Occam’s razor – also known as lex parsimoniae – is a problem solving principle stating that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Ockham stated the principle in various ways, but the most popular version, “Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity” (Non sunt multiplicanda entia sine necessitate) was formulated by the Irish Franciscan philosopher John Punch. Today it’s commonly taken to mean that the simplest solution to a problem is the best or most correct one.
Okay… so is the simplest solution to the problem of shaving a semi-disposable piece of plastic and metal that requires a lot of machinery to assemble, or is it a single steel blade securely held in a solid metal razor that lasts several lifetimes?
When a wetshaver is traveling, the choice of souvenirs is… different. I’m very happy with a shave stick and a cheap badger brush, and even more by the fact that I found something useful to bring home with me.
From a thread at my favourite shave forum:
The percentage is around 35% mane and 65% tail but it is not always used in the exact same percentage in every production – it depends on the raw material received each time. The softness is obtained thanks to the mane and the backbone thanks to the tail.
So, speaking logically, a 50-50 mix as some of the Vie Long brushes have will be softer and with less backbone. Good information for those who find Vie Long’s regular brushes to be too stiff and scratchy.
From Shaving Made Easy, a book in the public domain I like to recommend to shavers new and old:
Of recent years a great number of safety razors have been invented and placed on the market, the manufacturers of each claiming that theirs are superior to all others and that they have at last produced a razor that is destined to revolutionize shaving.
One thing may be said of safety razors in general—that if a man uses one he is less likely to cut himself, but this is all that can reasonably be said in their favor. Of course, if it were impossible to shave with the ordinary razor without cutting one’s self, then the safety razor would become a necessity. The truth is, however, that anyone who has a good keen smooth-cutting razor, lathers the face thoroughly, and will learn—if he does not already know—how to handle the razor properly, will run almost no danger. Such a man will seldom cut himself.
On the other hand, most of the safety razors are difficult to keep clean and dry, and therefore free from rust; and owing to the difficulty of stropping them, it is almost, if not quite impossible to keep them sharp. It is also difficult to make the correct stroke with them. Probably a hundred thousand safety razors have been sold in the United States within the past few years and it is extremely doubtful if ten per cent. of them are now in use.
This may be considered a case of “famous last words”; the Gillette Safety Razor was patented in 1903, and must have been starting to hit the shops as Shaving Made Easy was printed… and the rest, as they say, is history.
From Shaving Made Easy, a book in the public domain I like to recommend to shavers new and old:
Purchase a good brush. The cheap ones are usually the most expensive in the end, and nearly always prove unsatisfactory. It should be remembered that the vital part of a brush is in the setting, and particular attention should therefore[Pg 46] be paid to that part of it. Cheap brushes are commonly set with glue, rosin or cement, which soon cracks and becomes unadhesive; whereupon the bristles fall out. We recommend a brush made of bristles or badger hair and set in hard vulcanized rubber. A brush so constructed, with wood, bone or ivory handle, and hard rubber ferule, will not shed the bristles or crack open, and with proper care will last for years.Do not leave the lather to dry in the brush, but after shaving rinse it out thoroughly and dry the brush with a towel, before putting away. The cup and brush should be kept clean and away from dust. Once a week they should be washed with hot water.
Today we have a great deal more choices when it comes to the materials used in the handle and in the glues used for the knot, but the rest of the advice holds true still – even if my cheap and cheerful Turkish brushes so far has provided fantastic value for the price asked.
To make the lather, see that the soap is placed in the cup according to previous directions. Fill the cup with water, allowing it to stand for a few seconds, then pour the water out. Usually sufficient water to make the lather will adhere to the cup, soap and brush. Now with the brush, mix thoroughly, using a combined stirring and churning motion, until a good thick lather appears. The more the brush is rubbed over the soap the thicker the lather becomes. A great deal depends upon having the lather just right. If it is thin and watery, you will have poor success in shaving. The more creamy it is, the better will be the effect of the alkali in stiffening the beard. Some of the poorer qualities of soap produce lather very quickly, sometimes half filling the cup, but it will be found thin and without lasting qualities, so that by the time one side of the face has been shaved, the lather is all gone from the other. A good soap will produce a thick creamy lather that will last throughout the entire process of shaving.
Applying the Lather.
Put the lather on with the brush, covering every part of the face that you intend to shave. Then with the fingers rub it thoroughly into the beard until the lather has had sufficient time to stiffen the hairs. Next to having the razor in perfect condition, this is the most important thing to do; for it is impossible to shave easily unless the face is well lathered and the lather thoroughly worked into the beard. Go over the face once more with the brush, in order to spread the lather evenly, and then begin shaving at once, before the lather has time to dry. Should it dry while you are shaving, wet the brush slightly and apply fresh lather. If you prepare your face in accordance with these instructions, a keen razor will slip over the face so easily that shaving will become a real pleasure.