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SOTD WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5, 2021
I always have mixed feelings whenever I shave with my Dovo Special. I purchased it 7 years ago for my first few straight shaves. So yes, there’s a certain level of sentimentality in using it. However, it also led to a rather severe injury due to an involuntary, then-unmedicated tremor that turned out to be Parkinson’s. Needless to say it went into a drawer for close to 5 years. Both my neurologist and my bride were firmly opposed to my picking it up again.
But pick it up I did, after strapping my wife’s ankle weights to my forearms. After my stroke this past June, I noticed that my forearm/hand tremors seemed to be minimal to nonexistent. After discharge from the rehab hospital, I was again strongly encouraged by both bride and doc to put away my straights. The term, “stubborn old coot” was used by my oldest grandson when he learned that I had no intention to stop straight shaving.
What I’ve discovered is that I can now shave, post stroke, without the forearm weights. Whether it’s a matter of two years of muscle memory or the fact that I may have stroked out the source of my tremors. In any case, while I still have them; they’re quite minimal, and only seem to make themselves known in the evening when I’m tired. The two and a half pass mug shave this morning was a joy, and left my face porcelain smooth.
My dome shave featured my Ronson safety razor, which was subcontracted by the Ronson Lighter Co. and manufactured by the American Safety Razor Company around 1931. While a bit top heavy, the safety razor can accommodate a modified DE (similar to the Gibbs mod) or an injector blade, which is my preference. This safety razor has pride of Place (pun) for my friend David. It’s a remarkably competent little shaver that delivered its usual superb noggin shave leaving yours truly velveteen smooth from the shoulders up!
RAZOR: Dovo Special (Mug), Ronson Safety Razor
BLADE: Schick Injector II Twinblade (Dome)
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a heavy scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE LE #005 Aluminum Handled SynBad Knot
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Lilac Vegetal AS Splash.
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