SOTD THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 28, 2022
On reflection, it’s interesting how wet shaving tastes evolve. With respect to noggin shaving, my safety razor tastes definitely favor vintage SE’s. My two favorite SE’s from that category are my G.E. Jones Shake Sharps and my Enders/Durham Enders “Speed Razors/Speed Shavers”. Today’s noggin shave featured my 1950’s vintage Durham Enders Butterscotch handled Speed Shaver. It took me almost 4 years to collect shaveable examples in excellent condition of the tricolor Durham Enders razors. I was able to collect the red and green handles early on, but the danged butterscotch handled model eluded me for years until just a month ago. I’m grateful to my friend, Jeff (
@jmudrick), who put me onto the Shake Sharp. My other friend, Matt [RIP](
@120inna55) put me onto the multicolored Durham Enders Speed Shavers with his amazing photography of his collection. Thanks to the Enders adapters now available, more people are getting the chance to shave with these amazingly efficient razors.
The shave this morning was spectacular! The Durham Enders Speed Shaver obliterated my noggin stubble in the usual two ATG passes, leaving my dome unbelievably smooth. But the Belle of the ball was the Iwasaki 33 11/16. The edge on the razor is amazingly sharp, yet buttery smooth. The mug shave is always doable with a sharp razor in two and a half passes. However, the shave felt so good that I stuck to a more traditional three pass (WTG,ATG, XTG) mug shave. I do love my Japanese razors, but the Iwasaki is hands down my favorite. However, after poker, cigars and single malt last night, I was a little concerned, but fortunately, ancient wisdom from my old straights-having mentor, Keith (
@Keithmax) again saved the day.
“And thus spaketh he from the book of Keith:
I) If thy spouse or child or pet bursteth into thy shave den mid shave then putteth down thy straight and picketh up thy safety razor.
II) If thou art in a hurry or a rush or late then putteth down thy straight and pick up thy safety razor.
III) If thou art not focused or just don't 'feeleth it' then putteth down thy straight and picketh up thy safety razor.
IV) If thy razor tuggeth or pulleth or doth not feel sharp then putteth down thy straight and picketh up thy safety razor.”
Velveteen smooth from neck to noggin!
RAZOR: Iwasaki 33 11/16 (Mug), Durham Enders Butterscotch Handled Speed Shaver (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Proline B-20 Injector in Enders Adapter
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a heavy scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Rooney Ebony Pure Badger
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Canoe Original EdT Splash.
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