Closed Pass Around: Hone Type 15 - Completed

@Nico1970 thanks for the pictures and great detailed write up, really enjoyed reading that. Sounds like you would like a touch more blade feel than the Type 15, but I'm glad you still got some good shaves and sounds like you enjoyed the experience, thank you for taking the time to share :)

On the patina - I consider something like the pass around pretty much a worst case scenario, exposure to multiple water types, soaps and cleaners in succession with packing/transport etc. From what I have seen a single owner should create less variance on the finish, and they will be able to trace the 'origin' of the finish as it were. The initial change is the most dramatic also it takes a while to settle. In my testing I had some razors turn very deep brown with some soaps (I left them to soak for extended periods, days, in some cases) then almost return to bright gold with the next soap or cleaner. This is partly why I am still contemplating how best to express this; My personal razor is now almost 2 years old (still using one of the prototypes) and this variance in finish has gone through peaks and troughs, but now I can't stop using it because I have put my mark on it (even though my early protos were rather unrefined), the finish has also settled down to 'my normal' as it were. I know this is all highly subjective. :)

I tried protecting a razor with a very light bees wax from new, which dulled the bright gold to just under bright but it has pretty much remained that way since with a bit of care - no water marks even, occasionally I have polished with a bit more wax just to keep the layer. I also tried a ultra thin coat of lacquer, which did not work particularly well as there weren't the tolerances in the parts for it.

I would love to see the patination on a two year old razor! I really dig (yes I actually said it) the aging process - I suppose it's much the same as how a boar brush breaks in ... sort of. :confused:
 
Third Shave With The Hone Type 15

As advised previously, I decided that I would use shave oil (and no shaving soap) tonight to see if that would suit the ultra mild nature of the Type 15 better.

In order to maintain some semblance of control, I used my normal prep of Dr. Squatch and I employed the same Lab Blue from last night.

After the prep, I massaged 4nr drops of Mercer + James Classic Shaving Oil into the beard. As noted on TSR many times, it is impossible to overstate the importance of knowing your own beard especially the direction of growth. By massaging oil into the beard, you naturally receive a lot more information than with a shaving brush. So, fully lubed up, I commenced the shave.

And what an unbelievable difference replacing soap with oil made to the operation of the Type 15. As I suspected with the soap, given the inherent mildness of the Type 15, I felt a 'barrier' was being created so much so that it was preventing the blade getting really close to the skin. With the cushion of the soap removed, and just using oil, the razor could get a lot closer and with only 2 passes I achieved as near as dammit a BBS. Again, there was absolutely no irritation or other adverse effects, just a great smooth shave. I had a feeling that the Type 15 was too mild for me but now, having used it with the shaving oil, I think it has found its place.

For anyone who has the Hone Type 15, or has yet to try it on this pass around, I would recommend giving shaving oil a try - for me, it definitely made a significant difference.

I think I'm going to have one final shave tomorrow and then pass it on - whoever is next on the list (@MPH - it could be you), please PM your details to me.

Post Shave Note

There was more of a sting from the alum this time, so the shave was definitely closer...:)
 
Third Shave With The Hone Type 15

As advised previously, I decided that I would use shave oil (and no shaving soap) tonight to see if that would suit the ultra mild nature of the Type 15 better.

In order to maintain some semblance of control, I used my normal prep of Dr. Squatch and I employed the same Lab Blue from last night.

After the prep, I massaged 4nr drops of Mercer + James Classic Shaving Oil into the beard. As noted on TSR many times, it is impossible to overstate the importance of knowing your own beard especially the direction of growth. By massaging oil into the beard, you naturally receive a lot more information than with a shaving brush. So, fully lubed up, I commenced the shave.

And what an unbelievable difference replacing soap with oil made to the operation of the Type 15. As I suspected with the soap, given the inherent mildness of the Type 15, I felt a 'barrier' was being created so much so that it was preventing the blade getting really close to the skin. With the cushion of the soap removed, and just using oil, the razor could get a lot closer and with only 2 passes I achieved as near as dammit a BBS. Again, there was absolutely no irritation or other adverse effects, just a great smooth shave. I had a feeling that the Type 15 was too mild for me but now, having used it with the shaving oil, I think it has found its place.

For anyone who has the Hone Type 15, or has yet to try it on this pass around, I would recommend giving shaving oil a try - for me, it definitely made a significant difference.

I think I'm going to have one final shave tomorrow and then pass it on - whoever is next on the list (@MPH - it could be you), please PM your details to me.

Post Shave Note

There was more of a sting from the alum this time, so the shave was definitely closer...:)
Thanks, Martin.
A shaving oil only shave for me then when the Hone comes back to me.
 
Third Shave With The Hone Type 15

As advised previously, I decided that I would use shave oil (and no shaving soap) tonight to see if that would suit the ultra mild nature of the Type 15 better.

In order to maintain some semblance of control, I used my normal prep of Dr. Squatch and I employed the same Lab Blue from last night.

After the prep, I massaged 4nr drops of Mercer + James Classic Shaving Oil into the beard. As noted on TSR many times, it is impossible to overstate the importance of knowing your own beard especially the direction of growth. By massaging oil into the beard, you naturally receive a lot more information than with a shaving brush. So, fully lubed up, I commenced the shave.

And what an unbelievable difference replacing soap with oil made to the operation of the Type 15. As I suspected with the soap, given the inherent mildness of the Type 15, I felt a 'barrier' was being created so much so that it was preventing the blade getting really close to the skin. With the cushion of the soap removed, and just using oil, the razor could get a lot closer and with only 2 passes I achieved as near as dammit a BBS. Again, there was absolutely no irritation or other adverse effects, just a great smooth shave. I had a feeling that the Type 15 was too mild for me but now, having used it with the shaving oil, I think it has found its place.

For anyone who has the Hone Type 15, or has yet to try it on this pass around, I would recommend giving shaving oil a try - for me, it definitely made a significant difference.

I think I'm going to have one final shave tomorrow and then pass it on - whoever is next on the list (@MPH - it could be you), please PM your details to me.

Post Shave Note

There was more of a sting from the alum this time, so the shave was definitely closer...:)


@Nico1970 I have pm'd my details!

Unfortunately I haven't got any Shaving oil. Maybe I'll have to try with some bacon drippings instead!!! Lol.
 
As suggested earlier, shave today was using oil instead of soap, the results for me were exactly the same as the soap shaves, I achieved as good a finish as expected, and here comes the but, the actual shave itself fell far more aggressive than my three previous shaves with the pass around.

I love the Hone and have never hidden my feelings, I think this is an almost perfect example of YMMV.

Mine will never see polish, I cant wait for it to become my personal Hone.
 
Third Shave With The Hone Type 15

As advised previously, I decided that I would use shave oil (and no shaving soap) tonight to see if that would suit the ultra mild nature of the Type 15 better.

In order to maintain some semblance of control, I used my normal prep of Dr. Squatch and I employed the same Lab Blue from last night.

After the prep, I massaged 4nr drops of Mercer + James Classic Shaving Oil into the beard. As noted on TSR many times, it is impossible to overstate the importance of knowing your own beard especially the direction of growth. By massaging oil into the beard, you naturally receive a lot more information than with a shaving brush. So, fully lubed up, I commenced the shave.

And what an unbelievable difference replacing soap with oil made to the operation of the Type 15. As I suspected with the soap, given the inherent mildness of the Type 15, I felt a 'barrier' was being created so much so that it was preventing the blade getting really close to the skin. With the cushion of the soap removed, and just using oil, the razor could get a lot closer and with only 2 passes I achieved as near as dammit a BBS. Again, there was absolutely no irritation or other adverse effects, just a great smooth shave. I had a feeling that the Type 15 was too mild for me but now, having used it with the shaving oil, I think it has found its place.

For anyone who has the Hone Type 15, or has yet to try it on this pass around, I would recommend giving shaving oil a try - for me, it definitely made a significant difference.

I think I'm going to have one final shave tomorrow and then pass it on - whoever is next on the list (@MPH - it could be you), please PM your details to me.

Post Shave Note

There was more of a sting from the alum this time, so the shave was definitely closer...:)

This has made me have a bit of a quandary.

Is this machined and made to such tight tolerances that the difference in lather thickness or amount put on the face effects the shave?

I really don't know how to take this?

One one hand it shows epic design to be able to shave with just some lube, but, add some lather and the balde then fails to cut as close resulting in more passes and quicker regrowth?

I'm confused, is it a good thing or bad thing?

Is this the main reason for people stating a little more aggression is needed?
 
This has made me have a bit of a quandary.

Is this machined and made to such tight tolerances that the difference in lather thickness or amount put on the face effects the shave?

I really don't know how to take this?

One one hand it shows epic design to be able to shave with just some lube, but, add some lather and the balde then fails to cut as close resulting in more passes and quicker regrowth?

I'm confused, is it a good thing or bad thing?

Is this the main reason for people stating a little more aggression is needed?
You'll find out for yourself soon :)
 
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