Thanks for the intro Joe, and the challenge to get to grips with my Adjustables.
I will also be giving my Arko's a workout. I also like the "Anything Goes April" let's see what the guys bring out!

3 April 2023
Monday morning shave



I had placed the Arko out on Sunday evening, but somehow the Mitchell's Wool Fat sneaked down in the middle of the night and gave it the boot.

Adjustable Razor: Gillette Slim I4 first use of.
Blade: Permasharp (1).
Soap: MWF, (the call was too strong)
Brush: Day 3 of my Simpson Chubby 2 (3). It's starting to fan out a bit.
Bowl: Blue
Usual face prep with HWS and white Proraso (this is running low)
Pass 1: Slim on #4. WTG and XTG at sideburns and cheeks.
Pass 2: Slim on #4. XTG mostly. Slim is starting to feel a bit scratchy.
Pass 3: Slim dialled back to #2. WTG and XTG.

Buffing around the AA, Chin, upper and lower lip still on #2 setting.

In the lower left side of the neck I stuck to WTG and XTG. (I did too many XTG passes on Sunday in this area, and although this cleaned up nicely, it left some red marks.) Strange that I don't get that on the right side of the neck when I am going ATG for all leather trying to mow down the Adam's apple turf.

Impression: The slim head/cap feels similar to my other Gillette razors, but somehow different. The geometry of the head is different to the R89 and the 37C, it takes some concentration to "get" where the blade is and what it is up to especially around the nose and mouth.

The MWF lathered well again. Nice and thick and protective, it tended to clog the razor a bit, making rinsing difficult. Not a bad thing imho because this adds more protection, and I don't want to thin it down too much.

But with the Slim set to #2 during Pass 3 and later, it felt like it wasn't doing too much.

Next thing to try is to set it at #4 first and then back to #3 for the later passes.

Eventually discovering that I don't need to use the full width of the blade in the tricky areas: top lip, mouth corners, chin, Adam's Adam. Best to angle part of the razor away from the area and only buff with 1/2 or even less of the blade.

I will need to remember this when I receive my SE blades, these are on order from Connaught and hopefully should arrive sometime in the next week or two.

That will be a fun new challenge for April.

Have some great shaves guys and have a super week ahead.

For me, all months are "Anything Goes", but nice name for April. Actually, let me take that back....you wouldn't see me use Aqua Velva or a Stoylin Glacial from November-May. Conversely, no warm/hot products from May-November.

Great shave Chris. I like the way you think your way through your shaves. It definitely will help you improve your technique. Btw, thanks for the compliment. Enjoy your day.

thank you Joe.

thank you Joe.about the same as the other 2.nice all in one shavers that lack the character of the razors' they are trying to emulate..err just fine thank you..

Timeless Razor ALSB45 aluminum razor.
Astra SP blade (fresh).
Yaqi 24mm synthetic brush.
Fine Accoutrements Snake Bite soap.
Timeless Razor shave bowl.
American Tobacco by Andy Hilfiger.

It is hard to believe that April already.

Nice three passer this morning.

I appreciate Joe @Trigger heading up the group again....he is a real trooper!

Take care everyone!

Super setup and shave Danny. Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy your day.

April 3 SOTA

Good afternoon gents.

Straight Razor Shave #442
10/8 Max Sprecher (78)
Catie’s Bubbles Tuxedo Brush
Stirling Triumph SS
Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Beard Growth: 24.5 hrs



I haven't used my Max Sprecher since late February so I decided it needed to make an appearance. In fact, I am going to use this razor a few more times this month.
Anyway, everything went well with this shave. I did the dry loading method and started with a pasty application on the face. Added water in small increments to the brush and slowly built the lather on my face to get it where I needed it to be. There are many ways to lather your face and this is one method that works for me.
I performed my standard 2 pass shave for an error-free shave. The alum feedback was very minor. Splashed on the old man Aqua Velva Ice Blue aftershave to end this nice session. Hey, I am a senior citizen so this aftershave is appropriate. Lol! Take care.

SRS # 857

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Genco - Getico 5/8”
Brush: Jayaruh 382 “Civil War” Boar
Lather: Arko
Aftershave: Floïd The Genuine
Additional Care:
Maggards Alum
Thayer’s Witch Hazel - Original
Nivea Sensitive Balm

Unfortunately I did not transfer any of my Declaration Grooming soaps to the Southern Den therefore I had to call an audible this morning. I decided to go with the Arko o ce again. With this shave I discovered that it is better to face lather the Arko soap rather than bowl lather. I started out bowl lathering which resulted in a nice lather however when applied to the face it dissipated. I took the brush back to the tub of soap and reapplied with about 15 swirls. Face lather, perfecto. Never had an issue before in the Northern Den. Perhaps different water hardness here inThe Southern Den.

Regardless of the lathering issues I had a super close three pass shave with the Genco razor.

Wonderful shave and adaptation along the way Chris.

…and not a party ….er. Agreed! Very nice shave Danny.

What say you, Charlie, @wristwatchb?

Terrific shave Joe. I never had a problem with Arko. I just load the brush off the puck. I never tried to bowl lather it.

I was a party guy until I hit 30.

Nice tip Joe, thanks.

Thanks Joe, Adaptation April ! See posts above, picking up tips from the Masters. I will keep these tips in mind.

4th April 2023.



​

Shaving recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body + Face Wash.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face.
Pears Original Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Wilkinson Sword synthetic.
Bowl Lather.
Bowl : Home Bargains Stainless Steel Side Bowl.
Lather: Vitos Vegetal shaving soap.
Blade: Statum Platinum Chrome (D1)
Frankenazor: Muhle R41 (2013) / Schmidt R10 Handle

Post:

Cold water face wash with brush squeezing's, Cold Water Face Rinse./Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse/Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.3 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel. /P&G Old Spice Original ASL./Nivea Men Fresh Kick ASB.

Greetings,

Early morning Shave,

Comparison Frankenrazor shave of the week with the Muhle R41/ + Schmidt R10 Handle. The verdict ?

I went back to original R41 top cap just for comparison, and could instantly feel that the Frankenrazor feels smoother with the Yaqi Mellon open comb top cap. Adding to that, the Schmidt R10 handle weight makes the razor feel more balanced when shaving...However, that said I will continue to use the razor with both caps & the Schmidt R10 handle in future shaves.

This morning i went for the Vitos Vegetal with it's wonderfully 'Full On' vibrant sweet almond scented shaving soap. If you like almond scented shaving products this soap will surprise you with it's fragrance performance and post shave feel...Superb stuff!

Another close comfortable 2 pass + pick ups shave with no errors to report. Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of Nivea Men Fresh Kick ASB.

My face is feeling super smooth & smelling divine.

Keep safe, and enjoy your day ladies & gentlemen.

​

Thank you Joe. Never had a problem before but it is really the first time I used it here in the Southern den. I just face lather Arko from this point forward.

I guess you could surmise that the Yaqi Mellon cap is a better match than the original R41 design or is that a stretch of my imagination?

Overall great shave Barry.

Looks like somebody needs another bottle of AV. It is appropriate for the youngsters as well but they may just turn their nose up at it just like some people do for the Veg. Max probably was feeling left out. Very nice shave Joe.