October 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

This morning, I decided to compare my four boar brushes:
1. Semogue Owners Club
2. Semogue Cerda LE
3. Omega Pro in @jtspartan handle
4. Stirling Boar

I lathered all 4 up on a 1 oz sample of Oleo Shiloh in a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to use up soap. Although this part of the mission was unsuccessful, all 4 were super enjoyable to lather up and use. I’m becoming a bigger fan of boars as I go.

 

Good job Randy. I fully admit boars are not my favorite type of brush. I have slowly come to appreciate what they have to offer. However, I still prefer my nice badger brushes.

 

AAAAh, could go either way

 

Good idea, tomorrow I will use my vintage Old Spice!

 

Thanks for the suggestion for treating the brush, Rick. I found some shampoo at home that was also a conditioner and used that on both this brush and another one in an old travel set. I think this one is badger although it might be dyed boar; the other brush had brown rather brittle hair that could be horse. Both brushes responded extremely well to the conditioner treatment. I probably won't use them as brushes, but I now could.

Edit: From the damp smell of the brushes, the one is probably badger not dyed boar and the other is horse...

 

October 18th
Gillette Red Tip w PermaSharp
Hendrix Soap Sample
TGN Synthetic / Mahogany
Thayers
Barrister’s Reserve Spice

Very early morning shave, very late afternoon post. Busy, busy day.
Gave my OC focus a few days off in order to try another loaner from John @Screwtape. Super smooth, close shave this morning. Took the time for a nice 3 pass’er and was rewarded with an awesome shave. The Hendrix sample whipped up a quality lather in the bowl. I don’t find the scent particularly noteworthy, but the lather quality is top tier, no question.
I know the Red Tip is considered a ‘more aggressive’ Flare Tip, but haven’t really researched the specifics. For those of you who know these well, is it the same head as the Flare Tip with a heavier handle, or is there different geometry involved? I could also just hold it up against mine and compare it, I suppose.
I’ll give it another go tomorrow, and am really looking forward to it. Is it blasphemy to say that (After one day, mind you) I enjoyed it a touch more than the Aristocrat?
Have a great night all!

 

As far as I can tell from the original ads, the only difference between the Red Tip, Blue Tip and standard Flare Tip was the weight of the handles; everything else stayed the same. As for your blasphemy against the Social Order in preferring a commoner to an Aristocrat, I believe that sort of scofflaw attitude would once upon a time have landed you in the local lord's dungeon, as you so obviously deserve...

 

Terrific picture, Andrew!

 

Awesome shave report, Joseph!

 

Sorry the SDM wasn’t to your liking...at least you didn’t invest in a full puck to find that out!

 

They are good blades, no doubt. I’ll put some in the next package, John. They are good enough that they could be one of the excellent Gillette offerings from St. Petersburg (ducking from Neal...)

 

Hump/hemp day...

Great minds, Perry... 100% on your review of Hendix

Sorry to hear about the fishing trip, Jim. Next time will be great.

I love my LC, but it doesn’t photograph like THAT, Jim. Awesome shot.

 

Yes, I consider that trial to have been a complete success. The purpose of samples is to see if you like the soap or not, which is exactly what this sample allowed me to do. The fact that the sample was completely free for me was a bonus!

 

I'm working the equation from the other end. Started with and totally enjoy boar knots, but I'm developing my appreciation for badgers. For the budget shaver boars are easy to sample with many fine choices priced under $20. You don't get quality in that price range with badgers.

There's a detailed discussion on B&B about this HERE. The base plates are different. The whole units weight more as the aggression increases. The blade gap is slightly increased.

 

Thank you, Jason! Nice photo and shave on your post as well.

 

TGIF shave

I was a little pressed for time so I did not take any pics this morning, these are from the person I bought the razor from. Today's razor is a huge 8/8 Friodur from Henckles. It was an excellent shave and while the Crowne and Crane puck is small I think I have a long way to go finish this one.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A+

Razor: Friodur 8/8
Strop: Kanayama
Brush: Thäter
Pre: Nivea
Soap: Crowne and Crane tallow
AS: Fine Vetiver AS, Speick ASB
Scent: Sonoma Scent Studios Champagne de Bois

 

Well, it looks like my opinion was worth the entire two cents that Jason @jtspartan didn't pay me for it. I thought the difference was just the handle weight, not the base plate design and blade gaps. Well, I learn something new every day... Sorry, Jason, I seem to have been speaking out the wrong end...

 

Certainly can’t complain about SWMBO buying shaving gear, that’s for sure! Awesome photo, Clint.

I know you’ll be happy to be back home, Brian. Opinion of the Green?

I liked Cherry Blossom as well on first use. I did recall the Latha Sandalwood when I sniffed in on the puck, but I am also lousy on scents.

Cool looking razor and a great write-up, Andrew!

Someday, a NOS puck will appear before me in a 2nd hand store. Someday.

Is that cap on properly, or is it the photo angle?

 

Great report and photo, Jason.

Thank you!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Awesome ‘Rick Pic’. Love the colours!

I’ve enjoyed my boars lately as well. Especially the larger Omega. The smaller one has a long way to go in the break in.

Whew! Finally caught up...