Arko again, I went into the do-- bag and grabbed my stick of Arko for today's shave. Loaded up a Cobra Classic with a fresh blade and got busy.

While Arko wilted in the HT scuttle it performs awesome as a shave stick. 4 quicker passes with the Cobra and the result.... an epic shave. An epic shave is when everything the planets align, technique and tools to produce a zero irritation shave and long lasting BBS. Plus no hiccups along the way.

I've tried many of the Feather blade SE razors and the Cobra Classic performs the best fo r me.

NOVember!!

November 1

Grand Blade Trial - NOVember Shave

Razor - Rabbit Straight
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum, Nivea

Annnnndddddd we're off! As I posted earlier, I'll be continuing on with the GBT but only one blade a week. I'll start this month off with a No Variation Straight shave. So for the first four days it's the Rabbit. I'll return to the Trial on Saturday with the Bic Astor blade. Then after three days with it I'll go to the Gold Dollar 800 for 4 days and so on.

It's been awhile since I've had a traditional straight in my hand so a bit of trepidation to start. (Nice use of a college word, yes?) I only lathered one side of my face so I'd have time to work without it drying out the other side but, thankfully and surprisingly, I finished the right side in record time for a straight. I was able to hit the angle right off the bat and adjust as I went to finish the right side, then lathered the left and did the same. That side did take a bit longer as my left hand is the weak one.

Lathered again, the whole face this time, and worked on XTG/ATG. No blood though there was one close call where the tip dipped on me but I corrected in time. Got to a high CCS/low DFS and called it a successful run. As I was rinsing and wiping the extra lather I noticed my only problem. I managed to notch the left side of my goatee on the jaw line. Just a nice little notch out of it where I got in too close with the heel of the razor. Oh well, nothing major, by the time I trim the goatee next week it will all be back to normal and besides, my natural good looks and charm can overcome something like that.

Hope your new month is off to a great start! I'm looking forward to seeing all the great gear around here this month and let the shenanigans begin!!!

Angle is what's keeping me from perfection with shavette. Let's talk through the contrasts between the equipment as we progress through November.

I get way up on the cap on Fatip, keeping angles SR low, full stretches. You get it for sure.

Welcome aboard! Any specific goal with regard to techniques this month?

ALL Rapira labels, Ladas, Voskhod and Sputnik are cartel approved Moscow goodness. I like the Swedish Supersteel version, but they are all good blades.

1 November 2016
Shavette Angle Rule


​

Actually caught DFS on two rather easily, had the Arko extra dialed in after @Keithmax reminded me that it needs a lot of water for optimal SR/shavette performance. Tried to really focus on keeping angle low today. The Voskhod was smooth as silk, only one little weeper on the neck, it actually stopped before the alum application, which was rather quiet. Fresh Veg!!! Working like crazy in the howling wind today left me ready for a good shave, and it all worked out. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a nice Wednesday!
​

Sounds good to me.

November 2, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 Ti OC with Triad Ti
Personna 74 (4)
Simpson CH 2 Synthetic Badger
Mystic Water Eucalyptus & Spearmint
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange Noir
Whipped Shea Butter

​

I am really enjoying this current line up. Everything just works so well together. A 3 pass shave with touch ups ended in a near BBS. I finished up with a splash of Fine L'Orange Noir. I hope everyone has a fantastic Wednesday.

Thanks! I would just like to dial in my shave with the Tech this month. I have been getting good shaves with them, but would like it to be better. I think a month with the same razor will help. Also I am still trying to finish some of the shave creams currently near the end. This morning I said good bye to my tube of CO Bigelow.

Gillette Tech Weber Bulldog
Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Semogue BC Mistura
CO Bigelow SC
Alum
Superior 70

A nice comfortable shave, but not the closest under the jaw line.

It looks like a great setup. Good to hear your getting great shaves from this grouping. It's hump day, so enjoy.

Very good setup!!!

Thank you Doug.

Today's hotel shave. I checked a bag on this trip.

November 2 SOTD:

Jayaruh #5
L'Occitane Cade SC
Schick Hydro-magic
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Special Reserve

That is a better looking hotel shave than I have ever had.

November 2, 2016- "No Expectations"

Razor: G3 Aristocrat Adjustable (4)
Blade: GSB (3)
Brush: Floppy Chinese Pure Badger
Soap: Nutragena French Milled Soap

I don't know why, but I really like this soap. Fortunately, I'm going on travel for work next week so, hopefully, I can snag another bar or two at the hotel.

Another effortless DFS which is what I'm hoping for out of this month.

For anyone that missed the first time the Bunny Encore US Pass Around is already happening. Sign up to try out Tom @twhite 's
prototype Open Comb Single Edge Injector. Details here.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic LE
Mystic Water Barbershop
One Blade
Feather FHS-10
Stirling Soap Co. Barbershop Aftershave
Brooks Brothers 1818


​

Nice lather!