December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

December 20, 2016
Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (13)
Rubberset 400 #3 with WSP HMW
Nuavia Blu
Witch Hazel

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A wonderful 2 pass plus touch ups shave this morning. Everything just worked really well together. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

Decadent December 20 - brushless wonders

Schick J3 Hydromagic / Personna white (1)
Dr Bronner's Magic Organic Shaving Gel - Lavender
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Lavender

After yesterday's debacle with the Burt's Bees offering, I was feeling a bit gunshy about trying another tube of brushless shave cream but decided to persevere with the next on deck. I stayed with the same razor but loaded a fresh blade just in case yesterday's was a dud (although I don't think it was.)

The Dr. Bronner's didn't seem too promising when I squeezed the tube and wound up with a puddle of vile-looking brown liquid in my palm. However I followed directions to massage it into my face and was pleasantly surprised when it produced a nice, slippery, white lathery cream over my whiskers. With a very mild but definite lavender scent, as promised.

I ended up with ample protection for my usual passes, although I was extremely cautious today and just went for a comfortable shave to avoid reopening any weepers. The alum was thankfully quiet, apart from some stinging on one area of my throat that was still raw from yesterday. I used the Thayers more for the additional lavender scent than the skin healing.

The way the Dr. Bronner's had foamed up when rubbed in had made me curious, so I then tried a test lather with it. It turned out that a quarter-sized splash of it, with a bit of water added, whipped up into a bowlful of very good lather. I painted my face with it and did an additional WTG pass on my cheeks to see how it was, and it provided the same protection as the original rub. It therefore appears that this product is actually dual use: it can be rubbed on as a brushless cream OR it can be lathered like a traditional shaving cream. Quite a change from yesterday's stuff.

All in all, today's shave was a pleasant surprise and did a lot to make up for yesterday.

Tomorrow I try my last brushless product, Kiss My Face Lavender Shea. To be honest, I am already confident I will enjoy a good shave with it based on the numerous excellent reviews I have read. And I understand that it is like tonight's product in being usable both smoothed on and brush lathered.

 

Very good setup with a beautiful brush.

 

Excellent picture Clint.

 

Thank you Doug.

 

-Supply SE
-Simpson Beaufort 5 Pure
-Stirling Ozark Mountain
-Stirling Sandalwood

Nothing exciting today folks, but I do have to say that the Supply SE is a fantastic razor. Considering it's features, and that it is stainless, the price is excellent in IMO. It is definitely a keeper.

Have a great day.

 

Very good picture and brush.

 

December 20 SOTD:

Omega Boar Brush
MWF
Gillette Fatboy
Stirling Unscented PSB
Avon Blue Blazer AS

This was the 4th shave with this razor and the same Feather blade. In the past, my experience would follow a lot of others (at least I think) that a Feather blade often falls off after three shaves. After a few attempts, I started tossing them after the third shave and never thought twice about it. Once again, this may have proven to be more about me than the blade, though. Today's shave was just as comfortable and smooth as the three previous shaves. These four shaves have been the smoothest I have ever had with a Feather, to the point that it is making me reconsider my opinion of these blades. I will continue to use the blades in the Slim and Black Beauty to see of this trend continues. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Jared, it looks like you have been good this year!

 

Another beautiful picture, Clint!

 

Great looking razor! I love my Basic II. It sounds like your razor also shaves well.

 

Actually I think I caught him robbing me.

 

Thanks, Douglas.

Merry Christmas!

 

Congrats on a great photo. I really like the looks of the Supply SE razor and am interested in your thoughts on it. Is yours the version 2? How does it compare to your Mongoose?

 

Thank you Jim.

 

Great photo, Jim. The B&W theme really makes the MWF container pop. It just seems to fit and make the photo very nostalgic.

 

I have been curious if Dr. Bronners lathered or not. Thank you for shedding some insight!

 

Thank you, Clint. Have a great day my friend!

 

Your experience with Dr Bronner's is much better than mine. I couldn't ever get anything other than a thin, weak lather from it. I have tried two or three times, and came to the conclusion that it was too similar to their hand soap for me.

Now, you have me reconsidering another try. Maybe I'll give it a go while I am on vacation.

 

If you want to lather it, pretend it's a hard soap, add a bit of water to it in your bowl and then beat it to death. And if all else fails, I expect it will make quite a nice liquid handsoap.

And just so we're clear -- I didn't love this product enough to plan to replace it if and when this tube runs out.