Ruminations on the Edge

[Teutonblade]

I was in midtown yesterday so I stopped by Pasteur's Pharmacy. I was hoping to pick up a set of Westman Bastardo or HC&C American Badass but they were both sold out. Instead I got the soap and splash for Stirling Deep Blue Sea (based on Bleu De Chanel) and B&M Spice (Old Spice). Pasteur's is a funny place. It's kind of a wreck, but there are so few places where you can actually smell so many soaps. Definitely, a fun to place visit.

Yesterday, I mailed off my PIF of the Stirling Haverford set to @cranewarrior . I hope he enjoys it. Tonight, I leave for Poland for 2.5 weeks. I was originally thinking I would bring my R94 as a travel razor. My thinking was it would be easily replaceable if it gets lost or stolen. But after considerable hemming and hawing I've decided my travel razor needs to be the Overlander, which is what I always fall back on when my face needs a rest. My "repair" razor. Simply put, it's my safest bet. I ordered a Stando Chors Classic which is waiting for me in Poland, and supposedly it's pretty aggressive so I'm guessing I'll need something mild with me in case the Chors is too much for my face. I found a razor store near my house in Wroclaw where I'm sure I can pick up another mass market razor if need be, but it'll be good to have the Overlander with me. Fingers crossed, it makes there and back with no issues. I guess I can always order another one when I get back if need be.

My number finally came up on the Wolfman waiting list last week. I'll have some very special new additions waiting for me when I get back. My Wald A1 is also ready to ship and Jannik will send it out so it arrives when I return.

I'll be posting my shaving adventures from Europe. I hoping to find some cool gear while I'm there

 

[cajunrph]

Enjoy your trip, I look forward to the reports from abroad.

 

[Guido75]

Enjoy your trip! Wave when you pass by the Netherlands!

Looking forward to your experience with and review of the Chors!

 

[Teutonblade]

I made it to Wrocław. Although, we spent a couple of hours on the Tarmac in Newark due to weather, the trip was largely drama-free. My son is at his grandmother’s house so my wife and I are having a mini-honeymoon in our small apartment downtown.

Here’s my mini-shave den which I set up in the guest bathroom.

My sister-in-law dropped off my new Stando Chors. I realize my only other razor which I have with me is the Overlander so I might be influenced by it but my first reaction is that they share a lot in common, including a similar matte finish, weight, head shape, and cap width.

I’ve only had one shave, but here’s what I can say. Upon the first WTG stroke I could feel how deeply the Chors shaves, and yes it was reminiscent of the Blackbird or maybe the Nodachi. Similar to my Le Maurice 1.4, the Chors’ blade gap of 1.3 needs to be respected, but like the Overlander the guard and head shape make it feel smooth and safe. During the ATG pass on my upper lip the razor exhibited fantastic blade clamping, with no feeling of wiggle or chatter, which like other premium razors make it feel confident and sure-footed.

My general impression is the Chors is a no-nonsense razor that is extremely well thought out and beautifully crafted, a great value, and a nice addition to the collection. I used a Wizamet, so getting to full BBS required considerable buffing below the nose, but in the end I got there and post-shave irritation was low. Great razor.

 

[Teutonblade]

I dropped by the Barbercompany Store in Wrocław today, which was much nicer than I expected. They actually had a surprisingly large selection of both hardware and software including razors from Muhle, EJ, Stando, Razorock, Shyluz (in-house brand), Yaqi, Merkur, Feather, Gillette, Fatip, and even some straights. Here are some photos of the shop and my haul from today.

Here’s what I picked out. Nosferatu is a local artisan brand in Poland and smells pretty nice. Supposedly the soap has good ingredients. I picked up two of their in-house Shyluz razors which are made for them in India, including one which is my first butterfly. Not sure which Yaqi I chose but it looked nice. They were all about $20. The entire haul came in around US$110 after a 10% discount.

I picked up the Proraso to leave at my apartment here. I was with my wife so I couldn’t spend too long in the shop. I’ll be heading back alone later in the week for another look.

 

[tehnothing]

That is a really nice selection.

 

[amateur]

I dropped by the Barbercompany Store in Wrocław today, which was much nicer than I expected. They actually had a surprisingly large selection of both hardware and software including razors from Muhle, EJ, Stando, Razorock, Shyluz (in-house brand), Yaqi, Merkur, Feather, Gillette, Fatip, and even some straights. Here are some photos of the shop and my haul from today.

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Here’s what I picked out. Nosferatu is a local artisan brand in Poland and smells pretty nice. Supposedly the soap has good ingredients. I picked up two of their in-house Shyluz razors which are made for them in India, including one which is my first butterfly. Not sure which Yaqi I chose but it looked nice. They were all about $20. The entire haul came in around US$110 after a 10% discount.

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I picked up the Proraso to leave at my apartment here. I was with my wife so I couldn’t spend too long in the shop. I’ll be heading back alone later in the week for another look.

This is a great store. I have never dreamed of such a thing in our Russian province.

 

[Guido75]

Supercool! I actually think my local barbershop carries their aftershaves. At least the bottles on the first photo left bottom very much resemble ones I have seen!

Very nice haul!! I have been able to withstand some local temptations from here. But I believe the LOTH hasn’t, so maybe if I am lucky I will get some goodies later on.

 

[Teutonblade]

I’ve taken a break for a few days from posting any SOTD photos because I’ve had to take it easy and scale back my shaving. I developed a soar spot beneath my nose which is clearly from shaving too aggressively ATG. It’s puffy and I’m a bit concerned it may scar over. For the last 3 days I’ve done only a light one pass in an effort to heal. I think it’s getting better but I’m missing my full daily shaves. Live and learn.

In other news, my fam and I have decided to take a side trip while here in Poland and on Sunday are heading to Helsinki for 4 nights. I’ve been to Norway but never Finland. Whenever I think of Finland I always think about the hysterical song from Monty Python. I’m sure the country will be much more interesting than as described in the song. Maybe they’ll have some cool shaving gear!

 

[thombrogan]

Hoping your nose heals while your family enjoys Helsinki with you.

 

[Guido75]

Heal quickly! And stay off the Chors for a while. WTG only.

Have fun in Helsinki!

 

[Eric_75]

I’ve taken a break for a few days from posting any SOTD photos because I’ve had to take it easy and scale back my shaving. I developed a soar spot beneath my nose which is clearly from shaving too aggressively ATG. It’s puffy and I’m a bit concerned it may scar over. For the last 3 days I’ve done only a light one pass in an effort to heal. I think it’s getting better but I’m missing my full daily shaves. Live and learn.

In other news, my fam and I have decided to take a side trip while here in Poland and on Sunday are heading to Helsinki for 4 nights. I’ve been to Norway but never Finland. Whenever I think of Finland I always think about the hysterical song from Monty Python. I’m sure the country will be much more interesting than as described in the song. Maybe they’ll have some cool shaving gear!

Please heal quickly.

 

[Teutonblade]

I received a wonderful surprise from my 11 year old son today who bought me a gift. He was getting a haircut with his grandma at a local barber shop here in Wrocław Poland and came across this razor. We don’t know any of the details but think it’s made in Poland and is almost certainly zamak. It’s nice and big and I like the teardrop wooden handle which is easy to grip.

From the wear on the box it seems to have been sitting on the shelf for quite a while, so no idea how old it is. It came with a tuck of interesting Bluebeard’s Revenge blades which I’ve never seen before. As soon as my upper lip heals I’ll give the kit a whirl.

 

[Teutonblade]

My family and I decided to take a side trip while in Poland, and since Finnair recently opened a direct route between Helsinki and Wroclaw we decided on spending a few days in Finland. Today we spent the day touring the giant island fortress Suomenlinna, which sits on 8 islands and is sometimes referred to as the Gibraltar of the North as in the past it controlled access to the Baltic Sea.

There are a number of museums scattered throughout the fortress, one of which was dedicated to the Finnish Military. In keeping with the spirit of my friend @Guido75 I thought I would post this picture depicting some of the equipment carried by the Finns during the Winter War. Notice anything interesting in the display case on the lower right?

Here it is a little larger. Anyone know what model it is?

 

[Guido75]

Anyone know what model it is?

Gillette Old Type Single Ring - New Standard most likely.

Great pictures! That sure looks like a fortress island. Super cool!

Enjoy your stay!

 

[Teutonblade]

This was on display at the Helsinki City Museum.

 

[spacemonkey42]

I find it delightful that we've got lots of folks here shaving with this same razor, but in even better shape than this "museum piece."

 

[Teutonblade]

I’m a big fan of Mark Szorady’s Monday Morning Mailbag. This week he featured my shaving tip on his show. I have to admit I’m kind of excited to get my autographed cartoon. I guess I’m a shave geek.

 

[cranewarrior]

I’m a big fan of Mark Szorady’s Monday Morning Mailbag. This week he featured my shaving tip on his show. I have to admit I’m kind of excited to get my autographed cartoon. I guess I’m a shave geek.

His mailbags are too long for me to watch, but I always enjoy his enthusiasm and good humor. Congrats on getting your tip put on the show!

 

[Teutonblade]

His mailbags are too long for me to watch, but I always enjoy his enthusiasm and good humor. Congrats on getting your tip put on the show!

Thanks Cranewarrior!