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SOTD TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 20, 2021
This morning’s shave featured the whisker cleaver, the new-to-me Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail. The edge on this 1815 vintage full wedge blade is truly whisker-melting sharp. I’ve never come across a stubtail of this age with as wide a blade. I’ve wondered whether it was purposefully crafted that wide given the crude water and human-powered grinding wheels of that era with the expectation that it would, after honing, approximate the then-known thinner widths? Those of you with a better stubtail knowledge than I please chime in! Although initially hesitant given its sheer mass when compared to my other razors at 4.29 oz, a week long focus helped me dial it in, and now I really enjoy the mug shaves it delivers. The thing I like about my wedge razors is the absolute silence they operate in unlike the buttering toast refrains of more modern hollow grinds. In any case my three usual mug passes left me very smooth.
I enjoy shaving with French Cagehead safety razors. I own a LeCoq fixed cage and two Famex adjustable Cageheads. For some reason I’ve always shaved with the Frankenrazor version consisting of a Rockwell top cap and an ATT Atlas handle and have never shaved with the complete Famex. So this morning I pulled it out, adjusted it to my preferred level of efficiency, and proceeded to enjoy a pure Famex shave. The jury’s still out , but I do think I prefer it to the Frankenrazor version. The MrEE Gold Anodized Aluminum handled and aptly named “Monster”, generated scads of rich Soap Commander lather. Given the sheer size of these tubs, I expect the soap to outlast me. The tuxedo synth knot just feels great, and two ATG passes left my noggin dolphin smooth. I feel refreshed, cool, and velveteen smooth.
RAZOR: Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail (Mug), Famex Safety Razor (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE LE Aluminum Monster Tuxedo Synth
SOAP: Soap Commander Honor
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Osage Rub.
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