November 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thank you, Charlie! He is always up to something!

 

Thank you, Jim! If you ask his mom she will say that he is growing up way too fast!

 

Thank you, Charlie. The Vector just feels natural in my hand. Wonderful smooth razor.
You have a great Friday too!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Thank you, Jim! I know I'm gushing about a razor I've only had two shaves with, but like I said earlier, wow.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Simple analogy. We're all here because it tastes great, but some consider it less filling.

 

Neal, I think that your original post on this topic talked of the current volume of soap artisans and a belief that the market may be saturated. The conversation then turned to wonder whether the number of traditional shavers had increased.
My own 2 cents on this is that 'wetshaving' can see an increase in product purchase and usage (softwage and brushes) whether or not people are necessarily using a traditional safety or straight razor. I say this as there are those who 'wetshave' but still use carts or disposables. I used soap and a brush with a cart for a few years before buying a safety razor and I know others on here did something similarly.
We'd never get many testimonials or data on this, as I don't think those wetshaving cart folks have turned this into a 'hobby' as many of us on here have. Isnt it basically the Art of Shaving model? I do notice that there are drug stores or shops around where I live that seem to stock and sell soaps, creams, splashes and/or brushes that don't sell safety razors or even blades. If that follows a traditional supply and demand model, it could be indicative of the idea that many cart users are using more traditional software, etc. I suspect they don't accumulate gear like many of us do...
But yes, there are a metric tonne of artisans now. I agree that it probably isn't sustainable. It seems to me that only the really good ones get beyond the 'small local artisan' status. Even some of the good
ones don't last, for many reasons I'm sure.

 

He's a precious little man, Brian. He's a little Lady Killer...and I bet he does a number on you and GrandChick too.

My Bride says Little Chick is adorable.

 

Alright alright. Shaddapa yo' face. My wife will not stretch to that bloody razor! I'm turning green here!

 

Even wide open I'm thinking that an M2 might still be more mild then a G1. You really need to get a E2 or a Pal IM

 

Thank you, Gentlemen.

 

I'm thinking that you are spot on. It's just not aggressive enough for me. I'm keeping my eyes open for an E2, but I have been wanting to put some serious time into the OCMM!

 

Thank you, Andrew!

 

Thanks, Jim!

 

November 9 SOTD:

Razor: Gillette '41 Ranger Tech
Blade: Polsilver
Brush: PAA The Green Ray
Lather: PAA Doppelgänger Ox Blood Label
Aftershave: PAA Doppelgänger Ox Blood Label

I took the day off today, so it was a kid afternoon shave for me. I have been looking forward to this one, since I got a tub of the PAA CK6 base in and was ready to try it. I think CK1 base from PAA is pretty good, but this was supposed to be better. To fully evaluate it, I skipped the PSB I usually use as a moisturizer after my shave. Being my first use of the soap, I won't fully judge it, but it appears to be pretty good. It is as slick as the CK1 base, but I had an easier time getting the consistency I really like from it. The post shave seems to be very close to Nuavia or the Wholly Kaw donkey milk base, which are probably the best two I have tried. Another shave or two will be needed to confirm.

I will say that this may be my favorite scented soap. It is a dupe of Penhaligon's Sartorial, which u honestly have not tried. But, the descriptions I read made it sound like something I would like, and I definitely do. If Sartorial really smells like this, then a bottle of the cologne may be forthcoming. It is a nicely done Fougere, with some similarities to Brut, but much nicer, and I like Brut. The one thing that seems a bit different is the scent does not appear quite as strong as most PAA offerings.

This was still a nice, relaxing shave for a Friday afternoon. I hope everyone has been having a great day!

 

Great picture and report, Jim!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

i used soap and brush with carts for 10+ years, but not with artisan stuff..

 

Thanks Neil I’m glad to be home. It had rained almost every day there, but at least there was no lightning which would have prevented us from working. I wish I would have had time to hit some antique shops to look for new to me gear.

 

I used cheap soaps for two or three years with Mach3. Williams, Van der Hagen, Colonel Conk with a cheap Escali badger brush. But I didn't know how to lather them correctly. I watched some videos and figured it out much better.

 

Wonderful shaves and photos, everyone. I have been busy all day and haven't been able to comment as usual. But it was a good day on the 30DC thread.

We have done two shows of the Wizard of Oz already today and will do another one at 7:00pm Central. Then two shows tomorrow before it wraps. I'm mentally exhausted already and will be really fried by the time it's over tomorrow.