The Gillette NEW, 83 years later
The Gillette NEW, the razor shown in the photo, was introduced in 1929: 83 years ago. As I look at the latest razors today from Gillette and Schick and the like, I experience strong doubts that any will still be used in the year 2095.
The brush is a model I got to see in person recently, and it is a strikingly good brush. It arrived yesterday and I made an immediate (and good) test lather. I note that the knot dries in the “porcupine” format, the tips of the bristles interlocked. Some badger brushes do this, and it’s sort of cool. When the brush is dry, the spikes can be disengaged by brushing (say) your hand, and in any event wetting the brush readies it for action with no more interlocking.
The fragrance of the Palermo shaving cream is quite nice—at the link is an impressionistic description, and I lack the ability to list the notes in the traditional way, nor can I identify why the fragrance seems so familiar, but it is pleasant. With a good lather, I did three passes using a Treet Black Beauty carbon-steel blade, and then a little squirt of TOBS aftershave balm, and I’m good to go.
The Rooney brush looks interesting. What model is it and where did you buy it? What grade of badger is it? Thanks.
Chris R
17 January 2012 at 5:51 pm
It’s this one from Vintage Blades LLC. It a super badger, and the badger is hooked so that it gets all porcupine-like when it dries. The little spikes go away when it’s wet again, or you can brush them out with your hand if you like a smooth knot.
LeisureGuy
17 January 2012 at 6:42 pm
I really do like Al’s shaving cream. They are excellent face latherers. He just got in some new scents on the website and I just ordered one.
J Dogg
20 January 2012 at 6:28 am