Share your shave of the day for Sunday!
Spicy Sample Straightember Sunday Shave
- Brush: Dogclaration LG 2022 Mystery Brush (B16)
- Razor: Filarmónica 14 Doble Temple (8/8, extra full hollow, red scales)
- Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Stirling Spice
- Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Spiced
- Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Man Fire Power
Starting from dry, spicy Stirling Spice, adding some mandarins and sweetness with Seaforth! Spiced and finally vanilla in oddly named Tabac Fire Power. A nice progression 😊
September 24, 2023
- Brush: Maggard 24mm Synthetic
- Razor: Gillette Red Tip Super Speed
- Blade: My-Blades (1)
- Blade: Bolzano (German) (1)
- Lather: Barrister & Mann - Reserve Fern - Soap
- Post Shave: London Razors - Mountain Laurel - Aftershave
- Fragrance: London Razos - Mountain Laurel - EdP
TL;DR: too close to call
I got a few of these My-Blades from a famous YouTuber, and got right to work coming up with conspiracy theories. One of my theories (well, maybe my only theory) is that My-Blades took the place of Bolzano when Bolzano moved manufacturing from Germany to Egypt. That move happened a couple of years ago.Why do I think this? The My-Blades company is trying to convince people that they’re based in Germany (even though the business side of things is a lot more complicated than that), and the blades have a similar appearance. All I’m noticing is the common 3 bars printed on each side of the blade, and the fact that the ink printing is of similar “quality”.
To test my theory, I did a side by side shave. I used the same razor, swapping between Bolzano on the left and My-Blades on the right.
Pass #1 - With the grain. Both blades were brand new. I noticed a slight difference in the feel of each blade, but it was too close to call. Both blades feel quite mild. They aren’t tuggy, but you can feel the hairs being cut. They’re both very skin friendly. I should mention that made-in-Germany Bolzano’s are one of my favorite blades.
Pass #2 - Across/Against depending on the part of my face. On this pass, any differences in feel became way too close to call. The amount of stubble left on each side of my face was very similar.
Pass #3 - Against the grain. Much of the same. Lets say I was forced to say My-Blades was milder on the first pass (I still say it was too close to call), I would make the same call on this pass. Each whisker maybe gave a tiny bit more pushback when using the My-Blades.
Final result - Too close to call. The first use of a Bolzano is always a little different, the theory being that the coatings have to wear off. Scientifically that means the results of this test should be ignored. Both sides of my face feel identical. All signs still point to “maybe they’re the same blade”, but more research is needed.
It’s possible, of course, that they changed other things like the metallurgy, coatings, etc. Packaging is different, with My-Blades being double wrapped with no wax, and Bolzano single-wrapped in a waxy paper. Overall I like both blades a lot.
As for My-Blades being sus - I’m not debating that, but they’re a good blade. I just tossed one after 6 shaves, but only for the sake of doing this experiment. Bolzano’s usually last me 8-10 shaves and My-Blades could have probably done that, too. If they reach the level of sus-ness that is the PAA Strangelet, then I’ll for sure lose interest in them. For now, I’m giving them a chance. I still want My-Blades to disclose where they’re made, although I have made no attempt to contact them. Such basic info shouldn’t be so hard to come by.
If they reach the level of sus-ness that is the PAA Strangelet
That would be “11” on the sus-ness scale. Nice comparison. It is unlikely that basic metallurgy or coatings have changed significantly. The production process is already tuned to steels similar to Uddeholm AEB-L (created in the early 20th century).
Nice sleuthing!
Sep 24, 2023 - Sample September: Timmermann Red
- Prep: Coffee
- Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
- Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Green & Ivory 24mm Synthetic 2-Band Knot
- Razor: Aylsworth Razors Drakkant Plus
- Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Stainless (Green) [3]
- Lather: Wholly Kaw/Pastuer Shaving - Timmermann Red Label 1869 - Soap
- Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co./House of Mammoth - Armonía - Aftershave
- Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Tobacconist - Eau de Parfum
Timmermann Red is a warm, woody tobacco scent, perfect for this cool morning. Armonía and Tobacconist blended well for a great overall experience.
Rating: 4.5/5
September 24, 2023
- Brush: Simpsons Chubby 2 Jade 27mm HMW
- Razor: Koraat 14-2.0 8/8" Full Hollow (Straight Shave 336)
- Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap (59)
- Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Lavender - Toner
- Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
The Koraat 14-2.0 is supposed to be a Version 2.0 of the Filarmónica 14. So is it? Well, yes it is! But in the sense that it can be your dream Fili 14; except for the gold etch on the blade. How about shaving? Is the 2.0 better? Nope. Your shave result is mostly related to your technique, however, the 2.0 definitely has the Fili 14 magic that comes with the “14” form factor. [The J.A. Henckels Friodur 14 has this too, but @djundjila seems to have the only one in existence ;-)]
Enjoy your Sunday! I’m off to stream the F1 race in Japan.
What’s the “14” form factor all about?
In three words:
- huge
- extra hollow
- 8/8
- long
- perfection
It’s a Solingen blade blank format and a bunch of razor maker used to use them between the 1950’s and 1990’s. Most notably Filarmónica, Henckels, Palmera
That’s what she said.
Sep. 24, 2023
- Brush: Zenith 31mm MOAR BOAR
- Razor: Rockwell 2C
- Blade: Feather Platinum
- Lather: Stirling - Executive Man - Soap
- Post Shave: Stirling - Executive Man - Aftershave
Good shave. This razor is pretty gentle on 3 giving me a nice shave with little irritation. This scent gives me the feeling of shoving my face right up to a bottle of gin and giving it a sniff.
September 24, 2023: Equine Greatest Hits Straightember
- Preshave: Proraso Green Preshave
- Brush: Semogue C3 Galahad Horse 🐎
- Razor: Thiers-Issard 188 7/8 ““Coq et Renard””
- Lather: Le Père Lucien Narcisse
- Post Shave: Floid The Genuine
- Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm
I went back to Narcisse today. I really like the scent, but the after shave costs 50€ 😱. A nice shave, and I’m ready for next week.
Have a good night!
