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Post by mjclark on Sept 1, 2015 16:36:57 GMT -6
I just acquired this packet of Damaskeene blades still sealed in their original wax paper: So the last time anybody saw the blades inside this packet was when they were wrapped at the plant 100 years ago, right? So I'm going to open them and shave with them (obviously) to release the time travel magic of NOS. And I don't have a Damaskeene razor but I'll happily send out a blade from this packet to a couple of you guys who have, in a TOST exclusive PIF. So if anyone's interested in using a genuine Damaskeene blade in their Damaskeene 1912 razor, then just post in this thread and send me a PM. The only condition is that when you get the blade you post a photo of it loaded into your Damaskeene razor, and you actually shave with it! So c'mon guys, let's release the Damaskeene genie out of the bottle
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spidey9
Lather Catcher
All SE all the time!
Posts: 641
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Post by spidey9 on Sept 1, 2015 23:22:37 GMT -6
This sounds like fun. I've got a Damaskeene or two. I've got a few NOS blades, as you can see in the pic, but they are definitely not shave-ready, having apparently been stored somewhere damp. Would you prefer the photo in an open or closed comb Damaskeene? --Bob
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Post by mjclark on Sept 2, 2015 0:15:18 GMT -6
This sounds like fun. I've got a Damaskeene or two. I've got a few NOS blades, as you can see in the pic, but they are definitely not shave-ready, having apparently been stored somewhere damp. Would you prefer the photo in an open or closed comb Damaskeene? --Bob Brilliant Bob! That blade will surely be going to a good home, and you decide which Damaskeene it goes in. And please PM me your address again as I no longer have it. So, two more blades to PIF. Who's in?
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Post by PJGH on Sept 2, 2015 4:05:41 GMT -6
Well, it would be rude not to Marcus - thank you very much! Would you like to borrow a Damaskeene to play with one yourself?
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 2, 2015 9:45:16 GMT -6
Hi Marcus, I would like to give it a go. Rate the Damaskeene with modern blade. Mike Pm Sent
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Post by mjclark on Sept 2, 2015 11:19:54 GMT -6
Great stuff guys! So the blades go to Bob, Paul and Mike and the PIF is now closed.
And yes Paul, I'd love to borrow a Damaskeene razor to put a blade in.
And do you have a Mark Cross razor? Cos I've got OEM blades for that one too...
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Sept 2, 2015 16:08:56 GMT -6
Congrats guys! I hope they give great shaves! Please post your results.
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Post by mjclark on Sept 2, 2015 17:30:34 GMT -6
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Post by mjclark on Sept 3, 2015 17:22:50 GMT -6
Blades posted out today Gentlemen! Watch the mail
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Post by PJGH on Sept 4, 2015 11:41:28 GMT -6
... and arrived today with much thanks. Upon arrival: ... with the warning to only accept sealed blades! Prised open ... ... and revealed in all its 100 year old glory! Even today, it has a bite. No, it's not as keen as a fresh GEM by Personna, but it is as keen as a twice or thrice used GEM by Personna, and so I think it will be a super shave! I have had little success with NOS blades, but one I did have a joyous shave or two from was a thick spined Ever Ready from (my guess being) around 100 years old. I have high hopes for this blade. I'll use my stropper (as advised on the packaging) and see how we go. Much thanks Marcus! This is going to be fun ...
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 7, 2015 3:08:23 GMT -6
Marcus , As you know have received my Blade, but will have to use it virgin as not experienced enough to Strop blade [ nor do i have the kit ]. Am starting off the trial /comparison by using my Gem with a Modern S/S.I cannot get on with Carbon Ones. Mike
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Post by PJGH on Sept 7, 2015 14:13:42 GMT -6
In a recent advert I saw, it stated that Ever Ready Corrux blades were stropped 4840 times! I wonder how many these Damaskeenes were stropped before they were packed up for sale.
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Post by mpf9ret on Sept 8, 2015 1:58:23 GMT -6
Morning all, A WARNING " DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE LABEL" ! Being perhaps being a bit stubborn, without a means of stropping the Damaskeene Blade sent to me by Marcus. I unwrapped it, and to naked eye was pristine , so decided to use it [See SOTD]. Do Strop it before use ,and HAPPY SHAVING. .
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Post by mjclark on Sept 8, 2015 2:43:21 GMT -6
I think palm stropping or jeans stropping could be the answer Mike. Also there's face stropping: the blade will settle in with subsequent shaves - these old carbon steel blades are notoriously tuggy on first use but are stropped by your face when you shave. The old practice of turning the blade over for each shave (although nonsense for thin stainless DE blades) actually makes sense for blades like this.
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spidey9
Lather Catcher
All SE all the time!
Posts: 641
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Post by spidey9 on Sept 8, 2015 10:21:28 GMT -6
Mike, thanks for the heads-up - duly noted. Fortunately, I have the perfect solution: A Damaskeene stropper for the Damaskeene blade for the Damaskeene razor. On a related note, while waiting for the Damaskeene blade to make its trip across the pond I decided to try a NOS blade in my Valet Auto-Strop VB1. The blade, marked "rustless finish," looked fine under the microscope, almost identical to a new Feather. So, I decided to try it right out of the package, with no initial stropping. Big mistake. It was a very tuggy shave, and I may have subconsciously tried to compensate with more pressure. I ended up with what was actually a pretty close shave, but with more irritation and razor burn than I have experienced in a very long time. Lesson learned. So, the Damaskeene blade will receive a thorough stropping prior to its first use. --Bob
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