Beautiful photo (the colors are fantastic) and great set up today, Doug. I'm so glad you turned me on to the Red Tips. They are fine razors!
Thank you both. For some reason, I really find the variants of the Tech, particularly the wartime and immediate post-War ones, interesting. Part of it seems to be the complete array of styles and materials used for both the razor head and handles. This is on top of the strange varieties produce by Gillette England. As I said before, I'd love to get one of the Bakelite Techs. Then there's the real oddities like the Zamak OC Tech and the one with the Lucite baseplate. Some day, perhaps...
Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf Gem Stainless (2) Semogue BC Mistura Iced Mandarin Arko Stick Of course I decide to use this soap up when the temperature plummets. I think that I prefer the Clog Pruf to the OCMM. Not a ton of difference but it is a slight bit more polite.
Thank you Andrew. The bristles are thinner diameter than my Omega boar brushes. The Zenith was softer from the beginning but durability might be an issue down the road.
I've had a few in and seem to come across them pretty regularly. I'll let you know when I get another one in hand.
Maybe I'm giving the play-by-play in more detail than usual. I'm not at all unhappy with the performance of my Ming Shi. If it was not adjustable the learning period would be over by now. Because I have the ability to change the way it shaves I've got two variables - The Setting, and My Technique. I've now settled down around 4-1/2 on the dial. Next is developing my handling skills. I don't find the handle too slippery. The top cap outriggers don't get in my way and I'm riding the cap so no nicks since the first shave. Blades don't matter much as long as they aren't defective. This is the fun part where I think I'm 75% up to speed. CCS is assured, DFS expected, & BBS hoped for by end of the month. This one was German made, but I think Gillette inspired. It even has a case of sorts, thought the lid hinges are iffy. Seems like the handle is aluminum.
Tuesday evening November 7 - Rule playing Rockwell 6s on plate #3 / Topaz Platinum ( 1 ) Semogue Owners Club cherrywood boar brush TOBS Avocado Cream Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent I facelathered with the boar tonight after a brief swirl in the tub to pick up cream. Wet my face and went to work. The result was two good coats of thick lather with lots more left in the brush. I dropped back to plate #3 on the Rockwell 6s and enjoyed an efficient but comfortable shave. Two passes to a DFS. Didn't bother with the alum. The Thayers went on to complete the shave and not from any real need. After a week on the Rule, I have been able to use the Rockwell 6s on all settings, having finally gotten lather on the 5/6 plate. And I have settled to my satisfaction that the best setting for me for daily use is #3. I have also had my Semogue boar brush perform flawlessly every single day. I think it is finally fully broken in and I am also now used to its quirks. I will continue with the Rule, but I think I have already achieved my goals for the month.
NOVember!!! November 7 - Qshave Focus Razor - Qshave Futur Clone Blade - (2) Pre-Shave - Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap Soap - Stirling Electric Sheep Brush - Stirling Synthetic Post - Alum It's time. Time to turn this razor to setting "me". Wide open at 6 and this thing looks like you could debark a log with it. Or slice cheese. Nothing to fear but fear itself (and major scarring but the chicks do dig that) so time to shave. Got my weekly head shave out of the way first, trimmed my goatee and looking good. I chose the high voltage mutton tonight. On top of the mentholated pre-shave soap it really gives you a great scent. I'm thinking if I ever need to shave in the morning this may be the right soap. Can't imagine being sleepy after having this on my face. Really great feel and the lather is slick as can be. The pro-handle style Stirling synthetic brush had no problems loading enough lather for me to share with the group. One of the main differences in gaps this size is you are allowed a lot more freedom in choosing an angle over a less aggressive razor. I tried a couple of different angles on the first strokes and decided to keep it where it's been all week in my hand. Pretty much riding the cap on a traditional razor. That basically aligns the top cap and the guard on this one to let the blade go right through the butter zone. The German Wilkie was smooth....I mean smooth. Nice audible feedback on the first pass, less on the second, and by the time I did touch ups I wasn't hearing anything. But I was feeling an incredibly smooth BBS. No blood, no discomfort and the alum was silent. That was fun! Incredible result and feel to get there. I'm thinking I may actually prefer this razor wide open. Yes, you have to concentrate a bit more to stay on angle to avoid any problems, but hold it steady and keep it light and the result is awesome. I think I'm going to play around with settings. Back down to 4 and come up in 1/2 increments this time to get the feel of what really is the best setting. I don't think I want any less than 4 though. Below that and the feel just isn't the same for me.
Reminds me of Frito Pendejo's chair in Idiocracy. (You'll have to look that one up, I'm not putting a link here) Tapatalk Via Kyocera
Gem Clog Pruf Gem Stainless (3) Semogue 2000 Iced Mandarin Arko Stick Arko in a mug with a big boar is hard to beat when done right. Great lather and shave this morning.
November 8, 2017 Colonial Razors General Feather Super Pro (8) 30 DC LE with Omega 20107 Boar Knot Nuàvia Blu Another great shave this morning. Rich lather with a great scent adds to the overall experience. Three passes and touch ups ended just short of BBS. My lower right neck is a consistent nemesis. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.
