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- #741
Chan Eil Whiskers
Fumbling about.
Today's shave was a sign of something.
Today I used both a brand new razor and a blade brand new to me. It was my first use of either.
The razor was the Phoenix Bakelite Open Comb Slant. The blade, a Derby Extra.
Cold water. Stone Cottage. Stirling badger. Face lather. Three face passes. Probably six neck passes, or so. Witch hazel. Osage rub. Skin Food.
This razor has a huge amount of front and center, in your face blade feel. That is not to say the blade feel is a bad thing, but the blade is definitely there.
I tried to shave on the cap as much as I could. Too much on the cap and it won't shave. I am not sure I hit the sweet spot exactly, but I'll work with the razor to find the spot if it can be found, and why wouldn't that be possible for me?
I believe I used very little pressure.
The shave was not uncomfortable during the shave itself. I have a bit of discomfort on my lower neck now (an hour after the shave). Not horrible, but far from meeting my objective of achieving a Damn Comfortable Shave.
I was disappointed in this first use of the Phoenix Bakelite OC slant. It was not nearly as efficient as I had hoped. Compared to my first shave with the Ikon X3 (which, to be fair, is extremely without blade rigidity) the PAA BOCS was inefficient. Compared to my first shave with the NEW SC my first shave with the PAA BOCS was inefficient and uncomfortable.
I believe my discomfort with the PAA BOCS was because it required so many passes with so much blade exposure. I doubt it was my technique (but it could have been, of course). I doubt it was a function of gap as the razor has very little (less than the NEW SC). I doubt it was a function of a lack of rigidity as the razor is quite rigid tightened completely.
Obviously, this is a very different razor, and it would be unfair for me to conclude after one shave that I don't like it, or that it is not a great razor. From what others have reported this razor has, for some people, a learning curve.
The razor was easy enough to use (although maybe I used it improperly). It seems well made, and it looks very interesting. It rinses easily. I had to put the blade in two or three times to achieve good alignment (and yes, I followed the instructions to the letter).
I would rate my shave as BBS on my face (or very close to that), and DFS on my neck in spite of more passes than I would like to make with such a prominent blade.
In spite of what might be a fairly negative review you should understand that I think this razor has promise. I would suggest to you that you might like it a lot. It has very little gap. It is (properly tightened) very rigid. It is well made. It is cute. So, don't blame me if you buy one to try it out for a very low price.
Still, just going by how my neck feels I will use this razor again, but not tomorrow.
Happy shaves,
Jim
Today I used both a brand new razor and a blade brand new to me. It was my first use of either.
The razor was the Phoenix Bakelite Open Comb Slant. The blade, a Derby Extra.
Cold water. Stone Cottage. Stirling badger. Face lather. Three face passes. Probably six neck passes, or so. Witch hazel. Osage rub. Skin Food.
This razor has a huge amount of front and center, in your face blade feel. That is not to say the blade feel is a bad thing, but the blade is definitely there.
I tried to shave on the cap as much as I could. Too much on the cap and it won't shave. I am not sure I hit the sweet spot exactly, but I'll work with the razor to find the spot if it can be found, and why wouldn't that be possible for me?
I believe I used very little pressure.
The shave was not uncomfortable during the shave itself. I have a bit of discomfort on my lower neck now (an hour after the shave). Not horrible, but far from meeting my objective of achieving a Damn Comfortable Shave.
I was disappointed in this first use of the Phoenix Bakelite OC slant. It was not nearly as efficient as I had hoped. Compared to my first shave with the Ikon X3 (which, to be fair, is extremely without blade rigidity) the PAA BOCS was inefficient. Compared to my first shave with the NEW SC my first shave with the PAA BOCS was inefficient and uncomfortable.
I believe my discomfort with the PAA BOCS was because it required so many passes with so much blade exposure. I doubt it was my technique (but it could have been, of course). I doubt it was a function of gap as the razor has very little (less than the NEW SC). I doubt it was a function of a lack of rigidity as the razor is quite rigid tightened completely.
Obviously, this is a very different razor, and it would be unfair for me to conclude after one shave that I don't like it, or that it is not a great razor. From what others have reported this razor has, for some people, a learning curve.
The razor was easy enough to use (although maybe I used it improperly). It seems well made, and it looks very interesting. It rinses easily. I had to put the blade in two or three times to achieve good alignment (and yes, I followed the instructions to the letter).
I would rate my shave as BBS on my face (or very close to that), and DFS on my neck in spite of more passes than I would like to make with such a prominent blade.
In spite of what might be a fairly negative review you should understand that I think this razor has promise. I would suggest to you that you might like it a lot. It has very little gap. It is (properly tightened) very rigid. It is well made. It is cute. So, don't blame me if you buy one to try it out for a very low price.
Still, just going by how my neck feels I will use this razor again, but not tomorrow.
Happy shaves,
Jim
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