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

Same here, balm then aftershave.

 

Excellent shave Chris. Balm then aftershave for me.

 

Yes, well, since I have had this sample collection so far for "years", trying them out over "months" doesn't seem so bad... Btw, I just found the order with which I received the Taconic sample that I was trying yesterday. It was from supersafetyrazors.com in the US from December 2020, so I guess this particular sample is "only" 2 1/2 years old after all...

 

With all due respect to Gary, I am with Joe and Joe on this one: balm first, then aftershave. I figure that if I am feeling a bit raw and need the balm, then the last thing I want to do is splash on aftershave first and double the burn...

 

Great shave Barry. Bay Rum and menthol is a unique combo. Enjoy your afternoon.

 

Can't find the ones you are talking about online atm but will keep a lookout. Chasing perfection is often fruitless, but hey this is a hobby, not so

Well Gents that is interesting. The Stirling Bay Rum was a real zinger the other day so I got to thinking about this. The Internet Of Things as usual offers up differing opinions on both sides of the debate. This morning's shave was followed by a light application of Nivea and then some ASL

Some feel the balm first approach is better because then when you apply the aftershave splash it is less likely to dry and lasts longer
Others feel that the alcohol in most aftershave lotions dries the skin, unless you have oily skin (like me)
Others just mix both in the hand and apply them at the same time

I have often found using the Proraso aftershave balm tended to be a bit, hmm, shall we say comedogenic so I have tried to avoid this
I haven't always felt the need for Alum but since it is claimed to have astringent effects I will use this more regularly

Since the Alum and the Thayers are both said to be astringent and therefore antiseptic one could say that the need to apply aftershave on top of that (for the same effect) would seem overkill, unless of course the burn and the scent are the main goals

So: going forward I will use the Alum everyday, then the Thayers, then a light application of Nivea and then the Aftershave Lotion and see how I fare

As always, trial and error and see what works!

 

Terrific shave and post John. I hate when the weepers suddenly appears out of nowhere and it's usually after a significant time has passed. I call these the creepers. Also, I like your focus on using your samples for your upcoming shaves. Enjoy your day.

 

I was being diplomatic.

 

Lovely detailed write up, the franken-lather & Benjamin's Mentholated Bay Rum sounds like a challenge!

Hi John thanks for sharing those, I see now what you mean they are smallish samples, but look like fun
It will be nice to see how you go with these, and which you like most to order more of!
Interesting looking bowl by the way

 

Was there something else to say, buddeh??

 

A nice shave this morning. As I noted before, all that's left of the Razorock Lime Burst soap covers the edges, not much left on the "blacktop". I took @ChrisB's advice and loaded more soap on the brush when it was needed.(Course I'm sure others have advised me similarly). Good work at the heeks&sideburns, ditto everywhere else. The Clubman Reserve aftershave(Gent's Gin)was good...there's a bit of lime scent in it to match the soap. Halston cologne to close out. As Outstanding As It Gets.

 

Hmm. A few points from this:

1. I find I get a real burning sensation from some bay rum aftershaves and even balms, not so much from the alcohol (which the balms don't have) but from the bay rum oil itself. It's almost like an allergic reaction to the oil. I don't notice it with shaving soaps or creams, where the bay rum content is much more dilute. I had some "double strength" Ogalalla Bay Rum aftershave and Yow! My face felt hot for about half an hour.

2. I tend to have oily skin at times and find some balms are just too much of a good thing. Over time, as my shaving has gotten less heavy-handed, I have moved away from daily use of balms and just apply a bit when I think I have some slight razorburn again. I also tend to apply it more in winter, when it is cold and very dry out, and less in summer with the heat and humidity.

3. The alum rub is good for managing oily skin.

4. Thayers Witch Hazel comes in two varieties -- alcoholic, which IS astringent, and alcohol-free, which isn't.

As always, everything to do with shaving is very much YMMV.

 

Sounds nice!

 

i get that,burn doesn't concern me so much,but trapping dirt,or debris into a nick or pores with the balm does.if i do have a little razor burn i use the thayers witch hazel/aloe vera astringent first to disinfect the area before the balm.i have gotten pimples from using balm only.

 

awesome gents.great shaves.

 

these are the early ink print ones.

and the others from Sweden.

 

-Tuesday-
fb new/kcg
semogue 830
speick



have a great day everyone.
​

 

SRS # 941

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: C-Mon Special 6/8”
Brush: Jayaruh 329 Boar
Lather: Lather Bros. Calle Ocho
Aftershave: Aqua Velva Musk
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

C-Mon shave - Outstanding! Superb three pass shave courtesy of the thick Calle Ocho lather and the super sharp and smooth C-Mon.

You have heard me praise this soap company in the past. It is unfortunate that they are no longer in business because I would purchase a few of their soaps.

Off to the NY Aquarium. Approximate 1.5 - 2 hours drive, 2 hours at the site, then another 2 hours home. No getting around NY traffic especially on the Belt Parkway.

 

Well done Gary.

 

Ah, the ten minute post weepers are multiplying across this thread. Dare say, soon pandemic.

Fortunately, our Grand High Exalted Poombah will not order a mask prior to your shave.