August 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

SOTD THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST 20, 2020

it’s a bright, sunny morning here in the Philadelphia suburbs. No better time for a stellar shave! For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to shave with any of my safety razors more than twice in a row! I really like the new Tradere, but this morning my SS Supply called out to me. And boy am I glad I listened. I loaded my Supply razor with Schick twinjector blades on the three dot plate, and really luxuriated in the dome shave it delivered. For a change this morning, I did the noggin first. The Supply glided right through that slick MWF lather shearing away the 24 hrs of stubble effortlessly. The result was the desired state of velveteen splendor (VBBS). Although I expected to use it again to clean up my neck, there Was no need.

Last night I grabbed the favorite of my two Damascus CKBA Koa Wood scaled straight razors, the one with the half hollow 7/8 blade. I built a nice slurry on the jasper stone with the 320 grit DMT plate, and after three slurry sessions hairs were a poppin’. I flipped the stone over, removed the chaff from the edge and finished on the fine side with two water sessions until the edge was polished and gleaming. The mug shave this morning (WTG, ATG, XTG) was amazing, my first VBBS both above and below the jawline. It was as good as any of my AC safety razor shaves with a Feather Super. I feel cool, clean and velveteen smooth. The straight razor shave has me in a very good mood! I wish all my shave brothers and sisters out there a great day! Mine has certainly started out that way!

RAZOR: CKBA Koa Wood 7/8 Damascus (Mug), SS Supply V2 3 Dot Plate (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Twinjector
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Rabid Banana Preshave Cube
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T-400 Tribute with 26mm Two Band Badger Ferrule
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat w/ 6 drops of M-Bomb
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Osage Rub. Finished with Old Spice Fresh Lime and A&E Post-Shave Serum.

 

AUgust Focus

Ethos Lavender Suprême~~Thäter 4125/2~~Dubl Duck Goldedge
What a difference a day makes!
Yesterday, I was a bit disappointed in my new soap. Also disappointed that I spent $55.00 on it.
Oh well, live and learn. And what I did learn is that just because a company has a
storied history and reputation, that isn't a guarantee that they won't make
bad corporate decisions. Floris, when they abandoned tallow, made such a decision.
We've seen the same from Crabtree & Evelyn, Art of Shaving, even Williams.
I know there are shavers that are complete satisfied with their vegan soaps.
It's their shave and they should enjoy them as they see fit.
Me, I don't want a chemical shave. Another such product is La Savonnière du Moulin.
The ingredient list reads like a chemistry analysis.
Let's not even talk about the destruction of the habitats of animals, with the
use of Palm oils. The post-shave on these products is also way below par.
ETHOS is Palm oil free. Duck fat and Beef tallow are used and man, oh man can you tell!
VERY sticky soap right out of the gate. But from what I have read,
it is important to be patient and add the water slowly.
I did as much, but I could have done so even slower.
The lather did not break, but it was close.
A word on the scent. As you all know, I am a lavender junkie.
This lavender is one of the freshest, purest and truest lavenders I have ever used.
Closest comparable product, imo, is the older version of AoS Lavender cream.
Compared to, say, Mike's Hungarian lavender, Mike's is "heavy" deep and dark.
Compared to Fine and Barrister and Mann, those are quite perfumy and seem to rely
on added scents for their profile.
The Lavender from Chatillon Deluxe was good, except I always got a "nose" of flesh..
Animal flesh---and it was quite off-putting.
Slickness was excellent and the DD had no issues navigating my skin.
Post-shave was über-excellent. Compared to the Floris, I felt like my skin
just emerged form a sauna. The skin food took it to the next level and while the verdict
is still out on sillage and longevity, the scent is very pleasing.
This is a great product and only enhanced by the outstanding customer service and
communication from Frank Lipani.
I have already put in a second order for his Succès, which, I BELIEVE is his take
on Creed Aventus. I could very well be mistaken; it wouldn't be the first time.​

 

SOTD 20200820 Cera Una Volta
by IschiaPP @ Forio
•••
Bat71 “PP73”
Prugno (Plum), Abalone, Oumo Mother Lode, 28x53x115mm
---
Saponificio Varesino 1945 "Dolomiti"
Special Edition 2016 Black, Beta4.0 Shaving Soap
---
FrankenRazor PP1914
(Ever Ready "1924" Shovel Head / Brass Adapter by GPC@ilRasoio / Maggard Razors "MR14" Aluminium)
---
GEM by Personna
SE Stainless Steel PTFE Coated #16
---
Farmaceutici Damor “Jalma” After Shave (sample)
•••
#Shave #WetShaving #WetShavers
#ShaveOfTheDay #ShaveLikeaMan
#WaxUponATime #CeraUnaVolta
#ShavingSoap #AUgust #Test

Full size:
https://imgur.com/hJnplvk
Soundtrack:
Tears For Fears - Goodnight Song
​

 

Thanks, Joe!

 

Terrific shave and beautiful CKBA razor, Jeff! Congrats on the successful honing and VBBS results with the straight!

 

Exceptional shave, Joseph! I enjoyed reading the report - the new ETHOS set sounds terrific.

 

Fantastic shave and photo, Pierpaolo! 16 shaves on that blade is impressive.

 

Thank you, Andrew!

Thanks, Joe!

Thank you, Blair!
It looks like I've made a pretty good dent in the Astra Planeta when I compare it to a new tub but it'll be awhile before it's done and dusted.

Woo-hoo!

Beautiful picture, Andrew!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

I don't plan on being a straight razor shaver, but I'm trying to learn technique just to have one to show and OCCASIONALLY use. These Riga Razors are beautiful dangerous looking things, and likely what I'll get when I feel I deserve a self reward a bit down the line. First think I'd do is round that point though!

 

Awesome, Jeff!

The soap sounds like a winner, Joseph. Great shave and report.

Lovely, Pierpaolo!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

I agree. I look at these exotic soaps with all the palm oils and avoid them. You want cruelty free? Avoid palm oils to not destroy natural habitat.

 

awesome tradere shave and pic Jim,good morning..

 

did that soap have tallow in an older formulation?

 

awesome wolfman shave Clint.love the aristocrat handle..very cool..

 

awesome schick shave and pic Andrew,good morning..

 

awesome shave Paul..good morning..

 

awesome shaves and pic Jeff,good morning..

 

awesome Pierpaolo..

 

Thank you, Jim!

 

awesome shave and pic Joseph..good morning..