November 16, 2017

Bakelite Star, Take 2

Razor: Bakelite Star DE
Blade: Gillette Platinum Plus (5)
Brush: 30DC LE/Pure Badger
Cream: KMF fragrance-free
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

Yesterday, I tried to shave with a newly-acquired Bakelite Star DE which came with an interesting, but incorrect, top cap. The result was, in a word, ineffectual. Last evening I looked at various three-pin caps trying to find one which was a better match. The best of the lot was the cap from a Bakelite Clix razor similar to the Star. I didn't want to split that set up, so I kept looking. A thick cap from a Gillette OT was a great fit but had the same issue as the first cap of not providing a usable blade gap. The best compromise was the cap from a cheap Chinese DE which, itself, appears to be a poorly-executed clone of the metal Star razor. It provides a usable blade gap but the posts are a bit small (making blade adjustment critical) and the screw is a bit short for the thicker baseplate. Nevertheless, I gave it another go today.

All in all, the FrankenStar performed very well. The razor is light and mild and I had no difficulty finding the right angle. I was a little worried about irritation, but felt nothing from the Alum. Overall, I'd say it was a BBS or close enough. Definitely a razor to revisit, especially if I can find a more suitable cap.

On a different note, tonight or tomorrow, I should be receiving a 100-pack of NOS Rubie Stainless blades from the late '90s. This should be interesting...

I bet you could get 3-4 off one edge before you start to notice it going south.

11.75 for the lab blues is still too much! I also got that rough feeling from them and they are one of the few mainstream blades that I really don't care for.

Great setup, Keith!

This photo really makes the knot in the CH2 look luxurious, Charlie!

Fantastic photo, Clint! That boar knot isn't fanning out much, but it looks like the tips are splitting nicely!

Do you use the same method as @DaltonGang for doctoring up your Arko(grating it up and then mixing in some fragrance and other goodies)?

Great photo, Jim!

Beautiful new brush, Perry!

awesome photo Jason! Love me some Tabac!

Excellent shot, Doug!

Congrats on finding a successful top cap that worked.

Thank you Andrew. From the beginning this knot has been tight and compact. I think the brush has fanned out all it is going to fan out at this point. The tips are nice and soft making face lathering a joy.

Very good feel from the Avon 4 Men this morning. I used more of it than at other times-maybe that was it.

Great picture, Jason!

Excellent shot, Doug. The Blu is making a strong showing this morning.

Thank you, Andrew!

Yes. I grated it, then added Mandarin EO, M-Bomb, and some hot Green Tea to help emulsify things. I let it sit open over night and then closed up the container after it set up a bit.

It worked really well and I will do it again.

Thanks Andrew! Have a great Thursday, my friend.

TOVember SOTD
Route 66 Sweeney Todd Soap
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Gillette Blue Tip
Lucky Tiger
Florida Water
Have fun!

Nice setup, Brian!

Thank you Clint, and it does work wonderfully.

Good stuff Brian. The Blue tip looks great.

Great looking Blue Tip. Using a DE just confirms how busy you are with the move, etc.

Yes, it does

Tuesday 11/14/17 SOTD
Razor: Dubl Duck Special #1
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Horse/ Linen Barber style
Brush: 30DC LE with Omega 10096 Boar
Soap: RazorRock Lime
Post: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Bar, Thayer’s Rose Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Stephan Island Lime with Menthol added

I can’t compete with the awesome photos from this group, but I am trying for a little bit better ones. For my current focus of rotating through all my razors, and honing as needed, this razor has had three shaves on it. And it needs to go back to the hones again. Prior to this shave, I touched it up on a Naniwia 8k waterstone, a Colorado Crystal natural, and my chromium Oxide pasted strop. It was a significant improvement over the last shave, but still not there. I should have a Sharpton 12k stone here this weekend, and I will try another touch up. I also think my chromium oxide pasted strop might be contaminated, so will try cleaning that off and repasting it. The three passes with the razor required more pressure than I like, but did not lead to irritation. I would call the shave a low grade DFS, as I won’t chase the baby with a razor that requires pressure to work. I’m already board with this soap, but will continue to use it every other shave until it is used up. I refilled this bottle of aftershave, and went to add some menthol crystals to it. The bag dumped faster than I was expecting, so I ended up adding about 3.5 grams to 5 ounces of aftershave. I was afraid I had overdone it, but it turned out to be just about perfect. Very cold, but not painful. Stephan leaves a good feeling on the skin, and the scent is long lasting. Wish this scent hadn’t been discontinued.

Thursday 11/16/17 SOTD
Razor: Pre-war Fat Handled Tech
Brush: Dubl Duck M2 with Omega 10066 Boar
Soap: Stirling Arkadia
Post: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Bar, Thayer’s Rose Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Lucky Tiger Aspen with Menthol added

My initial rotation plan for today was to use Dirty Deeds Cactus scented soap. However, when I opened the tin, the scent was sour. I’ve had this happen on a few soaps where lathering it, rinsing off all the lather, and leaving it open to dry for a day will resolve the issue. Unfortunately, this just made my whole bathroom smell bad. That soap went in the bin. I hope no one else is having issues with the soaps I sent out in May.

Today I went for a quick and easy shave. Doesn’t get much easier than my auto pilot razor, a pre-war fat handled tech. I don’t use this razor much, but it is the only Gillette I have kept. I have an OC SC baseplate that fits the cap perfectly as well. Eventually, I am going to send this one to be plated or coated, and fill the hollow handle with lead shot. I even have a case that needs a revamp that will hold both baseplates. I loaded it with my favorite blade, the one that puts Feathers, Voskhods to shame, the Red, White, and Blue Rapira Sweedish Supersteel. As everyone from the Cartel knows, I like American Straights, but Russian DE blades. They leave me alone. (Also, I will cut you. Ask Yuri.)

I got a two pass DFS with almost no effort, in less time than it normally takes me to do one pass with a straight. Stirling was awesome as usual, but I always forget how thirsty this soap is. A tiny bit of buffing, and done. I didn’t chase the baby in my trouble areas because with a DE I can get it perfect, but always end up with ingrown hairs when I do. Followed it up with Iced Lucky Tiger Aspen, and headed out for the day.

Good picture and write up Adam with an excellent brush.

Both look pretty good to me Adam!