I have quite a number of vintage straights and safety razors. They still provide great shaves. The craftsmanship is second to none when it comes to vintage razors.

thank you.,more like knocking the dust off..i need to justify owening them..

that's what his girlfriend said..

Cool Sheffield steel straight, Joe! Congrats!!

Thank you Charlie. It shaved very well for me.

Nice picture Pierpaolo

Was that 51 yesterday?

Many happy returns.

Monday April 1 - Menthol Monday; Arko Adjustable Artisan April

Prep: Hot shower with Aleppo olive oil soap with 20% bay laurel oil

Razor: Rockwell T2 adjustable DE set on "3" ; Rockwell blade (1) - The "Adjustable"

Soap: Arko stick - The "Arko"

Brush: Jason's @jtspartan 30DC LE maple brush with 24mm APShaveCo cashmere synthetic knot - The "Artisan"

Lather Bowl: None

Post: rinse, alum, rinse, Clubman Osage Rub (the "Menthol"), Clubman VIBR

Last shave: unsure but 4 to 7 days ago

The stuff:




The photo lacks artistry but does show the ingredients for a very good shave.

I find that Arko is very easy to use. After I have rubbed the stick over my damp whiskers, face lathering it quickly creates enough lather on my face and in the brush for two or three passes. The soap is slick and protective. The only minor downsides to it are the somewhat artificial lemony smell and the fact that it leaves my skin feeling rather dry afterwards. However, the scent is mild and inoffensive, and as for the dry skin -- that's what aftershave splashes and balms are for.

I think "3" is about the right dial setting for me on the T2. I use " 4" on my vintage Gillettes, but their dials go up to " 9" , while the T2's top setting is "6", although the wide open razors are equally aggressive.

One pass WTG on my face and ATG on my neck on "3" removed several days' stubble, leaving me at least socially acceptably cleanshaven. I would probably have done a second pass XTG to get to a near BBS. However, I was running a tight timetable before I had to start work, so I called it "good enough".

The Osage Rub provides a strong menthol chill and the Clubman VIBR produces a noticeable alcohol burn; the combination is quite bracing. Together they left me wide awake and ready to start my night shift.

Hope everyone had a good Easter long weekend!

2nd April 2024.



​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/Bulldog Original Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face & head.
Cien PURE Fragrance Free Sensitive Bar Soap.
Brush: Anbbas 24mm Tuxedo synthetic.
Face & Head Lather.
Lather: Phoenix & Beau Citra Royale shaving Soap.
Blade: Gillette Winner Platinum. (D1)
Razor: King C. Gillette.

Post:
Cold Water Face & Head Rinse./Cold water face & Head wash with brush squeezing's,/Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse./Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils, 5 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With Care+Witch Hazel/Yelken Turkish Lemon Eau De Cologne./Nivea Men Replenishing PSB.

Greetings,

Early morning shave,

First face & head shave of April 2024...Throughout April I'll carry on using various razors for both my head & face shaves paired together with a diverse variety of DE blades that I've infrequently used.

An acceptable close combined face & head shave with no errors to report.

Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of Nivea Men Replenishing PSB.

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

Keep safe, and enjoy your day ladies & gentlemen.

You use an array of products from brands I have rarely seen - at least, I don't think they are common on this side of the pond. And your homemade post-shave splashes sound interesting. Great shave report and pic, Barry!

Thank you John. My broad and diverse array of shaving assortments are from all corners of the world. I tend to just pick out items that I haven't gave much attention to with my shave set ups , which all work fine. The homemade post-shave recipes is something I like to try out, using just shop-bought witch hazel and essential oils. My first attempted recipes didn't all go to plan, I added far too many drops of essential oil & menthol crystals in the mix, resulting in my face looking like a baboon's arse! I now know the right ratio of essential oils & menthol crystals to be added to my recipes. The mix has a cloudy appearance, but once I give the bottle a good shake everything is fine. Witch hazel is a wonderful natural astringent & toner for the skin, mixed with the essential oils it's a great tonic for my mature face & dome.

Terrific T2 shave and very detailed post John. I have the original version of the model T and settings 4 and 5 are good for me. Setting 6 is also good, but I find that it's not necessary, unless I want to shorten my shave time.

Very nice shave Barry. In my recent great haul, I was given a King C Gillette razor. I know that it is mild so I am not going to use it because I am planning on giving it to a friend who wants to learn how to wetshave.

Great start to April guys, with some great posts

01 APRIL 2024
Days growth = 1

Prep = warm water splash
Preshave = PR preshave Cypress and Vetyver
Cream/Soap = PR Cypress and Vetiver
Brush = Omega EVO
Bowl = Face Lathering
Razor = Merkur 37C
Blade = Sharp (1)
Passes = 3 +
Post = Usual CWR, Alum, CWR, Thayers
ASL = PR Rinfrescante
Scent = PR Cypress and Vetiver
Damage = none

Needed a safe and mildly scented shave for the day’s outing
Though I am not sure that the soft synthetic is the best for face lathering

02 APRIL 2024
Days growth = 1

Prep = cold water soak x 3
Preshave = TOBS Jermyn Street
Cream/Soap = Sterling Agar (at least I got one "A" in there!)
Brush = Pura Setola
Bowl = Timeless
Razor = Merkur 37C
Blade = Astra Superior Stainless (1)
Passes = 3+
Post = Usual CWR, Alum, rinse, pat dry, Thayers,
ASL = PR Rinfrescante
Scent = PR Cypress and Vetyver
Damage = none
Thoughts = Another easy 37C shave

Great start to the day

Great shave on this second day of April. I guessed right-the Stoylin brush and soap worked together like the "team" they are.Ahhh, I'm sure I've had many other great shaves with Stoylin soap/brush combinations. Clean and clear all over, although I could have done a little better on N. Cactus(just below the jawline, at the center_. It was OK, though. 2 passes. Zero cuts, Knicks, Polka-Dots. Nice finish with the Agadir A.S. AgadirMen offers a Face&Bodywash, which I had once(as a shave prep). Might get it again for use next fall&winter. The shave? As Outstanding As It Gets.

fine start to the month gents.

-Tuesday-
1939 #15
simpson
west indian limes
victorian lime



good morning gents
fabulous limey shave
lovely truefitt lather built with the simson badger
smooth 2 passer with the '39 'crat,minor pick ups
victorian lime to finish
awesome
have a fine tuesday everyone.
​

Thank you Joe. The King C Gillette will be a great introductory razor for your friend to learn his technique and to gain shaving confidence with, I personally think it's an hybrid of the EJ DE 89/ Merkur 34C.
It is a mild razor, but slightly more aggressive than the EJ & 34C. If you give your friend a small variety of DE blades to get him started It'll be ideal for him to find which is suited to his skin & beard type.

Thank you Gary.

Thank you Gary-I've had two great ones indeed;