SoS: April 20, 2015 - April 26, 2015

Eau des Baux is available here in Montreal, but it's rather expensive.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 21, 2015 - Week 4 Day 3
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (3)
Post - Aqua Velva Musk

Two full passes today though the second one was a bit awkward. Still struggling with the angles and smoothness of the blade on the face when crossing over to the left side. No blood today so definitely an improvement. Also the clean up after the second pass with the SS/Bic was minimal. Really just a small patch on the lower left neck that I never could get the blade settled down on. I'm finding when crossing over that it is difficult to get a smooth stroke. Even added extra lather and still had problems but I think it may be due to my tensing up as the shave progresses too. Need to find my Zen shave again for this one to be a complete success!

Skipped the alum today since there was no blood. Did a cold towel followed by Aqua Velva Musk and did the dance of the burning face. SWMBO was quite amused as she was in the shower when I hit my neck with the AV. Such a loving, caring woman with such a delightful laugh at my pain. Thought I'd show off my meager A/S collection with the CJB today. These are the products that keep my face on fire!

​

 

21apr15
My first use of the Astra Superior Stainless blade

EJ DE89 Kelvin
Astra SS(1)
Williams mug soap
VDH badger
C&E Indian sandalwood post

For those wondering, the Astra SS is comparable to the SP, as far as I'm concerned. Smooth and no irritation. I did nick myself once or twice and had a little dragging a couple times but that was due to me and my lack of a good lather. I tend to think I can re-hit spots after I've already gone over them twice without re-lathering. Also I used the EJ vice the 34C for the new blade first use, but am comfortable with how the EJ does with one days growth to compare.

Even still, today was the least amount of irritation and red bumps/redness left on my neck.

Of course today was good with the new blade, but tomorrow is another day...everyone knows anything can happen. YMMV.

 

Last night I had a shave so comfortable I wasn't certain I was accomplishing any beard reduction. However when I was done and all rinsed off I found I had a DFS that was completely comfortable without any nicks or weepesr or irritation of any sort.

Here is last nights line up.

Lord L6 razor.
Shark super stainless blade.
AOS pre shave oil.
Derby lemon shave cream.
Brush from AOS sample pack.
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal.

I normally don't use preshave oil but I had some that came in a sample pack that I received as a gift.

As a bonus when I picked my wife up from work she got in the car and immediately said "that smells good, what did you put on". I proudly informed her it was the Veg.

 

Two wins....technique was spot on to create that shave and a wife who loves the Veg!

 

Definitely blessed to have a wife who loves the veg.

 

Aggressive April - Day 13 (4/21/15)



Prep: Hot shower
Soap: TSD Barber Shoppe shave stick
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Voskhod
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Great 2 pass XTG & ATG shave today. Tomorrow, I try a blade I haven't tried in the Cadet yet.

 

My new '60 Gillette Fatboy came in last night so I decided to make this morning old school

Gillette F4 1960 Fatboy
Person Blue Blade
Arko Soap (First time trying it!)
Semogue 2000 Boar Brush
A/S Old Spice

 

Great looking Fatboy. Congrats on the score.

 

My wife hates about 90% of my aftershaves!

 

I ran out of pomade today. How am I to be dapper without the pom-ade?!

 

A dapper man plans ahead.

 

04/21/2015

Prep: Hot shower
Razor: Gillette Super Speed
Blade: Voskhod (2)
Brush: Omega 80080 Boar Brush
Soap: Maggard London Barbershop
Post: Cold rinse, Alum block, Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive ASB

Another great shave accomplished.

 

Pomade? Aren't you a Dapper Dan man?!?!

 

SOTD 4-21-15

Razor: ATT M1 with Bamboo handle
Blade: Personna Blue (new)
Soap: CO Bigelow
Bowl: Steel
Brush: VDH Boar
Post: Gentleman Jon Alum block

Preshave was just face wash with warm water and post shave was rinse with warm water then some cold water splashes and pat dry! I then applied the Alum block.

Razor: Broke out the M1 plate cause I was trying a new blade out and wanted a mild shave. It was good.

Blade: First time trying this blade and not sure about it. It didnt seem as sharp or smooth as the Astra SP or the Platinum Lux's I am used to. I am not sure if I will use it again tomorrow or not. I might try one more fresh blade of them to see if maybe I just didnt get the best one this time!

Cream: I used this cream before and it work very good. It lathers up easy and seems to offer pretty good protection! You can tell it is menthol though as it does seems kinda strong.

Comments: Shave was good but not great! I only managed to get a CCS not a DFS in three passes with some light touchup. No weepers but some slight irritation based on the Alum block's feedback on the lower chin and neck area. For me the razor seems pretty mild but it is efficient and will give you a great shave but i think you have to use a better blade in it, a sharper and smoother blade to achieve that.

Please feel free to leave comments on any items used as I enjoy reading them to see what others say about the gear I am using/trying out!

Thx.

 

Handsome guys! Brent is that the black beauty I sent you? Great picture!

 

Mike, could you compare the M1 plate with another razor, as far as mildness? I'm thinking the M1 would serve me well. Thanks! Kerry

 

Tuesday Shave

Pre: Shower
Brush: VDH
Razor: Merkur 23c
Blade: Sputnik
Cream: Proraso Blue
Post: Proraso Blue

A very solid DFS. I really like the way the Proraso Blue balm feels and smells once it dries down. Now, if only Proraso would release a Red balm and a Blue Pre, I'd be happy.

 

I would say it is close to the Weber but not quite the same with the ATT M1 being milder. I would also say that the M1 is slightly above the R89 in aggression. Not sure it that helps at all as it is just my opinion. I think it is a bit too mild and I like the R1 as I think it is more efficient but still not too aggressive. Probably about mid aggression level.

I will also say that it is not as mild as the Feather AS-D2!

I would be happy to send you my M1 plate to try out for a week if you want. Just let me know.

I forgot to add that I can also send the top cap and either a iKon Bamboo handle or the Maggard MR1 handle if you need them!

Thx.

 

It is! It gets alot of love!