Well, was on the second day of my train ride to New Orleans from Newark (moving off to college) and was hoping to look nice when I got off. But I was getting a little scraggly. Well, it dawned on me that a) I had my own private room, with a mirror and a sink. b) I had all of my shaving equipment 'cept my strop c) I had only done one pass when I last used my razor (and a good stropping lasts 3 or 4 passes for me) and finally d) I care not for my own safety.
So what did I do?
You guessed it. I shaved on a moving, jerking, bouncing train. One pass only. Made sure my arms were steadied against my body so that it wouldn't jerk separately from my body. Lathered up, spread the lather, shaved my face. Cleaned up, rinsed out my brush, let it dry the rest of the journey. Oiled the razor and put it back in its box. Not a single scratch on my face. Shave was as good as a one-pass shave ever is. Was quite fun, never any close shaves with the train movement (har har har)
If it interests anybody, I was using a cake of classicshaving's sandalwood soap, a Vulfix #662 brush, a Pearlex carbon steel DOVO razor, and some 3-1 oil to keep the razor clean, which I found had developed a new rust spot (!) around the hinge since I'd last used it. Will have to try to get some metal-glo in there, but not sure what it'll do to the gold plate. I had stropped it on an Illinois #206 strop, all cut up (being the first one I ever got, and still my only one) so it only has about half its leather length actually useable, and I don't think I've ever conditioned it...should get some conditioner.
Since I'm here, I know my grandparents have a roughly century-old razor in an elephant ivory box, along with a honing stone of the same age, lying around somewhere. They don't know where it is, so I'll go looking for it. If I find it, I'll let you guys know. Oh, there's also a strop of indeterminate but definitely vintage/antique age in my grandfather's bathroom. Belonged to his father or grandfather. Will try to get a picure of it up at the same time.
