Stubble Daddy’s Shave Journal of Awesomeness and Honesty ...

Funny story (okay, not ha ha funny, but odd? coincidental?). I was looking through my DE blade stash a few weeks back, looking specifically for blades that hadn't been used much. And I happened upon an old tuck from early days on this wet shaving journey. A tuck of Kai DE blades. At the time (all of 2016 and '17), I was on a vintage Gillette kick. I was on a quest for mild and efficient, which for me would razor Nirvana. I also loved the history of the vintage razors (which, as stated, at this newbie time I thought was only Gillette!). I had recently finished listening for several histories about World War I and discovered the military issue Old Types. So off to eBay and I bought two. Brother, what a rough shave! So much blade feel! By this time I figured it was the razor, since I surely must have good enough technique!   While researching on forums, one thing that some guys recommended was the Kai DE blades. Thicker, they said. Worked very well in the Old Types. So I bought some. Bottom Line: it did not solve my problems and the Old Types moved on. The remaining Kai blades were tucked (get it?!) into the blade horde and forgotten about. Until the other day. I decided that since the Kai AC style blades were working well for me, I really needed to try the DE blades again. I mean, what if they are The One?! And then this came:


It had to be a sign from the shave gods on high! And so it was determined that I would use the Kai DE blades in the Christopher Bradley and then in the Yates. Thank you, Paul, for help fulfill my destiny! 

I've found that the Kai's help to amp up the efficiency of overly mild razors, things like the Edwin Jagger/Muhle DE89. It might be the tiny difference in blade size that they are rumored to have, I'm not sure, but it did help to give it a more effective shave. I keep meaning to try one in this Razorock razor head that was so mild they basically had to re-release it with a new head (blanking on the name, maybe the DE-90 or something like that?). I've had it sitting around unused for years cuz it was so ineffective, but maybe the Kai will make it a little more useful.

Mj-90 would be my guess. Original had a titanium handle people loved. I believe the release with the A plate took that away, to many folks dismay.

That's the one. And yes, it had the halo-style titanium handle, which I do still have and used today in fact!

Funny story (okay, not ha ha funny, but odd? coincidental?). I was looking through my DE blade stash a few weeks back, looking specifically for blades that hadn't been used much. And I happened upon an old tuck from early days on this wet shaving journey. A tuck of Kai DE blades. At the time (all of 2016 and '17), I was on a vintage Gillette kick. I was on a quest for mild and efficient, which for me would razor Nirvana. I also loved the history of the vintage razors (which, as stated, at this newbie time I thought was only Gillette!). I had recently finished listening for several histories about World War I and discovered the military issue Old Types. So off to eBay and I bought two. Brother, what a rough shave! So much blade feel! By this time I figured it was the razor, since I surely must have good enough technique!   While researching on forums, one thing that some guys recommended was the Kai DE blades. Thicker, they said. Worked very well in the Old Types. So I bought some. Bottom Line: it did not solve my problems and the Old Types moved on. The remaining Kai blades were tucked (get it?!) into the blade horde and forgotten about. Until the other day. I decided that since the Kai AC style blades were working well for me, I really needed to try the DE blades again. I mean, what if they are The One?! And then this came:


It had to be a sign from the shave gods on high! And so it was determined that I would use the Kai DE blades in the Christopher Bradley and then in the Yates. Thank you, Paul, for help fulfill my destiny! 

Kai blades have generally done well for me. Though I find inconsistent sharpness with the edges. Never tried a Modern razor but the old type isn’t that bad. For protection from the inconsistent sharpness I usually use Kai blades with a prewar tech. Then we have to deal with mildness…. Down the rabbit hole we go.


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I haven't been active in my DFS Journal unless something cool happens. Well, yesterday the brass Charcoal Goods Level 3 arrived so I guess that qualifies as cool and Journal worthy. I loaded it with a new Personna Med Prep blade and immediately took it for for a spin.

The first thing that I noticed is how high quality this razor is. I've never owned a Charcoal Goods razor, only read about them on the forums. Seems like they're always sold out or the owner is not making them. The feel on the face was SMOOTH for an aggressive razor. And to be honest, it really didn’t  feel all that aggressive to me. Seemed like a Yates 921 H-plate... sorta. So glad I got a Level 3 and not a Level 2! 

The Torpedo handle is 4" long and I was worried that it would be way too long and heavy. The head of the razor is rather bulky and heavy, so the 4" handle actually gave the razor a perfect balance. Yes, it feels long, but I'll get use to that. Again, overall balance was perfect.

It was an effortless, comfortable, perfect 4 pass shave. Super impressed with this razor on the first outing. Can't wait to use it again.

Have a magical Tuesday Friends.

CG L3 | Chisel & Hound | La Toja | Azzaro | Astra SS

The Charcoal Goods L3 is easily one of the best razors I’ve owned. It’s soooo crazy smooth for a big gap (aggressive?) razor… hard for me to call it “aggressive” since it doesn’t feel that way in my face. I guess I should just call it efficient and badass. It’s also beautiful to look at (especially the top-cap).

But since I’m a gluttonous razor pig, I shall buy a Overlander at the drop today as well. Thanks enablers, I mean “friends”.

I applaud your choice.  Charcoal Goods Gen 3 razors are really good.  I just acquired a new Level 2 and picked up an Everyday plate as well.  My preference is for a milder, less aggressive razor so I have not bought the Level 3.  

The specs for a Level 3 are:  
blade gap 0.045"/1.143mm
blade exposure 0.010"/0.254mm


Level 2 specs are:
blade gap 0.034"/0.864mm
blade exposure 0.004"/0.102mm

And the Everyday's are:
blade exposure 0.000"/0.000mm, 
blade gap 0.030"/ 0.762mm

I really like my Everyday plate and slightly prefer it over the Level 2--you will note the zero blade exposure and smaller blade gap.  In either case, like yourself, I am also impressed with how my Charcoal Goods razor performs.  Very smooth while being efficient.  Right up there at the top of the heap for me.

I am just about to set a Maggards SHD knot in that Emerald Iris Handle I picked up from your Etsy shop.  Very nice.

I applaud your choice.  Charcoal Goods Gen 3 razors are really good.  I just acquired a new Level 2 and picked up an Everyday plate as well.  My preference is for a milder, less aggressive razor so I have not bought the Level 3.  

The specs for a Level 3 are:  
blade gap 0.045"/1.143mm
blade exposure 0.010"/0.254mm


Level 2 specs are:
blade gap 0.034"/0.864mm
blade exposure 0.004"/0.102mm

And the Everyday's are:
blade exposure 0.000"/0.000mm, 
blade gap 0.030"/ 0.762mm

I really like my Everyday plate and slightly prefer it over the Level 2--you will note the zero blade exposure and smaller blade gap.  In either case, like yourself, I am also impressed with how my Charcoal Goods razor performs.  Very smooth while being efficient.  Right up there at the top of the heap for me.

I am just about to set a Maggards SHD knot in that Emerald Iris Handle I picked up from your Etsy shop.  Very nice.

Hey Glenn! Glad you’re loving the GC stuff too.

And that SHD knot should be a great match for Emerald Iris!

Enjoy my Friend

Hey Paul Stubble Daddy, what's your take on the Azzaro, and did you get it recently?  There is some negative buzz about Azzaro Pour Homme not being the same as it used to be,  despite which, I took a chance and bought a bottle yesterday.  (I found what seemed to be a nice price at FragranceX.)

Paul: https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/thr...t-11660373

Paul:  https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/thr...t-11660373

Beautiful photo. Thanks for sharing

I've logged 3 shaves with the new Karve Overlander. This is a very good razor and I can see why people are so excited about it. My opinion is completely in-line with the masses. Its ultra smooth, forgiving, easy to use/find the cutting angle and well balanced in the hand. I was getting Rockwell 6S vibes from it even though the Overlander is a much more refined/sleek razor. There is some drag from the finish, but I don't mind that. I could always spend 5 minutes polishing it with MAAS or Brasso and I'm sure that would improve the glide. The blade clapping is rock solid and as a result the against the grain pass is extremely comfortable. I gravitate towards aggressive razors with blade feel... this is clearly nothing like that! However, its a welcome change for me and the Overlander will be in permanent rotation.