SoS: February 2, 2015 - February 8, 2015

SOTD Wednesday 2-4-2015

Gillette NEW OC w/Wilkinson Sword
Noxema
Classic Brand Jasmine SS
GP Scuttle
Omega Boar
Dickinson's WH
GB Body Lotion
Brut

I'm really lovin' these Wilkinson Sword Blades. I've had them in the drawer for a long time and haven't really used them until recently. My favorites are the Crystals and Astra SP's but, these Wilkinson Swords are right up there to complete the blade triumvirate.

 

Celestino,

Very interesting setting for your SOTD photo! I know I have seen that bridge before, so I had to look at the Google map. Is it the Highway 1 bridge over Vancouver Harbor? Last year my wife and I rode the Trans Canada train out of Vancouver, and we spent some time waiting and moving slowly on the tracks along the harbor. We went under that bridge.

Nice photo!

 

Thank you @MoAllen

 

SoTD for Wednesday February 4, or, from Russia with love shaving supplies.

Pre- Clove balsam PSO
Soap- Arko
Brush- Blondie
Razor- Iskara
Blade- Voskhod x2
Rinse- Osage
Aftershave- Colorado Sage
Lotion- Kiehl's
Cologne- Colorado Sage



Yesterday I got an excellent shave with a Russian Voskhod blade. Much better than I recall getting previously. So I decided to try it again. Today however, I decided to change up the razor. Yesterday I used my 'NEW' style Otto Roth, which is one of my top ten DE razors. In my opinion, it is perfectly balance in terms of both aggression/mildness and actual physical balance. In other words, feels great in the hand, works great on the face. So today I thought I would introduce a randomizer. I decided to use one of my plastic Russian DEs. Don't get me wrong, these razors work well. But the construction is 95% plastic, they are exceptionally light. So technique becomes very important. You cannot rely on the weight of the razor to provide your pressure. You must have the ability to finesse your blade into the proper pressure and angle. This in my opinion makes the physical aspects of the blade come to the forefront, and is a great way to test a blade. YMMV.
This particular razor, believe it or not, is based on a design by schick. While the Schick is a short lived obscurity, the design took on new life in the Soviet Union, where razors of this type were sold under a multitude of different brand names and color combinations. I know they were also sold under various names in Turkey. I am unaware if they are the same Russian made razors rebranded, or a domestic product. I do not own a Turkish one. But if you happen to have one that you are sick of, I will happily give it a new home. Anyhow, this version of the razor is an Iskara. It only has metal doors, everything else is plastic. Sometimes they will have a metal TTO knob as well, but it doesn't bring much to the table in terms of function. The plastic is good quality. Fairly hard and it feels sort of fibery, like an industrial plastic. The first thing that leaps to mind is the plastic spools that an all weather extension cord might have... that makes sense I hope?
I lathered using my workhorse boar, Blondie, and trusty ol' Arko. You can't beat it when you need unquestionable performance. Say what you will about the scent, the stuff works great. So with those tools I got a fantastic lather and got down to business. The verdict? A+. I got a great, smooth, fast, BBS shave in two passes, neck included. I don't know what it is about the Voskhod that gives me such good results on my neck, but it makes me happy. So there it is. I had these blades written off as mediocre, but I am definitely rethinking that. With improved technique, I am often getting different results than I did the first time I used certain blades. I guess I now need to test out some Astra SPs, as I felt they were a similar, but slightly better version of the Voskhod.
Lastly, my aftershave/cologne combo for the day is Colorado Sage. I love this stuff. It is originally from the 70s, but I got a full vintage bottle in a large lot of aftershave I bought. When I looked it up to try and find more AS, or the cologne, I was dismayed to find that it was very collectable and quite expensive. So I decided I would occasionally search it up, and patiently wait for a good deal to come along. Imagine my surprise when, in the course of some non-related research, I find that it is currently being manufactured! For a scant $12 a bottle! I actually got up from my chair, and did a small victory dance. The catch is that it is unadvertised, hidden on a website not linked from the parent company, Bonne Bell's website. Basically the internet equivalent of hiding product in a dank corner of the basement of a retail store. But I found it, and I ordered it. It came fast, so that was good. It doesn't smell exactly like my vintage bottle, but it is very, very close. And frankly, as opposed to most reformulations, I find the slight change to be for the better. So that is also good. The scent is probably exactly what you expect of something called Colorado Sage from the 70s. A nice crisp, green, woody fragrance. Subtle, but with the vintage masculine punch that is characteristic of fragrance from that time. As I said earlier, I love this stuff. And at $12 for a 4oz bottle, you can't go wrong.

 

Wednesdays shave

A nice shave today

Razor - Slim
Blade - Feather
Lather - Martin De Candre fougere
Brush - L'occitane Plisson Synthetic
Aftershave - Nivea moisturising balm
Pinaud Clubman Musk

 

Thanks, Mike and it is one of two bridges that traverse the Burrard Inlet (Vancouver Harbour) and it is called Second Narrow's/Ironworker's Memorial Bridge.

 

Happy Anniversary!
How many?

 

SOTD personal blade research update:

I know when it comes to blades YMMV. I've been "researching" different blades lately to see if I can find something to replace the Astra SP's I've been using. Don't get me wrong, the Astra's are sharp, but I always nick myself. So, I tried the Rapira Lux Platinum before and found it 'rough' with a NEW, but very nice with a Slim. Yesterday and today I've used a Rapira Swedish Stainless (with the Slim) and it's been a scratchy, patchy, nasty shave. To top it off it's only 3 o'clock and I need a shave already! I'm already done with this blade.

Besides faceturbating is no fun if it hurts your hand!

 

A great shave.

Razor: Gillette Flair Tip Rocket
Blade: Astra SP
Soap: Nancy Boy sample
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Aftershave: Provence Sante
Splash: The Veg

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happy anniversary @poppi
hope you and the missus have a joyous day

 

Soap: Scraps of three different triple milled soaps, actually forgot what's in there.
Brush: Three Band D01
Razor: Gillette English Parat
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
After shave: Old Spice Shulton

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That's a great looking Parat. Nice!

 

SOTD 2-4-15
Seems like I can't stick with one setup more than a few days - newbie-itus? First time I used used my old style Gillette with a Merkur blade and was left with lots of burn and nicks. Took a few weeks off from it but wanted to see if one of my new blades from the sampler pack would make a difference. Knowing that this open comb was an aggressive little beast probably helped as well. I loaded with a Derby blade and what a difference!
Pre: shower and Noxzema face wash
Preshave: AoS Lavender (slicker is better with the aggro "beast!"
Cream: Proraso Green
Razor: Gillette Old Style open comb
Blade: Derby
Post: TSD Traditional Scent with Menthol Milk
3 passes: wtg, xtg (ear to nose), atg plus mild clean up

Very nice and comfortable shave - not sure this will be an everyday shaver, but it's in the rotation! Glad to experience what difference a blade can make in the same razor.

 

Thanks for posting the info on that razor. It has a very unique look.

 

Thanks, indeed we will. It just keeps getting better

 

47 wonderful years. BTW, we married as babies

 

Wednesday 4 Feb 2015 Shave

RAZOR: Muhle R41/Sabi t2 handle
BLADE: Crystal aka Blue IP
BRUSH: Restored Erskine/TGN finest fan
SOAP: Arko shave stick
AS: Witch hazel​

A great shave again but after using this yesterday only 1 pass atg and touch-up was necessary.

Side note: The Sabi t2 handle is most likely the same as the Matador Toro Mastiff - Corto

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Sweet tip!

 

Love your photo's, I feel like I am taking a tour with your razor and brush. Very enjoyable!

 

The slim is great!