Aug 11 SOTA Fatboy Freeze Friday!

Good afternoon.

1959 Gillette Fatboy (7)
Gillette Wilkinson Sword DE Blade (7)
MrEE LE #10 Tuxedo Brush
Chiseled Face Cryogen SS
Aqua Velva Ice Blue AS
Stirling Alum Block
Modessa Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 25.5 hrs



Three passes gave me a very close and comfortable shave. I will continue using Cryogen until it's finished. I figure by Monday at the latest. I still have my TSD M Bomb to mentholate my soaps if I need to
cool down. Here's today's lather:



Anyway, there was negligible alum feedback and no cuts, nicks, weepers or creepers during this shave. Witch hazel and the cool Aqua Velva aftershave followed. I feel refreshed and clean. Take care.

Excellent Fat Friday shave Gary.

Thank you Gary.

Wonderful shave Chris.

You are going to miss that chill. Wonderful shave Joe.

Great shave Joe. I am sure your homemade pizza was awesome.

Thanks Joe. Well we only have about 40 days left until autumnal equinox so I can live with Cryogen until next year. I may want to try some of the other über mentholated soaps like Snakebite or B and M Artique. Maybe getting one of the Stirling Glacials is a possibility.

thank you Joe

12th August 2023.



​

Shaving Recipe for today.

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

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face & head.
Pears with Mint Extracts Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Frank Shaving 22mm Synthetic.
Bowl Lather.
Bowl: Home Bargains Stainless Steel Side Bowl.
Lather: Proraso Blue Shaving Cream.
Blade: Voskhod Teflon Coated. (D1)
Razor: SNMIRN Adjustable. (settings) 4-wtg,8-atg,+pick ups.

Post:
Cold water face wash with brush squeezing's, Cold Water Face Rinse. /Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils + 3 Menthol Crystals, Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel./Brut Sport Style ASL./Nivea Men Fresh Moisturising Gel.

Greetings,

A new eclectic shave set up to start the weekend...The Snmirn razor (Merkur Futur Clone ) is probably a mk2 version of the Ming Shi 2000s/Q-shave which arrived first in 2017-18.
Apparent differences with the Snmirn adj for me are that it feels heavier in weight than the Ming Shi 2000s, the razor head is slightly smaller which is a added bonus for me also making it feel more comfortable to handle and use....Since I've had the Snmirn adj I skipped the settings 0.5- 3 as I know the blade gap on these settings would be a little too mild for my beard type...Starting with setting no: 4 on the wtg pass works for me then taking it to the max setting no:8 setting for the atg+pick up passes gives the razor a much more noticeable blade feel & efficiency but still feeling comfortable with no feeling of blade chatter.

The razor has a good balance, the adjustment mechanism works well, and stays on the setting of choice with no movement. The blade alignment is equal on both sides the top cap is held in position by a series of magnets rather than a press on cap or thread ,which I was doubtful about at first, thinking it was just a gimmick to catch the attention of the consumer, however, the magnets work really well holding the top cap firm with no indication of movement or coming off during the shave.
How long it'll last time will tell, but for now it holds the cap in place with no feeling of trepidation that the blade will dislodge itself whilst shaving.

Like the Ming Shi 2000s a design feature that i really like is the blade ends are covered by the top cap which is a added bonus with no fear of catching when shaving under the nose, and around the ears.

Another enjoyable close comfortable face & head shave with no errors to report.

Finishing the shave off a with a few small dollops of Nivea Men Fresh Moisturising Gel.

My face & precious swede are feeling smooth cool and smelling divine.

Stay safe, and enjoy the start of the weekend ladies & gentlemen.

12 Aug 2023

(Adjustable, Arko August, Artisan August, Anything goes, Adapting-Adjusting-on-the-fly August)


Another fine 24 hours Arko shave, the Arko behaved itself, beginning to see why it is so popular

At this stage I would have to say that the Merkur Progress, the Arko and the Gillette Platinum are my Go-To setup...perfecto

Yet another cold water shave, seems to suit me well enough

Same Setup as above but for the use of different brush Ever-ready 200 re-knotted
Previously I did not like this brush, but today it seemed fine, good backbone, nice and soft

Finally finished the Brut ASL and the Proraso ASB….on to new and better things!

Scent = Proraso Cypress and Vetyver
Damage = none

Score = 9+ /10

Have a great Saturday everybody

Thanks Joe, agreed, after my short Arko mini focus I agree it's great even the scent is growing on me!

Well, that's a lot to choose from, most of these ASL and colognes down here are only available on line or in expensive retail top end shops...might have to go internet hopping!

Ahh yes, I'll see if I can dig up any more, oh yes, just the Aaaaahhhtisan soap left to go for August!

Thanks Gary

Thanks Joe

Lovely looking Setup Gary, I walked past the scent section of an apartment store here the other day and saw a display of Clarins and thought, hmm that looks familiar...
Might have to go back and have a sniffta...any good?

Hi Joe, I guess this a version of Old Spice maybe?

Thanks Joe.

Give the on-line shopping a try, that's where I buy most of my everyday ASL's now usually with free delivery/shipping.

Thank you Joe. It was delicious.

I do get an Old Spice vibe with a slight darker side.

Outstanding shave and presentation Chris.

Outstanding shave Barry and review of the razor.

Super detailed shave review, thank you. I have a few of those Voskhods lying about but haven't tried them yet. Any comment on the blade Barry?

Hmm, yes might have to. You're in the UK so a bit easier for you, perhaps? I ordered some perfume for my wife from an Ozzie website fragrances something or other. Supposed to be Melbourne based but they are just the middle man. Took a month, and clearly did not come from Oz! Some Spanish and Portuguese shaving sites ship much faster to Australia but won't mail liquids, so that leaves that Amazonian mail order business but who knows how old their stock is. Probably still better to stick with brick and mortar retail despite pricing issues, at least then I know what I am getting. Such are our first world problems...

Grazie Joe. My shaves are getting better

You've got some good points Chris..We have the same issues with mailing liquids in the UK, this is all down to the horrific 9/11 twin tower incident unless it's non-alcoholic based such as when containing witch-hazel.
I only wish brick and mortar high street retailers could compete better with the web retailers but it's not possible anymore I suppose. I love to buy local, old school yes, but as you've stated at least then I know what I am getting. Enjoy your weekend. Yours-Barry...