Shave of the day 29th January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: LEA shave stick
Brush: Omega #50014 Boar Bristle Travel Brush
Razor: Merkur 985CL open comb travel razor with a Lord blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, miniature alum, and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Shave of the day 27th January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: LEA shave stick
Brush: Omega #50014 Boar Bristle Travel Brush
Razor: Merkur 985CL open comb travel razor with a fresh Lord blade
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, miniature alum, and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Razor blade injector and disposal device

I’ve been poking at injectors lately, and I found a 1946 patent for the “injector” part – that is the blade holder and inserter.

This invention relates to improvements in a razor blade injector and disposal device, and refers more particularly to a blade changer having a compartment or container made integral with the magazine of the injector.
The disposal of used blades has been and remains a serious problem. The blades constitute a hazard not only to the user, but to others. Whether the handler of the bladese be forewarned or runs across them without knowledge of their existence, their disposal is a problem and is the cause of many accidents. The present invention seeks to devise a depository for used blades which will entirely eliminate all such hazards and accidents.
An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a convenient disposal container into which the blade can be placed immediately after use.
Another object is to provide a compartment or box-like container aiiixed to and forming an integral part of the magazine of a blade injector or changer with a slotted opening in the end of the compartment for insertion of the used blades.
A further object is to provide an injector having a magazine for new blades, and a disposal compartment for used blades, offering safety enclosures for both types until the supply of new blades has been exhausted, and a disposal container for the final batch of used blades.

Fig. 1 is a side view of an injector or blade changer embodying the invention and shown in operative position with the blade holder or razor,
Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the injector,
Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the injector with portions of the Walls of the magazine and disposal compartment broken away,
Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Shave of the day 25th January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: Nivea Shave Cream
Brush: Wilkinson Sword Badger
Razor: BiC Sensitive SE disposable
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum, and Thayers Original Witch Hazel
Beard care: Big Red Beard Balm and Big Red No7 Beard Comb

Shave of the day 22nd January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soap, Pine & Cedarwood
Brush: Vie-Long #13051M unbleached pure horse
Razor: Cadet TTO-11 Twist To Open Open Comb with a Persona Platinum
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum, and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum Aftershave
Beard care: Big Red Beard Balm and Big Red No7 Beard Comb

Shave of the day 20th January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: GzD shave stick
Brush: Turkish No7 ‘horse hair’
Razor: Cadet TTO-11 Twist To Open Open Comb with a Persona Platinum
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum, and Proraso Liquid Cream After Shave
Beard care: Big Red Beard Balm and Big Red No7 Beard Comb

Why shave in winter?

I’ve heard the argument that havign a bear in winter means you’re warmer… and as someone with a well groomed mustache and trimmed goatee I take offence to that idea… after all, it’s been rather cold in Norway these last few days, and… well, lets look at a photo from Shackleton’s Trans Antartic Expedition shall we?

Lionel Greenstreet (1889 – 1979), his beard frozen with breath icicles, during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-17, led by Ernest Shackleton. (Photo by Frank Hurley/Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge/Getty Images)

Your breath is humid, humid means water, water freezes, and there you go. Not too pleasant, and certainly not warm. Back in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration this was well known, as shown in this excerpt from Roald Amundsen’s book about his Antartic Expedition in 1910-11:

When the meal is over, one of them calls for scissors and looking-glass, and then one may see the Polar explorers dressing their hair for the approaching Sunday. The beard is cut quite short with the clipper every Saturday evening; this is done not so much from motives of vanity as from considerations of utility and comfort. The beard invites an accumulation of ice, which may often be very embarrassing. A beard in the Polar regions seems to me to be just as awkward and unpractical as — well, let us say, walking with a tall hat on each foot. As the beard-clipper and the mirror make their round, one after the other disappears into his bag, and with five “Good-nights,” silence falls upon the tent. The regular breathing soon announces that the day’s work demands its tribute.

While the weather was a wee bit colder for Amundsen, I do agree with him; beard and winter don’t mix well. Thankfully I don’t stay out in the cold, or I would shave what I got off…

Shave of the day 18th January

Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Peppermint Soap
Lather: Dalan d’Men Energic cream
Brush: Omega #10048 Boar Bristle
Razor: Cadet TTO-11 Twist To Open Open Comb with a Persona Platinum
Post-shave: Cool water rinse, alum, and BodyShop Maca Root Energetic Face Protection
Beard care: Big Red Beard Oil and Big Red No7 Beard Comb