June 2022 30 Day Rule/Focus and Discussion. All Are Welcome!

Thanks, Joe! Yes, I figured I best tackle the beast again instead of backing away from it. I will devote a week to this razor now. I want to see how it behaves with a light blade in it too.

The Guard blades feel OK in the DX but, not so nice with the Hawk. I think the best blade for me with this razor is the Professional.

 

SOTD FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 17, 2024

Inspired by a number of shave brothers on the FB shave forums who’ve been shaving with their ‘blue steel’ vintage razors, I decided to give mine a spin. The edge on my Boston-based Smith Bros. 11/16 is truly superb, and every bit as sharp as the Feather Supers I prefer in my Tedalus and Feather DX. Three very pleasant, comfortable mug passes easily put the baby to bed, leaving me smooth as a peach!

My noggin shave was excellent as well. As many know, my preference in safety razors are my SE’s, both AC and standard. I’m very much a fanboy of the Durham Enders Speed Shaver. These little SE’s really do the job smoothly and efficiently. As far as vintage shavers go, they are, along with my Shake Sharps, hands sown, my favorite noggin shavers. Two ATG passes left me velveteen smooth from neck to noggin.

RAZOR: Smith Bros. Blue Steel 11/16 (Mug), Durham Enders Speed Shaver (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Proline B-20 Injector (Dome)
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a heavy scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE LE #007 Knurled Aluminum Handled Hybrid Knot
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys WH. Finished with Old Spice Fresh Lime AS Splash (Indian Version).

 

Very nice shave, Jeff! I am now seeing how different the shave is with the single edge. I have no problems with any of the Micromatics or the GEM or the Star 1912 but, this Hawk is a beast! I was always one to not quite ride the cap but, I must with this single edge. It demands respect. Short strokes The open comb has completely changed the character of this razor. It was very tame no matter what blade was in it with the Standard base plate. I still like it but, now have more respect for it. Same as I do for the DX. My only gripe about the Hawk is that it is hard to get the blade out to clean it after a shave. The blade sticks to the base plate but running water seems to knock it off. I can't grab the blade to remove with my fingers.

I don't see myse;lf migrating to a straight razor. I will stay with the Feather DX and replaceable blades. I want to devote a week to the DX too.

Have a great day, Jeff!

 

fine shave Gary.love the simpson.great brush.

 

I have 4 Simpson brushes. 2 of them are synthetic. The synthetics are nice!

 

very cool.if you were stuck on an island with the hawk oc and the aggressive blade your skin will adapt over time.in theory.just like a teenager who gets his first razor and blades.in the old days one didn't have the choices readily available to buy ones way into a perfect shave,one learned and got used to it.on that note,carts not so much ,as they pull out the hair and cut below the skin line,creating ingrown hair issues and such.all other razors cut hair at the skin line.one needs to shave a little more often ,but with less irritation and issues.

 

i have the commodore best badger like yours,a special best badger,and a chubby 2 synthetic.very nice.

 

fabulous shaves and pic Jeff.

 

I have so many options that I like that it's hard to decide which to use! I do need to devote more time to some of these razors to get to know hem better. I want to spend another week with the Feather DX before I forget how to shave with it!

But, for now, it's the Hawk.

 

Y'kno,w, I just don't respect that "workwise aftershave" thing. I mean....I trust that women aren't wearing sexy perfumes to work, too!!! Bottom line-ya don't like my Aqua Velva or Clubman-get another job.

 

I have the Trafalgar T2 & T3, the Commodore, and Berkeley Best Badger 46

 

Another fine shave this morning. Didn't do a load count at the loading dock, I just trusted the Jayaruh to do its job, as it did. Great shave for the most part. What do I mean by "for the most part". That trickly area between the right ear and jawline left a tiny bit of Astroturf, where I thought I got it all. I know,, I know;....I'll get it tomorrow. But everywhere else cashed in beautifully. No Cuts, Knicks, Polka-dots. Skin-Bracer went on fine fashion, and again the Passion 4 Men for the closer. Outta This World Excellent.

 

many folks here have stated that their DE shaves vastly improved after mastering straight shaves.for me i haven't tried a straight but i did go a bit with an adjustable on 9.it taught me about proper blade angle to face over the whole shave,and keeping said angle.after a bit muscle memory takes over,taking proper care and attention of course.they bite.your skin and hair type will choose how sharp a blade needs to be.course /wiry hair likes a sharp blade.i like the nacet /feather sharp blades in mild razors,mid sharp in more efficient ones.this is why dialing in a razor is so important.ultra sharp blades with an aggressive razor can be ciaos for some folks,especially at the start.

 

I can use the Professional blades with not a single problem if I use the Standard base plate. I have now discovered that this open comb base plate is a heck of a lot more aggressive than any of my other open comb razors. I am more limited with blade options with the Hawk so, I will work at technique with the Pro blades ( I have a lot of them) and maybe later try some light blades. It is a learning curve for sure.

 

friday
brit new rfb
gsb
rr 400
zingari
nautica



good morning gents.
fabulous aqua shave today.
the brit new rfb performed excellently with a new gsb blade.
this razor,just like the old types is deemed "adjustable" if one loosens the knob a little,
though this was more of a feature with the old thicker blades(not the 3 hole).
fine zingari lather built with the rr synthetic.
touch of twisted thayers and voyage edt to finish.
awesome.
have a fine friday everyone.
​

 

i imagine the oc base plate has more blade exposure than the standard plate.meaning the blade sticks out a touch more between the cap and plate,not just a wider gap.gillettes have what's called neutral exposure,many moderns se and de have positive exposure.

kai blades are said to be a touch wider,in effect the make the blade exposure in a gillette more positive, hence a more aggressive shave.
this is why riding the cap can smoothen the shave a little.or vise versa.

 

June 17 SOTD

Good morning.



Straight Shave # 377
5/8 C-Mon
JR #290 Cashmere Brush
Shannon's Soaps The Warrior SS
Stirling Glastonbury AS
Maggard's Alum Block
Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 25.5 hrs

Well I was excited to use this razor once more since I rehoned it last night. I have to say that I really did too good of a job because I cut myself twice. Lol!
I scratched my left sideburn area because I was to quick landing the blade and stroking down the cheek. I guess it was due to my excitement and being on autopilot caused the error. However, the styptic took care of it and it disappeared. The second cut was much bigger and it wasn't due to sloppy technique. A sudden sneeze came out of nowhere and my arm recoiled so that the razor edge jabbed my neck and gave me a clean 1 inch cut. I knew it because I felt it. Lol! Anyway, I had to hit it with the styptic a few times, then applied hydrogen peroxide and styptic once more. It looks fine so that it's not going to scar.
Needless to say that I was impressed with my refurbished edge in more ways than one. I was really done after 1 pass, but two passes gave me a BBS shave. The Shave was so smooth that there wasn't any feedback at all. I was amazed that when I went over my cuts that there wasn't any feedback which is a great sign that my wounds were superficial.
Applied witch hazel and the Stirling Glastonbury aftershave to end the shave. Enjoy the day.

 

Wonderful shave with terrific setup Jeff! Have a super day.

 

I am glad that you are narrowing your preferences on razors Hogie.

 

fine shave and pic Joe.