Aneirin
Posts: 6121
Joined: 3/18/2006 From: Tamaris Status: offline
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I believe the origin of the cartridge blade lies with Gillette at the beginning of the twentieth century, he saw the ease of shaving with a new blade as an antidote to the many who came to sport facial hair because they either detested using the open razor, or couldn,t use it satisfactorily. The disposable blade also speeded up the shave, a shave ceased to be so much of a ritual, one coul just have a quick scrape and get to work early and work longer. Gillette also saw the money making aspect of his ideas, educate the public into buying, using and throwing away, that will ensure profits into the future, and it has. An early pioneer of the throw away culture we have become. Gillette's blades were thin slivers of chromium plated steel, now we have multi blades wrapped in a material made from oil, which we are told is running out, yet we still buy and chuck it all away when it is used, we are throwing away our resources. Even people of the past recognised the wastage of throwing away Gillette's blades and many devices were created to extend the life of the blades, Lillicraps hone was one of the more useful, it being still available on places like fleabay, and it actually works, it being ground glass, a dry abrasive. If one can't think to use a cut throat, at least try the rolls razor, it is a cut throat, with a safety feature, making a cut throat shave a safer option. The rolls razor has a built in hone and strop, a fantastic device, and the device that trained me to use the cut throat I now use. Rolls Razors are still available new in the US, but are quite pricey they being the more up market gold plated varieties, but many lesser examples can be found on the second hand market. I used to collect the things and restore them to working condition, my collection is now largely gone, for I have given most of them away to other men who were fed up with the cartridge blade. I now have a new old stock aluminium travel set from the 1950's, yes, it was completely new and unused when I got it, so I know how good these things should be from the start. Interestingly those I have restored in the past, there is very little if any difference between the used and the unused, they are that well built and functional. Anyway, the secret to a good shave, is preparation of both blade and skin, and a relaxed shave, no rushing, just enjoy the ritual.
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Everything we are is the result of what we have thought, the mind is everything, what we think, we become - Guatama Buddha Conservatism is distrust of people tempered by fear - William Gladstone
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