SoS: November 21, 2016 - November 27, 2016

Tuesday's


Dove Men Face Wash
TSD Killer Queen
Jayaruh #133
Gillette Slim
Wilkinson Sword Super Sword-Edge
CWR, Asma Alum Block
T.N. Dickinson's WH
Aqua Velva Musk AS

The TSD Killer Queen Shaving Cream (well named by the way) face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #133 silvertip badger brush. With tears flowing and face freezing, two passes and touch ups with the Gillette Slim with a Wilkinson Sword Super Sword-Edge blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse and alum block, I finished off with T.N. Dickinson's WH and then Aqua Velva Musk After Shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

 

Razor: Gillette President Y 1
Blade: Feather Platinum (2)
Brush: Shavemac Zebra, Honeycomb 2 Band Badger
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
Aftershave: Fine Platinum
The reason I choose Frozen Margarita should be obvious.

 

Monday....



Razorock Blackhawk ~ Maggard 22mm Black Synthetic ~ Barrister and Mann Cologne Russe ~ Glacialized Stirling Gin and Tonic

Motel shave tonight. It ended up being a good shave, but I had a couple of hiccups. When I started XTG for my second pass, I lifted the razor up, and nicked myself with the corner of it right in front of my ear. A pretty decent one too. I was kind of ticked at myself 'cause it was just a stupid move, then proceeded to give myself a matching one on the other side. Both of them were enough that I had to dig out my rarely used chunk of alum I keep in my dopp, and apply it for quite a little bit. It certainly wasn't the razor's fault. Careless is one thing, but a matching set just makes a guy feel pretty stupid.

Have a good night everyone.

 

First of all this morning's shave froze the living hell out of me. The Glacial Obsidian's awesome lather whipped up so fast, rich, as well as FRIGID. The matching balm extended that freeze, while the Arctique a/s splash provided an even more lethal menthol sensation. I'm so in love with my Super Speed and of course, my Plissoft synthetic. Did I ever get a beautiful BBS shave!

Now for Tuesday morning:

Neutrogena Men Facial Wash
Razorock Plissoft 26mm Monster
Super Speed/Derby day 2
Derbylux S/C
Lucky Tiger A/S Cream
Folsom & Company Black Powder A/S Splash

I LOVE this Derbylux cream so much - just received three new tubes from Hungary so it's time to celebrate! (ain't nothing wrong with Lucky Tiger or Black Powder either!)

 

It froze my face off and I cried! For the first time I tried mixing a bit of Cremo Cooling in my scuttle before lathering, mainly for the added mint scent. But I think I like Cryogen better straight up. Matched the freezing weather outside!

 

Love the freeze! How is the Black Powder? Does it linger? What is the scent?

 

Cool photo - literally and artistically I really like your brush. The colors are awesome.

 

I wish I could describe the Black Powder's scent. It has great longevity, and it seems sort of exotic!

 

Call me inpatient, but went ahead and had a second shave today, to try my first every straight shave. Kept the Mongoose close by for the neck, and didn't even touch it. 2 full passes, neck included. *Queue highway to the danger zone* not a very close shave, but only one small slice from a lack of technique by my jaw, and surprisingly very little irritation. A usual tough spot on my neck, that can still be rough after 2-3 passes with a safety razor, was smooth after 1 pass, I'm impressed for sure! Only real issue, other than a lack of technique, was the lather drying from me taking forever to figure out how to shave certain areas. Results: way better than my first DE shave, I'm a happy camper. Time to keep practicing.

 

Congrats on your first straight shave. I found I had to split my face up in areas, kind of like a baseball field so that I lathered and shaved left field, then center field, etc. That helped keep the lather from drying up on me.

 

Thanks for the tip!!!

 

Merkur 1904 open comb razor
generic DE blade
Maggards 22mm black synthetic brush
Tabac soap
Skin Bracer aftershave

 

TABAC Tuesday



Razor: Gem Micromatic OC
Blade: Gem PTFE SS (D2)
Brush: Simpson Duke 3
Bowl: Yuzu Tenmoku 4-3/4"
Pre Shave Scrub: MRGLO
Pre Shave Oil: Homemade Rosemary Mint
Shave Soap: Tabac
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave Balm: Tabac
Cologne: Tabac
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the brush has a nice color to it.

 

Dr. Jon's Shaving Soap Co. - Krampus (2016)
Rubberset 2004 | Omega Boar
Star 1912 | Gem PTFE (1)


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*I couldn't decide on which pic I liked best.

 

And who around here have been misbehaving.................

 

Isn't it fun when that happens?

 

They're both excellent.

 

NOVember!!

November 21

Grand Blade Trial

Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (9)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Witch Hazel

Throughout the Grand Blade Trial my experience has been fairly consistent. If I get a really great shave on the mild 2 setting I'm getting my face hacked off by the time I hit 9. If I get a decent but average shave on 2 then there's a 50/50 chance of the face ripping 9 while the 6 will be nearly perfect. Well, the V12 gave me a decent shave on 2 and 6 would have been perfect except for the one nick. So, a bit curious and apprehensive going into this final shave on the blade.

The BoS was magnificent tonight. Made lather like it was the Semogue 620. I think it's a bit jealous of my admiration for the rival. I had enough lather for three passes and squeezed enough out of the brush to go two more at least. And it was slick and really nice. Showed why Arko still remains one of the best for the buck in soaps. The first pass was instantly comforting as it was smooth and without any sense of harshness that sometimes shows up here. Second pass equally smooth and good and the third pass, even with an aggressive angle on the Slides, was also no problem smooth. The baby strolled in and said hello and I have to say I was quite impressed with this blade tonight.

Throughout the three nights I've only been concerned when it nicked last night. Because of how smooth it's been and the good results I would like to give it a straight "A". However, I'll take off a bit for the nick and call it an "A-" . Still better than many I've tried. I'm still waiting to hear from the company to find out more but.....if you happen to get a chance and want to try a really good Indian Platinum, the V12 would be a top choice.

Tomorrow through Friday - I'm going to go pain stick with the CJB Greager and Feather Pro. Just one week after the disaster with the Feather SS I'm getting back on the horse for four days. With proper safety precautions in place this time. (Have to keep SWMBO from nagging you know).

Only two more days to Thanksgiving!

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