Clint, sorry to hear about the performance of the Aristocrat. Does it appear to be OK mechanically? Blade alignment correct? Maybe try it with a different blade?
Travel SOTD Ogallala Bay Rum Soap Pure Badger Brush Drygulch Strop Dubl Duck Dwarf Captains Choice Bay Rum Happy Wednesday!
Congrats on your new high bar shave! What I found as I got into wet shaving was that I kept setting a higher bar for what my BBS is. Sounds like you are on your way.
Jim, congrats on the new Ikon! It's a looker. I had a Merkur 37C slant for awhile, and I couldn't see where it performed much better than a regular DE. How does the Palmolive Shave stick compare to Stirling?
Jim, the Omega 98 is an awesome brush! How do you like the 99R? I had one for awhile, and I thought it was a fantastic everyday razor. Enjoy your day, my friend.
Congrats Frank! The shaves will continue to get even better! Like you, I began to get BBS shaves (or nearly so), and pretty soon I stopped getting the weepers. I predict you will see the same results with time. TOBS Sandalwood is one of my favorite creams - I'm glad you tried it.
Feb 8, 2017 '54 SS w Astra SP (4) Tcheon Fung Sing Maestro Miche My own handle with TGN Nylon Thayers Unscented Stirling Gentleman Balm Day 7 of the 40s SS focus. Pushed the Astra one day too long after it was so good the last few days...paid for a 4th day with some irritation. Will switch to Polsilver tomorrow. This soap is always smooth for me, and the lather was slick, so I don't think it is the culprit. Close enough shave, but the Stirling balm helped soothe some the of the sting that the Thayers couldn't. It is -19 celcius outside anyway, so the balm was probably a decent idea regardless!
I had a much easier time stepping away from my SS and coming back to it with minimal bloodshed than my CBJ handle. I do think it helps, but it makes the angle different. With the SS, you have to rest that on the skin. With the other, the blade is the only part that touches. I think it was a good introduction that helped me move into straights. That said, I have sold my SS.
There are two schools of thought. Get a 2 inch wide one, and learn to do the X pattern. This will be helpful with honing later. Or get a 3 inch one that will let you just go up and down the strop. 3 inch ones are easier to use, but cost more. If it helps, it is very possible to not cut up a strop you are learning on, my main strop is my first one, and I didn't slice it up learning. There are 12 steps typically recommended for that level of alcoholism.
I'll tell ya, after spending a month with my NEW, it's like the difference between a sports car and a semi. She's definitely a heavyweight. The good part is the razor is doing all the work, I'm just guiding it. Have to stay focused though. I found myself doping off a little, which caused a nick on the jawline. Other than that the 99r will probably bat cleanup in my 4 razor rotation.
I like the ToBS post shave feel. Still trying to get a local shop to stock Pinaud in Cirtus Musk or Lime Sec. I'll eventually end up ordering online. But my Proraso Green AS is inbound right now. That's the qualities I'm looking for in a badger. Decent price point, too! You have truly crossed over, Sir! Shaving is no longer a chore, but a desired activity. Welcome to our world. So many old things I have yet to try. New stuff is happening faster than I can keep up. I'm having a great time!
