Well shave #1 with the Supply Provisions razor. I have committed to shaving everyday this week with it and then packing her off to
@Sxot .
In preparation I have read nothing, and I mean NOTHING about this razor. I wanted to approach this completely fresh. I've not read a single review on the web or on here. Again not being rude but wanting to be entirely objective.
While I'm in the honesty zone. Let's make some things abundantly clear from the get go. This razor has its work cut out for it. Why?
Well although I've not read a review or single impression of it I cannot escape it's being:
a) not a straight,
b) American, and
c) popular
So I unpacked the razor with a raised eyebrow. Unfair I know.
Then the feel of the razor in the hand. A really weird balance...kind of head heavy but also biased to the backside. Hmmm....can't see how this would bode well on the face. Anywho.
So
@Mark1966 passed it on loaded with the three dots - which I assumed is the most aggressive configuration. Since I'm committed to using this for 5 days come hell or irritable rash I thought I'd go middle of the road and adjust as we get through the week.
Loading is pretty intuitive, especially if you've ever used an injector before. Must say that the tolerances were excellent and so loading was trouble-free. An absolute relief for anyone who has ever engaged in battle with an obstinate vintage Schick. So an easy load. 10/10.
Went a thicker lather than I'd customarily have for a straight - and let me say the Fine soaps (from the Netherlands) provides one of the most protective lathers in the business. So here I am standing opposite the spitting image of the Cella man!
Now we we were down to business a few things changed about the razor. I was visited by a very real fear that this thing would be like an eel in my fingers. Went to grab the alum to make for a surer grip but......no need. This surface is deceptively grippy. Kind of reminds me of the Standard razor.
Next was the balance. Sorry but it feels odd i the hand. Full stop!
...but on the face it kind of just makes sense. The balance is to the head but away from the edge so pressure seems centred in the right place. So I take back my initial concerns about the balance. Granted it feels weird, but it also does what it is designed to do. Shave! My call is that it's unbalanced in the hand, but balanced on the face.
Glide of the razor across the face is excellent. Has the right feel. No friction and yet not slippery. To me, the best word to describe it is "controlled". But it's in the glide that we discover another oddity...the double scrape tracks. The wake of this razor is like the track of a ski-do. Two very distinct tracks weave across your face...not a drama but never had a razor do this.
So anyway first shave. Three passes. And the result?
SUPERB!!!!
Not a single pop, not a single drop of blood. Zero irritation and +90% BBS. Seriously folks I am utterly and completely surprised.
Can't wait until tomorrow to see if it were all beginner's luck.
Oh and keep an eye on the "screw".
