My Grande Journey

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Holy cow, Spike!

Your "Mack Truck" description sounds like an understatement, but what wouldn't be?

That's a pretty Old Type. Congratulations.

I'd suggest looking at some of Mike's cap photos to see if there's any rolling on the corners of your cap. These OT razors can vary a fair amount in their shave. If you got a good one it may surprise you with how good it is. I've used only the Polsilver blade in mine (but I only have four of the OT razors + one SR) to try to control variables and because it seems to be a good blade for me.

How much does that short and fat handle weigh? I'd guess 400 grams (just kidding)?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Esox]

Your "Mack Truck" description sounds like an understatement, but what wouldn't be?

That really is quite a difference between them both.

The weight and momentum of the SE1 with handle on it must really be something. It makes me think of brute force vs finesse. I think I'd have a hard time switching between those two razors.

 

[Tokyospike]

Thanks, Jim. The MR3 handle is 98g, and the SE1 head is 49g, for an overall weight of 147g. Gravity is my friend. Also inertia . . . my hands are not steady. Finesse, however, is still possible.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Thanks, Jim. The MR3 handle is 98g, and the SE1 head is 49g, for an overall weight of 147g. Gravity is my friend. Also inertia . . . my hands are not steady. Finesse, however, is still possible.

When I looked up the handle you're using I found that there is an even heavier Maggard handle. MR8, linked.

 

[jmudrick]

Perfect handle for the OT, fine shave.

 

[Tokyospike]

Yes, the gargantuan MR8. So the deal with the MR3 is that given it is 3" long and the weight of the SE1 head, the balance point is just where my fingers naturally grip the handle. Pretty sure the MR8 would throw that all off.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Yes, the gargantuan MR8. So the deal with the MR3 is that given it is 3" long and the weight of the SE1 head, the balance point is just where my fingers naturally grip the handle. Pretty sure the MR8 would throw that all off.

Yeah, I agree. I think the length is very important. Some are too long for me. Not that I can't use them whatever length they are, but I prefer the handles to be not too long and on the lighter side.

Having said that, I like the heavy handle on my SS General.

 

[Esox]

Brit 'Whatever Type' shave #2.

Polsilver flipped.

Stirling Island Man.

Maggard synthetic.

58 hours since last shave. Really, 58? lol

First pass WTG/XTG and quite tuggy, but I guess at 58 hours that allowed. Very nice first pass though, and quite close too.

Second pass directly ATG buffing. No tugging, just a nice empty razor feel. I did quite a lot of buffing and also thinned my lather a bit for the second pass.

Wipe and check and pretty damn good.

I did 3 more clean up passes, thinning my lather twice more, over my swirls, right side of my mouth and left side jawline finishing with a very nice BBS.

I gave the skin on my neck a good look before and after toweling off and I had literally no redness at all. Not even over my swirls, and this was after 2 full passes and 3 clean up passes done with considerable pressure, buffing and as steep as I could use it.

This is a very nice razor, but I used it rather aggressively. I used quite a lot more pressure, which is why I thinned my lather after the first pass. I wanted all the slickness I could get and the soap gave it to me.

Thats 2 shaves each for my Old Types. This Brit clone easily wins in smoothness but lacks a bit of efficiency. The Canadian is slightly more efficient, but has a lot more blade feel. Its a very smooth razor too, but I'm very aware of the blade. In the Brit the blade is invisible.

The Single Ring seems to have the best of both worlds. Its incredibly smooth and also very efficient with virtually no blade feel at all. Not quite as transparent in feel as the Brit, but its close.

I'm looking for the one razor that is both the most comfortable and the most efficient at the same time, but so far, the differences are really very minor and I'm being highly critical of them all.

The King is up next. After 2 shaves with it, one razor is finished. Then I'll compare the remainders again for 2 shaves each. The last 2 survivors will end up in a contest of brute strength. Directly ATG first pass.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

So, it's a fight to the death, Mike. One razor will be victorious and the others will be what? Sold? Bottom drawered? Given to your nephew? Put in a display case? Landfill?

You do know there is illegal betting taking place.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Raven Koenes]

So, it's a fight to the death, Mike. One razor will be victorious and the others will be what? Sold? Bottom drawered? Given to your nephew? Put in a display case? Landfill?

You do know there is illegal betting taking place.

Happy shaves,

Jim

I'm hoping for Gold, Bronze, and Silver medals. I won't be hedging any bets, and I'm sure you already know where my money lies. Somehow this whole thing doesn't feel as icky as the time I bet against my own kid's high school soccer team.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I'm hoping for Gold, Bronze, and Silver medals. I won't be hedging any bets, and I'm sure you already know where my money lies. Somehow this whole thing doesn't feel as icky as the time I bet against my own kid's high school soccer team.

I'm not a betting man, but if I were I'd cheer for "my team" but bet on what my brain says to bet on. I have a relative who gambles. They always bet on the team they want to win. Most of the time they lose. They are the worst gambler I've ever seen and should quit entirely. (Worst in winning %, not worst as in addicted).

Happy shaves, all bets aside,

Jim

 

[Esox]

One razor will be victorious and the others will be what? Sold? Bottom drawered? Given to your nephew? Put in a display case? Landfill?

That I dont know. I do know, for certain, that they will never see a garbage can by my hand.

I have a few I dont use and likely never will, and yet, they sit on my shelf. I keep asking them why they're there, but they stopped talking to me quite a while ago. Maybe thats why they dont get used.

My nephew I think is finished his razor quest. I'm planning on seeing Fort McMurray despite repeatedly stating I will never see it lol. If I do go out there in the fall, I'll take my Grande and he can try it but between his grandfathers Rocket and his Single Ring he seems pretty well set, and I cant blame him one little bit either.

Sorry to say it Rave, but as of right now my Single Ring is the jewel in the crown. It may not wear the crown yet, but it is one very nice razor and my favorite.

As far as a single pass buffing ATG, I'm quite confident my Grande has no competition, but I havent tried the Single Ring, or any other Old Types like that yet.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

 

[Raven Koenes]

I'm not a betting man, but if I were I'd cheer for "my team" but bet on what my brain says to bet on. I have a relative who gambles. They always bet on the team they want to win. Most of the time they lose. They are the worst gambler I've ever seen and should quit entirely. (Worst in winning %, not worst as in addicted).

Happy shaves, all bets aside,

Jim

One thing I don't do is bet. I worked at a Casino. I know better.

 

[Esox]

One thing I don't do is bet. I worked at a Casino. I know better.

 

[Esox]

Fatip Grande - Fresh Polsilver.

Stirling Black Cherry.

Maggard synthetic.

45 1/2 hours since last shave.

I'm no slouch with this razor. I've used it a lot over the last 9 months and have become pretty adept with it. I seem to remember reading here and there that the Gillette Old Type is unforgiving. Really??? They really arent, but they have made me complacent and lazy.

To keep a level playing field I used my Grande steep.

First pass WTG/XTG. Instantly I was aware of the pressure I've been using. I cut that pressure in half before the razor moved a full inch. This razor definitely has a blade in it, so with that hiccup sorted out, the first pass went well. Smooth, nearly as smooth as the Single Ring with about the same amount of blade feel, but remember, with around half the pressure. Thats a telling fact.

Wipe and check and not as close as I had expected. Because I can use more pressure with the Single Ring, it also gives me a closer first pass. Also a telling fact.

Finishing that first pass I felt as confident as ever starting my second pass XTG/ATG, steep again. Stroking straight S-N and smooth again, but a lot of blade feel. Buffing mostly ATG on my upper lip it was nice and comfortable until...

It bit me right at the base of my left nostril. That bloody hurt! So much for complacency lol. I could also feel warmth on my neck over my swirls, no surprise to me using this razor steep so I wet my hand and felt around. Still not as close as I had either hoped or expected.

Enough of this steep shaving. Time to use this razor as intended, shallow. ATG I went, buffing lightly as usual for my first pass using this razor.

Wheres the blade again?

Finish buffing around along my jawline, sides of my mouth and neck, wipe and check. Thats more like it...

One quick clean up over my swirls NE-SW right side. NW-SE left side and done for my usual BBS finish.

It's now around 30 minutes post shave. My neck is still a bit warm but not bad. I have a very close shave, no surprise there.

I'm not really sure what to say about this razor. Similar to a Gillette Old Type? They both have alignment pins, but the similarity ends there. I simply cant use my Grande with a steep angle and have a comfortable shave. Theres too much of the blades edge above the comb to stop the edge from flexing at anything but WTG. If I took the time to perfect my technique to that very fine angle and pressure combination, it may do the job as well or even better than the Old Types but I dont like thinking about my shave that much.

I just want a simple, quick and comfortable shave, preferably starting directly ATG first pass. That was, and still is the reason I started this Grande Journey after all.

I have hopes of achieving a "One Pass Wonder Shave"

I havent yet used any of my Old Types directly ATG first pass so this is sort of a no contest. For a 3 pass+ shave, the Old Types easily win. However, this is about me finding my perfect shave.

I highly doubt my Grande has a peer in shaving directly ATG first pass, but I guess its time I find out.

All razors are still in the game.

If I had to pick a clear winner of my 3 Old Types, it would be close between my Single Ring and the Brit clone with the nod going to the Single Ring for its higher efficiency.

The Canadian Old Type shaves very well, but it has a bit more blade feel than I like so it may do quite well ATG first pass. I'll find out next shave.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Mike, I know this isn't entirely possible, but mix and match the handles when you can. I learned yesterday what a difference a few millimeters (3) in the handle diameter can make. I found 14 mm quite rough and 11 mm quite smooth with the same razor and blade and soap.

As I recall the best one pass shave - and it was a true one pass shave unlike your version of a one pass shave - I've gotten was with a not rigid at all slant, the iKon X3. I don't want to use that slant much for reasons we both understand but it gives me great hopes for the Fatip Slant which may be rigid and have no gap and have no guard span.

The X3 is now in the cabinet at my office. My Fatip Slant is set for delivery later this week.

Anyway...

Spoiler

Don't always believe everything you read!

I know you'll achieve it. If it can be done.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Esox]

Mike, I know this isn't entirely possible, but mix and match the handles when you can. I learned yesterday what a difference a few millimeters (3) in the handle diameter can make. I found 14 mm quite rough and 11 mm quite smooth with the same razor and blade and soap.

As I recall the best one pass shave - and it was a true one pass shave unlike your version of a one pass shave - I've gotten was with a not rigid at all slant, the iKon X3. I don't want to use that slant much for reasons we both understand but it gives me great hopes for the Fatip Slant which may be rigid and have no gap and have no guard span.

The X3 is now in the cabinet at my office. My Fatip Slant is set for delivery later this week.

Anyway...

Spoiler

Don't always believe everything you read!

I know you'll achieve it. If it can be done.

Happy shaves,

Jim

I've swapped handles around on the Brit clone. Ball End, fat Tech and New Common Bar. I like the fat Tech handle the best but the New Common bar is okay too, if not quite offering as much grip.

I dont think I'll ever be able to shave one pass ATG and have a BBS finish without buffing. My whiskers are just too tough. I am quite curious though how well the Single Ring, and the rest, will do compared to my Grande because I can buff with them just as steep as I like, as easily as I can shallow with my Grande. Easier even because they arent as angle dependent for a comfortable shave.

Shaving that shallow with my Grande, if I drop the angle just a tiny bit I dont get as close a shave as I like and I have to use more buffing strokes. I once counted the strokes with my Grande and the total was 140. With my NEW SC and a Polsilver blade it came to 120, but, I had already done one full pass WTG/XTG.

If I stop the razor and backstroke as soon as it moves forward again I counted as one stroke. The length of stroke didnt matter.

Using an Old Type steep, that slight angle difference wont matter and a steeper angle does make a razor more effective because its a more aggressive cutting action.

I want comfort first and closeness second but I dont want to sacrifice one for the other. They need to balance.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I like the fat Tech handle the best...I want comfort first and closeness second but I don't want to sacrifice one for the other. They need to balance.

I'm not sure I like the Fat Handle Tech handle the best of all handles, but I might. It's the right size (or at least in the right size range which is all that matters) & I'm not so sure the handle's weight matters all that much to me as long as it is not terribly heavy.

The 108 gram handles and 200 gram handles seem nuts to me, but to each their preference. Personally I like lighter handles (like the Fat Handle Tech handle) as long as they aren't terribly overcome by a heavy head. On razors such as the Old Type, which have a light head, the handle flat out gets it (for me).

Comfort is always goal number one for me. Always and forever.

Like you, I want it all. I'd add to your list though.

1. Comfort.
2. Closeness (and smoothness which goes with closeness).
3. An easy shave.

I'm not sure of the ranking of #2 and #3. They could be reversed, but #1 is and must be comfort.

A shave which is not comfortable is a lousy shave no matter what.

Luckily, and due to a lot of help from others and a lot of work I've done, too, I have now several "good enough" razor and blade combinations.

• The SS Colonial General with the Proline.
• Several injectors with the Twin, particularly the Schick L-3.
• The Schick E-2 with a Chick.
• At least one Old Type and a Fat Handle Tech's handle, with a Polsilver, probably other Old Types.
• Maybe the Fatip "Grande" I used today with a Polsilver, but the jury is out on that one, and it's going to take practice to be sure. I'm really including this to be nice to the Fatip Fanboys. But, this was a good shave today.
• The Fatip Slant, in my dreams.
• My oh so excellent RR SLOC with a Polsilver. What a razor!

It would be wrong to say all of these are equal. The SLOC is truly more equal than the others as a shaver for me right now. That's the truth of it.

The injectors and the SS General probably deliver a similar shave, but the injectors are considerably easier and less likely to draw blood.

The Old Type really is a great shaver for me. Easy enough to use. Smooth. Pretty close shave.

All of these are acceptable at the good enough level in terms of closeness and comfort, but not all are equally easy to shave with. To me, that's a pretty big deal.

Now it also may be that a razor will come alone which is good enough in all three of my requirements. It might be comfortable but not so easy to use as some, and yet so close that I'm willing to use it. That's why #2 and #3 are not fixed.

So far, the best blended winner seems to be the RR SLOC. Weird looking Zamac-headed razor that it is.

It doesn't have to be the perfect razor or the perfect shave. I'm in a good place with both now. Mostly this is just a bunch of fun, and a hobby, and sorta kinda a quest. It's good enough already, but so what. That's not the end.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Esox]

My Grande is great. The handle, and the balance, is perfect but one thing I have noticed since using the Old Types with their different handles, the Grande handle is also more slippery.

My Single Ring is perfect as is. If I had a slight niggle it would be the weight, but if it was heavier it wouldnt feel as nimble and would take more care to use.

Thats also one thing thats turning me off the ATT Calypso SE1. Its only 39 grams. My Single Ring is 51 and I'm really not sure I'd want much lighter than that.

The Brit is very close to perfect. With a Ball End its almost exactly the same as using a post war Tech its so mild and forgiving. With a New Common bar handle its a more useful tool. With the fat Tech Handle its a gripper, more useful tool.

The Canadian Old with the Common Bar handle is....utilitarian. It does its job with no complaints. I may need to clean off the patina I forced on it and polish it up. Brass just isnt brass when its dull, black and Spec Ops looking.