Shave of the day 31st January 2025

And just like that, January is over…

SOTD 2025 01 31
  • Razor: Gillette 1958 TV Special
  • Blade: Persona Platinum
  • Brush: Artesania Romera Manchurian Badger, imitation horn
  • Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream
  • Lather: Pereira Shavery Orange Blossom w/ activated charcoal
  • Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
  • Additional Care: Alum Block

The Compax, according to Waits

As regulars might know, the Robert K Waits Razor Compendium is a good resource – even if it is getting a little long in tooth by now. But it does have an entry for the Compax, with the collapsible handle we looked at a couple of days ago.

To quote Waits in full:

What I find interesting is that Waits says nothing at all about the collapsible handle. The list of British patents shown in one of the photos is… intriguing.

Hexagonal collapsible safety razor handle

A travel razor usually either have a very tiny handle – like my, admittedly tiny all over, Laurel Ladies Boudoir Razor – or a handle in two parts – like my Merkur 985CL. But James Alex Denby Watt had a different idea. He patented a collapsible, hexagonal razor handle in 1930 – and it worked well enough to be part of a production razor.

Continue reading

Shave of the day 27th January 2025

Another week, another vintage razor. What is not to like?

SOTD 2025 01 27
  • Razor: Gillette 1958 TV Special
  • Blade: Persona Platinum
  • Brush: Vie-Long #14033
  • Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream
  • Lather: Jabonman Mediterráno L.E. BullGoose
  • Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
  • Additional Care: Alum Block

The Pyramid of Shaving Advice

Shave

Experiment

Experiment more

Enjoy the moment

Keep experimenting

Your mileage may vary

Find what works for you

Find what don’t work for you

Try a new soap, blade, brush, or razor

Make many mistakes, and learn from them

High end and bargain bin can be just as good

New razors can be great – so can vintage ones

Embrace your Acquisition Disorders – within reason

Try your very first soap, blade, brush, and razor again

A shave can be a moment of Zen and a mental recharge

Shaving is most enjoyable when it is about the process, not the goal

Shave of the day 20th January 2025

A “back to the roots” kind of shave – today’s setup is pretty close to the first kit I bought.

Except for the blade, the prep, and about thirteen years experience with traditional wetshaving, that is.

SOTD 2025 01 20
  • Razor: Parker 22R
  • Blade: Persona Platinum
  • Brush: Omega #10048
  • Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream
  • Lather: Proraso Menthol & Eucalyptus
  • Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
  • Additional Care: Alum Block