Thread: First Spike Shave.

So yesterday I sharpened up my Bengall Spike.


You can see the bevel (and my head) there, it's just about 1.5mm (~1/16") wide.

I was rather impressed with it. Very smooth shave around my chin, I normally give my chin/neck a second pass but it wasn't needed.

I thought I would give me cheeks a second pass too! Unfortunately my facial hair grows towards my ears, So when I shave down my sideburns (which grow normally) and get past the bottom of my ears I am actually going XTG. Anyway I tried for an ATG pass and now believe most of my face went down the drain with the lather.

So red! Haven't been this bad in a while.

I am happy to report that the blade has a slight smile most noticeable on the spike and therefore I did not slash my face open.

So now I have 2 razors in the rotation, an Essex (Es=Ex) No.4* and a T.R Cadman & Sons era Bengall Spike.

* I have an Essex No.1 which is stamped Essex and but the No.4 is stamped Es=Ex, same manufacturer by all counts...

I also have a couple Es ex razors so it seems, one in the mail just paid for and the other I got a while back with bad hone wear to a saver for me for the ivory scales only but didn't know the brand, as it only has the S in the cross stamp and silver steel until I saw the one I just won
How do you find them for shavers?

I have been using the No.4 and it's been great. Very reliable and tends to hold its edge well. I am going to restore my No.1 before using it as the scales are very obviously not the original ones.