New with EJ89 Handle

I put the handle from my EJ89 on my newly plated Gillette New head.  The New's handle is quite light, and so the razor is top heavy. The EJ89 gives it a great balance.

Today's shave included: 

• Derby Extra SS blade
• Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap
• Van Der Hagen Badger Brush
• CWR
• Dickinson's Witch Hazel
• Aqua Velva AS

Just Received the New

I just received my Gillette New, and it is gorgeous. Special thanks to Sam Duran for the excellent job of cleaning and plating.

So, I just finished taking it on its maiden voyage. Along for the ride was:

• Proraso Shave Soap
• Van Der Hagen Badger brush
• Newly plated Gillette New razor with Derby Extra SS blade
• CWR
• Dickinson's Witch Hazel
• Aqua Velva AS

It was an excellent BBS shave with only two passes. This is one of Gillette's all-time greats.

The New - Replated

Gillette's New razor design was produced in the 1930s. Gillette introduced razors with the NEW head design in 1929, and continued to produce variants until 1940. There were three main variants of the NEW head design: De Luxe, long-comb, and short-comb. All NEW razors were three-piece double-edge designs. Mine has a short-comb and the bar handle. Razors were produced with both thick and thin bar handles, but the thick-handle design is more common. 

This is my Gillette New razor that, as you can see, has some patina on it. I decided to have it replated and just got back pictures today. I should receive it back Monday or Tuesday. The gentleman that did the replating is Sam Duran. I met him on a shaving forum Badger & Blade. He is a hobbist, restoring and replating in nickel. This is my only open comb DE razor, and even though it looked kind of yucky, I really liked the way it shaved. That is why I decided to give it new life with this referbish. I will post new pictures after it arrives. I am so excited.  Thanks, Sam, for a beautiful job.

Hard to believe, but this is the same razor.

A great design makes for a great shave.

5 Minute Shave from Lather to Rinse

I just watched a video by Geofatboy of Shave Nation about a 5 minute Muhle R41 shave from lather to rinse. He did a face lather and jumped in with a one pass shave. It was a quick in and out shave. I was impressed and decided to try that myself. I used Proraso with a Parker black badger brush and my EJ89 razor with Derby Extra blade. I usually lather in a bowl and do two or three passes, so this was a new experiment for me. I was very pleased with the lather I was able to produce right on my face. I soaked my brush, shook it off and did 10 swirls in the Proraso and went straight to the face. I did one small dip in water and got a great lather. I did one pass and a touch up on my neck. It was a quick shave indeed. I was very impressed. I finished up with a cold water rinse, witch hazel, and Aqua Velva.

I made the following video with a kit I put together to give to my son.



Update: February 20
I have been trying different soaps with this technique, and I have been successful with all. The only real difference from my usual shaving routine is that I am face lathering instead of bowl lathering. So, I am saving probably 2 to 3 minutes because I skip the bowl and bowl clean up time.  Even with face lathering I have enough lather in the brush to do a second pass and touch ups.

Van Der Hagen's Luxury Shave Soap, Day 5

Today I end up the New Shaving Bowl experiment with Van Der Hagen's Luxury Shaving Soap. I keep the soap in my Van Der Hagen apothecary mug. I loaded the brush for about 30 seconds and then made my lather in the green glass bowl. In about a minute I had this awesome lather. I did two passes and some touch up for a great shave.

I am continuing to use my Gem Jr. 1912 with Gem/Personna SS PTFE blade
Parker black badger brush
I finished off with a cold water rinse
Today, after the rinse I lathered up again while I cleaned up
Dickinson's WH
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

It has been a fun trip through my five different soaps. Tomorrow, I will be using a different razor and starting the tour over again.

Col. Conk's Lime Shave Soap, Day 4

I am continuing the New Shaving Bowl experiment, today, I am using Col. Conk's Lime Shaving Soap. I keep the soap in my wood shave bowl. I loaded the brush for about 30 seconds and then made my lather in the green glass bowl. In about a minute I had this terrific lather. I love this light lime scent. I did two passes and some touch up for a great shave.

For this experiment, I am continuing to use my Gem Jr. 1912 with Gem/Personna SS PTFE blade

Parker black badger brush

I finished off with a cold water rinse

Dickinson's WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Tomorrow, I will finish up this series with Van Der Hagen's Luxury Soap.

Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Soap, Day 3

Continuing the New Shaving Bowl experiment, today, I am using Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shaving Soap. The shaving cup was Grandpa Lowe's. I loaded the brush for about 30 seconds and then made my lather in the bowl. In less than a minute I had this terrific lather. I did two passes and some touch up for a great shave.

I am continuing to use my Gem Jr. 1912, and my Parker black badger brush for this lather experiment. I finished off with a cold water rinse, Dickinson's WH, and Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

Col. Conk Bay Rum, Day 2

Second day with my new shaving bowl. Today, I used Col. Conk's Bay Rum Soap. It lathered up quickly and made a rich lather. I did two passes and had plenty left over. I am continuing to use my Gem Jr. 1912, and my Parker black badger brush for this lather experiment. I will just be changing the soap each day. Finished off with a cold water rinse, Dickinson's WH, and Aqua Velva Ice Blue.

New Shave Bowl, Day 1

Found this glass bowl at Olde Time Pottery today. I was able to whip up a great lather is quick order. I did two passes with my Gem Jr. and had this left over. I will try out a different soap over the next few nights. 

They will include:

• Van Der Hagen Deluxe Soap
• Van Der Hagen Luxury Soap
• Col. Conk Bay Rum Soap
• Col. Conk Lime Soap