The Haul: August 27th - September 2nd, 2007

Thats a nice looking blade Blair

 

Hmm... I had no plans after my PL8 conversation with Lee this morning...

But, somehow this little guy came home with me this evening!

Needless to say, I'm happy :happy023

 

Thanks. The guy on Ebay said it was 5/8. It looks more like 9/16 to me. But I like Sheffield blades, and this little notch point is a good addition.

FWIW, Mike, I have one more str8 on the way from a guy over at SRP!!

 

+1 I have one like that, they're nice shavers

 

Nice Mike!! You have an Awesome collection

 

As per previously requested here is a review that I wrote over at Giovanni's forum of my recent acquisitions a TTO S3 and a TVL 1. I have also included photos of both.

First let me say that TTO S3 is called the Big Boss 636 by the factory. and TVL1 is called a Big Boss, but does not give a model number. I received both in the mail yesturday from Giovanni and I can say that the two are centainly worth what Giovanni is charging for them.
However they are no where as good as the Merkur versions. The metal used in the construction of both feals solid but flimsy, one would mistake the construction materiel for plastic, but the box claims its metal. Holding hte 636 next to my Gillette Super Speed I can clearly see the difference. The Super Speed is a better construction with better materiels then the 636. I would not say that the super speed is much better construction, just a bit better. The doors on the 636 do not open and close as smoothly as on the super speed and there is a notch in the 636 that needs to be acomodated that does not exist on the super speed. The 636 doors do not close over a blade as easily as a super speed does and may take a bit of jostling in the 636 to get things ready for a shave. Now I am going to sound a bit odd. If I was training my three year old son to shave today, I would actually pick the 636 to train him with. It is lighter than the super speed and is easier to manager for unpracticed hands. The doors on the 636 will require him to pay a bit more attention to getting the blade seated right in the razor before going off and shaving with it. I also think that the 636 is a fine razor for travel, which is the role that I intended it for.

The big boss, without the model number, also known as a TVL1 is a light weight version of another three piece that I have from Merkur called a 1904 clasic. One can see that the Big Boss is a copy of the 1904, and is quite light weight. Again the 1904 is not much heavier then the Big Boss and one would think that the Big Boss is made of plastic. The Big Boss is tightly packed into a well made case like the 636 is and assembles quite quickly.

In conclusion I would not pick up either if you intend for the two to be a main part of your shave rotation, however if you are picking them up for travel use, as I have intended them for, or as gifts for a starter razor they certainly fit the bill. A discalimer needs to be made at this point: this is only my opinion, your experience may vary.

::

 

Today in the mail:
-3 Brut 33 AS 100ml
-4 Arko sticks
-4 packages of green Supermax blades

 

Thinking of a slant bar, but not for some time yet. I am told that the Slant Bar is much trickier to handle then some of the other razors out there.

 

I don't think so. Even if I wouldn't try a j-hook

 

Ok, then what would you recommend for a novice which would tax his shaving skill?

 

The only slant I know that is made nowadays is the Merkur 37c.

 

The slant works the same as any other razor, just way more aggressive. You really have to pay attention.

 

Actually, it's not. If you've got an Merkur HD or some other similar down then you'll be fine. The only slant razor/blade combo I have found so far that requires really extra care is the slant/feather.

 

The box of 17 odd assortment of razors came. I have some serious cleanup work to do. I think I can salvage a few of them fine. A couple of them will just be collector novelties and a couple the white bakelite handles have cracks. The heads are fine. There is one str8 with no markings. It needs to have new scales or at least new pins. I need to buy some Krylon International Harvester Red. This is going to be my fall project. I'll take some pictures before and after. Some I may not even try to do anything with. There is one razor with a blue handle with blue stars on it. Not sure what that is. I was looking at all of these while I was driving to work this morning. Get out the jewelry cleaner, mineral oil, scrubbing bubbles, brushes, polishing clothes and Maas. It's play time.

 

Nicaragua Matagalpa -Pacamara Peaberry
Panama Bambito Estate
Ethiopia Kochere District Yirgacheffe
Yemen Mokha Haimi
Panama Carmen Estate 1800+ Meters
Kenya AA Nyeri - Karatina
Guatemala Chimeltenango
Nicaragua FTO Esteli - Miraflor Coop
Aged Sumatra Mandheling '04 Crop

Green coffee beans on the way from www.sweetmarias.com

 

:drool :eatdrink013

 

I'll buy you one of those BBQ grill roasting drums if you open up a coffee shop. drool

 

Im gonna have to look into that.
Prolly gonna need to buy me a rotisserie attachment as well

 

ya, ya...one of those.

Here's a little one to start with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190144778018&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009