Dave in KY's Videos and Hangout

Beauty polish by AlanH81   

While polishing certainly removes material, I don’t think the tolerances are that tight that it would make a noticeable difference. Usually. Rounding off corners and edges probably won’t change the actual blade geometry and how it contacts the face and if you think about  how much variability there is in how a user wields the tool it would be surprising to get a significant degradation or improvement. 

That said, I’m sure it can happen and the users’ perception is what counts. I’ve always wondered whether cera-coating can change the geometry. I bought a coated Gillette Tech from Delta Echo a number of years ago and it’s a nice looking razor but it bites. Nasty thing I’ve only used once. Now I have no idea if that’s a result of the added coating material or the fact that he coated used razors that may have been dropped or otherwise abused such that a mild razor changed into a biter regardless of the coating. 

In the case of the Rockwell 6s, I have an early model in the silver gray colour and a newer one in the black coating. While they’re both super smooth, the black one is slightly smoother in opinion. Whether that’s a consequence of my imagination, the coating or wear in the molds over time I don’t know.  Maybe the later version had newer molds, I don’t know but there it is.

Knowing that when Paradigm farmed out 2019 Diamond back polishing some were over polished and it definitely changed the shave of those razors so I know it can happen. The coatings can make a noticeable difference too as polished razors glide much better and remove any dragging feeling. Ain't science fun

Yes it is. I like looking at pictures of apparently smooth metal surfaces under microscope. Not smooth at all.

That's very interesting information Dave. One sure can tell from the pictures, comparing the plates side by side, with the polished having slightly less Sharp detailed edges.
   You've mentioned your 6s. Once I borrowed my buddies polished Rockwell 6s it shaved great. So I bought the 6s and my unpolished did not quite shave the same, until I polished it, bam that was it, same shave.
  Nice thoughts, and I'll be interested to see what or shaves and time leads you to think. 
   Happy New year's bud.

Beauty polish by AlanH81   

While polishing certainly removes material, I don’t think the tolerances are that tight that it would make a noticeable difference. Usually. Rounding off corners and edges probably won’t change the actual blade geometry and how it contacts the face and if you think about  how much variability there is in how a user wields the tool it would be surprising to get a significant degradation or improvement. 

That said, I’m sure it can happen and the users’ perception is what counts. I’ve always wondered whether cera-coating can change the geometry. I bought a coated Gillette Tech from Delta Echo a number of years ago and it’s a nice looking razor but it bites. Nasty thing I’ve only used once. Now I have no idea if that’s a result of the added coating material or the fact that he coated used razors that may have been dropped or otherwise abused such that a mild razor changed into a biter regardless of the coating. 

In the case of the Rockwell 6s, I have an early model in the silver gray colour and a newer one in the black coating. While they’re both super smooth, the black one is slightly smoother in opinion. Whether that’s a consequence of my imagination, the coating or wear in the molds over time I don’t know.  Maybe the later version had newer molds, I don’t know but there it is.

Bolding added for emphasis

I believe something similar to what Marko noted is true for my former Top Razor, my beloved Steampunk Slim from Delta Echo. I just love that razor's look!  But I had never shaved with it before getting it done by Jay at Delta Echo.  Over the past 2 years I bought a few Slims (ya need back up, right?!!) and noted that all shaved a bit more aggressively than I liked. I moved them on. Then I got one identical to to the Steampunk, in great shape. It I collected and shaved with. I think I noted just a bit more glide, and it shaved very similar to the other. So I agree with keto that the coating made it drag, but the uncoated (polished for this review) was smoother. No data, just anecdotal!  I am really looking forward to how the Karve will shave after AlanH81 gives it The Treatment!

In any event, the razor looks spectacular, Dave. I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of it!  And I didn't realize you had two done!  I bet I skim read a while back and now got confused, thinking the Rockwell spa pics were actually the Yates!

And you guys gotta stop talking up the Yates, I don't need one. Nor do I need a Blackbird. 

That's very interesting information Dave. One sure can tell from the pictures, comparing the plates side by side, with the polished having slightly less Sharp detailed edges.
   You've mentioned your 6s. Once I borrowed my buddies polished Rockwell 6s it shaved great. So I bought the 6s and my unpolished did not quite shave the same, until I polished it, bam that was it, same shave.
  Nice thoughts, and I'll be interested to see what or shaves and time leads you to think. 
   Happy New year's bud.

Beauty polish by AlanH81   

While polishing certainly removes material, I don’t think the tolerances are that tight that it would make a noticeable difference. Usually. Rounding off corners and edges probably won’t change the actual blade geometry and how it contacts the face and if you think about  how much variability there is in how a user wields the tool it would be surprising to get a significant degradation or improvement. 

That said, I’m sure it can happen and the users’ perception is what counts. I’ve always wondered whether cera-coating can change the geometry. I bought a coated Gillette Tech from Delta Echo a number of years ago and it’s a nice looking razor but it bites. Nasty thing I’ve only used once. Now I have no idea if that’s a result of the added coating material or the fact that he coated used razors that may have been dropped or otherwise abused such that a mild razor changed into a biter regardless of the coating. 

In the case of the Rockwell 6s, I have an early model in the silver gray colour and a newer one in the black coating. While they’re both super smooth, the black one is slightly smoother in opinion. Whether that’s a consequence of my imagination, the coating or wear in the molds over time I don’t know.  Maybe the later version had newer molds, I don’t know but there it is.

Bolding added for emphasis

I believe something similar to what Marko noted is true for my former Top Razor, my beloved Steampunk Slim from Delta Echo. I just love that razor's look!  But I had never shaved with it before getting it done by Jay at Delta Echo.  Over the past 2 years I bought a few Slims (ya need back up, right?!!) and noted that all shaved a bit more aggressively than I liked. I moved them on. Then I got one identical to to the Steampunk, in great shape. It I collected and shaved with. I think I noted just a bit more glide, and it shaved very similar to the other. So I agree with keto that the coating made it drag, but the uncoated (polished for this review) was smoother. No data, just anecdotal!  I am really looking forward to how the Karve will shave after AlanH81 gives it The Treatment!

In any event, the razor looks spectacular, Dave. I hope you get plenty of enjoyment out of it!  And I didn't realize you had two done!  I bet I skim read a while back and now got confused, thinking the Rockwell spa pics were actually the Yates!

And you guys gotta stop talking up the Yates, I don't need one. Nor do I need a Blackbird. 

I traded a WW Brush for Alan's 6s he had polished and you most definitely NEED a Yates M or H 

Mmm that Bamboo SV brush...

Mmm that Bamboo SV brush...

Thanks Chris

Great setup and review!

I'm guessing covid has shut down most of the nail salons in your area. Those hands need a manicure Dave.    Shiny razor BTW. Nice.

I'm guessing covid has shut down most of the nail salons in your area. Those hands need a manicure Dave.    Shiny razor BTW. Nice.

Dry  and cold weather while wet hands that work outside cause cracking and bleeding. Then people call me out and make me nervous which causes me to chew my cuticles Ken. We can't all sit inside a big truck and drive around all day. Some of us actually work with our hands. 

Saturday January 2,2021
Razor: Ever Ready Razor
Blade: Gem (1)
Brush: Rubberset 400/Oumo Boar
Soap: Lakewood Soaps SOCP (1508.5 Continues)
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: Clubman Citrus Musk
Fragrance: Penhaligon's Opus 1870

Back to the SOCP that the Oumo Boar whipped into a very good lather. Started wetter than normal and took a bit to get the lather where I wanted and had to go back to the tub for the 3rd pass. Doing the 1508.5 is keeping the soap from drying out between passes. I need to go at the brush load with a drier brush net time. 1st outing with this recent purchase from the popular auction site and felt smooth but not cutting well. After inspection of the blade I notice the top cap is wonky. I flip it open and close and it appears better. After a couple strokes the same inefficiency is noticed and I recheck the cap. Yep off again. After the smooth and satisfactory but unimpressive shave I inspected the head and see it has been severely bent and without some major hammering twisting bending......................yeah I'll never get it where it was intended so will just get another for the nice wood case it came with. Something tells me the seller knew the issue but I will give the benefit of the doubt. They aren't that expensive of a razor and I got it reasonable enough. Life goes on. Topped off with my Humphrey's, Clubman Citrus Musk and Opus 1870 so I can be ready for whatever the world sends my way. Have a swell day everyone !!