its the viking in me i guess..

Here's Charlie ordering another 500 blades: I ORDER YOU TO SEND ME 500 BLADES, AND DO IT LAST WEEK!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to to it!

Spotty cell service, no WiFi, lots of woods, seems like an ideal location!


- Ken

Beauty of a brush Jim


- Ken

I had a used 750 wagon I got for low $ with 140k on it. I put over 100k on it, then one of estrogen units tried out the safety features. Thank God they worked. Not a scratch on her.... Car?......RIP

I loved that car.

Thanks Ken!
Honestly, that's kinda where I live now.
If it wasn't for satellite, there would be no WiFi or TV here. I have a repeater on the roof for cell service, and thats spotty when the leaves are on.
Ideal location.... for me anyways.
tp

Thanks, Ken!

Oh, I like those blades


- Ken

Getting the 7yo grandsons to wash his face is sometimes difficult at best.

Tonight I gave him a shaving brush, showed him how to load it with the bar soap. Then told him to wash his face with it.
Well that worked out OK.
It's the cheap old Perfecto brush that I've used before here many times. Since I got my synthetic brushes, I kinda left it behind.
Guess in some years he'll get a razor of his own too.

How about that!
tp

When I started open edge, I sought out 1 razor with a known edge (meaning honed by someone with a proven reputation). This is very important!

My instructions on stropping were 20 laps on linen, 40 on leather before each shave.

I committed to shaving 100x with this tool to attempt to learn what the feel of a good straight was supposed to be like.

I backed up partial shaves with a DE in the beginning. Then committed to a straight only at about 20 shaves. About 60 days in, I bought a second razor (from a known source for edges) only to use once a week or so to confirm the condition of my trainer. At about 75 shaves I did add some edge touch ups using abrasive pastes designed for razors, applied to flattened balsa wood strops.

To this day, I find a shavette with a good blade more reliable to sever hair more easily than most of my straights, most of the time.

I also find the first pass to be more tuggy than subsequent passes. You could try your straight on a partial 2nd pass to see how your angle/pressure is.

I found determining the suitability of the edge one of the most challenging aspects of using a straight.

There are sources I've seen selling nice Jwest (Japanese razor, western grind) razors to the USA. I have to believe that there is someone in your part of the world who offers honing services, if that is what you need.

Be well.

Edit..... Later.... I see Gary is quicker on the draw today.

very cool sir..tough cars..we still have many that come through the door for regular service work..

very cool Terry..hope he sticks with it..

nothing surprises me anymore either Charlie..pic of the day..

i went looking for the closest blades to vintage gillette super stainless..aka spoilers..these seem pretty close..imo..

That is a very wise move, Bill!

Hi Jason, the pulling of the hair signifies the straight needs to be honed. Stropping will not bring the edge back. You may want to see if you can use chromium oxide paste on a fabric strop to see if it can be refreshed. Frankly, I doubt it, but it may be the least expensive route. Otherwise, I would just hone it. I use lapping films to hone my razors and it is an idiot proof method. You can go on You Tube to see how it works. I got 3 sets of various grits lapping films and it cost me $25 plus shipping.

Thanks Evan! It's rare that I cut myself, but I do get weepers. My soft touch prevents me from very serious wounds so that my rare nicks or cuts are like minor scratches. In my early days of using a straight, I did cut myself on my upper lip that it left a nearly invisible little scar. It was at that moment that I readjusted my touch to minimize any damage to my epidermis.