Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: B.D.F. on November 13, 2013, 08:53:33 PM
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So about a year ago I got into straight razor shaving. Pretty interesting skill set to acquire, especially so if you include the honing aspect of the razors. So I have been collecting them from 'here and there' and I usually go antiquing (antiquing is known to cause homosexuality but as long as you do something really manly w/in a day or so you will be OK- a straight razor shave qualifies) when on a bike trip, especially into the rurual areas. Caught some nice finds 'in the wild' but they are getting picked over these days; straights have enjoyed a bit of a resurgence for the last ten years or so and a lot of the vintage stuff has been aquired by a user and / or collector and so are out of circulation. Still, the occasional piece pops up:
Caught this custom fella' in a local antique store: named the Little Rhody, it was made by Dovo (German) for a barber supply shop in Providence, RI most likely back in the 50's. It is the larger razor with the 'cracked ice' scales.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/LittleRhody1.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/LittleRhody1.jpg.html)
Note the tang stamp:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/LittleRhody2.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/LittleRhody2.jpg.html)
A few here, a few there and the next thing you know, enough razors for the whole week:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Razors.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Razors.jpg.html)
'Course you need something to strop those fellas:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Strops.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Strops.jpg.html)
Russian leather (split cowhide) on the left, horsehide in the center and a Japanese made Cordovan shell on the right.
Throw in a bit of 'software' (lotions, potions and shaving soaps and creams) and you have yourself a hobby!
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Potionslotionsandbrushes.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Potionslotionsandbrushes.jpg.html)
All of which leads us to the question"Hey Andrea, was the water in the sink always pink?" ;D
Brian
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So, have ya been studying the "Art of the Edge"? A good edge takes more than luck and a whole lot of patience.
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Not really an art but a science and yeah, I put an edge on all my razors. After all the conventional tests, I like the thumb pad test as well as the 'tree topping' test; if the razor will readily cut arm hair 1/2" away from the skin, it is sharp enough to shave well.
Modern syntheric abrasives are really wonderful. I finish on 0.5, 0.25 micron diamond and 0.1 micon CBN. Great stuff and better than anything anyone even 30, 40 years ago had.
Brian
So, have ya been studying the "Art of the Edge"? A good edge takes more than luck and a whole lot of patience.
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I bought a razor a few years ago but lost it when my backpack was stolen. Before it was lost I had bought a couple of nice waterstones which I still have but never used. It is interesting that you bring this up as the last couple of days I have been looking at another razor.
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Somewhere in this house is my grandfathers razor that he was issued on the boat to Europe in WWI. He used it once and almost cut his throat so he did not shave until he got to Europe and requisitioned a safety razor. It has never been used since. Will post a pic if I can find it. BTW, it was made in Germany!
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Most straights were, and still are, made in Germany. I have a handful of - non German razors, two made in the US (a Shmid from Providence, RI and a Case from PA) and a Berg made in Sweden. But Solingen, Germany, known as the city of blades, is where the majority of the world's straight razors come from even today.
Brian
Somewhere in this house is my grandfathers razor that he was issued on the boat to Europe in WWI. He used it once and almost cut his throat so he did not shave until he got to Europe and requisitioned a safety razor. It has never been used since. Will post a pic if I can find it. BTW, it was made in Germany!
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There is something fascinating about sliding a piece of sharp down your face, removing the whiskers and doing absolutely no damage to the skin. There is also great satisfaction, at least for me, in learning how to finesse the blade around. And of course, if one learns to do it correctly, including proper prep, proper lathering and proper post shaving routine, it is absolutely painless with no razor rash, irritation or anything else. Somewhere along the way with first safety razors, and now cartridges and canned shaving cream, we totally lost the entire method, which is what makes it pleasant and yields such a close shave that I can shave at night and there is no scritch the next morning.
Then there is that guy who is an expert in making stone tools; he knapps a piece of flint until he gets an acceptable edge and shaves with it. Gives me the willies just watching. :yikes:
Brian
I bought a razor a few years ago but lost it when my backpack was stolen. Before it was lost I had bought a couple of nice waterstones which I still have but never used. It is interesting that you bring this up as the last couple of days I have been looking at another razor.
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A lost art, kinda cool. My barber uses a straight razor to do my neck and sideburns after a haircut. Remember to use lotion afterwards! ;D
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The Katy Barber Shop, in Katy TX gives a great straight edge shave, and cut. Man do I miss that place. It's really hard to find a REAL barber shop these days... and the art of a straight edge shave is something I just don't have.
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Yep, not even being taught in barber's schools anymore. The guy who cuts my hair uses and electric clipper to clean my neck and has never held a straight razor in his life.
The biggest thing in the way today is that most states prohibit the use of any 'cutting' instrument on two people, thereby making a straight razor a single- person tool What they do have instead are called 'shavettes'; they look like a straight razor but are merely the holder and require a disposable blade to provide the actual cutting. Still, the cost to give a customer goes up if the barber uses a disposable blade just for the neck (shavette blades are between $1 and $2 per).
Funny thing about all of this is that the really nasty stuff like HIV or hepatitis C are really hard to keep alive on objects and really easy to kill (a dip in Barbicide and they are gonners). But some spores can really go the distance: tuburculousis can live for over 100 years if left alone. Still, what are the odds of a tuburculosis victum stopping in for a straight shave and coughing on the razor?
By the way, if the hair is properly prepared, the razor has been honed correctly and the driver knows how to use it you would not need any lotion.
Brian
A lost art, kinda cool. My barber uses a straight razor to do my neck and sideburns after a haircut. Remember to use lotion afterwards! ;D
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But you or anyone could develop that skill. It is commonly said that it takes about 100 shaves to become proficient. I would say it was a bit more for me. I never suffered any cuts that produced even one drop of blood on my face although my left hand is another matter; three significant cuts on that had due to swapping hands without paying attention. After about 8 or 10 shaves, the wariness really slips away. It does take some commitment though and you really have to want to do it; let's face it, a can of goo and a 84 blade cartridge costing a mere $8 each really is easy to use. :-)
Brian
The Katy Barber Shop, in Katy TX gives a great straight edge shave, and cut. Man do I miss that place. It's really hard to find a REAL barber shop these days... and the art of a straight edge shave is something I just don't have.
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Are any of the razors you have ones that you bought looking kinda ugly and then fixed up or were they all new/like new?
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I have a sweet sweet girl named Braun now. ;D
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I always thought that even a proper shave removed the top layer of skin, you are "shaving" aren't you? I would think it would called "cutting" if thats all you were doing. I could be wrong.
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Both although I have not done any full restorations yet. I also have not bought any razors new other than some Chinese tractor implements masquerading as straight razors :-(
But just as examples: Both of these razors are modern and while I bought them used, they cannot be told from new. The Wanke is a small, delicate razor with beautiful balance that I bought locally through.... wait for it..... a shaving forum! The other is a Dovo Palisander, a current razor although the scales (what you would call the 'handle') is different in this one and no longer available. I think it one of the most beautiful razors I have ever see: it is a shoulderless, flowing razor with beautiful lines I think:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/WankeandDovo.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/WankeandDovo.jpg.html)
These next ones are typical. I cleaned them up, honed them and re-fit the scales but did not restore them. they have various amounts of patina. The top one is a Schmid, made in Prov., RI and the only razor I have that was passed down through my family. It is about a 1/4 grind, rather light, has a barber's point (note the notch at the toe of the razor) and is a wonderful shaver. The next one is a Case, made in Bradford, PA. It used to have a gold washed tang but that is long gone. I believe it was a barber's razor and it has a singing blade (an extremely thin grind that makes the blade 'sing' when shaving, stropping and honing). It was filthy when I got it but surprisingly there is no corrosion on the blade. The only real grunge left in under the scales around the pivot where I added oil to break up the crud; really the razor will need to be de- scaled and fully cleaned and will make a wonderful example of a mid- aged razor (1950's I think). Finally, the Boker at the bottom is again a small razor, another singing razor and was made in Germany around 1900. Nearly perfect blade but the scales have been dulled back some. That said, it really is a nice example of the classic modern type but vintage razor. $10 at an antique store in upstate NY.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/ShmidCaseBokerextrahollow.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/ShmidCaseBokerextrahollow.jpg.html)
This one is a Berg, made in Sweden somewhere in the early 1900's. It is an odd shape, wider at the toe than the heel, and is made of particularly hard steel which the Swedish razors are known for. One of my favorites and a fantastic shaver, it is pitted, has active rust in the form of black 'Devil's spit' here and there but takes an almost scary edge and is one of my prized razors. It was filthy and actively rusted when I bought it, $20 out of another upstate NY antique store and I would not have bothered had it not been a Berg. My only Swedish blade to date.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Berg.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Berg.jpg.html)
Finally, a very interesting find, again in an out of the way antique store. This is three razors of a seven- day set. The center one is near perfect, the top one a bit worn from honing and has some stains and patina but not much and the bottom one has active rust pits near the blade. I believe these are fairly modern German razors, also made from rather hard steel and take a wonderful edge. Seven day sets were originally made for the affluent who could afford them: seven razors, all identical, all packed into a seven- day chest, with the days of the week etched into their spines. As you can see, I am missing four and the odds of finding four K&B 67's, especially in the days I do not have, is about zero. Still, neat razors and I am glad I grabbed them. The set, in a cotton razor roll for.... $5 total.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/KampBside.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/KampBside.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/KampBspines.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/KampBspines.jpg.html)
Brian
Are any of the razors you have ones that you bought looking kinda ugly and then fixed up or were they all new/like new?
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No, a proper shave done to properly prepared skin will not remove any skin. It will exfoliate the skin but that is merely removing the dead skin cells.
There are several requirements but the first is that the razor must be held almost parallel with the skin for the first pass or two- this will remove the hair but leave 'spears' or points sticking up. If these spears are small enough, a pass in the other direction will remove them without taking any skin. The single biggest problem in shaving is not proper beard reduction mostly due to not being able to control the razor's angle 'cause they are mounted in some type of holding device.
I have been shaving for a lot of years but only recently has it become comfortable to do so.
Brian
I always thought that even a proper shave removed the top layer of skin, you are "shaving" aren't you? I would think it would called "cutting" if thats all you were doing. I could be wrong.
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Not being a smart aleck, but isn't that the same thing as removing the top layer of skin, technically speaking? Maybe not like a skin graft as what some might think about but removing the top layer of skin cells to me is the same thing. At any rate, make sure you use your lotion, you will reap benefits in later life.
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I'd take a pass if Brian ever offers to give you a free shave, a nice-close-free-shave... :o
(http://goodfilmguide.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Sweeney-Todd-1.jpeg)
And if he starts singing, you're done for.
"Pretty Women" Sweeney Todd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omD3m-xwBWk#ws)
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Thanks for that. If I even had the smallest inkling to try something like that, it has totally been squashed. :yikes:
However, real men shave with swords..
Guy shaves with a samurai sword (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsxoUQ5aioE#ws)
Bunch of kindergartners... :P
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I just pulled out my stones to see which ones they were. I have the Norton Combination waterstone 4000/8000
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412pzXQ9VuL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I also have a Chinese waterstone that is rated at 12K
(http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/400/144950.jpg)
The last piece I have right now is the sharpening stone holder
(http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/400/09T12.jpg)
So I currently have a little over $100 in equipment. I really need to use it ;)
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A nice link for those interested.
https://www.youtube.com/user/LynnSAbrams?feature=watch (https://www.youtube.com/user/LynnSAbrams?feature=watch)
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No, it is like washing your skin with a washcloth and soap and if one needs lotion to sooth the area after being washed, one is washing too vigorously.
;D
"It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again." Still makes me shiver a little....
Brian
Not being a smart aleck, but isn't that the same thing as removing the top layer of skin, technically speaking? Maybe not like a skin graft as what some might think about but removing the top layer of skin cells to me is the same thing. At any rate, make sure you use your lotion, you will reap benefits in later life.
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Well, Rev Ryder over on the COG site has volunteered to have me shave his beard off at the COG 2014 national in TN. Of course he IS a minister and so may think that collar will protect the really dangerous parts. Now, if I can only remember which side the carotid artery is on.... that one is a real squirter and makes a mess. The jugular is not nearly as bad, at least for the shaver...
;D
Brian
I'd take a pass if Brian ever offers to give you a free shave, a nice-close-free-shave... :o
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There is a video of a gentleman shaving himself with.... a single edged ax. Really. No handle, just the ax head itself. Amazing to watch although the wuss didn't do "The fool's Pass" which is shaving the upper lip against the grain (moving the razor up toward the nose).
Brian
Thanks for that. If I even had the smallest inkling to try something like that, it has totally been squashed. :yikes:
However, real men shave with swords..
Bunch of kindergartners... :P
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Those stones will do fine although the Chinese stone is a very slow finisher and does not leave the best finish. In today's modern times (I know- an old thing done in a modern way) a lot of use use artificial abrasives, which is what your Norton stones are made out of, in the form of lapping film. It is polyester film that is coated with abrasive- sort of like really, really, really nice sandpaper and it is water and solvent proof. I have Aluminum oxide grits down to 0.3 micron or in terms of sandpaper grit, 100,000 and diamond grits down to 200,000. Puts an edge on a blade like Gillette only dreams of. A sharp razor will 'tree top' which means it will cut body hair (easy boys!) on, say, the arm with the razor passing at least 1/2" above the skin. If the razor is really sharp, you cannot feel it tug when it slices the hair either, the hair just rains down from the razor. A singing razor will, well, sing as it meets each hair....
I can post photos of my honing setup or send them via e-mail if you are interested and everyone else is bored with this by now. :-)
Brian
I just pulled out my stones to see which ones they were. I have the Norton Combination waterstone 4000/8000
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412pzXQ9VuL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
I also have a Chinese waterstone that is rated at 12K
(http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/400/144950.jpg)
The last piece I have right now is the sharpening stone holder
(http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/400/09T12.jpg)
So I currently have a little over $100 in equipment. I really need to use it ;)
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Shoot man, post away.
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+1
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+3
Kinda interesting, although I'm an electric razor man myself. I let Braun sharpen them blades.
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Ok, well first of all, honing a razor is not like sharpening a knife in that the bevel geometry is built into the razor. A typical American knife has a bevel angle of approx. 20 degrees, and when sharpened, the knife must be held with the spine off the stone or hone high enough to generate this angle. A straight razor is made differently; the width of the blade and the thickness of the spine combine to generate the correct bevel angle at the edge. To hone a razor, it is simply laid flat on the hone and pushed along. That is about the last thing that is simple but at least that one is a freebie. Please excuse this terrible photo of a razor's end with approximate lines drawn in where the razor will lay flat on a hone:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Bladegeometry.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Bladegeometry.jpg.html)
The first hone I use, also called a bevel setter because it is coarse enough to actually remove significant metal and shape the bevel, is a DMT diamond hone, 1200 grit. A very fast cutter. I use it wet but it that is not nessasary. Please note the filthy "honing towel" to the right of the hone- that is required apparently :-) The hone is made of steel, diamond coated and is 3/8" X 3" X 8" long. This is not how I hold the razor to actually hone it but just wanted to show the basic relationship between razor and hone:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/DMThone.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/DMThone.jpg.html)
Once the edge is an true edge (i.e., bevels meeting in a true 'V' and having a true edge), the rest of the process is really just refining that edge. I use lapping film; the color indicates grit rating of the abrasive. Unlike what we are used to regarding normal sandpaper which measures the grit size by how many will fit into one inch (each grain of 100 grit sandpaper is 1/100th of an inch), most fine synthetic abrasives are rated in microns which measures the size of each piece of abrasive; one micron is one millionth of a meter, or about 39.4 millionths of an inch. The pink film is 3 micron (about 7,000 grit), the green is 1 micron (14,000 grit) and the white is 0.3 micron (about 100,000 grit.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Lappingfilm.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Lappingfilm.jpg.html)
I use a piece of glass as a lapping plate, which is 1/4" X 4" X 14". Water is used to hold the film onto the plate; both must be extremely clean because any debris, even a particle of dust, will chip the razor's edge (and it feels like a boulder when the razor 'skips' over it). A squeegee is used to tightly press the film in place and remove any air bubbles, again those would be lumps to the razor.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/filmglassandsqueegee.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/filmglassandsqueegee.jpg.html)
Some water, a razor and we're ready to have fun....
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Razoronfilm.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Razoronfilm.jpg.html)
After a bunch of laps (one stroke up, razor flipped over and a stroke back) the film is changed to the next grit. A microscope or jeweler's loupe is used to see the edge being refined; when all the previous abrasive's scratch patterns are gone, the razor is finished on that particular grit.
In the olden' days, barbers used to hone to about 8,000 grit, strop the living pants out of a razor and use it. Today that is considered too coarse by most to shave with. 1 micron (14,000 grit) film, followed by a lot of stropping on linen and then leather (maybe 50 laps each) is adequate for a decent shave but finer is better. I like edges as sharp as they can be made and the way I get there is abrasive slurries spread on hard balsa paddles. The old standby in the lapping world has always been chromium oxide, a moderately fast cutter that leaves a very nice edge. It is usually found in 0.5 micron size, or about 60,000 grit rating. By the way, the biggest use for the compound chrome oxide is as a pigment for paints and the printing industry. I also use diamond abrasives carried and applied in ion free water. The two grits I use are 0.5 micron and 0.25 micron. Finally, my very finest abrasive slurry is 0.1 micron, about 200,000 grit, and is CBN, a man made material unlike diamond (CBN= Cubic Boron Nitride, nearly as hard as diamond and a very fast cutter).
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Syntheticabrasives.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Syntheticabrasives.jpg.html)
The abrasives are applied to balsa and the razor is honed on the but backwards- the blade is moved spine- leading, unlike traditional honing which is always edge- leading (that helps prevent a foil edge from forming but the synthetics are so fine and fast they don't tend to create foil edges).
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/chargedpaddles2.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/chargedpaddles2.jpg.html)
Very few laps needed or wanted at this point. Literally 5 laps on 0.5 diamond, followed by no more than 15 laps, and those are much more vertical than horizontal (dragging the razor from heel to toe more then going down the length of the paddle).
A new commercial razor blade will have an edge somewhere around 0.25 microns wide, a touch less if it is something like a Japanese made Feather blade. A very well honed and stropped razor will have a cutting edge around 0.1 micron wide, maybe a touch thinner, and that is a little less than 4 millionths of an inch.
You guys do understand this is a hobby and I am not doing all of this to get a shave, right? ;D
Now if anyone is really interested, this is a link to another shaving hobby gentleman who happens to have access to a Scanning Electron Microscope (S.E.M.). Razor's edges cannot be seen optically but throw a stream of electrons at one, watch where they bounce and viola!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanofab/page3/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanofab/page3/)
Brian (busily growing facial hair so it can meet its just reward)
Shoot man, post away.
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I've got one o' dem too and it works well. But I think you are missing the point- straight razor shaving saves money! You have to buy the razor, buy the occasional new head and buy electricity to drive the thing. I have accumulated a few razors, the resources to hone them, a few strops and I am all set forever! By my current calculations, I will be even in money spent sometime in late December.... of 2418 A.D.
:-\
Brian
+3
Kinda interesting, although I'm an electric razor man myself. I let Braun sharpen them blades.
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I am doing "No Shave November".
I prefer to have a constant 5 o'clock shadow than a clean shaven face, but those razors are pretty cool. 8)
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I've never been very good at getting an edge on a good knife. So unless I learn how to do it properly I doubt I would be very good with a razor. So my solution is Braun. Works fantastic.
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Seems like going back to kickstarters and carburators.
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Thanks. I really like them- they are all different and each one has its virtues. Just picked up this one- my first coated tang razor:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Torrey9922.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Torrey9922.jpg.html)
The tang is covered in inlays of Mother of Pearl and it was made by Torrey of Worcester, MA:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Torrey992MOPtang.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Torrey992MOPtang.jpg.html)
My oldest son is sporting that 3,4 day growth that is apparently in at the moment.
Brian
I am doing "No Shave November".
I prefer to have a constant 5 o'clock shadow than a clean shaven face, but those razors are pretty cool. 8)
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Well it certainly is the old way. And it takes longer than either an electric or a disposable razor and shaving cream in a can. And it absolutely takes more skill. All of those things would be negatives to anyone other than those who actually like shaving with a straight. As I said, it is much more a hobby and learning exercise than it is about shaving. I swear some of us would actually buy a jar of goo that made our beards grow faster so we could shave twice a day.... ;)
In a way, it is like riding motorcycles: few, if any, real advantages for any of us but we do it just to do it. And if we are lucky, we end up back where we started having used time and money along the way. But we all want to do it again as soon as possible.
Brian
Seems like going back to kickstarters and carburators.
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This is my little project that I bought:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300999042650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/300999042650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-J-R-Torrey-Straight-Razor-Worchester-Ma-U-S-A-/00/s/NzY4WDEwMDk=/z/19sAAOxy2HFSaUj1/$T2eC16NHJHIFFhiWrU5JBS,Uj1JbKg~~60_12.JPG)
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Nice razor- that will clean right up and hone perfectly. The blade edge looks great.
The Torrey Co. was just up the road from me and I know a little about the history of the company. The founder did very well in the razor business and the family was rather well off. The son took over the company just as safety razors were gaining significant market shave but he was not having any of that- he was convinced that disposable razors were just a flash in the pan and good old, reliable, non- disposable straight razor shaving would return as sense prevailed. Needless to say he ran the company all the way into the ground until passing away in 1963, still convinced that straights were on the brink of a verge of making the big comeback.
Good luck with that and enjoy the journey.
Brian
This is my little project that I bought:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300999042650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/300999042650?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-J-R-Torrey-Straight-Razor-Worchester-Ma-U-S-A-/00/s/NzY4WDEwMDk=/z/19sAAOxy2HFSaUj1/$T2eC16NHJHIFFhiWrU5JBS,Uj1JbKg~~60_12.JPG)
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I figure not bad for $19. Should get it by Thur. Looking at one pic I may have a slight issue with one scale but it shouldn't be too bad.
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I think so too- as long as the scales work you will be fine. That is more of a tool than a beautiful razor but that is a good thing IMO, especially if you are going to learn to hone yourself- in the beginning most of us take off too much metal and that would be a shame on a classic Filarmonica for example. A little hone wear on that Torrey is not a big deal.
Again, this is a motorcycle forum so we are probably boring others to tears but I can assist you in getting started with honing if you want. There are a lot of resources on the 'Net that will help too, just watch out for the black magic and hocus pocus that a lot of people seem to like regarding honing razors.... Anyway, feel free to e-mail me if you want to.
Brian
I figure not bad for $19. Should get it by Thur. Looking at one pic I may have a slight issue with one scale but it shouldn't be too bad.
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Boring? Nope, that is a town in Oregon!! Got me looking, I am looking at a restoration type project, I have always liked sharpening knives and getting a keen edge, but the edge you describe is far beyond what I have done. The challenge is on!! Find, fix, and use. Not interested in scale repair, but a blade that isn't hopeless is what I am looking at. I already have the glass plate, paper, and assorted slurries for the hone process (planer blades work best when sharp).
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Louis-Lux-Straight-Razor-/251382162003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a878b6253 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Louis-Lux-Straight-Razor-/251382162003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a878b6253)
Here's my project!!
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Feel free to post away.... I think it's great that we can find other commonalities with each other besides our love of MC. That's the whole point, I think, at least for me.
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Paper really does not work well but lapping film is the stuff. That and synthetic abrasives sprayed on a piece of very flat, hard balsa will bring new meaning to 'sharp'. And then there is that pesky learning curve- I've been at it a year pretty intensely and still have more variation in my edges than I would like. Not so much in the end now but the path to getting there is not as direct as I would like it to be.
The other half of a great shave really is the prep. though and that is the same no matter what razor a person uses, an old straight, an older double edge, or a modern 62 blade cartridge with wipers, Teflon strips, a radio and headlights built in. A good prep. is half of the shave.
Brian
Boring? Nope, that is a town in Oregon!! Got me looking, I am looking at a restoration type project, I have always liked sharpening knives and getting a keen edge, but the edge you describe is far beyond what I have done. The challenge is on!! Find, fix, and use. Not interested in scale repair, but a blade that isn't hopeless is what I am looking at. I already have the glass plate, paper, and assorted slurries for the hone process (planer blades work best when sharp).
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I have always had an interest in sharpening. Knives especially. I have an old Smith tri-stone, a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker, a Lansky knife sharpener, and of course the stones I mentioned earlier. I believe the hardest part will be the preparation of the razor rather than the sharpening, however I acknowledge that it will take a bit to get the technique down. I look forward to trying sharpening. I often find it relaxing.
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Me too- my mind just kind of goes blank when I hone or strop.... Yeah, I know and yes, even more blank than usual. ;D
Not sure what you mean about the preparation of the blade though? The blade is ready to go and requires no preparation to hone, if that is what you meant.
There are a bunch of ways to find out if an edge is shaving- sharp but the easiest one I find is 'tree topping': if an edge will cut body hair (easy boys!) with the blade at least 3/8" away from the skin, it is sharp enough to shave with. That said, a blade that is not well - stropped can be kind of nasty (rough, feels like a rake) to actually shave with. It takes a bit to bring an edge up high enough in actual keenness, smoothness and without any foil edge.
By the way, this is one of the very best shaving videos I have ever seen. Good stuff.... Fastest Straight Razor Shave On Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVIuyQFz0zo#)
But for a serious video, this gentleman has outstanding technique: note the way he scythes the blade across his face, a real master. He is an Italian but was living in Chicago when he picked up his first straight 30+ years ago. By the way, that ceramic thing he is mixing his lather in (and keeping it warm) is called a scuttle. Chimensch's Shaving Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIM0Coix6Gg#)
Brian
I have always had an interest in sharpening. Knives especially. I have an old Smith tri-stone, a Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker, a Lansky knife sharpener, and of course the stones I mentioned earlier. I believe the hardest part will be the preparation of the razor rather than the sharpening, however I acknowledge that it will take a bit to get the technique down. I look forward to trying sharpening. I often find it relaxing.
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What I meant by preparation was in restoring the blade and the scales if necessary.
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Believe it or not, that is <fairly> easy, at least the initial, large part. Pick up some Mother's aluminum polish and use paper towels; betcha' there is a beautiful razor lurking under that filth in less than 20 minutes of work. Around the pivot, use Mother's polish on dental floss.
Scales really have to be replaced. It can be done with 1/16" brass nails (picture hanging nails usually) or a re- pinning kit. I too am searching for some OEM plastic scales because the new ones are gigantic and clunky. Otherwise you can make your own of course.
Brian
What I meant by preparation was in restoring the blade and the scales if necessary.
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By the way, this is one of the very best shaving videos I have ever seen. Good stuff....
Is the whiskey mandatory? I was nervous throughout the video, and relieved when he completed without a major accident.
Jamie
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Is the whiskey mandatory? I was nervous throughout the video, and relieved when he completed without a major accident.
Jamie
He had a KIPASS fob in his pocket. Never had a doubt he would do just fine :)
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Well, I got mine in yesterday. It looks like it is actually in pretty good shape. I tried a little cleaning on the blade last night without much success, but that's ok. The scales on it are some cheap plastic things that have a lot of flex. So it looks like I get to do what I was planning for anyway.
I am going to refurbish this one. I am going to put on new scales and polish the blade. It isn't very sharp, nowhere close to being able to shave with it, but I could probably cut myself with it if I tried. You can see from this pic the plastic handles and how they close in on themselves as opposed to scales that use a wedge.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-J-R-Torrey-Straight-Razor-Worchester-Ma-U-S-A-/00/s/MzE3WDEwMjQ=/z/Y9UAAOxy~XxSaUu-/$T2eC16RHJH0FG0zNY8GNBS,Uu-F62Q~~60_12.JPG?rt=nc)
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Good luck and have fun doing it.
Personally, I kind of like the cheap plastic scales, probably because that is what I am used to seeing on razors and it seem normal to me. That said, there are other materials that are really nice and quite reasonable in price. And yet other materials, also quite nice and not reasonable in any way in price. :-) Take a look at woolly mammoth ivory, the only ivory that is legal to trade in because it is guaranteed that no mammoth was poached for its ivory.
Post a few pictures as you go- I like to watch the process of rejuvenation and I think others will too.
Brian
Well, I got mine in yesterday. It looks like it is actually in pretty good shape. I tried a little cleaning on the blade last night without much success, but that's ok. The scales on it are some cheap plastic things that have a lot of flex. So it looks like I get to do what I was planning for anyway.
I am going to refurbish this one. I am going to put on new scales and polish the blade. It isn't very sharp, nowhere close to being able to shave with it, but I could probably cut myself with it if I tried. You can see from this pic the plastic handles and how they close in on themselves as opposed to scales that use a wedge.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-J-R-Torrey-Straight-Razor-Worchester-Ma-U-S-A-/00/s/MzE3WDEwMjQ=/z/Y9UAAOxy~XxSaUu-/$T2eC16RHJH0FG0zNY8GNBS,Uu-F62Q~~60_12.JPG?rt=nc)
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Yeah, no doubt I will post a few pics. I actually saw some black buffalo horn that looked cool. I may use that. Not sure yet. I think first I will de-scale it and work the blade over and peruse some scales at the same time.
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He had a KIPASS fob in his pocket. Never had a doubt he would do just fine :)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/blingbling.gif)(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/blingbling.gif)(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/blingbling.gif)
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I really like that horn too (easy boys!) if it is the same one- the one I am speaking of was black but streaked with light gray- beautiful scales and they won't break the bank.
If I can help, let me know. Before you know it, we'll have you shaving everything and everybody in your house... the proper way. Take that you pesky cat....
:rotflmao:
Brian
Yeah, no doubt I will post a few pics. I actually saw some black buffalo horn that looked cool. I may use that. Not sure yet. I think first I will de-scale it and work the blade over and peruse some scales at the same time.
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The shave was tough enough but the tattoo was a bloody nightmare...
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Sure it seems like it is hard unless you use the "Cat Carrier" as a 'cat restraining for maintenance' device.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/CatCarrier.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/CatCarrier.jpg.html)
If you get the optional 'cat carrier rotating mounting device' for the "Cat Carrier", you can roll the thing over and tattoo his / her belly like all the really tough cats have.
Brian
NB No cats were harmed in the typing of this message.
The shave was tough enough but the tattoo was a bloody nightmare...
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Thanks. I really like them- they are all different and each one has its virtues. Just picked up this one- my first coated tang razor:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Torrey9922.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Torrey9922.jpg.html)
The tang is covered in inlays of Mother of Pearl and it was made by Torrey of Worcester, MA:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Torrey992MOPtang.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Torrey992MOPtang.jpg.html)
My oldest son is sporting that 3,4 day growth that is apparently in at the moment.
Brian
I used an old safety razor similar to the one in this picture for years. I still have it and use it from time to time. I had a friend who used a straight razor, I love them although I haven't practiced enough to get proficient with one.
I will admit to using a Braun Wet/dry razor usually now since it is convenient for quick shaves while traveling. If I use it wet, or at least right out of the shower, it gives me one of the closest shaves of any blade or razor I have tried. If I use a blade, I like to use an olde one like the old safety razor. I have been looking at straight razors for a while but haven't acquired one. My brother has a few but when I went looking with him last he bought the ones I was interested in before I had a chance. ;D
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A younger coworker of mine overheard me talking about shaving and the price of razors and long story short, he said he's been using a straight razor to shave for several years. I told him about the forum discussing shaving and using a straight razor.
He said he has a silvertip badger brush and he rattled off several straight razor names.
There is a store in San Diego that specializes in "shaving". I didn't realize there is a cult following on shaving, I thought only motorcyclists did that with there bikes.
http://www.theartofshaving.com (http://www.theartofshaving.com)
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That safety razor is a Gillette adjustable, known colloquially as a 'slim' because it followed the 'fatboy' but had a smaller diameter handle. That razor was made in '64 and is in excellent shape- I started shaving with one of those and but only recently (this year) acquired that one. One of the things that some people do is to acquire their 'birth year' razor- mine would be '58 and they didn't make Slims at that time, only Fatboys and Toggles. Toggles are really slick but command way too much money- a decent example will fetch $300, $400 and nice examples go up from there.
Here is a funny story though: Gillette patented and uses the 'barn door' or 'silo door' butterfly mechanism. Classic American design, known the world over. But the German maker, Merkur, uses a removable top cap design that has a screw in the handle to draw it and the blade down. There is a subtle difference between the two razor maker's geometries and I cannot use the Gillette without razor burn and some scritch on my face but the two Merkurs shave me BBS (baby's butt smooth) without any discomfort whatsoever. I really, really tried to like the Gillette and wanted it to be the better razor but it just won't work for me. So I leave the Gillette on the shelf because it represents a bona fide piece of American history but shave with the Merkur because it works. By the way, I only use a DE (double edge) razor under my jawline because I have a full beard and cannot shave against the grain with a straight. I do shave my neck / jaw with a straight but make two final passes with a DE just for that last 3%.
Gillette has not made a DE razor since the late 80's but Merkur has made them continuously since way back and still makes them new today.
Brian
I used an old safety razor similar to the one in this picture for years. I still have it and use it from time to time. I had a friend who used a straight razor, I love them although I haven't practiced enough to get proficient with one.
I will admit to using a Braun Wet/dry razor usually now since it is convenient for quick shaves while traveling. If I use it wet, or at least right out of the shower, it gives me one of the closest shaves of any blade or razor I have tried. If I use a blade, I like to use an olde one like the old safety razor. I have been looking at straight razors for a while but haven't acquired one. My brother has a few but when I went looking with him last he bought the ones I was interested in before I had a chance. ;D
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Yep, there is a whole band of people out there doing this as a hobby (obsession?). There are shaving forums, on- line suppliers all over the world, razor blade manufacturers (double edge blades, not modern stuff) made just about everywhere except the US (not sufficient profit). There are artisan shaving soap makers all over the place. Shaving brush makers in Italy, Germany, England and several other countries. Why we even have a secret handshake. :rotflmao: I am actually going over a gentleman's house on Sunday to look over some shaving gear, possibly test drive a brush or two and compare notes.
It is not for everyone but if one appreciates learned skills, and appreciates gaining abilities, it can be quite satisfying to wet shave the older way (safety razor or straight). Funny as it sounds to most people, straight razor shaving is really quite soothing and relaxing, and part of a bigger sequence that all must be mastered or at least become adequate doing. It is probably a lot like those who make their own beer or bread, etc. Most of us just buy those things but there is a certain accomplishment in controlling the individual facets of the actual production of the product.
I think it might appeal most to those who try to ride a motorcycle with precision and do their own work on their own bikes, just as an example. It yields a sense of accomplishment that just cannot be had using any other method, just as doing one's own bike work is not the same as dropping the bike off at the dealer.
By the way, there are several people I often spend time with at COG functions that use straights.
Brian
A younger coworker of mine overheard me talking about shaving and the price of razors and long story short, he said he's been using a straight razor to shave for several years. I told him about the forum discussing shaving and using a straight razor.
He said he has a silvertip badger brush and he rattled off several straight razor names.
There is a store in San Diego that specializes in "shaving". I didn't realize there is a cult following on shaving, I thought only motorcyclists did that with there bikes.
http://www.theartofshaving.com (http://www.theartofshaving.com)
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By the way, the Art of Shaving are very expensive, boutique and top end mall stores. A chain actually. They sell $100 razors for $250. Not bad stores, just a bit overpriced and understocked. That said, they are without doubt the best chance most people have of actually seeing / handling a lot of shaving hardware and software (soap, pre- shave oil, post shave balms, etc.) in the flesh.
Brian
<snip>
http://www.theartofshaving.com (http://www.theartofshaving.com)
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How close does a DE get it done?
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With a sharp blade (Feather blade) and going against the grain (direction of the hair growth), it will cut the hair below the skin line. Just like a straight. So will a cartridge but it takes some pressure and a lot of passes.
I shave at night and the next morning my face is still free of hair (around the beard of course). By end of business, I have a bit of stubble I can feel but it is not visible.
A DE razor really was a fine, slick invention. It made Gillette, both the man and the company, a lot of money. And it provided a very affordable way for everyone to shave him / her self quickly and easily. Modern cartridge razors have improvements but they do not work any better, perhaps not as well, and the reason they exist was to drive the price of the commodity up. There is not much profit to be had from a stamped piece of steel made by the millions (DE blade) but cartridges sell for dollars, not pennies.
Brian
How close does a DE get it done?
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I know that we used to have a DE razor at home (same home I grew up in). I didn't think it was thrown away. I will have to look and see if we still have it.
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Brand new Merkurs are about $40 or so, or $60 for the Progress adjustable which is what I prefer (I have both). They look like this: http://www.royalshave.com/p/401-024-00/merkur-progress-adjustable-safety-razor.html?gclid=COeg9PbA-LoCFU7ZQgodOlYANg (http://www.royalshave.com/p/401-024-00/merkur-progress-adjustable-safety-razor.html?gclid=COeg9PbA-LoCFU7ZQgodOlYANg)
Slip one of these in that (easy boys!) http://store.mensroombarbershop.com/feather-hi-stainless-platinum-double-edge-razor-blades/ (http://store.mensroombarbershop.com/feather-hi-stainless-platinum-double-edge-razor-blades/) and you have yourself a hair removal juggernaut. So effective you do not actually have to touch your face with the razor- the hair will give up and jump off your face when it sees that combo. coming.
Get a tub of this stuff and you won't be able to strop 'fasturbating' when you are done: http://www.smallflower.com/taylor-of-old-bond-street/sandalwood-shaving-cream-bowl-150g-shave-cream-10064748 (http://www.smallflower.com/taylor-of-old-bond-street/sandalwood-shaving-cream-bowl-150g-shave-cream-10064748)
My wife told me a while back 'you make the bathroom smell good'; I never thought I would hear that in this lifetime....
Brian
I know that we used to have a DE razor at home (same home I grew up in). I didn't think it was thrown away. I will have to look and see if we still have it.
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My wife told me a while back 'you make the bathroom smell good'; I never thought I would hear that in this lifetime....
Brian
Certainly never heard it mine so far... :rotflmao:
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My dogs think I make the bathroom smell good ::)
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My dogs think I make the bathroom smell good ::)
Mine do too. They all seem to want to join me when I head in that direction. :o
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Yep, this thread is going right down the.... well, you know.
Brian
Mine do too. They all seem to want to join me when I head in that direction. :o
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Yep, this thread is going right down the.... well, you know.
Brian
King and Harley had good things to say about you as well. Almost foreign smelling, yet familiar ;)
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Hey, dem dogs gots good taste! Well, other than.... you know, they can't help who they live with, right? Do they (and your corner of WA) still smell like gasoline or is that starting to dissipate?
Dogs love me- if I am in a group of 10 people, dogs will invariably work their way over to me and stay put. It is like some kind of sixth sense, something out of reach to humans. Either that or the bag of dog treats I always carry and pass out. Nah, sixth sense for sure.
And one Great Dane was quite taken by Mr. Elkhoof as he was walking (lumbering) by the back of my bike- the dog was so tall that he could sniff the hoof with all four feet on the ground (the dog's feet, I don't have all four elk feet).
Brian
King and Harley had good things to say about you as well. Almost foreign smelling, yet familiar ;)
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I think I will make a set of elk antler scales for my soon to be delivered razor. I can use a bit of the hoof to form up a nice brush ;D
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Yeah, always a great way to spend a few minutes....
There is a gentleman named Mark, I believe in PA and he is a wood carver by profession. But he also restores straights as well as making new razors. To the best of my knowledge, he does not sell any of them but has a collection of such customs numbering over 200 now. A truly remarkable craftsman.
Who would not want to shave with this:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy1.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy1.jpg.html)
Note the taillight and fin carved in the end:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy2.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy2.jpg.html)
And of course, one needs to lather up in style before whipping out that razor:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy5.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy5.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy4.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy4.jpg.html)
Same guy, had a few minutes to spare and two slabs of ivory (real ivory):
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Ivorycarvedscales1.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Ivorycarvedscales1.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/ivorycarvedscales2.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/ivorycarvedscales2.jpg.html)
Brian
I think I will make a set of elk antler scales for my soon to be delivered razor. I can use a bit of the hoof to form up a nice brush ;D
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snip...
Dogs love me- if I am in a group of 10 people, dogs will invariably work their way over to me and stay put. It is like some kind of sixth sense, something out of reach to humans. Either that or the bag of dog treats I always carry and pass out. Nah, sixth sense for sure.
Brian
Reminds me of this quote.
(http://bitsandpieces.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dogs-can-count.jpg)
Keeping on subject.
Bugs Bunny Barber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWRZut6klgE#)
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Yeah, always a great way to spend a few minutes....
There is a gentleman named Mark, I believe in PA and he is a wood carver by profession. But he also restores straights as well as making new razors. To the best of my knowledge, he does not sell any of them but has a collection of such customs numbering over 200 now. A truly remarkable craftsman.
Who would not want to shave with this:
[
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy5.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy5.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/57Chevy4.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/57Chevy4.jpg.html)
Same guy, had a few minutes to spare and two slabs of ivory (real ivory):
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Ivorycarvedscales1.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Ivorycarvedscales1.jpg.html)
Those are beautiful.
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BTW I got a Duluth Trading catalog in the mail and was looking at it today. They actually sell a straight razor and a razor strop. I thought it was funny I saw that the day after reading this thread.
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Instant Karma - John lennon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4#)
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Blade is in. Pics to follow.
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Blade is in.... where? Be careful where you put that thing!
Which reminds me- you guys getting used razors in might want to look into something like Barbicide- guaranteed (virtually) to kill the cooties. Now the stuff you'd normally be ascairt of like, say, H.I.V. and Hepatitis C, why dem dare things is weak viruses and cannot survive for more than four days outside a host (like us, or the cat or something warm and living). So the trip to you probably killed all of that stuff. The funny thing here is the [not quite so bad] things can survive for a long time- like centuries, and they are spores of various strains. Maybe not so directly lethal but hey, who wants a 100 year old strain of tuburculous, right?
Some people use Scrubbing Bubbles and claim it is just as good as Barbicde but I spent the big bucks (about $6) and bought the real stuff. It dilutes down so much that you could make a bathtub full of the recommended mix in the bathtub with the pint or so you buy. I keep mine in a long, low Tupperware container (too cheap to buy the real Barbicide bell jar with the cool dipping stand inside it) and everything that comes or goes to or from this house gets a 10 minute bath.
Fore warned is fore armed and I just wanted to pass that along. One can buy the stuff in any barber supply or beauty salon supply house; I got mine at Sally's.
Brian
Blade is in. Pics to follow.
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How sharp is your blade? This video might help give you an idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF-ayPofWpY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF-ayPofWpY)
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Yeah, the hanging hair test. Loved by some, despised by others. But it IS an indicator.
I use the thumb pad test and 'tree topping' to check the keenness of an edge. The thumb pad test is where you gently drag the stupid hand's thumb pad into the upward pointing razor edge. When it is shaving sharp, it will grab the skin with zero pressure; you will not be able to slide it down the thumb pad at all because it 'bites' immediately. This is all done with less than an ounce of pressure and no lateral movement of the blade so it will not cut you. But when the blade is really crisp, it feels like the edge is trying to penetrate between skin cells. Very hard to explain but it can be felt. Tree topping is just running the razor above some body part (easy boys!) and seeing if it will clip hair at least 1/4" away from the skin. This is sort of a hanging hair test but harder because the hair is being cut root- in rather than root out as it normally is done. Hair has 'shingles' along the outside of the shaft and that is what the razor is catching on. Holding the hair so the root is on the opposite side of the razor as the hand holding it is 'root out' and the shingles point the right way for the blade to catch. Root in, the way tree topping is done, is far harder. If the razor will cut arm hair 1/2" or further away, and there is no tugging before the hair is severed, the razor is truly sharp (0.1 micron wide edge, or just under 4 millionths of an inch).
Brian
How sharp is your blade? This video might help give you an idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF-ayPofWpY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF-ayPofWpY)
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Shaving like a CAVE man ;)
To each their own ....
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I think all those test methods are subject to interpretation. I figure the individual needs to find out what works for and use it.
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Absolutely, they are all subjective- hence the 'hate / love' emotional responses about them.
Aside from that, sharp is sharp and it CAN be quantified. It is just difficult to do at home without any equipment. What does vary from person to person is how sharp that person wants / needs the edge to be. Some people shave happily for months with the same cartridge razor. I get about 5 or 6 full face shaves with a DE blade before it starts to draw blood and cause discomfort.
By the way, the thing I used as a comparison was a Feather DE blade- considered by most the definition of sharp. Hang one of those in a straight razor style holder (a shavette) and do all the comparisons to that. It takes quite a bit of learning and effort to equal or exceed that edge.
Brian
I think all those test methods are subject to interpretation. I figure the individual needs to find out what works for and use it.
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I don't think cave man shaved.... human facial hair will only grow about a foot or so long for virtually everyone. And in those days, they probably singed / wore off / didn't live long enough for beard length to be a problem.
Brian
Shaving like a CAVE man ;)
To each their own ....
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I don't think cave man shaved.... human facial hair will only grow about a foot or so long for virtually everyone. And in those days, they probably singed / wore off / didn't live long enough for beard length to be a problem.
Brian
Then how do you explain duck dynasty or ZZ Top? ;D
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Do any of them really have facial hair much beyond a foot long?
Hair length is controlled by the rate it grows combined with the lifespan of each individual hair, on average. That is why, for example, body hair (easy boys!) never reaches any appreciable length, some Mediterranean women excepted (yeah, I am gonna' get punished for that but it IS funny). Everyone seems to wonder how hair seems to know how long it is supposed to be but of course that is not what is happening; the hairs just fall out before they are in existence long enough get too long. So each hair type on a mammal has a natural length based entirely on statistics.
Or, put more simply, a human's beard just will not grow endlessly. Now will head hair or.... nevermind.
As far as explaining ZZ Top, I would say that while a bit odd perhaps, they are talented people who have and do generate something with some cultural value. I cannot explain Duck Dynasty in any form or level and I have never seen the show actually. As the story goes..... The chairman of the FCC made a statement back in the 1950's that people purchasing and viewing televisions would see a vast wasteland. He received over 100,000 letters asking what time and network "Vast Wasteland" was on TV. Sixty plus years later, little has changed other than the wasteland getting even more vast with more waste to choose from and more methods of waste delivery.
Brian
Then how do you explain duck dynasty or ZZ Top? ;D
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Then how do you explain duck dynasty or ZZ Top? ;D
Yeah, what he said..
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Do any of them really have facial hair much beyond a foot long?
Hair length is controlled by the rate it grows combined with the lifespan of each individual hair, on average. That is why, for example, body hair (easy boys!) never reaches any appreciable length, some Mediterranean women excepted (yeah, I am gonna' get punished for that but it IS funny).
Brian
Why do Italian men grow mustaches? So they can be just like dear old mom. Running, ducking, building a fort. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-scared005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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Actually, I was picturing middle- aged Albanian women wearing thongs at the beach. Shiver me timber. Now I can't get that image out of my mind. :(
Off to shave now and for the first time, I am sorta' hoping I slip....
Brian
Why do Italian men grow mustaches? So they can be just like dear old mom. Running, ducking, building a fort. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-scared005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
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How do you identify the Bride at a _______ wedding she is the one with the braided arm pit hair!
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Wuss! You can't leave the ethnic part of an ethnic joke blank and still have a man-card! C'mon, pick a nationality. And no Roman or Carthaginian garbage either! We want current ethnicities only!
Saw a sharp looking razor on the 'Bay today but missed it by [that] much. Really on the seeing the razor part, just assuming on the sharp part. Just not willing to reach too far without seeing it in the flesh.... so to speak.
Brian
How do you identify the Bride at a _______ wedding she is the one with the braided arm pit hair!
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Commonly misstaken words in English, part 97: sything vs. slicing.
Scything is the act of cutting as a scythe would, which is a slicing cut at or near the surface of something. For example, people use scythes to cut grain off at the base without actually penetrating (easy boys!) the soil.
Slicing: the act of cutting something by actually driving a cutting object into it. The act of slicing leaves the original surface separated to some degree, in some cases completely.
Now let's take a look at an example of the proper use of these words in a graphic format.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/sytheingvsslicing.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/sytheingvsslicing.jpg.html)
Notice this idiot has confused these two words. While shaving with some small degree of skill and using the proper scything technique to slide the razor both down and across the skin at the same time, he neglected to note that the very edge of the razor was not scything but actually slicing. He actually saw the tip of the razor slicing under the skin. Fortunately, at least in this case, the clotting factor has one again overcome the lack of care factor that I think is the very reason we are all still here today. And this was a small cut, quickly closed and spilling not even a drop of blood although the Witch Hazel rinse after the shave served to again reinforce the point... to watch the point. And now we know why they make several different types of straight razor tips or points, one of them being round.
Brian
P.S. Note the look of contemplation in the eyes of our lowly example. He is about to shave under the jaw and down his neck and he simply cannot remember which side is the jugular vein and which side is the carotid artery. And one o' dem a stypic stick just won't work on....
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Pics posted up in the media area under the Son of Pappy album.
It shaves, barely. Lots of work left, not sure it will be a regular use type razor, which is OK, all part of the learning curve. It will easily shave the arm hair, and if, just if, the hair catches just right it will occasionally "treetop". Down to 1 micron :)
Long ways to go.
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Nice looking razor- almost no hone wear and cleaned up nicely.
One micron, or about 14,000 grit, is fine enough to shave from directly if the blade is stropped well after honing. Stropping really will make all the difference in the world after that level of finish. In the olden days, barbers hones' were around 8K and that was it- although they did have stuff they used on hanging strops to further refine the edge such as wood ashes and chalk, which is still used to this day as a pre- strop strop dressing (cotton or linen used before clean linen, then leather).
Good luck with that thing and happy shaving. :-)
Brian
Pics posted up in the media area under the Son of Pappy album.
It shaves, barely. Lots of work left, not sure it will be a regular use type razor, which is OK, all part of the learning curve. It will easily shave the arm hair, and if, just if, the hair catches just right it will occasionally "treetop". Down to 1 micron :)
Long ways to go.
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Thanks Brian! Not done yet, I still have more polishing to go in the belly area, I want the total mirror shine for self gratification. I also have the scales to make.
This is what I am using http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=33004&cat=1,43072 (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=33004&cat=1,43072) . Ordering some of these up next http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=68943&cat=1,43072 (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=68943&cat=1,43072) . I plan on getting smaller glass plates made up for ease of use. I will be adhering an oak block to the bottom to raise the plate up for knuckle clearance. As it is I have a large plate with 15, 5, and .5 micron strips (I took another look at what I have) on three sides.
My concern is some of the pitting is close to the edge, which would make for a bad shave, so this may become a piece for learning and eventually a piece for looks. I did a shave with it using canned cream, unnerving for sure (used a belt for a strop) but I can see myself making this a regular habit. I'm looking forward to an ADV ride and doing a shave in the middle of nowhere with my old fashioned blade-"Shaving.... like a man" ;D
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they use nair
http://youtu.be/ou9AabR6_1w (http://youtu.be/ou9AabR6_1w)
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I bet they don't use nair for that bikini line ;) I would volunteer my services though ;D
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Started shaving with a solid blade 20-30 years ago. Don't do it often now, much too hard to get a smooth shave on the jaw line. There must be a reason men in the 1800's had a beard ;)
I have one favorite straight edge, out of four?, four brushes, an "Old Spice" soap cup, an old stone hone that I never use, and a piece 'O crap retro strop.
It's kinda fun slinging the soap and stubble off the blade into the sink, knowing full well I could hit a fly at 7.8' ... if I had to :)
Rick
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I use film from Thor labs myself- http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1350 (http://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1350) Best prices and a decent selection. Use the Aluminum Oxide- a package of 10 sheets, each 9 X 13" is enough for a long, long time. The prices are very reasonable and the service superb.
I use a pair of 1/4" X 4" X 14" glass plates as a surface for the film. Water and a squeegee will keep the film stuck down (vacuum) and keep the surfaces of contact on the film clean. They MUST be clean because any debris of any size at all will make a lump that the razor will skip over. I use a silicone spatula (stolen from the kitchen.... ssssshhhhhhhh) to squeegee the back of the film, then the glass and finally to squeegee the film, abrasive side up, onto the glass so it is extremely flat. Some water, a drop of dish washing detergent or shaving soap and away you go.
Canned foam really isn't the right stuff for a bare blade or a DE razor. A tallow based soap, whipped up with a brush is really in order here. A little pre- shave oil or hair conditioner (yep, the stuff in the shower) goes a long way to make a smooth shave as well. Some prefer a glycerine based hard soap, and I have had those work well too. Whatever you like but the canned 'auto foaming' stuff provides little lubrication or protection.
As far as corrosion goes, unless entire areas of the blade near the edge are absolutely gone, the razor will usually clean up and show an edge of good steel under the pits. Even the occasional pit right at the blade's edge is too small to cause any problem as long as it is a 'flea bite' and not a rotten area.
Glad to hear you are progressing. It is an interesting journey and one that holds satisfaction at the end if one likes completing a task alone. There is also a certain amount of pride in scraping the hair off your face using the most essential tools with the added benifit of knowing you took care of the entire process from honing to getting a transfusion. :-)
Brian
Thanks Brian! Not done yet, I still have more polishing to go in the belly area, I want the total mirror shine for self gratification. I also have the scales to make.
This is what I am using http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=33004&cat=1,43072 (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=33004&cat=1,43072) . Ordering some of these up next http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=68943&cat=1,43072 (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=68943&cat=1,43072) . I plan on getting smaller glass plates made up for ease of use. I will be adhering an oak block to the bottom to raise the plate up for knuckle clearance. As it is I have a large plate with 15, 5, and .5 micron strips (I took another look at what I have) on three sides.
My concern is some of the pitting is close to the edge, which would make for a bad shave, so this may become a piece for learning and eventually a piece for looks. I did a shave with it using canned cream, unnerving for sure (used a belt for a strop) but I can see myself making this a regular habit. I'm looking forward to an ADV ride and doing a shave in the middle of nowhere with my old fashioned blade-"Shaving.... like a man" ;D
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Actually, I was picturing middle- aged Albanian women wearing thongs at the beach. Shiver me timber. Now I can't get that image out of my mind. :(
Off to shave now and for the first time, I am sorta' hoping I slip....
Brian
:rotflmao:
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I am in the middle of a nine day vacation from work so once I return I will start on mine.
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So many questions!! Brian, did ya execute the whiskers like a man or did ya cheat? And how are them razors coming along???
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Took 'em off with a straight and caught the soapy hairballs (very attractive by the way) with a sponge. This is the first time my face has been exposed (easy boys!) for something like 25 years and it was not very happy about it. It did not like being scraped with a razor either. No cuts but lots o' swelling and bright red skin like some kind of nuclear sunburn. All better now and plan on shaving until around the beginning of Feb. to work on technique.
This was in front of Twisted Throttle on our Christmas Day ride
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/Christmasw-bareface.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/Christmasw-bareface.jpg.html)
I will upload some photos of the restoration of that Torrey later but I will say I am extremely pleased with the way it turned out.
Brian
So many questions!! Brian, did ya execute the whiskers like a man or did ya cheat? And how are them razors coming along???
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That face sure looks like a frumpy weatherman ;)
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That face was a little stiff (easy boys!) 'cause it was 23 F out and I had just gotten off the highway.
These photos were taken by the gentleman who did the work on the razor. I <might> have attempted it myself but was ascairt because of the Mother of Pearl tang covers; they are in perfect shape and etched with the mfg's mark so are basically irreplaceable. Mark did a fantastic job of NOT breaking them either taking them off or putting them back on.
This is how it was:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6820.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6820.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6821.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6821.jpg.html)
The tang covers removed- look at the rot underneath them:
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6808.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6808.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6824.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6824.jpg.html)
A few minutes later ( :yikes:):
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6832.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6832.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6831.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6831.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6872.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6872.jpg.html)
Look at the workmanship on the pins on both the scales as well as the MOP tang covers- spectacular!
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6871.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6871.jpg.html)
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f82/BDF08012008/IMG_6877.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/BDF08012008/media/IMG_6877.jpg.html)
Mark put a very serviceable edge on it when he was done but I did a little more work on it then showed it some horse hide: a fantastic shaver as well as a looker.
Brian
That face sure looks like a frumpy weatherman ;)
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Hi Brian,
Can you please tell who you used for the restore? I have a couple I'd like to have done and that looks awesome. . Thanks.
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Yep, the man's name is Mark Yundt and his website is here: http://www.exquisiteblade.com/ (http://www.exquisiteblade.com/)
Not only a great craftsman but a nice guy too.
By the way, that blade shaved the good Reverend at the COG National rally this month. It was the first time for both of us (him getting shaved with a straight razor, mine the first time shaving anyone else). It went pretty well I think- no cuts or nicks and only three weepers. Rev has a beard like steel wool but that blade eventually chopped all the way through it. We both lived, had a few laughs (interspersed the shave with The Cat Joke (TM)) and raised almost $700 for the Over The Pond fund. All in all, a great evening IMO.
Brian
Brian
Hi Brian,
Can you please tell who you used for the restore? I have a couple I'd like to have done and that looks awesome. . Thanks.
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Looks nice!! I picked up three blades at a little gas station in Christmas Valley, OR. 1 really rough, 2 kinda OK. Plan on doing the restore myself. I also scored an old coffee grinder on the trip, started roasting my own beans. Awesome coffee, consumed after a shave :o