Comments for Lachlan.Rogers.name

Comment on Shaving the bristles off a prickly eco-dilemma by Lachlan

Lachlan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:12:36 +0000

Good question about female shaving options, Rebecca. I did read of girls using straight razors on their legs, and I can confirm that this does work – no, they were not my legs! Clearly it can be a bit tricky around knees and shin bone, but not really any worse than a chin. The same technique of pulling the skin to the side of the angled bone will help.

I’m not sure about armpits. The hollow shape would be hard to reach with a long straight blade, and it’s an awkward place to see clearly.

As for being eco-friendly, I wonder if waxing might be better than shaving? A non-toxic water soluable wax with re-usable fabric strips might have a significantly smaller resource footprint than disposable razor blades. I think we might need more female input on this one.

Comment on Shaving the bristles off a prickly eco-dilemma by Lachlan

Lachlan — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:23:35 +0000

I’ve never actually used an electric shaver, Adrian, but I presume that they would be quite convenient. A straight razor is certainly much slower to start with, but the process speeds up as the movements become more natural. I now find my straight razor to be faster than a disposable safety razor, as I only have to rinse the blade about 4 times rather than after every stroke. I’ll time myself tomorrow for you, so that we have some solid figures to discuss.

My rushed morning option is usually to skip shaving. Working in a research physics lab means that nobody minds if I accumulate stubble.

I had long since forgotten what I paid for my razor, but my records indicate that it was $187.56 for the razor, strop, and Kent soap. I already had a brush. The Invisible Edge traditional starter kit is about $220, but I think it includes a brand-new razor. I’m sure it would be great, but I was looking for a vintage blade to make an anti-consumption statement.

My strop, yellow strop maintenance paste, and Kent soap total about $110 on that website today. One of the cheaper shave-ready vintage razors is about $85, which leaves a bit of room to buy a brush and not go above the kit cost. I think you’re unlikely to get set up for much less than $200.

Yes, this is expensive – but the equipment is designed to last. I’ve not had to pay any further shaving costs for more than 2 years.

Comment on Shaving the bristles off a prickly eco-dilemma by Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:55:02 +0000

Hi Lachlan, Ben and I enjoyed reading this. So, I was just wondering if you came across any eco-friendly female shaving options in your researching? Other than growing our the arm and leg hairs, of course!?

Comment on Shaving the bristles off a prickly eco-dilemma by Adrian

Adrian — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:03:24 +0000

Wow, I’d never really thought about using a straight razor. I admire your out of the box thinking Lachlan. Currently I use an electric razor that gives increasingly mediocre results so I’ve been contemplating changing my system. A couple of questions:

How much should one expect to pay for a starting kit? My quick conversion from The Invisible Edge website indicates around $AUD220.

Now that you’ve gotten used to using a straight razor how long does it take and is there a rushed morning option? (I’m inherently disorganised in the morning and tend to forget to shave at times, particularly on the pre-dawn starts).

Comment on Seeking international aid policy as election approaches by Jo Darby

Jo Darby — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:00:35 +0000

Yep. Both parties would pay more attention to international aid if if voters did. Unfortunately competing ‘more and better aid’ policies just isn’t going to win either Tony or Julia an election…..

Comment on Seeking international aid policy as election approaches by Lachlan

Lachlan — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:13:26 +0000

Yes Jo, you’re right. Publishing this correspondence here is one of the ways that I try to make louder noise.

Since I wrote this letter in response to a Coalition announcement, I didn’t send a copy to the Liberal Party. If you do write a letter I’d be keen to see their response.

And I share your sigh, Shannon. I’m disappointed with how much of this “campaign” has simply been pointing critical fingers at opponents. My frustration at this behaviour motivated the first sentence of this post.

Comment on Seeking international aid policy as election approaches by Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:04:44 +0000

Pablum pablum pablum Tony Abbott pablum Tony Abbott pablum Tony Abbott and the Tony Abbott lead Tony Abbott Coalition. Tony Abbott!

Sigh.

Comment on Seeking international aid policy as election approaches by Jo Darby

Jo Darby — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:22:49 +0000

The unfortunate reality is that Australia (generalisation of the majority) doesn’t really care about the worlds poorest people. If it did it would be a higher priority in both the liberal and Labor campaigns. We’d be hearing about it in slogans and tv ads if it was actually a priority and would ‘appeal’ to voters and perhaps sway votes. If the population made a loud enough noise then both parties- if only for popularity- would be promising 1%!! Maybe we need to make more noise and both parties would come to the party (so to speak). This was interesting reading Lachlan- thanks. I would love to hear Liberals point of view too, a response to a similar letter about their own policies/plans and their take on Labours ‘plans’…..perhaps I need to get up off my seat and write one

Comment on Ride reflections by Lachlan

Lachlan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:06:34 +0000

Oh yes, definitely. I’m back on my 3 wheels for commuting, and it is a shame to have to stop riding just after getting started.

We will have to start planning a spring trike adventure somewhere closer to home.

Comment on Ride reflections by Clansi

Clansi — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:27:27 +0000

I’m having trike withdrawals….. need to plan another trip!