08.04.06
Shaving Slant Bar
I got another perfect shave with the Merkur Slant Bar, which I’ve now sold. It’s so good, I ordered it in gold (scroll down) and have sold my chrome version. Feather blades, in case you’re interested, and never a nick or cut. The secret in part, I realized, is using short strokes, which encourages light pressure, correct local blade angle, and focused attention. Also, I use the four-pass method, sort of easing up to the final, against-the-grain pass, which then goes quite comfortablly.
I tried out the Taylor Herbal Pre-Shave Gel with today’s shave. It won’t play a role in my shave kit. (And it’s pricey.) If you want pre-shave, go with Prorase Pre- and After-Shave Cream.
[UPDATE: I may have been unfair to the Herbal Pre-Shave Gel. There are no instructions on the tiny jar, but I note this on the Classic Shaving page:
This super-moisturizing gel will soften even the toughest beards and prepare them for shaving while also moisturizing the skin and providing additional lubrication to prevent irritation.
Apply a small amount evenly over the area to be shaved by hand, and allow it to stand on the beard for 1-2 minutes before lathering - This can be done while preparing your brush and soap or cream. Lather as usual right over the gel. Will not coat your brush as many pre-shave oils do.
Pleasantly scented by its own natural herbal ingredients.
I did not let the gel sit for 2 minutes before lathering. I'll use it again tomorrow, and this time I won't be in such a hurry. --- later: still didn't do much for me. But, as noted in the main shaving post, using Trumper Coral Skin Food or glycerine as an every-pass pre-shave does a lot. [/update]
The alum bar is still the perfect end to the shave—well, penultimate step, at any rate. I used the Thayers Witch Hazel Aftershave (not their regular Witch Hazel). Very nice.
Still don’t quite have the lather bowl thing worked out. I tried a double-walled brushed stainless bowl with a 1-pint capacity that I got at Target. The interior was exactly the right size and shape, so I was hopeful, but… Tomorrow I’m going back to the Moss Scuttle, but this time with the advantage of boiling water from my Sunbeam Hot Shot.
Man, that Slant Bar is a good razor. For me. YMMV
It’s a civil war in Iraq
President Bush won’t admit it, though his generals are moving closer to it, but according to these criteria (via Dan Froomkin’s column), it is a civil war:
There are six criteria for considering a conflict a civil war.
1. Is the focus of the war control over which group governs the political unit?
2. Are there at least two groups of organized combatants?
3. Is the state one of the combatants?
4. Are there at least 1,000 battle deaths per year on average?
5. Is the ratio of total deaths at least 95 percent to 5 percent? In other words, has the stronger side suffered at least 5 percent of the casualties?
6. Is the war occurring within the boundaries of an internationally recognized state or entity? Read the rest of this entry »
Tooth experience, cont’d
Saw the oral surgeon today very briefly for a socket check. Everything’s looking great. I go back in 3 months for an X-ray and to set the appointment for the implant. (“Implant” has sort of a Star-Trekish sound to it, doesn’t it?) Again, the whole extraction thing went as smooth as silk and never a second’s pain—or “discomfort” as dentists say.
