The Crazy Ivan in SEptember!
September 29
Razor - Edwin Jagger DE89L
Blade -
View attachment 78473
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Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Post - Cold Water, Alum, The Veg
Well today was the day to go to Czechoslovakia. Crazy Ivan was packed and ready so what was there to do but go. Czech Blades makes a number of different blades including the Tiger 3H. They are the company that bought out the former Astra and Gillette plant in Czechoslovakia. Now, for accuracy sake, the picture above is actually a Tiger LH. That would be a stainless blade. The 3H is a carbon blade and is shaped like a legacy Gillette Blue with the three holes. So very retro and cool looking. Well, see for yourself.
Reports of this blade being horrible and dangerous surfaced over the past couple of days but Ivan said he didn't care. So, who am I to argue? I just end up talking to myself anyway. It was also suggested that perhaps I should use the Rapira razor for this one. Ok, so sanity prevailed and I stayed with the EJ. Turns out it probably wouldn't have mattered. Lather provided by the Pro 48 and Arko so no issues there.
My first stroke with this blade was, what's the word I'm looking for? Oh, yeah, ATROCIOUS! Seriously this thing pulled and dragged like a dead cat on sandpaper. I actually suffered through the WTG on the right cheek and checked the result. Ummm....I could swear I just felt that blade tearing my face to shreds. No blood, no wounds but also......no real reduction in the beard. Seriously? I'm done. NO, wait........can't stop yet. Lathered that cheek again and did a second WTG pass. Felt a bit smoother, about like the difference in sandpaper or asphalt, so maybe it did some good? Felt it again......still no real sign of reduction. Ummmmm....I'm confused. Ok, let's try XTG. Wow does that sting but I still can't say it's even close to CCS on that cheek. ATG? I know, sounds crazy but I suffered through it and found that I still wasn't at CCS. I stared into the mirror and asked Ivan for help. That %@$%** crazy Russian had bugged out. Nowhere to be found. I have honestly never had a blade that felt that rough and yet couldn't reduce the beard. Actually, maybe the Flying Eagle was that bad but I'm not sure even it was a horrible as this. Ok, NOW I'm done. Grabbed the Tech with Thai Gillette and used it for a 4th shave and ended with a very nice DFS and it felt great.
I never thought I'd find a blade worse than the Flying Eagle but if the Tiger 3H isn't worse it's equally bad. And that is an honor no blade should go for. My recommendation? Stay clear of this Tiger. Very clear.
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