May 7 (Monday) - dialling in the frankensoap, running the Pal Rockwell 6s on plate #3 / PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon ( 5) Omega B+B Essential Boar Red Green Duct Tape Special soap Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent Today was a few firsts for me: first use of the Italian frankensoap version 2.0 (Cella Red Tub added), first complete "traditional" DE shave with 3 passes and buffing, and first true complete BBS. They started with the first one, as I used the Italian Omega boar to load the "new" Italian soap. It easily loaded a brushful with a few swirls, then made a complete bowlful of thick, creamy lather as I trickled in a palmful of water. I think the top layer of the frankensoap is mainly Cella cream with bits of the others mixed in. The boar is great on the face - holds lots of lather, is firm but soft and not scratchy at all. I usually do a single "Gillette diagonal" pass on my face and a XTG pass on my neck, occasionally adding a light ATG pass in parts. Which gets me a closer shave then I ever got in 30 years with electrics. So I call it DFS and good. Today the lather was so nice and the PAL blade was feeling smooth (and it's May), so I decided to do the full "traditional" routine with extra passes and buffing and see where it got me. I have never, btw, gone ATG on my chin or upper lip since early attempts resulted in multiple nicks. Where it got me today was to a complete and total "not a whisker to be felt anywhere" BBS. I have never had such a smooth shave. And I did it with no cuts, nicks or weepers anywhere, including my chin and upper lip despite going all directions on them. Unfortunately I can't say I did it with no irritation - the alum gave me a warning tingle almost everywhere, which it hasn't done in months. However, the Thayers quickly soothed it and I had no need to put on any balm. It's not a way I could shave every day, but it's good to know I can achieve this result once in a while if I really wish to.
Good morning to the good gentlemen of the 30DC! It's 05:45 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, and I've been up for 90 minutes already. Mrs. Samurai had a 06:30 flight to another destination, I am readying a trip back to Nashville so I can fly nonstop this afternoon back to Denver. I have more Mayhem planned and look forward to catching up on the other side! Have a super Monday!
May 8, 2017 Colonial Razors “General” Feather Pro Rudy Vey RV7 with Shavemac Finest Mystic Water Lavender Lime Myrsol Agua Balsamica The weekends always seem entirely too short. At least I can enjoy the Monday morning shave. The Lavender Lime was easy to whip into a rich slick lather. While the Feather Super blades worked with the General they were not as smooth as the Feather Pro blades. Since the General is such a smooth shaver, I went back to the Feather Pro with the knowledge this combo will require 3 passes. As expected 3 passes and touch ups ended in a near BBS shave. A splash of Myrsol Agua Balsamica and I think I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Monday.
May 8 SOTD: Razorock Plissoft Brush Stirling Cool SS Gillette Old Type Stirling Unscented PSB Kramperts Finest Frostbite AS My first shave with the Sputnik blade, and I ended with a two pass DFS. It was a very smooth shave when paired with the Old Type. I used a little Cool and Frostbite for a nice Menthol Monday kick, which has this week off to a good start. I hope everyone has a great day!
:hooray: Nicely done, @Screwtape! (By the way, I also noticed your signature this morning, and love both comments, as I can relate to both.) Cheers!
I will have to go back later and catch up on the post from last night... This morning I decited I had to get a shave from the Little lillie. Soooooo since I do not have whatever it takes...or lacks..to do the finger blade thing I glued a injector blade into the thing. Actually worked good.. and since "Pics or it did not happen " Is the rule around here I did one better and made it a video. Very little blood. I did ge ta little around the corner of my mouth. Not sure why but oh well. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=541NVzP_3ro I always end up acting like a teacher in these. Sorry about that. I guess I don't want someone on you tube to see these and slice him self up because he has not heard any of it before.
No news from the morning shave. Rapria, razorock classic, smooth as butter, blah blah blah. Later today, if Monday doesn't make me the "bug" (as opposed to the windshield), I may post a pic or two from our quick family trip to the beach, since it was a gorgeous day yesterday. It's literally less than a 5 minute drive for us, yet because of the "speed of life" we almost never think of doing it. It also reminded me that I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and inspired me to consider some "tropical SOTD pics" for a future activity. I'm gonna have to go down the AS rabbit hole first. And today, I'm busy just trying not to be the bug. Cheers, gentlemen!
Teach on. I don't find instructions the least bit offensive. Just the opposite. I, for one, am happy to be your student.
If your going to be the bug be a big ole bug like a palo verde beetle or something. Woo.. well if the Academy is ok with it the we will proceed down the path.....
SOTD May 8, 2017 Blade: GEM Stainless with shim Razor: GEM 1912 Brush: Surrey badger Lather: Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill aftershave WTG, touch-up Really nice shave with the shimmed 1912. Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill was pleasingly cold. I really enjoyed the big menthol kick. Superb lather with effective and smooth razor leads to good results. Nothing much more to report! Have a great day!
I touched bases with Neal. He's been sick but is doing better and should be back online today. Let's give him our prayers.
8 May 2017 Menthol Monday GEM Blade Focus Shave Pre: Copious amounts of Hot water Razor: GEM Featherweight 1950's era Blade: Treet Super SE Brush: Omega 6212 Silvertip Cream: C O Bigelow Premium Shaving Cream Post: Hot/Cold water rinse, alum block, cold towelx2, Dominello Vitali Calming Post Shave Moisturizer After Shave: Proraso Green This morning's shave departs from my Focus only because I don't have a soap with menthol. Anyway the GEM/Treet combo continues to deliver. The Bigelow whipped up great and the Treet mowed down my weekday stubble no problem. I'm really impressed with this combo's ability to take care of my one problem area(lower right neck). That alone guarantees the GEM a place in my rotation. Splashed on some Proraso Green A/S and Monday was underway. Forty eight hours 'til my oldest is home. Have a great day people of the Den wherever you happen to be!!
