Today's shave was an 8/10 as I used dia 3 but I got from skipping a day 6--8 cuts on my neck as these hairs grew longer than anything I have seen for a 1 day skip of any time with a nearly a BBS shave. Today was Personna USA 100 pack from 2017, day 8 topside/total. I do flip the blade over around 14--16 and count the flipped side amount with also a total overall.

I used, as always, my H 2 or 1962 Gillette Adjustable slim handle shaver without the case.

I shaved before the shower, so used due to skipping 1 day my home-made shaving soap/cream so I did not cut myself, but this failed I still kept the blade/head of shaver wet as needed. I did do a partial in middle of shave at about 70%--80% and did a final full clean at the end.

This home-made shaving soap/cream is made of the foaming pump style hand soap, some Shea Moisture all hair conditioner, with a little water when needed, the in an American Inn squeeze tube with what lotion was in that tube to start 40--50%. After the shave I added more foaming hand pump soap and shook the container to mix it up as the concoction did not foam up enough for me all I need is the shave formula barely foaming.

You may one day be open to real shave soaps like Proraso, Cella and Stirling Soaps are great for newbies because they are easy to provide a slick and creamy lather.

7th December 2025.


​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/Bulldog Skincare Lemon & Bergamot Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face.
Pears Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Wilkinson Sword Boar.
Face Lather.
Lather: Scottish Fine shaving Soap.
Blade: Treet Dura Sharp (Carbon) Blue pack.(D2)
Razor: Pearl SBF-11 TTO.

Post:
Cold Water Face Rinse./Cold water face wash with brush squeezing's,/Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse./Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel./Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel ASL./ L'0REAL Soothing Birch Sap PSB.

Greetings,

A simple, but very enjoyable shave Sunday morning shave where everything paired together superbly.

Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of L'0REAL Soothing Birch Sap PSB.

My face is feeling super smooth & smelling divine.

Stay safe, and enjoy your Sunday ladies & gentlemen.

07 Dec 2025

Thought I would opt for a one day shave, I need to make a dent in this puck

Quick warm water soak, dipped the Omega 10049 into the water, shook out the brush, 20 swirls off the Christmas Eve puck and straight to the face adding water to create the classic Stirling lather, nice and slick. Two passes with the Rocket HD and Permasharp (2) and some ATG around the mouth for a fantasticly fun Sunday shave, no damage done

Hope your shaves were just as good or better

Have a great day one and all

Thank you Joe

Thanks Joe

I second that, they are easy to lather and are some of the best performers and value for money especially with a small sample soap

Great shave Barry

I love the Thayers' Rose Petal too

Thanks Chris.

I did want to try the odd blade from that Italian brand The Italian Barber(uses the Italian name on shaver) that is a safety double edge that can convert to safety straight edge shavette but looking even on the Italian website this brands shaver is sold out and most likely no longer made. It was the only model of a sort of shavette that had a safety guard, most of the others shavette styles that have a safety guard are made more as a trimmer if they use a double edge or 1/2 double edge blade from China. I would have kept the model as a straight edge as the only model with a 3 part shaver I would own. I t=saw from Ohio Shaves on YouTube who now has sold all his other shavers besides a single and has become a shill for Razor Rock and Rockwell only due to how they give him new shavers to give away, well Rockwell does with Blades must be Feather only because he has the Amazon affiliate link, the only brand that allowed him do to the link via Amazon, so he sold his other shaving blades the new packs in 2025 when he said his best shave was with the Personna Gem (formerly Accutech Lab Blue).

I hare most Menthol based due to smokers in my family switching when sick/using as main type like one who used until recently Kool or Newport before switching to a local brand Senica that helps support the Senica tribes in New York that she has to get on a nearby reservation, this is the Proraso formula that is recommended for beginners saying the red in the Shea Butter formula is not for beginners for some reason when I would like that formula.

I am looking at Cella Brushless where my home made crap would be removed from the equation thrown away and using something that does not need a bush, as going with the rest from Cella I would be putting on too thick and cutting myself every shave I feel due to how thick the Cella is compared to other shaving cream/soap. I need feel to not just go too hard on the shave, even with a normal shaver and gel/foam or even a brushless cream I used one time with my Mach III.

Today's shave was a 9/10 as I used dial 3 as just reopened 2--3 of the multiple cutsfrom yesterday yet the cuts healed right away. I got a nearly a BBS shave looking now it was about 7--10 hair rips/cuts for yesterday Today was Personna USA 100 pack from 2017, day 9 topside/total. I do flip the blade over around 14--16 and count the flipped side amount with also a total overall.

I used, as always, my H 2 or 1962 Gillette Adjustable slim handle shaver without the case.

I shaved before the shower but I kept the blade/head of shaver wet as needed. I did not need do a partial in middle of shave but did a final full clean at the end and probably could have used a clean in the middle of the shave even going up a dial yesterday due to skipping a day.

December 7 SOTA Head and Face Shave

Good afternoon.

1968 Gillette Slim Adjustable
Super Max Blue Diamond (3,4)
Rockwell Synthetic Brush
MWF
Aqua Velva Ice Blue AS
Stirling Alum Block
Lucky Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 2 Days
Dome Turf: 4 Days



I decided to do a head and face shave. I picked up my 1968 Slim for this session. I did two error-free passes plus touchups on the dome. I got a BBS shave all around. Did have some alum feedback on the dome, but nothing too serious.
Once again, the MWF was creamy and slick to make the Slim Adjustable slide effortlessly.
See my lather below:



I am planning to use MWF while shaving with one of my straights the next time. Splashed on the witch hazel and the Aqua Velva Ice Blue aftershave to top off the shave. Take care.

Wonderful shaves guys!

Please keep what I am saying on the back burner. If you're lather is too thick, then you need to add water until it fits your standards. I have used Cella and it does make a creamy and rich lather, but I don't get it to be a Santa Claus beard because it's slick even when it's on the thin side. One last thing, you can get a cheap synthetic brush for 10 to 15 dollars. There isn't a break-in period and they make great lathers no matter your experience with wetshaving. Brushes lift the hair and also makes the lather go in between the hairs for full coverage. It will make shaving your stubble much easier. Using a brush with a shave soap or a shave cream will definitely improve your shaves. I hope one day you will try this method and experience what we have been doing when we shave.

I know my mistake from yesterday was not going up in numbers on the dial from 3 to 4 on my Gillette Adjustable 1960's era for the neck area being careful. I did this before with the moustache and beard after skipping a day. That was the big mistake was in not going up on the shaver for the very long hairs on my neck.

Thank you Joe.

Thank you Joe

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Schick
Brush: Ever Ready 200T
Lather: Cella Buongiorno Al Sandalo
Aftershave: Cella Buongiorno Al Sandalo
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Friday and Saturday’s shave: Unfortunately I had to shave with a cartridge razor as I could not take a blade on the a e since I was not checking a bag. I was hoping to use a DE as I mailed a blade to my sister’s house this past Monday . It never arrived.

I still managed a very close shave both mornings. I just do not like the blade feel of a cartridge. The Cella soap is absolutely phenomenal. If I chose to continue to add it to the den it will be in the form of a sample as I do not want to pay $34 + shipping for a tub.

Terrific shaves Joe.

@JACarbone Joe, Smallflower Modern Apothecary has Cella Red 5.2 oz. for $11.99 + shipping. If you subscribe to their website, you get a 10% discount so it would be $10.78 + shipping. Type Cella soaps in the search window. I believe they are in Illinois.

Secret recipe for members only: if the lather is too thick, just add more water till it gets to where you like it. Works every time.

Another fine shave Joe. Alum feedback means you got nice and close, right !?

thanks Joe