April 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion

I was planning on going to Pasteur's this month, but the pandemic changed my schedule. I have seen various you tube videos of the store and the shaving paraphernalia is quite extensive.

 

Very nice shave Dan! I am still looking for the scent that has a pretty woman noticing me.

 

all i would need is a cot and a cabinet for the gillettes..and call pasteur's home..

 

Yea, they have a huge range of products. It's really nice to be able to smell the soaps before purchasing, sometimes the online description can be a bit misleading. The owner, Leon, is a great guy as well, very friendly.

 

Wonderful shave Joseph! I agree that the TSD forum needs to be refreshened on a pasted strop and then 60 laps on the leather.

 

April 21st

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - PS Tube 2.0, ASB Star Jelly, Shave Soap and Aftershave & Cologne - Et Tu
Simpson Trafalgar T3 Synthetic
Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Rex Ambassador

New brush this morning....ordered 4/9, direct from the Simpson website (UK), delivered in DFW area 11 days later, for ~$25 US. This synthetic brush's price/performance ratio will be tough to beat, unless you're looking for something delivered quicker, or with a 'cooler' looking handle (which is me.....I'm probably going to transplant the knot). The T3 knot.....a beast at 28mm. FWIW, the Omega EVO is also marketed at 28mm, but the T3 is visibly bigger. I'll put some calipers on both when Amazon decides to ship batteries for my digital calipers, as every local store I've tried is sold out due to the current pandemic (and people panic purchasing hearing aid batts, sigh). The T3 28mm is packed very dense, lots of backbone. The Omega EVO is slightly softer out of the box. I believe part of that is the loft, the EVO having slightly more bristle length, but also because it's ever so slightly packed 'lighter'. Bristles between the two brushes....the T3 strands are just barely straighter, lighter in color, more white/grey. The EVO strands are more 'wavy', slightly more tinted true to a badger being 'tan/light brown' in color. A few days ago Clint rated the Simpson T3 as his second favorite synthetic, the EVO being his third. First was the Simpson Special Edition 'Duke 3'. I don't have that example yet, so can't compare. Between the T3 and the EVO.....it's close, really close, toss a coin close....as both are really nice, but I'm going to favor the EVO straight out of the box, for it's slightly less dense knot packing, which gives it less backbone, leading to a better 'splay' for me when face lathering. There is a small note in the Simpson box, mentioning 'Gently lather your face with paint brush strokes'. Me, when face lathering, I'm a swirler, and with the T3's slightly shorter loft, slightly more backbone, a swirling technique aerates the lather a little too much, making some of it go airborne. I use paint brush strokes for lather application when I bowl lather (which is me most of the time). One last point....the Omega EVO is twice the price, I was able to score it for $58 delivered, between a sale and a coupon.

On to today's shave.....This morning I did a bit of face lathering and bowl lathering. The T3 made an awesome CK-6 bowl lather, super dense, yogurty hydrating slick goodness. Face lathering (as mentioned) requires a little more pressure to splay the T3 knot, and aerates the lather 'airborne' a little too much. Painted brush strokes only after that test. First pass was with the Rex Ambassador on 5, loaded with a GSB on it's second use. Second pass I dialed the RA to 2, and really concentrated on an XTG stroke to get to DFS+ all over. Third pass was the other leg of the X, RA still on 2, buffing mainly the lower neck/jawline. BBS result today! Still had an enormous amount of lather, so on the face it went for a fourth time, but only while cleaning the tools....a quick rinse and healthy dose of PAA's Et Tu Aftershave & Cologne, and ready for a Tuesday. Et Tu, for those who aren't familiar, is a copy of the original Brut by Fabergé. A great aroma for sure, but unfortunately it isn't very long lasting (maybe my nose acclimates to it too quickly).

Hope everyone has a Terrific Tuesday!

 

Congrats on two great looking brushes.

 

A&E makes fantastic products. Congrats on the soap and splash Gary. Let us know what you think of the scent

 

Terrific shave and post Blair!

 

April 21st
RR OC Hawk V3 w Feather Pro
Zenith boar/ Resin
SV Felce Aromatica combo
Thayers
First shave with the newly arrived Open Comb V3. Out of the box it looks like a very well finished shaver. The only handle option on the OC at this point is the '2 piece Halo', which is a shorter, way heavier version of the one on the aluminum V2. Jeff yesterday already commented on the reduced head size, and it is really noticeable with the OC version as well. Full disclosure- I really like the look of Open Combs and this is no exception.
Did I hear @b1hart say it was Fougere week? Any excuse to bring out the Felce. Got a fine lather in this exceptional scent and had 3 nice passes. I respected the razor and gave it my full attention. It produced nicely- not overly smooth per se, but not an assassin on set downs. There is never a strain for 'negative pressure' or such as I would usually have to do with a really aggressive razor. Results were fine- no red, no overt irritation and I am quite smooth. It did take a little jawline work to get there though. More chances to play with it coming up.
Have a great day all!

 

awesome scent..i thought scented candle at first but it's growing on me..haven't had this type of scent before..

 

fine shave Blair..

 

awesome shave and pic Jason,cool new razor..

 

I apologize for the Shave Fu post

Congrats on the haul Jim. I avoided the temptation on that brush.

Gorgeous photo Jim. Love the colors.

Gorgeous shave and photo Gary.

Looking great Dan.

Great looking shave Joseph. The wood scales on the feather look fantastic. The website as been acting funky the last couple of days.

Beautiful photo and shave Blair. Great review of the T3

Congrats on the new razor Jason. Wonderful photo and shave report. You really can't go wrong with Felce.

 

I hope it is the toothbrush...

 

Love the new brush, Jim. Coincidentally, it appears to match your software labelling as well...

 

Good morning, sir. What a stunning razor, showcased in a great pic, Gary! Thanks for another great Gillette explanation as well.

 

I have found the site quite slow to load for a few days as well, Joseph. Congrats on the vintage AV- that is an awesome looking bottle for sure.

 

Niiiice!

Thank you, Dan!

 

A great pic and an excellent review of the T3, Blair. I think, based on what you and others have stated, that there is a significant difference between the T2 and T3. My T2 just needs to be a little higher lofted.