Using A Matching Seven-day Set (M7DS)

[rbscebu]

In this thread I will document what I learn from using my M7DS. I would appreciate comments and suggestions from other M7DS users to expend this knowledge base.

My set consists of seven Titan 1918 ACRM-2 T.H. 60 straight razors with Mahogany scales all housed in a custom made Philippines Mahogany case.

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Each blade was given a Method edge. Bevels were checked and set if necessary using a 1k synthetic whetstone. Then progressed through 3k and 5k natural stones before starting a progression through lapping film up to 1.0um. From lapping film, the edges were further refined on 0.5um, 0.25um and 0.1um diamond pasted balsa strops. The blades were then oiled and put away in the case.

My current system with this set for each day is:

• Take the day's blade out and wipe it clean with soft toilet paper.​
• Strop about 60 laps on a hanging clean leather strop.​
• Shave.​
• Wipe blade clean and dry with toilet paper.​
• Oil blade and return it to the case.​

On Sundays, all blades are wiped clean and normally given 50 laps on a 0.1um diamond pasted hanging balsa strop, then oiled and put away.

 

[rbscebu]

This morning I finished the first week with my M7DS.

The first lesson that I have learned is that, although prepared the same, all the edges are not equal. This is most probably due to slight human variations in the final progressions. All razors were quite shaveable, however some gave a better shave than others.

What I didn't do, and will do over the coming weeks, is record the shave quality of each razor. I am thinking of rating each blade on shave quality after each shave with a score of 1 to 5. With that information, I can then modify my system to bring all the edges up to the standard of my best SR, currently my vesperum razor.

I do not feel that any of the blades need more honing. I am expecting that just some more work using my diamond pasted balsa strops should suffice.

For me, a perfect razor is one that allows me to do the fool's pass successfully and smoothly. My vesperum razor meets that criteria with my ACRO not far behind.

 

[global_dev]

I have a set or so.. i like to strop on linen 5-10x, leather 3-5x after the shave before i put away. Makes me feel like the edge has been cleaned off well.

 

[rbscebu]

Lunae razor this morning. As I am comparing only between the razors of my M7DS, I gave the Lunae a mid score of 3 out of 5. This may be modified if I find many of the others are better or worse.

 

[rbscebu]

I have a set or so.. i like to strop on linen 5-10x, leather 3-5x after the shave before i put away. Makes me feel like the edge has been cleaned off well.

I have decided to try part of your suggestion. I now give each blade 10 laps on a clean denim strop after each shave before oiling it and putting it away.

My system is now:

• Take the day's blade out and wipe it clean with soft toilet paper.
• Strop about 60 laps on a hanging clean leather strop.
• Shave.
• Wipe blade clean and dry with toilet paper.
• 10 laps on a clean denim strop.
• Oil blade and return it to the case.

 

[rbscebu]

End of week two.

During this week I tried to compare the edge of each SR and failed. Either they are too alike or my aging memory is starting to fail me. Probably the latter.

Some may remember that I lost my Saturni SR to a crack last weekend so I replaced Saturni with Solis and moved Vesterum into Sunday's slot. This was a blessing in disguise.

My Vesperum SR is the only one I happily use doing a fool's pass. This then allowed me to compare my other six SR's against Vesperum. The six are not yet up to Vesperum's quality of shave. What to do?

To day is M7DS maintenance day. I will give each of the "failing" six 60 laps each on 0.5u, 0.25u, 0.1u diamond pasted hand-held balsa strops and finish with 60 laps on a 0.1u hanging balsa strop. That should see an improvement for this coming week. I will repeat this each maintenance Sunday.

As the six "failing" edges approach the quality of my Vesperum, I will eliminate the 0.5u and later eliminate the 0.25u. once at Vesperum's quality, I will just be using the 0.1u hanging as I currently do with Vesperum.

Once the replacement for my lost SR is received, I'll only have to work on that to get it to Vesperum's quality.

 

[rbscebu]

Wow! My Lunae razor was almost as good to shave with this morning as my Vesperum razor was yesterday. Going through my diamond pasted balsa strop progression worked wonders on this Monday razor.

I will see over the progress of this week if the same applies to my other five M7DS razors and report back next Sunday.

 

[camoloc]

Wow! My Lunae razor was almost as good to shave with this morning as my Vesperum razor was yesterday. Going through my diamond pasted balsa strop progression worked wonders on this Monday razor.

I will see over the progress of this week if the same applies to my other five M7DS razors and report back next Sunday.

balsa voodoo magic.........works wonders!!!!!

strong medicine.

camo

 

[rbscebu]

balsa voodoo magic.........works wonders!!!!!

strong medicine.

I agree, however all the blades had been through the diamond pasted balsa progression before first use. This second time through the progression may really have put the finishing touches on the blades.

We'll see how it goes for the rest of the week.

 

[rbscebu]

End of week three.

Being a Sunday, it was a pleasure shaving with my Vesperum (evening) SR, even happily performing a fool's pass. This blade has my sharpest, keenest and most comfortable edge that I use to judge all of my other SR's.

The other six SR's of my M7DS were closer to Vesperum this week, except for Mercurii (Wednesday). Mercurii will still need a bit more work through the diamond pasted balsa strops.

For my weekly maintenance today, blades Lunae, Martis, Iovis, Veneris and Saturni will now only get 0.25um, 0.1um and 0.1um hanging while Mercurii will get the full 0.5um, 0.25um, 0.1um and 0.1um hanging treatment. I am hoping that this will bring Mercurii up to the level of the other five.

I have found a local engraver who can laser engrave the days (in Latin) onto the spines of my M7DS. Not cheap at USD 6.50 each. I will wait until I receive my replacement Solis (Sunday) SR before getting this done.

 

[rbscebu]

Well my Lunae razor is now just about perfect. This morning I gave it the FPT and it passed, just not quite as good as the Vedperum yesterday.

I can see next Sunday's maintenance being on 0.1um +0.1um hanging only for probably all of my M7DS (except possibly for Mercurii, I'll see how that goes on Wednesday). Life is good.

 

[rbscebu]

One of the more difficult hurdles that I had to overcome was the urge to balsa strop each razor of my M7DS after each shave. Old habits die hard, but I did it. I can now accept waiting until Sunday for my balsa stropping routine.

 

[rbscebu]

After a shave, each blade get 5 or 6 laps on a clean linen strop to "clean" the edge. It is then oiled before puting away. I use a light machine (Singer) oil on my blades.

What I have noticed is that where the blade has a mirror finish, the oil tends to pool into small droplets, not protecting the steel. The only mirror finish on my M7DS blades is the edge. As my blades are stored vertically (edge down), the oil tends to accumulate more on the edge, thus protecting the blade steel and its edge.

My Titan ACRO blade is mostly mirror finish, so I use a petroleum jelly on it for protection. This ACRO blade is normally stored flat in its separate timber case.

 

[rbscebu]

End of week four.

Last Sunday my M7DS received the following love:

Lunae (Monday) 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Martis (Tuesday) 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Mercurii (Wednesday) 0.5, 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Iovis (Thursday) 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Veneris (Friday) 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Saturni (Saturday) 0.25, 0.1 + hanging
Vedperum (evening) 0.1 hanging only

The results were outstanding. Even Mercurii was up there with the rest and they all performed a FPT, not quite as good as Vesperum this morning, but very close.

All will today get 0.1 + hanging except Vesperum that will just get 0.1 hanging only. Here is hoping that all will meet Vesperum quality this coming week.

 

[rbscebu]

It's THERE!

The edge on my Lunae razor now equals my best, the Vesperum. I was so happy with the Lunae this morning that I gave it the FPT and it passed with flying colours. This razor will now be limited to 50 x 0.1um hanging balsa strop laps on maintenance Sundays.

Can't wait to see how Martis goes tomorrow.

 

[rbscebu]

Today, Monday, I visited my barber. He told me that he can start shaving again on Wednesday . I'll give my whiskers a couple of days to grow and then have another ultimate barber's shave.

He has also dropped his price from USD 2.40 to USD 1.20 for a true SR shave with all the trimmings. I hope he still has that cute assistant.

My M7DS will have a rest for a week. During that time I'll use some of my other razors, just to keep my hand in.

 

[rbscebu]

As reported elsewhere, I decided to continue with using my M7DS this week. All the edges are nearly there so my much anticipated real barber's shave will have to wait until Monday.

 

[rbscebu]

End of week five, kind of. I am not shaving this evening or Sunday so that I will whiskers to challenge my barber on Monday morning.

This past week has shown me that all SR's in my M7DS are now as good or even a little better than my reference Vesperum razor, even that recalcitrant Mercurii razor. The only slight exception is Martis.

Today all SR's in my M7DS will each only be treated to 60 laps on 0.1um hanging balsa, except Matis that will also get 60 laps on 0.1um hand-held balsa beforehand. That should have all my M7DS razors up to sctrach.

For this coming week I will be giving this M7DS a break and will return to my other SR's and my one DE razor.

Hopefully in about 3 or 4 weeks I will have the SR's for my second M7DS, Titan 1918 ACRO T.H.70 blades. These are specialist stainless steel blades that are hard with RHC in the late 60's. They will require more work to get their edges "there".

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I am also considering a third M7DS consisting of Gold Dollar W59's - I like shaving with they Spanish point style.

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[camoloc]

I like the look of the spanish point one!!!!

camo

 

[Straight up]

I'd like to see a 7DS made of the W59s. I'm still waiting anxiously for mine. I think it is still another month away.

I had a thought of making a 7DS from Comoy's of London razors because I can get them quickly (under 1 week) and they are only ~$20 each. But thinking about it, I'd be making a purse out of sow's ear. So that idea was scuppered.