Later On

I feel sort of like a radio DJ: “This shave goes out to Eddie of Australia, who requested a test run of D.R. Harris re: Creamy Lather™ and a comparison of Shark and Astra Superior Platinum blades.

I used a new Vie-Long horsehair brush. I’ve long noticed (mainly when using a D.R. Harris shave stick) that D.R. Harris delivers (for me) an exceptionally good lather, but I had not tried the CL technique with it. I picked horsehair, since my first success was with such a brush, and as I worked up the lather I noticed that the bowl’s low sides are to some extent an advantage: the sloppy early lather—the slag—simply spills over the low sides and is gone, obviating the need to hold the bowl sideways or upside down.

I did indeed achieve a Creamy Lather, and set about shaving, using the two razors alternately. (As you can see, the Astra Superior is in the ebony-handled Chatsworth, the Shark in the ivory-handled one.) As I used each blade, I thought, “Oh, this one is better.” They’ve very close, with perhaps an edge to Shark. Or to Astra Superior Platinum.

But that’s my reaction. In blades, each man must be his own judge, as you well know.

I got the Nivea because guys who use it like it so much. Although I don’t use balms much, this one is not bad: non-greasy, absorbed quickly, and then I decided to add a splash (Lustray Spice).

I think this coming week I’ll use balms each day…