Good evening gents.
About a month ago, I was looking at buying another pkg. of cartridges. I'm retired now and am in that situation where I have a little more time and a lot less money (at least for expendables).
I remembered coming across grandpa's old straight razor and thought, why not give it try. While trying to remember where I put Grandfather's razor and not being the type to just jump into anything without considerable research, I started searching and reading forums that deal with the manly art of dragging an insanely sharp piece of forged and heat treated metal across one's face.
This is a Charles Pickslay "Peruvian Steel" hollow ground, manufactured around 1842. More of their earlier razors were of the wedge configuration.
Assuming the razor wasn't bought second hand, it was likely Great, Great, Grandfather's judging by the time period.
View attachment 605453
You can see a line just left of the hinge pin where a new piece of ivory scale was carved and spliced in. The scale had probably cracked across the hinge pin hole.
Although I have cleaned up and honed the blade, it is my intention to fabricate a display box for it and put it up on a wall.
To pursue my desire to migrate to straight razor shaving, I've purchased a Dovo Diamant and so far have shaved with it twice. Neither time was without more discomfort than I'd hoped.
First time there was more pulling than I was expecting. After further study I realized my preparations were less than sufficient. Also, upon inspecting the edge of the razor with the use of a loop, in spite of procuring it from a online company specializing in shaving needs with an emphasis on straight razors, plus an assurance that professional honing would be performed prior to shipment; the edge, although obviously having been in contact with a stone, was far from having a professional edge on it.
The second shave involved the full gamut of hot towels, shave cream (Simpsons), more hot towels and re-lather. Although there was noticeably less pulling, post shave my face looked like I had an acute case of Rosacea. Also, my face stung badly for hours afterward and still stung a little the next day.
I didn't make the towels too hot, they were comfortable, less razor pull, all I can figure is, first shave was with Taconic Bay Rum Shave Soap, second was with the Simpson's "Citrus Burst" Shave Cream.
The other change was going from a dime store brush to a Semogue S.O.C.
Shaved just my neck this afternoon with a new very non-aggressive safety razor, using Captain's Choice Bay Rum Shaving Soap (more like a cream) with no adverse reactions.
Although I despise wasting money on things that will be a landfill in a few months time, I see the purchase of stones, strops and straight razors as something that with care, will be used by my descendants decades and possibly generations from now.
With that in mind, I've purchased two Atoma diamond plates for sharpening kitchen knives and flattening waterstones, a 800 grit Naniwas Chosera, a 3,000/8,000 Naniwa combination and the 12,000 grit Naniwa.
Still looking at adding at least 2 more straight razors and 3 more quality (no plated pot metal) safety razors to the household. Why so many safety razors? Two teenage sons still in the house.
Just got my 12,000 grit Naniwa stone yesterday. Will do a little further honing of the Dovo's blade tomorrow and using the Captain's Choice, with still just a little redness on my cheeks, will have another go with the straight razor today.
I'll try to make future posts not quite so long-winded.
fuzzymuzzle
About a month ago, I was looking at buying another pkg. of cartridges. I'm retired now and am in that situation where I have a little more time and a lot less money (at least for expendables).
I remembered coming across grandpa's old straight razor and thought, why not give it try. While trying to remember where I put Grandfather's razor and not being the type to just jump into anything without considerable research, I started searching and reading forums that deal with the manly art of dragging an insanely sharp piece of forged and heat treated metal across one's face.
This is a Charles Pickslay "Peruvian Steel" hollow ground, manufactured around 1842. More of their earlier razors were of the wedge configuration.
Assuming the razor wasn't bought second hand, it was likely Great, Great, Grandfather's judging by the time period.
View attachment 605453
You can see a line just left of the hinge pin where a new piece of ivory scale was carved and spliced in. The scale had probably cracked across the hinge pin hole.
Although I have cleaned up and honed the blade, it is my intention to fabricate a display box for it and put it up on a wall.
To pursue my desire to migrate to straight razor shaving, I've purchased a Dovo Diamant and so far have shaved with it twice. Neither time was without more discomfort than I'd hoped.
First time there was more pulling than I was expecting. After further study I realized my preparations were less than sufficient. Also, upon inspecting the edge of the razor with the use of a loop, in spite of procuring it from a online company specializing in shaving needs with an emphasis on straight razors, plus an assurance that professional honing would be performed prior to shipment; the edge, although obviously having been in contact with a stone, was far from having a professional edge on it.
The second shave involved the full gamut of hot towels, shave cream (Simpsons), more hot towels and re-lather. Although there was noticeably less pulling, post shave my face looked like I had an acute case of Rosacea. Also, my face stung badly for hours afterward and still stung a little the next day.
I didn't make the towels too hot, they were comfortable, less razor pull, all I can figure is, first shave was with Taconic Bay Rum Shave Soap, second was with the Simpson's "Citrus Burst" Shave Cream.
The other change was going from a dime store brush to a Semogue S.O.C.
Shaved just my neck this afternoon with a new very non-aggressive safety razor, using Captain's Choice Bay Rum Shaving Soap (more like a cream) with no adverse reactions.
Although I despise wasting money on things that will be a landfill in a few months time, I see the purchase of stones, strops and straight razors as something that with care, will be used by my descendants decades and possibly generations from now.
With that in mind, I've purchased two Atoma diamond plates for sharpening kitchen knives and flattening waterstones, a 800 grit Naniwas Chosera, a 3,000/8,000 Naniwa combination and the 12,000 grit Naniwa.
Still looking at adding at least 2 more straight razors and 3 more quality (no plated pot metal) safety razors to the household. Why so many safety razors? Two teenage sons still in the house.
Just got my 12,000 grit Naniwa stone yesterday. Will do a little further honing of the Dovo's blade tomorrow and using the Captain's Choice, with still just a little redness on my cheeks, will have another go with the straight razor today.
I'll try to make future posts not quite so long-winded.
fuzzymuzzle