Phoenixkh: An Old Man's Continuum....

[Phoenixkh]

I am somewhat relieved to hear that the Timeless head didn't end up weighing 53g, but am sorry that you spent extra money on more pieces (potentially) unnecessarily. The thing with balance is that it's dynamic, not stationary; you need to figure where your hand is and what kind of stroke you are making at some point when you are not trying to force things. I have a couple razors that I discovered, when I was journalling about which muscles I use, that I wasn't using the same way as the others nor how I thought I was. It's entirely possible that, even with the same handle, you are doing something slightly different and that is affecting your perception of balance. There you go, a free head ache to offset the pain you are going through!

Edit to add: even with all the razor heads against your face with the blade just contacting, not at the same time hopefully, the angle of the handle can vary between them. This can affect how heavy the head feels in my experience. It may not even be at the beginning of the stroke actually, it might be the follow through...

Yeah... I'm was already getting great shave already with the Ti I had... and now will have again... but I will try all the combinations to figure out the perfect setup for me... The full SS head also gives me great results... I did pay attention to the angle of the sweet spot and am duplicating it in my problem areas as you suggested so long ago now.. It makes a Huge difference and I thank you every time I tackle my problem areas.. LOL.. and I am being serious, for once.... I say to myself... Follow Aaron's advice.. and when I do... it's easier to get my chin and surrounding areas smooth more easily.

 

[APBinNCA]

Yeah... I'm was already getting great shave already with the Ti I had... and now will have again... but I will try all the combinations to figure out the perfect setup for me... The full SS head also gives me great results... I did pay attention to the angle of the sweet spot and am duplicating it in my problem areas as you suggested so long ago now.. It makes a Huge difference and I thank you every time I tackle my problem areas.. LOL.. and I am being serious, for once.... I say to myself... Follow Aaron's advice.. and when I do... it's easier to get my chin and surrounding areas smooth more easily.

I hope you feel better soon; I somehow forgot about this health issue of yours, but remembered as soon as you mentioned it. I am sure not working and spending money are two things you try not to do together anymore. I would probably go with the titanium cap and stainless baseplate partly, if I had all the parts to play with, because I like the feel of titanium, but also because it would technically put the balance near perfect for me.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I hope you feel better soon; I somehow forgot about this health issue of yours, but remembered as soon as you mentioned it. I am sure not working and spending money are two things you try not to do together anymore. I would probably go with the titanium cap and stainless baseplate partly, if I had all the parts to play with, because I like the feel of titanium, but also because it would technically put the balance near perfect for me.

Based on today's findings, and discovering the SS base plate isn't the weight on the Timeless website, I think that might be the combination I favor. I'll keep you posted as I shave with the various head configurations.

 

[JKaboom]

I hope your stone passes soon. I can’t imagine what that’s like but people I know say it’s terrible.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I hope your stone passes soon. I can’t imagine what that’s like but people I know say it’s terrible.

I think it's moving along.... The last time this happened, it wasn't one big stone... I passed 3 smaller ones at once.. I think they were stacked up in my ureter.... Just a guess... And I passed two more in just a few more days. As I said... I'm gifted at producing them.

 

[Balin]

I think it's moving along.... The last time this happened, it wasn't one big stone... I passed 3 smaller ones at once.. I think they were stacked up in my ureter.... Just a guess... And I passed two more in just a few more days. As I said... I'm gifted at producing them.

I hope it passes soon. My Dad used to get them also. He would save them by peeing though an old nylon, lol he was a character!

 

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

I hope you feel better soon; I somehow forgot about this health issue of yours, but remembered as soon as you mentioned it. I am sure not working and spending money are two things you try not to do together anymore. I would probably go with the titanium cap and stainless baseplate partly, if I had all the parts to play with, because I like the feel of titanium, but also because it would technically put the balance near perfect for me.

You nailed it bro, its all about the weight balance distribution, to help you to achieve shaving success. Finding that balance is key, which is why I like folks like Shane at Blackland, because he seems to understand that. If I were to remove the brass insert on my Osprey razor, the weight would suddenly become hugely unbalanced, putting far too much pressure on the head against your skin, making the handle light, and therefor unwieldy. So finding that balance is key.

Tools are always the same way, no matter what kind of tool it is. I just got a new string trimmer, and it puts most of its weight distribution on the cutting head, which helps to keep the cutting head down, and I'm carrying less weight on my right arm, therefor saving my back, and overall improving efficiency. I've used machines that would throw your back out, if it weren't for a harness apparatus. But my new machines ability to cut could, while keeping overall weight low, makes it easier to do my work.

@APBinNCA nailing it, with all of his posts these days.

 

[cajunrph]

I'm not sure if you passed the stone or not, prayers for healing for you Kim. I am fortunate to not have this problem but I know it is not a pleasant experience.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I'm not sure if you passed the stone or not, prayers for healing for you Kim. I am fortunate to not have this problem but I know it is not a pleasant experience.

Thx, John.

They or it, depending, seem to be moving again. The pain in my ureter has stopped so my bladder should take care of the process in a usually uneventful manner.

 

[Eric_75]

As George Harrison said...

"All Things Must Pass"

 

[Phoenixkh]

Mondays are always the prep time for the Tuesday trip down to help out with Mila.... If I start early, I can take as much time as I want... but if I get busy or something else is going on and I start late, I try to choose an easier shave.

That's what I did an hour or so ago. I chose the SS La Faulx Classic because I knew it would be a Zen shave from the beginning and wouldn't require giant leaps of expertise. It was definitely a nice break from working through all the Timeless 0.68OC options. I'll pick that up later this week when all the parts have arrived. It looks like everything will be here by Wednesday when we get back. So perhaps I'll try something new on my regularly scheduled Thursday evening shave....

The other gear is pretty much the same.

Stirling Unscented pre-shave, melted into on of the Captain's Soap Lockers
Canada Shaving soap, lathered in a CaYuen Copper Ore bowl
SV Cocobolo handle brush with the gold crown
The SS La Faulx with a new Kai Titan Mild "Pink" AC blade
LEA alum deodorant stick
Metro Gel
Hyaluronic acid serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost, still on the old formula at this point.

Thank you all again for your well wishes with this kidney stone... No pain today... just waiting for them to exit.

 

[Guido75]

Glad to hear things are turning in the right direction (no pun intended). I can only imagine anything bigger than liquid will cause friction and pain. Prayers to you for a quick resolve.

Cheers,

Guido

And enjoy your time with Mia! Very important time. My grandad passed away before I had the chance to really sit down with him. I was too young at the time. So I feel blessed and grateful that my children are capable of really talking and interacting with them.

 

[Eric_75]

My grandad passed away before I had the chance to really sit down with him. I was too young at the time. So I feel blessed and grateful that my children are capable of really talking and interacting with them.

When I was a kid, my grandfather (my mother's father) lived with us for a while. This was back in the '80s. I have very fond memories of those days.

 

[LRod]

I just weighed all my SS razor heads.... I'm a bit surprised.... The actual weight for the Timeless SS 0.68OC is 40.1g... not the whapping 53.1g based on the Timeless website.

Sorry to take so long on this. I said I'd weigh mine a few days ago and forgot till today!
Anyways, mine weighs even less than yours Kim: 38.0 grams!
Even farther from the 53.1 that they advertise on the website! I'm basing it on mine which is smooth top cap and
open comb base plate (both in polished finish).

I don't remember if you have the same smooth top cap as me or not and whether yours is polished or not? Smooth or scalloped? Polished or not polished?
From what I read the scalloped one weighs less!
And I'm guessing that a polished finish can change the weight as well.
Another thing I just thought about:
Did you buy it from the scratch and dent section or not? I did!
I'm wondering if an odd weight after production might not make the cut for first rate?

 

[Phoenixkh]

Sorry to take so long on this. I said I'd weigh mine a few days ago and forgot till today!
Anyways, mine weighs even less than yours Kim: 38.0 grams!
Even farther from the 53.1 that they advertise on the website! I'm basing it on mine which is smooth top cap and
open comb base plate (both in polished finish).

I don't remember if you have the same smooth top cap as me or not and whether yours is polished or not? Smooth or scalloped? Polished or not polished?
From what I read the scalloped one weighs less!
And I'm guessing that a polished finish can change the weight as well.
Another thing I just thought about:
Did you buy it from the scratch and dent section or not? I did!
I'm wondering if an odd weight after production might not make the cut for first rate?

I have mine all weighed out and have both setup for tomorrow night after work. Just holding them in my hand, I think I prefer the lighter SS cap and Ti base plate, but I’ll alternate between them.

All polished and the caps are scalloped. The SS parts are scratch and dent. The Ti parts are regular priced.

 

[LRod]

All polished and the caps are scalloped. The SS parts are scratch and dent. The Ti parts are regular priced.

So mine are also polished but have smooth caps. Yours are scalloped but weighs more than mine when scalloped is advertised as lighter. Weird!
I'm gonna go with the scratch and dent theory or maybe Timeless just advertises a probable weight?
I doubt the latter though! From what I've read, Timeless uses some amazing equipment in their shop
where things should always be equal. But I guess things can go South sometimes on some pieces and the
hand finishing part can also throw things off.

 

[Phoenixkh]

As promised, I assembled two Timeless 0.68OC razors and used them both for tonight’s shave.

The Stats: the Ti Crown handle was used for both razors.

SS scalloped cap: 13.4g
Ti base plate: 15g
Razor head: 28.4g / with handle: 71.8g

Ti scalloped cap: 7.8g
SS base plate: 26.7g
Razor head: 34.4g / with handle: 78

The slight weight discrepancy is because my scale is only accurate to .1 grams.

I liked both combinations better than either the complete SS or Ti razor head. I could easily tell which was which in my hand and also while shaving. The shaving characteristics are similar but not identical. They sent my brain mixed messages. The heavier razor attacked my problem areas a little easier but with the lighter one it was easier to keep the lighter pressure for which I strive.

If forced to pick my favorite of the two, it would be the lighter one, i.e., the SS Cap and the Ti base plate. But I don’t have to choose one over the other. I’m guessing I’ll naturally choose the heavier razor head when I’ve missed a few days and the lighter one when I only have 2 days growth.

I didn’t vary anything else.
PAA Cube 2.0 pre-shave applied with a Rudy Vey re-knotted Elite Razors Bloody Basin Jasper handle (ShaveMac Two-band Silvertip)
Canada Shaving Soap
CaYuen bowl
SV Rosewood handle, gold crown
Perma-Sharp (1 and done)
LEA deodorant alum
Metro-gel
Hyaluronic acid
Neutrogena Hydro Boost

I’m very pleased with the outcome tonight. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to appreciate the differences but I really did experience a better feel for me. I got the Goldilocks weights as I hoped I might, but you never know until you try it for yourself.

 

[APBinNCA]

Very interesting how the weights worked out! I do also wonder how much difference there is in the actual balance point, which would factor in where the weight is located. As it is, one at about 40% and the other about 45%, both are really in the zone for me. I reluctantly have to agree that the lighter one is probably better, but not because of it's weight distribution. The final piece of the puzzle would be to see how much the balance point has shifted compared to the standard configurations.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Very interesting how the weights worked out! I do also wonder how much difference there is in the actual balance point, which would factor in where the weight is located. As it is, one at about 40% and the other about 45%, both are really in the zone for me. I reluctantly have to agree that the lighter one is probably better, but not because of it's weight distribution. The final piece of the puzzle would be to see how much the balance point has shifted compared to the standard configurations.

I didn’t check in a scientific way. It was obvious in use the lighter one had more weight towards the head and the opposite for the heavier one.

Let me put it another way. The full Ti razor felt a bit too light but was probably perfectly balanced. The SS cap shifted that balance towards the razor head and we know I prefer that.

I suspect the SS head would also be perfectly balanced with a SS handle, but I bought parts and I’ve never had a Timeless SS handle. With the Ti Crown, as you mentioned, the balance felt off: too tilted towards the razor head. Just substituting the Ti cap made it feel much nicer for me.

 

[Phoenixkh]

First complete shave with the Timeless SS Cap/Ti 0.68OC base plate with Ti Crown handle. I decided to use a Nacet this evening because I hadn't used one for a while and it was my favorite blade for a time there. I rediscovered why.... Man, was it smooth and sharp... Lovely... I would have to say, it's the equal of the Perma-Sharps I've been using so often lately... I'd do a couple more shaves with them and see they are any smoother than the Perma-Sharps or not. I would say the sharpness is equal.

In any event, it was a wonderful shave. I have too much money invested in Timeless SS and Ti razors at the moment, but I'm not feeling the pinch since I sold a couple razors recently. Whew....I will probably try the complete Ti 0.68OC soon as well, but as of now, I am delighted the few grams of extra weight using the SS Cap successfully achieved the goal... getting the balance slightly tilted towards the razor head. The added weight also makes the razor feel more natural in my hand, though I'm guessing with enough use, I'd become accustomed to the lighter weight of a full titanium razor. It's been a fun experiment.

I didn't end up buying the Wolfman WR4, as I've mentioned and I had the money saved up for it. That allowed me to purchase a few, select Vintage razors to try. I already had a great shave with the Canada Pre-war Tech a few shaves ago now. The Flat Bottom Tech is in the States now and on the way to Florida. It'll get here in a few days, one would hope... The others? Not lost, exactly.... but they are somewhere in various postal services and haven't made it to the States yet, though one of them is coming from Nebraska... I think Nebraska is still in the States, isn't it? <eg> That one might show up first. Who knows? The label was created today but it hasn't found its way to the PO yet. Or at least, hasn't been scanned into their system.

I continue to enjoy the face feel of SV brushes. I have a couple ShaveMac Two-band silvertips (Rudy installed them for me) that I enjoy also, but I notice when I'm cleaning them out after use and combing them with a Kent wide teeth comb, the SV brushes are denser. Still, the ShaveMac knots are wonderful... just different. I've been using the two ShaveMacs for applying pre-shaves exclusively but got out my Zenith Manchurian with the 506 copper handle and will be adding it to that rotation.

With that addition, all 8 of my badger brushes will be in a set rotation.... The 4 SV brushes along with the Mozingo 28mm with the Cobalt Blue Rudy Vey handle are rotated for applying the soap/cream/croaps.

My first tub of Canada Shaving Soap is almost toast... This will be the first tub of soap I've 3017ed since I started wet shaving over two years ago now. It's sort of a nice feeling, oddly enough...