Shaving Folkore and Novelties

The Sopwith Camel fighter developed so much torque from it's (sic) P.O. Bentley rotary engine ...

The Bentley BR1 was just one of half a dozen different engines used to power the Camel, and it wasn't the sole cause of the airplane's dangerous flight characteristics. The Camel's standard engine, in fact, was the Clerget 9B.

I think Snoopy's Sopwith Camel used Purina Dog Chow, and the Red Baron shaved with a straight razor. I figured I'd better include that last point to keep my post somewhat on topic.

The Bentley engine was the most powerful in horsepower and torque increasing the camel's kick. It was a simple case of flying tail heavy leading to spins unlike the perfectly balanced Sopwith Tripe Fokker copied and holding the rudder opposite to counter the torque on the ground. Canadian William Barker remains the most decorated Canadian in history and his camel B6313 the highest scoring single fighter in RAF and Commonwealth history and the second in world aviation. That honor goes to a Finnish Brewser Buffalo our aviation history writers pan and the Finns loved. but my favorite has to be the French pilot of a Nieuport 17. He was particularly effected from the castor oil lubricating fumes and finally devised a flap in his flight suit, wicker seat and fuselage. When he felt weak of bowels a high speed dive over German trenches led to a general awarding the Croix de Guerre.

The Bentley engine was the most powerful in horsepower and torque increasing the camel's kick. It was a simple case of flying tail heavy leading to spins ...

Like the Bentley, the Gnome Monosoupape 9N put out 150 horsepower. Engines used, all of them rotary, ranged from 100 hp to 150 hp. While the Bentley BR1 supposedly gave the best performance, the Clerget 9B was standard.

Ninety percent of the aircraft's weight was within the front seven feet of the aircraft. It was tail-heavy in level flight, however. And if a pilot wasn't familiar with those characteristics, he was in for a close shave. No Peter Pan and Neverland here.

My very first magical flight was at Van Nuys Airport ( busiest private airport in the world) airshow in a restored JN-4 for $50. I got to fly three circles and land to parents angry I blew Christmas money and could have been killed. I was idiot savant enough to ask about the engine and learn modern builders can duplicate or restore one at rather eye tearing expense. The owner told me the engines themselves were still in aviation infancy and the Bentley was known for it's predictable power curve.
I know a vintage car dealer in the UK with several P.O. Bentleys available at Lottery prices- very, very big lotteries. I would love one, if only to pull up next to some mega athlete in his green pastel Bentley convertible (German engine, plastic body) revving the engine and adding to global climate change, a pair of WW2 pilot goggles reflecting sunlight off his gold tooth rail, blow him a kiss and take off in a BRG flash like Mr Toad in WIND IN THE WILLOWS scattering obnoxious lance Armstrong wannabee bicyclists.

I like straight razors and badger brushes. Coupled with a fine soap and splash, it can;t be beat for comfort and closeness.

replicated 3/8liter with triple carbs and supercharger measured 511 HP @ 3378 rpm with 60MPH in first gear and 90MHO clocked in second with two more to go.
850,000 UK pounds. Six numbers and I'll have change left for a pair of Fratelli Orsini driving gloves , petrol and lunch with Patrick in San Francisco in a few hours driving time up the PCH at speed.

I also thoroughly enjoy using single edge safety razors. Specifically GEM-style razors, but also AC-style shavettes are enjoyable for me. I have a half-DE shavette that I use occasionally, but I prefer the AC style, as they are stiffer and provide a more comfortable shave for me.

I tend to palm strop all SE and DE blades before using them. The myth is that the silica in our skin acts as a stropping agent, helping to smooth out the edge of the blade. I am not at all sure if it is true, or accurate, but I will say that my experience leads me to believe in palm stropping. I do seem to get smoother shaves from a palm stropped SE/DE blade. It's enough that I have also started to palm strop my straights before shaving. I still do my standard 25 linen/25 leather stropping routine, but I will add an additional 10 or so laps on the palm.

Does it really work the way "they" say it does? I don;t know. Comfort is all personal and relative, so it could very well be that the silica in my skin is helping to smooth out the edge. It is equally as possible that it is all in my head, where I BELIEVE the shave to be smoother, but it is not in truthfulness, any smoother...it is just my perception, following the activity.

Anyhow, palm stropping is probably the only "myth" or "hoodoo" that I routinely participate in, unless you count soap blooming...which, of course, many people do...