Nationwide Box Tour 2013

Thanks. That's what a figured just didn't want to break any rules or norms. Looking forward to the box coming around. I have some good stuff to add and have my eye on an item or two in there already.

 

If I could get better shaves with an injector, I would use that for flying.

 

I was pleasantly surprised to find the box in my mailbox last night. Being the first stop, I had my choice of the blades in the side game. After some consultation with Gary I chose 1960s era Wilkinson Swords. Being born in 1960 I was interested to see what people were shaving with when I arrived. Learning that these were the blades that convinced other blade makers that they were going to have to go stainless, I decided that I had to try them.

I opened the pack excitedly to load my Merkru 39C. I couldn't believe how the blade shined. I lathered up with Tabac, and let the razor glide down my right cheek. I had to take a look at the razor to make sure that the blade was actually there. When I started DE shaving about 7 months ago I got the mandatory blade sampler pack and fell in love with Feathers and Astra SPs. Not too long ago I was given a single Polsilver blade, and promptly ordered 50 of them, as bullgoose was out of the 100's. The feathers and Polsilvers give me consistent DFS and quite often BBS with 3 passes and some buffing.

After my first two passes with the Wilkinson, I wet my hands and rubbed them over my face. I was amazed that it felt like it usually feels after three passes. I brushed some Tabac on my hands and with my face already pretty wet, I slicked up. Kind of like what I have read about method shaving "slag". This is my normal practice for buffing my problem areas. It seemed to take less buffing with the Wilkinson, and now 15 hours later I am just starting to feel some stubble.

There are two things that will prevent me from using this as my full time blade. One, I have just one pack of them and I am guessing that I wont be able to find a steady supply of the. Two, I kind of like making 3 passes. These would cut my lathering and caressing my face with sharp steel 33%. That's no fun.

I really enjoyed this blade and will use it exclusively until its done and let you know how many shaves it lasts. I am going to ration the remainder of the pack though. Maybe break one out at this time every year. That way I can enjoy them for 5 years. After the 4th blade in the pack there is a friendly reminder that there is just one blade left and to buy more this morning. I wish. I also noticed that on the back of the card in the top of the pack there is a warning not to wipe the blade but to rinse the razor and shake dry. I am kind of meticulous and have been taking my blades out after a shave and wiping the blade as well as drying the razor. Maybe I will get a little less concerned about that aspect.

My over all impression: Fantastic, Thanks Gary.

 

Quite a start and they are truly a legendary blade!

Reference #4 in the following thread.
https://sites.google.com/site/gdcarrington1/home/de-blade-challenge-ii

We will see what Luteplayers deducts and adds to the box and remember there are 11 more mystery packs to go!

 

I might not have to be so stingy with the Wilkinsons. That site that has provided so many razors for me, has just provided a few more of these blades for me too.

 

Jim might I suggest rubbing alcohol to dry your blades rather then rubbing them dry.

 

That is my procedure. Dip the head or the blade by itself in at least 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (91% is better) and let it evaporate the water away.

 

Do you guys just pour some alcohol over the blade? Or do you have a little air-tight container deep enough to dip the razor in and reuse it for a week or month? I'd like to start doing this to sterilize my razor and blade between shaves. I'm prone to acne on my face and think this could help. Just trying to figure out an convient way to go about doing it.

 

I went a got a small air-tight container, put the isotropyl alcohol in it and just dunk the head of the razor in the container for about 5 seconds and remove. I shake the excess away and put the razor up. I have had no problems using this method with any razor that I have.

 

Sounds perfect, I'm going to look for a container. How often do you change the alcohol? Just curious?

 

Once a week.

 

Thanks! Once again I'm in your debt

 

Not a problem.

Jim, how is the box treating you. Are you having fun with all those goodies?

 

I am having fun trying a lot of software I haven't used before. I am about ready to send it on. I will have to pm Fishcrow for the next port of call for the box.

I got 6 fantastic shaves from the Wilkinson blade. All were with the slant. I am going to try the next one in my Muhle R89. I did get a few more so I can put them in normal rotation.

Another thing the box has done is convinced me I need to try a straight. I found a Dubl Duck Special No. 1 in my mailbox tonight. I know nothing about straights but it seems pretty sharp. Pic will be on the haul thread.

I'm off to the straight forum.

 

Gents... Looks like I am going in for surgery.. Don't want to delay the box and lifting/packing is going to be a chore.. So, to keep a good flow, I am regrettably going to withdraw.

Blew out my rotator cuff assembly on my dominant side.. Fully detached and high grade tear to the supraspinatus, partially detached and torn sub scap and a bunch of other nasty things that need to get fixed. I'll be sporting a beard for a while

 

Oh wow, how unfortunate. I hope you recover in a timely manner and be 100% very soon.

 

Sounds rough. Good luck with the surgery, hope you have a good recovery.

 

Ouch! Sorry to hear about this. How long do they expect the rehab to be following the procedure to get you back to where you get good usage back?

 

Thanks... I toasted it about fifteen years ago, but had been pretty inactive up until 2012. By the time I finished my third Spartan Obstacle Race last year, I had aggravated it to its current state. I have three more races on the calendar in 2013, so I am going to have hit PT head-on! I just finished five weeks of PT pre-op and did well.. I am in killer condition otherwise, so I am going into the surgery with a huge advantage. I am hoping to be 95% in about eight weeks. I have a Disney vacation planned for the last week of March. That's my target.

 

Remember to post the take away picture, post the add picture and your postcard for the box!

To the next person, remember that you can PM me when you get the box to discuss blade strategy.