Day ONE of SEVEN
In my
abbreviated September focus (mentioned
waaaay back in my post#422 in this thread), I am taking for a seven-day test drive a rather
unique and
highly-intimidating straight razor.
An Italian-made custom razor of damascus steel from the shop of Mastro Livi, on loan to me from TSD member
entropy1049 (Mike). The razor is the largest I've ever used (both the scales AND the 1.0" wide and
extremely sharp blade) that looks more like a meat cleaver than shaving device.
My first shave I used my favorite thick-lathering soap (MdC) and approached this shave, as I do with any new SR, with
caution and patience. This was especially important due to both there sharpness of the blade and the unfamiliarity I had with a razor this size. With the first pass, I could definitely feel the keenness of the edge against the skin as the razor removed with ease what stubble it came across. After two passes, my face felt quite smooth with no hint of irritation nor blood. One final lather & pass was a sufficient first trial. A splash of Snake Bite afterwards gave me no indication of excessive irritation, just the sharp sting and coolness typical of the aftershave. Darn near BBS quality shave—and I was
not going to chase after it on the first round.
This razor is BIG in the hand. It almost feels like an
olive wood billy club.
Fortunately I have large hands and could comfortably maneuver the razor. I would not recommend a blade this size for beginners to straight razor shaving as one can easily misjudge the edge and slice one's self.
This should continue to be an interesting shaving week with this beauty!
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