December 2018 30 Day Rule/Focux Pix & Discussion

DEcember 6th
Canadian NEW LC w Wizamet (4)
Valobra Fougere
Stirling Finest/Maple
Thayers
Jeeves Mountain Rain AS

4th day with this excellent NEW/Wizamet combo. Apparently these blades are discontinued, but who knows with those rumours sometimes. If you like other St. Pete's Gillettes you will like these. The blade markings are identical to Polsilvers. I tried to do a search about the topic, and there is some debate about whether or not these are really just Polsilvers (or vice versa). I can't tell a difference, but others say they can. Who knows. @NCoxSTL any comment? I've been lucky enough to get a 10 pack twice, I think these ones are from Keith. Thanks again, @Keithmax.
Lots of talk about the Stirling Finest on here yesterday, so I thought I would use and show mine today. Excellent knot. It looks like it sits shallow in this handle, but it is set to 15mm actually. The fan shape is done perfectly and it face-lathers like a dream. Thanks again, @BaylorGator.
2nd use of this soap today. Excellent lather with a pleasant enough scent. I loaded until the knot looked pretty saturated and was rewarded with more than enough for the 3 passes I used it for. Probably washed 2 more passes down the drain. The soap produces a rich, thick lather. Off the top of my head, I would compare it to Tabac actually. Tallow based, triple milled puck producing a similar lather. Smells better that Tabac (sorry Certs fans) but I don't find it to be the scent powerhouse that Joseph commented on a few weeks ago. As far as Fougere scents go, I still think the SV is king. I wouldn't say that the residual slickness was anything to write home about, but the post shave feel is excellent. I might take it to the bowl next time to see how much water it can take before breaking...for Science! Overall, a quality product. Thanks again, @Screwtape.
Finished with the Mountain Rain, which just came in last night. Interesting scent. Not in your face at all, and quite tough to describe. Wet earth after a rain, in the mountains? Not my first guess, but I need to try it a few times.
Great shave overall and looking at all these products that came via the fine folks of the 30DC, I think having friends on here like this is truly DEcadent. I think tomorrow will be all 30DC gifts/trades.
Have a great day all!

 

Jason, you have a great day as well & I love the B&W photograph....well done!

 

I'm done spending for THIS year.

 

Beautiful photograph, Jason, and fine shave as well!

 

Wizamets were the "original" Super Iridium blades. So they are NOS when you find them. Polsilver bought out Wizamet, or perhaps Gillette through Polsilver, and the blades have always been one of the highest quality Gillette offerings since.

 

Fantastic report and photo, Jason! The Stirling knot looks right at home in your beautiful handle!

 

I admire your restraint, Paul!

 

78 pages by the morning of the 6th? I'm going back and forth between 'Awesome!' and 'How the heck can I keep up!':

Your Stirling Black Friday descriptions have been very informative this week, Perry. The Haverford sounds interesting as well. Tobacco and Vanilla? Rod just needs to add a little Musk and Amber to that and call it Gentleman...

Is that the razor you started with, Jim? That EJ, or a Merkur, seemed to be the gateway for many of us. I've mentioned on occasion that I don't pull mine out very often now, but enjoy it when I do. I think you're right, a focus on it may not be a bad idea for you.

Great comments on the Nomad, Mark. Crabtree and Evelyn products were my introduction to high end soaps back when I was still using carts. Loved Nomad and Indian Sandalwood. I believe Nomad is now Moroccan Myrrh, but the C&E soaps have gone from luxury items to near unlatherable IMHO. Not sure about the new creams, but I know Clint isn't planning on restocking his. The shower soaps are still excellent, fwiw.

That Thater bulb looks just perfect, Clint. Glad to here you got a little more sleep last night as well.

That's weird, we must have the same mirror.

Love the Omega '49 as well, Danny. Also really easy handles to get those beautiful knots out of.

That soap has now reached unobtanium status I guess, Brian. Love those Shave Stash tins too, but it looks like he is taking a break from it.

That is a great report, Bruce! That butterscotch handle looks cool as well.

 

Well, I'm in good enough shape..but do have plans for 2019....it is hard to restrain myself though....I'm the guy who always says "And...ANOTHER artisan company to research!"...when I see a new one that looks promising(and of course there are many out there).

 

Thank you very much, Jason!

 

Sounds a little bit creepy, Paul.

 

As part of my Barbershop Scent Jamboree right through to next Thursday, I'll be doing a couple shaves with my recently purchased Grandpa's Barbershop(Central Texas Soaps) next week. Looking forward to Gramps.

 

I'm in pretty good shape with shaving gear (except blades maybe)...for about the next 10 years. Somehow that doesn't stop me from picking up more.

 

You have to go back to what set me up for that comment.

 

Soon, many of us will have dens that look like Pasteur's Pharmacy in N YC(the "Gold Mine" of shave-related products).

 

Fantastic photo and lineup Bruce.

Love the B&W Jason. Thank you for saving me money on the soap. I'll stick with SV Felce based on your review.

 

Excellent picture and report, Jason!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Thank you Jason. I really like this brush.

 

Just a quick update...

Sherri came home last night. She is on antibiotics but is doing well. She had previously been scheduled for a Cardiac Cath at the same hospital for Tuesday. They did it while she was there and there were no issues, but she can't use her right hand (they went in through the wrist) for a few days.

I had a quick shave on Tuesday night with a Schick L1 and Japanese Twin blade, skipped yesterday, and ended up skipping this morning due to time pressure.