my gear...

I am going to use all of my razors, both single and double edge...

Where do I pick up the medal I won from last month?

Must we suffer another month of Primo's introductions? He doesn't even provide cookies.

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

b1hart Speed Racer

b1hart Speed Racer

b1hart Speed Racer

jluc smelling pretty

jgreenepa Nasal Barbarian

jgreenepa Nasal Barbarian

Primotenore missed opera tunity

JACarbone The Oud Dude

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

blondblue Well-Known Member

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

blondblue Well-Known Member

myles wilson Moth Ball Mouth

clint64 Blind Squirrel

b1hart Speed Racer

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

September 30 Day/Rule Focus Pix & Discussion

Will you use a single edge this month?

Yup, that's all I will use...

Of course... I always use one single edge...at a time.;-)

My SE razors are Cutthroats, so natch...

I think I'll mix up my gear...

I am going to use all of my razors, both single and double edge...

Where do I pick up the medal I won from last month?

Must we suffer another month of Primo's introductions? He doesn't even provide cookies.

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

brit in a box

b1hart Speed Racer

b1hart Speed Racer

b1hart Speed Racer

jluc smelling pretty

jgreenepa Nasal Barbarian

jgreenepa Nasal Barbarian

Primotenore missed opera tunity

JACarbone The Oud Dude

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

blondblue Well-Known Member

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

blondblue Well-Known Member

myles wilson Moth Ball Mouth

clint64 Blind Squirrel

b1hart Speed Racer

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