This was a shave I was looking forward to all week. Not a shave for someone like me as I'm trying to get out the door on a workday. I know this is going to sound ridiculous but it is possible to get bored of the routine flawlessness of other razor/blade combos and seek out something that might be perceived as more of a "challenge". Such was the case this a.m. with my Star 1912 using a Pal blue carbon steel blade.
Carbon steel blades bring me back to a simpler era, long before high tech stainless steels and space age edge coatings existed. If lacking a preservative coating and especially if improperly stored, they can rust right in their packaging, making for an extremely uncomfortable shave. Fortunately, these Pal carbon steel blades seem to have been reasonably well stored, and since I've had them they have stayed well away from the high humidity environment of the bathroom.
These blades are not nearly as smooth as a stainless steel, coated blade, but their efficiency can be dramatically increased by being cognizant of your blade angle at all times. Keep that top cap flat against the face and only lower the handle enough to engage the blade. If you feel even the slightest tugging, recheck your blade angle...it makes a huge difference.
This was my first start to finish SE carbon blade shave on 24 hour stubble, and while it was not as flawless as I'm accustomed to with other razors, it would easily be one I could adapt to if it was my only option. After two passes and some touch-up, I have a remarkably close, smooth shave.
The Star 1912 is perfectly designed to permit the fingers to rest just under the head and control angle with high precision. Post shave I gently wiped off the blade and gave it a light film coat of mineral oil and dropped it back in the razor. Stored as such it will be ready for the next shave which I will look forward to as eagerly as I did this one!
Carbon steel blades bring me back to a simpler era, long before high tech stainless steels and space age edge coatings existed. If lacking a preservative coating and especially if improperly stored, they can rust right in their packaging, making for an extremely uncomfortable shave. Fortunately, these Pal carbon steel blades seem to have been reasonably well stored, and since I've had them they have stayed well away from the high humidity environment of the bathroom.
These blades are not nearly as smooth as a stainless steel, coated blade, but their efficiency can be dramatically increased by being cognizant of your blade angle at all times. Keep that top cap flat against the face and only lower the handle enough to engage the blade. If you feel even the slightest tugging, recheck your blade angle...it makes a huge difference.
This was my first start to finish SE carbon blade shave on 24 hour stubble, and while it was not as flawless as I'm accustomed to with other razors, it would easily be one I could adapt to if it was my only option. After two passes and some touch-up, I have a remarkably close, smooth shave.
The Star 1912 is perfectly designed to permit the fingers to rest just under the head and control angle with high precision. Post shave I gently wiped off the blade and gave it a light film coat of mineral oil and dropped it back in the razor. Stored as such it will be ready for the next shave which I will look forward to as eagerly as I did this one!
