April 8

Gillette 7 O'Clock PII Trac II Handle
Personna Twin II (5)
Simpson Chubby 2 Super
La Toja shave stick
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Pinaud Clubman

I received a couple of Gillette 7 O'Clock PII handles from India, and I tried one for the first time this morning. IIRC, the handle is identical to my dad's old one. It's simply a grippy plastic handle with a strip of metal running along the backside that forms into the cartridge holder. I loaded it with a four-day-old cart, and it was so light that I could hardly feel it in my hand.

I went for two passes and some touch ups to get a near BBS shave. I tried not to press the blade into my skin, but it did require a little more pressure than my heavy Trac II handle. I could tell the cart was on its fifth shave because I had to work a bit harder to get the shave I wanted. It was the first time I used a shave stick with my Chubby 2, and the lather was perfect. A big thanks to @Bama Samurai for turning me on to La Toja. It's a fantastic soap and a super value. No nicks or irritation. The alum was tingly, but not bad. I did my usual finish and applied some Clubman.

So, from my mini-Trac II focus, I concluded that my poetry-in-motion carry-on travel kit will be the lighweight Trac II handle, Personna Twin II blade, and my trusty Kent BK4 brush. I'll also bring KMF in a tube (allows me to go brushless if I want) or a LaToja shave stick and a small container of unrefined shea butter. It packs small, delivers great shaves, and brings the comforts of home to any safari.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Wow. Thanks for making me feel better about my handle question, guys!

Jason, that would be fantastic!

Glad you've got your travel kit squared up Charlie...even if you drive a Toyota.

#2 and #3 should go to our fearless leaders, @NCoxSTL and @Bama Samurai. Maybe we could devise a way to earn s/n's beginning with # 4. And anyone who blames the "bump" on the Feather AC pain stick blade holder for a bad shave will be offered a non-serial numbered brush with a pink handle.

I hadn't had a chance to jump in on this yet but I'm definitely in! I'll have to remember to always speak of the Feather SS as being the finest pain stick made - no mention of the lip on it. Although I am man enough to handle a pink razor.

Thanks Jim!

How's the coffee, and do the TVs in the Chevrolet Service Department show the Saturday morning cartoons? Have a great weekend!

Why yes, yes they do.

Agreed, Neal. A shaver with advanced skills wouldn't notice it. Oh...that reminds me...I'm out of Shave Secret.

I totaled the only Camry I've owned. Darn shame.

Where is your sense of adventure....you longing for wide open..errr..veins or some such poetic...stuff?

My older (2003) Ram Hemi got totalled in December. I drive a older expedition now. Go me.

Stick around. It goes way farther off base than that.

Too funny.

Yes, but only in Spanish.

Thank you!

Thanks amigo!

-Vostok 11/16"
-Beaufort 5 Pure
-Stirling Scot's Pine Sheep
-Stirling Gin and Tonic

Yesterday I received this minty Soviet era straight in the mail. It is probably lucky for the free world that not everything they produced was as good a quality as this razor, or we would all be wearing drab brown right now.

The razor was advertised as shave ready, and I was skeptical of course, but the edge looked good, so I hit it with a few strokes of CrOx and went for it. This razor had the best edge of any straight sent to me yet, and gave me one of the best straight shaves I have had to date. The 11/16 hardened (stainless?) blade doesn't have a ton of flex to it, and the super sharp edge reminded me a ton of using a Feather. It also reminded me that I have already grown complacent in my technique and rewarded me with a couple of weepers from going hurriedly.

Ultimately I am kind of amazed that with a little patience a guy can still find such minty examples of these, and buy them for the same price as picking up an EJ on Amazon.

My son has a recital today, so we are about to hit the road. Will catch up later, hope you guys all have a fantastic day.

It's a beautiful handle. I recently asked a wood-working buddy how he would finish an Olive Wood brush handle. He recommended several coats of urethane. He waits 3 days for curing between coats. He uses either a brown paper sack or 600 grit or finer sandpaper to remove any fine dust particles that may have settled on it while drying between coats. I PIF'd that handle, but this is what I would do if I get another one. Hope this helps!