Happy Friday Perry. You have to be counting down the remaining days.

Awesome shot Jim! How do you like the Atomic Age Bay Rum ?

John, Glad your experience with the Trac II was similar to my own! Technique trumps tools!

Nice Fatboy, Jim! I may have to investigate this soap a little!

Rocking some heavy metal, Clint!I've been tempted to order the Karve, but so far have resisted. Especially since I have a REX Ambassador on the way.

Excellent photo, Perry! Do you ever find yourself shaving with you index finger on the adjuster dial ? I've started holding all of my razors in a similar manner and find I get much better angle control.

I believe that it goes Trac II->Atra->Sensor->Mach3->Fusion with appropriate intermediate steps (e.g., "Plus" or "Turbo") to add things like lube strips.

This was timely as today was also a Trac II shave...

May 11, 2018- On Trac

Razor: Gillette Trac II
Blade: Dollar General (i.e., Dorco) Twin
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Williams
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

The late 70s, when I first started shaving, were a time of experimentation. I remember flirtations with my father's pre-War Tech and Techmatic, some flavor of Gem Micromatic, and even an older Norelco rotary razor. Today I shave with various razors for the experiences; back then, it was a search for adequacy. I was a callow youth with no knowledge of technique beyond what I learned from watching my father and from TV. Ultimately, I was a good little consumer and ended up on the path of Gillette cartridges, working my way up from the Trac II through to the Mach 3. I recently picked up a Trac II handle as part of a bundle and today I shaved with it.

First impression- Loading the razor immediately reminded me of one of my biggest annoyances with the Trac II, the slide mount with no horizontal locking. Then and now, I caught myself recentering the cartridge periodically. I had no problem finding the proper angle but had to get a bit used to the almost weightless razor. (I'm almost curious now to find either one of the Schick Revere ones or a Brass-handled clone.)

And the results? Two passes to an incredibly smooth shave with no no issues or irritation. Honestly, I'd say that it beat anything that I would have gotten back in the day. I suspect that there are a few reasons for this: better technique, the second pass that I would never have done back then, and probably some improvements in blade technology. I have no problem with the idea of using it again, though I think I'd prefer an Atra-type handle for the positive engagement.

Finally, to follow up on a question @Linuxguile asked the other day... The lube strip on the DG cart is not slimy; I think that is an Edgewell (Schick/Personna) thing as I've noticed similar with the Schick carts for the Mach3. Dorco makes a twin-blade cart with an orange strip which, I think, is an Atra cart and is sold both at DG and by DollarShaveClub; I don't know how the strip is on that one.

Thank you Andrew. I was tempted by the REX group buy on DFS. I managed to restrain myself and avoid buying it.

SOTD MAYhem 11th


Dorco PL-602
Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp Stainless(3)
Yaqi Evil Zebra (26mm, Frigate class)
Jeeves Of Husdon Street Bay Rum
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill PSB

Very mild shave this morning with the plastic Dorco PL-602 DE. On the plus side there was not even a hit of irritation after 3 passes and a bit of touch up. On the negative side however this still ended up on the lower end of DFS. I find this Yaqi to be a little too high in the loft for my liking, which makes it feel a bit springy. The Jeeves performed flawlessly as always and I really really like this scent, Thanks again Adam @Drygulch ! Have a great weekend my friends!

TGIF!!

Thanks for the feedback on the cart, John. I have a heavy brass Trac II handle if you are interested.

Thank you, Clint! You are right - 9 days remaining with students, several of which are pretty sparse due to exams. Everything pretty much winds down next Friday. Time sure does fly.

Thank you, Andrew! I had to think about it, but I believe I use a similar technique with my index finger. I think I do the same with the L1, maybe because both have longer handles. Don't use that technique with an E or G.

There he is! TGIF! Great picture and report, Andrew.

Thank you, Perry!

Very nice report. I had some of the same suspicions that newly discovered shaving techniques would likely lead to better results on early cartridges. I think Mach III is the only one left here. I've been tempted to take it for a test drive...... Uh. Nah, not ready yet.

I like them a lot. I have CC Cat o Ninetails, B&M bay rum and the Atomic Age Bay Rum. They are all nice but the Atomic Age is my favorite, the wife likes it too. I did order the Jeeves of Hudson Street bay rum and tobacco bay to try them out too.

Nice pic and report! Great to see Logan and his big smile!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Restraint? Hmm, I've heard that word before but not sure what it means.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Thanks, Jim!

I think it's something to do with BDSM and "dungeon play"... Not sure how it would apply to this forum...

Thanks! Now I don't have to bother with looking up the definition.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I might be. What would you want for it?

Great-looking brush, Andrew, but I see where you aren't 100% satisfied with it. Logan looks like a kid who beat a health issue .

Thanks Paul, Logan is much happier now that hes only dealing with one issue (teething). Looks aside, the Bush is OK, but it could definitely be better.

A song and a dance!

Right....the teething still exists. But y'know, I could see from the picture of him when he had the stomach issue that he was thinking to himself "I got this!". (Meaning, "I can beat it").