The problem with straights and lapping film is...... that you don’t have either of them
If the above statement is true for you - to celebrate this, my 2000[SUP]th[/SUP] post and this weekend being Canadian Thanksgiving -, I will send you some lapping film and a straight razor
The lapping film produces the same results as a good set of whet stones - a sharp razor -, but does so with less expertise required.
The straight does the same thing as any other razor - it shaves -, but requires more practice.
This is what they look like.
The straight is on its second forwarding round. I was originally the lucky winner of this straight after Superbleu put out a contest almost a year ago that got three of us trying out straights. Since then I have added two more straights to my collection and have slowly started using a straight for my daily shave. Since I am still relatively new to shaving without training wheels, I like to limit the variables and have settled on a solely using the straight that I recently got out of my friend’s grandfather’s collection. The history behind that straight adds to my shaving enjoyment and in the mean time this Costa and Sons (the best looking straight in my small collection) isn't receiving attention. When Superbleu released this blade into the wild, he intended it to be used – I am not allowing the steel to do that, but you can!
The lapping film is from Lee Valley (you can see the sheets under the straight). There are two large sheets of each the 15 micron, 5 micron, and 0.5 micron. According to Lee Valley: “the 15 micron (approx. 1000x) removes steel quite quickly; the 5 micron (approx. 2500x) refines the edge to usable keenness; and the 0.5 micron (approx. 9000x) gives it a mirror finish.
So, not only do you get a straight, you get what you need to keep it sharp for years!
Here are the rules.
1. You don’t have a straight, never had a straight, and want to try. No post count min or max required.
But wait, there’s more
Eventually you will need a new strop, in the interim I will send the poor man strop that Larry from Whipped Dog sent to me a year ago. It has some cuts and nicks, both from my time learning to strop a razor and from trying to strop my knives, but you are bound to add your own nicks anyway.
Also, while you shower, why not treat your hair to this chunk from a Queen Charlotte Soaps shampoo bar.
What about once you have successfully completed your first straight shave you may ask. Well, if you are a balm kind of B&Ber, use some of the fabled Arko AS balm. If you are the kind that is pure enough to prefer a splash, I have included a new bottle of the much talked about green Aqua Velva
If the above statement is true for you - to celebrate this, my 2000[SUP]th[/SUP] post and this weekend being Canadian Thanksgiving -, I will send you some lapping film and a straight razor
The lapping film produces the same results as a good set of whet stones - a sharp razor -, but does so with less expertise required.
The straight does the same thing as any other razor - it shaves -, but requires more practice.
This is what they look like.
The straight is on its second forwarding round. I was originally the lucky winner of this straight after Superbleu put out a contest almost a year ago that got three of us trying out straights. Since then I have added two more straights to my collection and have slowly started using a straight for my daily shave. Since I am still relatively new to shaving without training wheels, I like to limit the variables and have settled on a solely using the straight that I recently got out of my friend’s grandfather’s collection. The history behind that straight adds to my shaving enjoyment and in the mean time this Costa and Sons (the best looking straight in my small collection) isn't receiving attention. When Superbleu released this blade into the wild, he intended it to be used – I am not allowing the steel to do that, but you can!
The lapping film is from Lee Valley (you can see the sheets under the straight). There are two large sheets of each the 15 micron, 5 micron, and 0.5 micron. According to Lee Valley: “the 15 micron (approx. 1000x) removes steel quite quickly; the 5 micron (approx. 2500x) refines the edge to usable keenness; and the 0.5 micron (approx. 9000x) gives it a mirror finish.
So, not only do you get a straight, you get what you need to keep it sharp for years!
Here are the rules.
1. You don’t have a straight, never had a straight, and want to try. No post count min or max required.
2. You also want to try lapping film, or at least be willing to, I guess.
3. If you win, you will start a lively straight shaving journal in the straight razor shave clinic to chronicle your experience - for better or worse.
4. Post your interest in this thread by writing an English haiku that is somewhat related to straights, trying a straight, B&B, lapping film, green Aqua Velva, and/or Canadian Thanksgiving. Don’t be too worried about making the poem a perfect haiku, but shoot for it anyway.
5. I will select a winner on Tuesday or may run this till American Thanksgiving if need be. If you win, I will mail the box to you – whether you be next door or on the moon. If I can't decide between eligible entries, I will turn to random.org.
6. Again, you have to commit to rule 3.
7. If, for whatever reason, you reach a point where you realize that this razor isn't getting used, you release it into the B&B wild again to be taken in by the next wave of straight curious members.
But wait, there’s more
Eventually you will need a new strop, in the interim I will send the poor man strop that Larry from Whipped Dog sent to me a year ago. It has some cuts and nicks, both from my time learning to strop a razor and from trying to strop my knives, but you are bound to add your own nicks anyway.
Also, while you shower, why not treat your hair to this chunk from a Queen Charlotte Soaps shampoo bar.
What about once you have successfully completed your first straight shave you may ask. Well, if you are a balm kind of B&Ber, use some of the fabled Arko AS balm. If you are the kind that is pure enough to prefer a splash, I have included a new bottle of the much talked about green Aqua Velva
Much used at one time
To the wild this Thanksgiving
Costa and Sons go
To the wild this Thanksgiving
Costa and Sons go
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