Loads of info to share today, but first, a
WARNING: there are probably more important things to do with your time than read about my escapades in shaving.
A Vector
I have been jonesing* for a titanium Vector for a while now. The reports are that titanium can really change the face-feel of a razor. In a recent email from Blackland Razors, Shane himself reported this. Here is what he wrote in the 09 Feb '22 email. It is in reference to Ti Blackbirds:
"Since Titanium is about half the density of stainless steel, it only weighs half as much. That reduction in weight means the head of the Blackbird Titanium presses the blade into your skin with less force than the Blackbird Stainless Steel does, reducing the amount that you feel the blade. The razor has the same design and the blade exposure remains unchanged. The material makes all the difference and that difference is absolutely transformative. If you tried the Blackbird before and thought it felt aggressive, you owe it to yourself to try the Blackbird Titanium."
I briefly posted in another neighborhood a WTB for a Ti Vector, but within a day closed the ad given some new information. Well, a user over there PM'd me and said he had 2! Long waits between responses, pictures showed up a week later, I said ok, what are you asking, and I haven't heard from him since. He reached out to me over 2 weeks ago now. I figure he doesn't really want to sell (he said he'd "deeply discount" the price). No problem. I can easily (ha, what a joke!) hold onto my money!
Then yesterday a gent here posts a Ti Vector at a price that I'm willing to pay. Within 2 hours I have a tracking number! Thank you, DFS and seller!
* according to Dictionary dot com, jonesing had its origin in drug slang! How interesting; are we addicted to wet shaving?! "It is unclear exactly where the slang verb jones comes from and what connection the craving may have to the common surname, but the most likely origin is in the drug scene. In the 1960s, especially in New York, heroin as well as heroin addicts, dealers, withdrawals, and drug addiction itself were all colloquially referred to as jones and Mr. Jones. One popular, but unsubstantiated, story has it that Jones Alley in Manhattan used to serve as a hub for heroin addicts.
By the 1970s, jonesing had spread beyond its origins as drug slang, weakening to a sense of “strongly wanting or desiring” in college slang, popular media, and on the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A person could be jonesing for a lover or a hamburger—anything they feel have done without for too long and feel a jittery anticipation of or longing for."
Amber handle Schick injector
I bought one from an Etsy seller, and when it arrived there was no blade. Inserting a new blade was ridiculously easy, as the spring is bent and no tension. The seller agreed to take it back to fix it, even though I was well outside his published return window (my fault as I told him, I didn't look at it right away). He messaged me today, the spring has a crack in it and is beyond repair. I opted for a refund over a different razor, thanking him for all that effort. He definitely wants satisfied customers and I have nothing but respect for CC at Dapperstudiocc on Etsy. Thanks, CC!
Since the above injector wasn't working, I went looking for another Type G with the amber handle. As these things tend to go for me, I found another on Etsy, as well as a Canadian Type E. My injectors are multiplying like my boar brushes were back in Decemboar! This morning I shaved with the amber Type G and had a very audible, very efficient shave. I think it might be prone to a nip if I don't stay awake, as opposed to my other Type G and Type I, but that amber handle really looks cool, you know?!
Karve Overlander
This razor dethroned his older brother, the Christopher Bradley, as my reference DE razor. I have spent the last 2 weeks shaving mostly with the Overlander, with 4 shaves to the Twig & Thorn pair. I think I could just about sleep while using the Overlander and get a great shave. Long lasting smoothness, no white knuckling the counter, just clear sailing! Some day I will compare it to my Yates 921, which delivers great shaves also for me, with the M plate and Hybrid plate, but lacks the traditional feel of a DE for me, given that stork-leg handle. Not bashing it, just thinking out loud about why it didn't dethrone the CB razor.
Today's shave set up
![[Image: wj6EwaT.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/wj6EwaT.jpg)
Photo is mostly for documenting the hole in the bottom. I plan to use this soap most days now until it is used up, but other soaps will come in now and again, like William's and MWF, whenever the mood strikes.
Also, I have been using the Trotter Quasar with a Manchurian badger lately. Wow, it is really something! Thank you, Paul!
And speaking of Trotter Handcrafts, Paul is patiently working with me to create a custom handle, into which another badger knot will be placed. Stay tuned for updates!
Have a great Saturday and Sunday. Stay well, be safe, and thanks to all who read this far for persevering!
THE END
For now
![[Image: 5M9wAsX.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/5M9wAsX.jpg)
