SOTD 1/2/2020
Pre: Hot Shower, Proraso Pre-Shave Cream, Bloom Water
Soap: Whispers From The Woods "Araminta" (bloomed)
Brush: The Stray Whisker 28mm Synthetic
Razor: Durham Duplex
Blade: Persona "Carpet Cutter" (1 honed)
Post: Home Mash Menthol Splash
I purchased the Durham on a whim of curiosity a couple of months back. Following a little research, I placed an order with Try a Blade for 10 of the Personna "Durham Duplex compatible" blades. Although the blades fit the Durham nicely they are, I believe, produced for the primary function of carpet cutting and therefore, not surprisingly, I had read that they did not give the best of shaves. Not put off, on Sunday last, I sanitised a blade out of the packet, loaded into the Durham and threw caution to the wind. My research had informed me that best results from the Durham were achieved by holding the handle at 90 degrees to the face, more akin to shaving with a straight rather than a regular DE razor. The resulting shave, to say the least, was very tuggy and very uncomfortable and I willingly gave up after a poor WTG pass on one side of my face.
With a week to reflect and research further, last night I took another new blade to a 16K & 30K Shapton stone followed by a number of laps on a balsa block treated with chromium oxide paste. This morning, following diligent face prep, I achieved a 3 pass much improved shave. Was it BBS? No not even a DFS to be truthful. Were there any nicks? Yes a couple. Was there any irritation? Yes but surprisingly minor. So why did I bother? Well, to shave with a razor once favoured by many (before being surpassed by Gillete) and produced by a company with such history, to me anyways, is something in itself. Would I use it again? As a result of further research, somewhere over the pacific, there is a pigeon franticly flapping in this direction with a number of "alternative" blades strapped to its leg
To be continued.......
Stay safe all and have a great weekend!
