- Thread starter
- #981
Happy Sunday, Gentlemen.
Yesterday there was a lot of rugby to watch for Super Saturday, the final day of the Six Nations. England finished 2nd after demolishing Wales. It might finally be starting to come together for England after a few years of less than wonderful performances, but France are currently on a different level from the rest of the northern teams and were deserved winners of the tournament.
I had a great shave yesterday morning with the Gamechanger 0.68 OC / Permasharp combo. Four shaves on that blade and no problems. The rate of regrowth tells me it wasn't as efficient as when fresh, but there were no serious issues. The past few months have seen me pretty much abandoning one-and-done and getting at least two or more shaves out of my blades. I put it down to a) sticking to blades I know I like, b) using mild OC razors that give me the efficiency I want without stressing the blade, and c) not going ATG without getting maximum reduction from earlier passes - not only are my shaves better but my blades are lasting longer.
After I shaved yesterday morning I prepared the evening meal. I like to cook Indian / Asian food at the weekend when I have a bit more time to get fancy. Yesterday it was just a simple dish, as I wanted to be free to watch rugby all afternoon rather than spending it in the kitchen, but it was still super tasty.
Whilst I was cooking I had the thought that preparing a dish is very much like getting a good shave:
There's probably more similarities, but these are the ones that came to mind. Maybe this is why I enjoy both activities.
I am growing to really like it. Even if this particular knot is not the best example, there's just something about it. It will probably always be too scritchy for face lathering, but it is softening up a little and hasn't lost a hair since the first test lather. I owe Simpsons an apology.
I am also starting to understand what @helicopter said, that stiffness and scritch can be an advantage because it eats into soap and whips up lather much quicker than something soft and floppy. Even though I can't face lather with the Berkeley, I am impressed by how it performs in a bowl with hard soaps. For such a tiny brush it punches way above its weight.
So, I guess another Simpsons is back on the menu. I think I want to stick with smaller knots, which is a blessing in terms of the potential wallet damage, but I would also like some variety in terms of handle colours. I am not short of brushes (I must still have 20+ even after getting rid of a few) but if I am going to add relatively expensive badger to my existing store of cheap boars and synths I want to wait for something that really calls out to me. At the moment the Colonel is a definite (but I would love it in black or butterscotch) and then maybe an M7 or a 57. There's no rush. I am happy window shopping for now!
Yesterday there was a lot of rugby to watch for Super Saturday, the final day of the Six Nations. England finished 2nd after demolishing Wales. It might finally be starting to come together for England after a few years of less than wonderful performances, but France are currently on a different level from the rest of the northern teams and were deserved winners of the tournament.
I had a great shave yesterday morning with the Gamechanger 0.68 OC / Permasharp combo. Four shaves on that blade and no problems. The rate of regrowth tells me it wasn't as efficient as when fresh, but there were no serious issues. The past few months have seen me pretty much abandoning one-and-done and getting at least two or more shaves out of my blades. I put it down to a) sticking to blades I know I like, b) using mild OC razors that give me the efficiency I want without stressing the blade, and c) not going ATG without getting maximum reduction from earlier passes - not only are my shaves better but my blades are lasting longer.
After I shaved yesterday morning I prepared the evening meal. I like to cook Indian / Asian food at the weekend when I have a bit more time to get fancy. Yesterday it was just a simple dish, as I wanted to be free to watch rugby all afternoon rather than spending it in the kitchen, but it was still super tasty.
Whilst I was cooking I had the thought that preparing a dish is very much like getting a good shave:
- You need to select the right ingredients (whether that's a bunch of spices or soaps and splashes, razors and blades) and understand not only how each one behaves in isolation, but how they all work together.
- You need to keep your tools in good condition and understand how to use them effectively - the right tool for the job. A sharp blade in the kitchen is as important as a sharp blade in your razor, and good knife skills are like good razor skills - you can manage without them, but a bit of expertise can make all the difference to the quality of the results.
- You need to make quick judgements and be able to adjust on the fly. Does that lather need more water? Does that dish need more chilli powder, or more time on the heat than the recipe said? Do you need to make another WTG pass before proceeding? With experience, you develop an instinct for these things, but whether you are shaving or cooking, simply following a formula by rote is probably not going to give you the very best possible results - the ability to improvise is essential.
- Most importantly, you need to clean up thoroughly after yourself when you finish, or incur the wrath of the domestic authorities!
There's probably more similarities, but these are the ones that came to mind. Maybe this is why I enjoy both activities.
I am growing to really like it. Even if this particular knot is not the best example, there's just something about it. It will probably always be too scritchy for face lathering, but it is softening up a little and hasn't lost a hair since the first test lather. I owe Simpsons an apology.
I am also starting to understand what @helicopter said, that stiffness and scritch can be an advantage because it eats into soap and whips up lather much quicker than something soft and floppy. Even though I can't face lather with the Berkeley, I am impressed by how it performs in a bowl with hard soaps. For such a tiny brush it punches way above its weight.
So, I guess another Simpsons is back on the menu. I think I want to stick with smaller knots, which is a blessing in terms of the potential wallet damage, but I would also like some variety in terms of handle colours. I am not short of brushes (I must still have 20+ even after getting rid of a few) but if I am going to add relatively expensive badger to my existing store of cheap boars and synths I want to wait for something that really calls out to me. At the moment the Colonel is a definite (but I would love it in black or butterscotch) and then maybe an M7 or a 57. There's no rush. I am happy window shopping for now!
or brass) is that a slightly shallow/mostly neutral angle works best and with only enough skin stretching to keep flesh from bunching in front of the edge. A lighter touch is better, but slightly excessive pressure is almost forgiven.
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% ok in my book!
