Hello again

So,  it's been over a year since my last post. I have acquired a few new razors which i will be reviewing shortly.  This post is about a random soap that a hobby soapmaker friend made for me. It was her first try at shaving soap and I must say it preformed very well. The only problem i had with it was figuring the exact amount of water needed for a great shave. Which turned out not much at all. Think the complete opposite of Williams (as far as needed water) Anyway,  I wish i had a picture of the soap to add to this post but unfortunately,  my iPhone was destroyed. So,  all my pictures and contact info for this person is gone. Anyway,  if anyone knows a soapmaker willing to try to produce some shaving soap,  tell em to get er done.

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`57? Gillette Super Speed

I bought this razor days ago. From the date code it looks to me like it’s a 1957 model. Although it looks more recent than that. The Gillette date code guide I used leads me to believe this is the correct year for this Super Speed marked c-1. I could be wrong in my dating of this as it is in immaculate condition. I used some of that Flitz again, It worked wonders this razor has not a mark on it anymore. I dropped in a Wilkinson and this razor performed well. A close shave BBS with 2 passes. I just realized this morning that it no longer burns when I apply the after shave. FINALLY, a BBS without the buning sensation of the after shave! I would recommend this razor to anyone wanting a vintage razor for a great price. That is, if you can find one in this great shape. I have no pictures yet but they will be coming soon….. 

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‘69 Gillette Superspeed (Black handle)

I bought this Gillette months ago at a flea market. I paid next to nothing for it as it wasn’t in the best condition. It was tarnished, and the black handle had a small white spot showing through. I would usually clean it with Silvo or Brasso. This time I tried Flitz metal polish. I actually got the flitz for free from Ka-Bar knives company. They sent me 12 grams in sample packets for one of my high carbon knives. It worked wonders on this razor. It took off most of the tarnish and shined the steel right up. So, now I have this shiny old Gillette Super Speed razor. I pop in the usual Wilkinson Sword Blade and go to work. I don`t mind the shave. I`ve had worse, but I`ve had better. It`s an average razor. Three passes were necessary to achieve a close enough shave. It`s not my best looking shaver, but I imagine it will get a fair amount of use as a traveler.

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Grrrrr

It has been a long while since I have made any shaving related purchases. I am getting a little antsy. I can feel The itch of RAD(razor acquisition disease). Since my last post, I have made one purchase. A 1963?? Super speed. God you gotta love a vintage Gillette. I think I will completely remove shaving from my daily regimen until I can feel the steel of a new razor on my face. Perhaps the coming weekend I will hit the local flea market and antique stores. On a recent trip threw merrickville, I spotted about 4 antique stores in this small, but god help me trendy, town. I could almost vision hundreds of razors calling to me from behind the doors of these stores. I think a trip back to merrickville is in my near future.

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Colonel Conk Amber Shave Soap

Picked up some colonel conk amber shave soap. I really enjoyed the bay rum soap so I thought I would give some other of their soaps a try. My initial thoughts were that the scent wasn't as sharp as the bay rum but it did smell good and clean. Lather was ridiculously abundant. I would have thought the lather would be similar to the bay rum soap, but it was much much better. I would re commend this soap to anyone looking for an easy lathering soap. 

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Initial Thoughts On Face Lathering

Up until today -from my first de shave until my shave this afternoon- I have always been a bowl latherer. Today was quite different. First of all, it was my good friends birthday last night, so there was a sweet party, and I crashed in my trusty hammock. Secondly, I had no razor nor shave soap until I made it back home later this afternoon. I gathered all my shaving supplies and headed to the bathroom (there is no counter space on a pedestal sink. It is shenanigans) put everything in a sink full of hot water and took a shower. When I was finished, thr was when I realized that I forgot my trusty ol' lather bowl. Meh, I thought why not try a face lather and see what all the fuss is about. My first try left the lather rather thick and pasty on my face. After a short dip of the brush in water I tried again. Much better. It was a good way of doing it. Even though I didn't hate it, it feels like it was missing something, the bowl perhaps. I do however think I will face lather when traveling to save space.

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Gillette Tech

 I recently purchased a Gillette Tech razor. I have not been able to date it thus far, as this is a Canadian model and there are absolutely no date codes. From information I have gathered, It is most likely an early 40's model. It shaves decently, I tried it with classic Wilkinson blades and it didn't seem as aggressive as my travel tech. I later used feather blades and experienced a mildly more aggressive shave. This razor is more than capable of achieving a damn fine shave.

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