It is that time ...

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Happy Birthday!​

SOTD Monday September 1, 2014 (Labor Day!)

FaTip/Weber Wave w/ Astra SP
Klar Kabinett SS
Georgetown Scuttle
Semogue 820 Boar
Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Gold Bond Moisturizing Lotion
Rose of Bulgaria ASL

Just got back from my Potentates Trip and I didn't shave for three days so...Time to call in the FaTip for a good mowing. The FaTip plowed through the noxious growth and left my face (neck) slicker than frog snot. Feels great shaving again as that was the longest without a shave (3 days) I have gone for more years than I can remember. I really enjoyed the adventure and being away from the office for a few days. I didn't take my laptop so that I wouldn't be tempted to fall back into the work mode again. Note the picture below RazorBurn and Holyrollah..I really enjoyed the Clam Chowder and Sourdough when I was at Fisherman's Wharf. Excellent!

It will take awhile to catch up with the stuff I missed this weekend. Have a great week Gentlemen!





Dis is da place! Yumm Yumm!

Pier 39. If I remember right Fog Harbor Fish House is near the front of the pier on the left overlooking the boat slips. The best claim chowder and Cioippino on the pier. When I lived in San Jose, wife and I would head up to Pier 39 or China Town to eat every 4-6 months and Fog Harbor was a usual stop while SF.

Welcome back and I bet you are nice and refreshed from your holiday away from home.

Now I'm hungry.. Did you get to see AT&T Park? Looks like you had a nice time.

I really enjoyed my first shave with it.
After reading positive reviews of their new soaps on this forum I pretty much knew I'd be buying full sizes rather than samples so I came home with Lilac, Limes & Bergamot, and Orange Menthol. What surprised me was I presumed I'd come home with Fougere Sauvage but opening a jar for a sniff test didn't grab me like the three I purchased. Flavor number five is Mango Sage Tea and I can't remember why I didn't grab one of those but I also purchased a bunch of other stuff so I may have been saving something for next trip.
Their soaps are soft and they put 5 oz in an 8 oz jar so all you have to do is stick your brush in the jar, give it 8 or 10 swirls (double that for hard water) and go to your beard. No pre-soaking the puck, the water/soap ratio is easy to figure out, and no waste. The scents don't hide but they don't overpower you either. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised that for as strong as the scent is initially that it nearly completely faded by the end of the pass. Some might think it too strong to start with but I think they've got it just right.
I used the Limes & Bergamot on Saturday and I can see why Bob has it in his top 5.
Today's experience with the Lilac mirrored my shave on Saturday. While you may find other soaps slicker or thicker (by degree), the Maggard product is certainly slick enough and thick enough even in hard water. They provide a very nice glide with plenty of cushion without making billows of whip cream on your face and without being drippy. In a side by side comparison, do I think GoldDachs makes a better lather? Yes, but only by degree and it's very close.
The only thing I noticed with the Lilac was at the very end of the pass it seemed that the lather was starting to get dry. That being said, I tend to notice this with any of my flowery products more so than any other scents so I'm not sure if it's simply my perception or if flower scented soaps/creams dry faster than other families of scents.
Sorry for the long answer to your short question. "How is it?" you asked. Great product. You need to order some.

Happy Birthday Brent!!!

Monday, September 1, 2014 - Happy Labor Day

Prep: Warm shower, Cetaphil Lotion
Razor: Schick Injector G8
Blade: Personna (3)
Lather: Proraso Red Cream
Brush: Oscar11 w/ Omega 20248 Knot
Post: Witch Hazel, Cetaphil Lotion
Aftershave: Master Lilac Vegetol

Wow! What a way to start September. I planned to shave yesterday evening, but never got around to it. I had a fantastic afternoon shave that could not be any closer. This is only my second time using the Veg and I think I really like it.

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday!

01.09.2014


Today is a day of first. It is the first day of a new month, the first day in a new job and the first time in a long long time that the Merkur Futur has made an appearance in my shaves. And in honour of that, I am calling this entry:

Episode 1 – The Futur Menace​

The Merkur Futur razor has long been hiding in the shadows of my den, biding its time and waiting for the right opportunity to strike, and that was today.

It did not take long before it proved how much of a menace this razor can be. I had a small outbreak of “teenagism” right under my nose that was quickly and efficiently beheaded. Trying to stop the blood with alum block and that Proraso goo proved futile, and I had to put on a band-aid to contain the flow.
In fact I now look like a band-aid Hitler, and I have to say that look does not become me.

Apart from that little incident, the razor was quite interesting to use. I started on level 4 on one side, and continued on level 3 on the other side of my face, and it was easy to tell that the last setting gave me the best and most comfortable shave.

For the next pass, I lowered the razor to 2.5, and it went from being a menace to a soft fluffy kitten razor. It was so mild that I hardly felt the blade. I adjusted the angle somewhat and that helped with the cutting. It was still very mild, but aggressive enough to finish the shave in a satisfactory manner.


Now I have to change my band-aid again, so I hope you'll excuse me..


Face Soap: Fitjar Preshave Soap
Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
Brush: Merkur Futur
Aftershave Lotion: Kramperts Bay Rum
Aftershave Balm: L’Occitane Shea Butter

is it common to change an adjustable razor between passes?
I dialed in to where I liked it the most and haven't changed them since.

That is a very good question, especially since I have no idea. I am trying to figure out this razor myself.
So hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can provide a good answer

Thanks Guy! You are correct about the location and the Best Clam Chowder I have ever had. I can see why you make the trip every few months; it is well worth the trip.

They still have some left so you better hurry down there and get some! I didn't get to see AT&T Park in San Fran but I did get to see Safeco Field in Seattle where my Mariners and Seahawks play. Had a great sandwich and some adult beverages at the Sports Bar right near the Space Needle.
We went to the Marine's Memorial Club & Hotel in San Fran the night we left and had more adult beverages in the Bar then went next door to the Italian Restaurant on the corner. What a great place for a delicious dinner and some great Nappa Valley Wines. If you get a chance to eat there you will not be disappointed. One of the highlights of my trip! Great weather all the time (Thanks for putting in a good word for me to the Chamber of Commerce!)

I would say the sweet spot lays somewhere between hitlerlip and fluffy kitten.

I personally feel that a razors aggressiveness cover poorer technique.
a master jedi can achieve the closest of shaves with the mildest of razors.
look for the place where you are shaving comfortably. think of it like this;
if you hold the mild razor at the correct angle, it performs well. too much angle, the shaver feels like nothing is happening( maybe nothing is) too little and it scrapes and cuts the stubble too long, or did nothing.
the key is in the angle, consistency, and patients. I like to listen to the blade as it slices the hairs.
just as obewon told luke to wear the blast helmet while practicing with the train bot. you should listen to the blade.
hope this helps

Congratulations on the new job.

Lol, I concour

That's a very interesting observation, and you might be on to something. I will make a note of that and use it in another episode.

Thanks a lot

Happy Birthday @Dapper-in-a-can-man May all your wildest dreams come true!

Happy Birthday Dapper!

SoS - Menthol Monday, September 1, 2014

Cool shower
Prep: Homemade Lime PSO
Brush: Simpsons Duke 3
Soap: Stirling MITA
Razor: '56 ball-end Tech
Blade: Astra SP (5)
Post: Stirling Lemon Chill WH
Aftershave: Mennen Skin Bracer

I'd swear that the Stirling Lemon Chill Witch Hazel is even colder than the Glacial Lemon Chill puck that I have. This stuff is brutally cold! Bring that it's still about 110°F here, the WH is a welcome relief form the heat. Another reason why I love Menthol Mondays!

- Don

For the record, I start on 7 for the first pass and then go to 3 for the second pass whenever I use my adjustable.