Thread: The Noob Chronicle - My Straight Razor Experience

That scuttle looks like a Robert Becker....!! Can't go wrong for the money, thats for sure.

I'm also enjoying the use of acronyms in your prose, specifically, SWMBO.

Nice posts Jack.

Originally Posted by Maxi

That scuttle looks like a Robert Becker....!! Can't go wrong for the money, thats for sure.

I'm also enjoying the use of acronyms in your prose, specifically, SWMBO.

Nice posts Jack.

Thanks. I think, with her personality, there are definitely times where she MBO, it's just easier. The scuttle a Robert Becker and it is great and I did shave tonight. I'll post my thoughts tomorrow

The Straight Road - Part 11: The Scuttle Adventure
With my new Robert Becker #9 Scuttle safely nestled in my backpack, I bustled off to my dad's to help him set up his new computer. He is somewhat technologically challenged, so I figured I'd lend a hand and help him get up and running. His gratitude included dinner and a couple of wobbly pops. Then I headed home to the apartment, toying with the idea of a shave.

The Anticipation
Being three beers in, I was somewhat trepidatious about taking hyper-sharp steel to my face, especially just a day after having such a nice shave. But hey, there would be no story today if I hadn’t shaved, so you know I ended up going for it! The new scuttle was excuse enough and I also wanted to see how my face would hold up after getting such a close shave just 24 hours prior.

The Prep
A kettle on the stove, I headed to the bathroom to knock out with 30 passes of the DOVO 6/8” Ironwood on the Poor Man’s, then laid aside my steel and headed back to put the not-quite-boiling water into the scuttle. I left my brush to soak in the brush reservoir and hopped in the shower. I find this really helps get things softened up, I used my RealShaving Exfoliating Face Scrub to really get in and soften up the short whiskers on my face, plus to help tease out any ingrown hairs that might be kicking around the neck area. As soon as I was out of the shower, I massaged a few drops of eShave orange sandalwood into my face and neck, towelled off and got ready for a whole new experience – scuttle lathering!

The Lather
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! Did I say wow? I meant, WOW! I love my new scuttle a lot. Like, really a lot. It was a bit awkward at first, as the bowl is a bit narrower and deeper than what I’ve been using, but the Vulfix 2234 about which I’ve been less than thrilled for the past few shaves certainly did a wonderful job in this vessel. I chose my T&H Grafton sample for this shave, which smells really nice. I still haven’t found a T&H whose smell I don’t like, though SWMBO likes 1805 the best, so far. Anyway, I don’t know if it was the new cream, the new scuttle shape, the beers or the warmth of the vessel, but I got such an amazing lather that I was in shock. Creamy, thick, protective and slick (that rhymes!). It was a dream to apply warm lather for three passes and touch-ups. I love my new scuttle. A lot.

The Shave
With such amazing lather, how could I not enjoy my shave? I took my time and enjoyed myself, letting the warm, pleasant-smelling lather absorb into my whiskers and simply gliding the razor over my skin. My improved proficiency at stretching has really started to pay off, as I got my closest shave yet and very little irritation, despite shaving so soon after shave number 10. The first pass was nice and easy, WTG and smooth. The second was XTG and was a bit trickier, though I managed the moustache and jawline areas alright. I still had my challenges in the chin zone. The third was another XTG, opposite of pass two, and it was pretty decent. I managed to get quite smooth on the chin, with no patchiness on the jawline and the troublesome soul patch was smoother than ever. Overall I managed what I would consider a PDS (pretty decent shave – is that even an “official” acronym? ). The chin touch-ups were better than ever, really close and only a slight bit of patchiness around the scar, with no cuts or nicks.

The Post
A lukewarm water rinse was first, then the alum application. I dried off my blade and laid it aside, then did a cold rinse and slapped on some witch hazel. While I let that sit for a bit, I went for 30 passes on the strop, then dried between the ironwood scales with toilet paper and made sure the blade was dry and clean before laying it aside. Then I went for more cold water, cleaned up my countertop and rinsed out my scuttle and brush, which were still slightly warm! After that, I applied the T&H Galfton aftershave balm, finished tidying the bathroom, touched up with some Galfton cologne from the sampler and went out to check what was happening in the bedroom...

The Verdict
Smooth, fun and a big yes to the Robert Becker scuttle. This was, by far, my most enjoyable and smooth shave yet with a straight. Things are starting to get better. The warm lather is so awesome that I almost don’t know how you can go without it! I had a very little bit of burn after the shave, a bit on the sides of my neck and along the jawline, but I got extra smooth on the chin, the soul patch and the moustache area, which is a new thing for me. Maybe I was more relaxed and more fearless because of the beers, but all in all, this shave gets a big two thumbs up.

I think I’m beginning to enjoy my ride on The Straight Road.

Another day, another new shaving toy for me. My Frank Shaving faux ebony silvertip just arrived while I was writing this. I took a cellphone shot which I’ve uploaded here. I went for the big, 28mm knot and I can already say it’s a denser knot than my Vulfix. I also really like the heft of the brush, which feels very heavy and solid in my hands. I can’t wait to get home and try it out, though I’m not sure I’ll shave this evening. Wait, haven’t I said that before?

Thanks for reading.

Cheers,

Jack

Here's a shot of shave #11's gear. I've just finished #12, so I'll write it up soon and get the pics up.

Where did you find the Le Canadien? I cant find em any where

Rasage Poulin, which is, sadly, shutting down. I think he still had a couple left. I had the pleasure of having mine honed by Maxi at the Toronto meet-up today and it is sweet, though the point is pretty deadly.

Yeah, it says out of stock on the website . Thanks though.

I was looking for a 6/8 but I might just get a 5/8 to have one .

I hear you. I have a 2nd 6/8 en route, which may have been the last one.

Damn ! The wont ship em to me any way . Im in ny . if I had the forethought i could have had one of my relatives in Canada order it then fwd it to me ...oh well. If you ever wan to get rid of one let me know first.