30 Day Rule/Focus; August 2023. All Are Welcome!

I won this blade in a raffle in April 2021. It holds a special place in my heart in remembrance of my father who just place away that April. I had used the hospital room number to take three chance. Dad’s way of sending good vibes.

 

Wonderful shave Joe

 

Thanks Joe.

 

Aug 13 SOTA

Good afternoon.

Straight Razor Shave #474
5/8 Dovo Special
Stirling Boar Brush
Chiseled Face Cryogen SS
Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Stirling Alum Block
Modessa Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 23.5 hrs.



As promised, I brought out one of my Dovo straights. This one was my very first straight so it holds a special place for me. Here's today's lather:



Three passes gave me an error-free BBS result. I think this was one of my best shaves with this straight. I had a very slight alum feedback. Splashed on the witch hazel and that cool refreshing AQ Ice Blue and I am good to go. Maybe I will shave with my other Dovo straight tomorrow. Take care.

 

SRS 940 - Sample Soap Sunday Shave - Lemoncello

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: ERN 1820 5/8”
Brush: CRD Sky Dragon 26 mm Synthetic
Lather: Van Yulay Lemoncello
Aftershave: Stirling Lemon Chill - Glacial
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

another super warm day here on long island. Another find shave with the Lemoncello and the Ern straight razor. I finished up the sample of the lemon chill Glacial aftershave. Perfect for the weather and the humidity of the day.

I completed my usual three pass shave without incident. My face received the SWMBO SOA. Ow to enjoy the rest of the day.

 

Fantastic shave and setup Joe. What do you think of Van Yulay soaps?

 

Perfect Joe

 

Wonderful historical account of the Fraser soap John. Great shave

 

I love ice water shaves. Excellent shave Chris

 

Thanks Joe. It was quite an enjoyable shave.

 

Awesome black shave Gary.

 

The Lemoncello has a very nice scent. To me, the lather is on the medium thickness range depending g on which brush I use. I have the most success when use my boars. Overall a decent soap, however, it is not comparable to a Stirling gor Lakewood soaps which you have experienced.

 

thank you Joe.

 

Hi Joe, thanks for the comment about soap thickness depending on the brush used, I thought I was imagining things when I started thinking the same thing. Good to hear I am not mistaken

 

Ice! ? yikes, thank heavens the ice is in the downstairs fridge, but I will keep that in mind for Feb when things get a bit warm down here!

 

wow, ok so those are small samples. I have some Stirling soap samples, each lasts me around 15 to 20 shaves.

Thank you John, let us know how you go with the cold water. When I tried it first time a while ago I didn't (like it) but now I seem ok with it. Less time waiting for the water to heat up and it really helps with less skin redness, for me anyway.

Thanks Gary, lovely endeavours indeed.

Lovely Gary, fabulous.

More for the collection! Quite the find!

 

14 Aug 2023

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

24 hours early morning pre work shave



Prep = Another cold water shave, Proraso prep white
Soap = Stirling Barber Shop sample >> I think this qualifies as Artisan, right?
Brush = Omega 49
Bowl = Timeless
Razor = Gillette Slim set at 4 then 3, 4 felt a bit rough.
Blade = Gillette Platinum (2)
Passes = 3 + tu
Post = Usual CWR, Alum declared itself right lower neck, CWR, Thayers, at the last moment I decided to dig out Stirling Bay Rum ASL
Scent = Stirling Bay Rum! This stuff stings, it goes on strong, but it keeps giving throughout the day, liking it! Looking forward to using this again
Damage = none

Results = 9/10 good clean save with no damage, usual 3 passes, still able to go ATG top lip, the shave was not as smooth as with the Arko and M Progress, but still a fine result

Shave experience = can only give this an 8, things were a bit rough, not as smooth as with the Arko + Progress so I reckon I still need to dial in the new soap. Had to dig back into the puck a few times to thicken up the lather halfway through each pass
On the other hand @JACarbone Joe, maybe this is the wrong brush for this soap?

Total Score = 8.5/10

Not a bad start to the week, (there we go @Paul Turner Paul all of the A boxes ticked for August… )

Have a great week of shaves everyone

 

Very nice shave and setup Chris! I agree that the Stirling Bay Rum scent stays with you throughout the day. It definitely is a very strong scent.

 

thank you Chris.it's a cool set i guess.it has a brit aluminum tech i am itching to try out..

 

awesome august shave Chris.is everything aligned with your razor? they aren't known for rough unless bent..i.ve not had much luck with those platinums,i use these.
.these and the King C Gillette blades are similar.