SoS: June 22, 2015 - June 28, 2015

No, my hands are a bit shaky and I have arthritis, I'd be afraid I'd slice my ear off. I do wish I could learn it looks like a good shave, but yes I could see where the added cost of the stones and strops would be a concern. Keep at it, I really enjoy reading your SOTD's very educational.

 

Are you a vampire? How'd you get that shot and not appear in the mirror? Nice...

 

MENTHOL MONDAY SOTD
6/22/15

Razor: 1957 Gillette Super Speed Heavy Red Tip (newly repainted tip to make it look new!)

Blade: Astra SP (3)

Brush: Whipped Dog Butterscotch Silvertip
Soap: Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic
AS: Mix of Barbasol Brisk and Barbasol Pacific Rush

At the direction of Cap'n Murphy (B&B Legend) and Chris Evatt at Razorplate I finally cleaned up my 1957 Birth Year Red Tip and, with a little International Harvester Red, touched up the tip. Now she's shiny and looks like new. And, frankly, shaves absolutely beautifully! The Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic (on recommendation of Trey) is another terrific Stirling soap that smells wonderful, is easy to lather and has enough menthol to make this menthol rookie's eyes water and sinuses clear out. Three pass wonderful, near-BBS shave that had me 'faceturbating' all day.

I think my 1 year+ of "experience" is starting to pay off. The optimum is easier to find whatever razor I use. It's great to nearly always have a great shave!

 

I hear that about the hands. My right hand doesn't like to be held in a fist or cupped position for very long. Not sure if it from an old injury or just from getting old(er). I dont know if I would call my SOTD educational seeing they are from a noob but I do hope some folks can take something out of them, whether it is a soap review, blade review, razor review or just get a laugh out of it!

You should try it even if the hands are shaky. If you can DE, then you should be able to straight. At least enough to try it out and/or maybe the hands won't be as bad as you think!

Regarding costs, I would stay away from it! LOL Yeah, I might have to do a fundraiser for a couple of stones and a good strop!

Thx.

 

World Tournament of Blades - Russia vs. the World!!
June 22, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Tabac
Razor - '46/47 Superspeed
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

Back to India for the first World bracket in the Elite Eight. The Vidyut Super-Max Platinum is up today and I am putting it and the Bic in the '46-'47 Superspeed I had replated by Chris at razorplate.com . I haven't used the razor since its return so it's time to give it a run. As with all SS's the early one is a mild razor and after the replate it really shines. This was the first vintage razor I bought and has a top spot in my collection. So, with the Pro 48 and Tabac providing an outstanding lather, let's get to work.

First pass was a bit strange. The blade remains as sharp as before but appears to be dragging quite a bit. So, maybe it isn't as sharp as before? It got a 2 last round. Or, is it the blade dragging or the razor itself? Stopped after one side to rinse the razor well, wipe it down and go again. It has been cleaned since it came back from plating, just not sure if that's it or if it's really the blade. It isn't tugging, but rather dragging....if that makes sense. Anyway, finished the first pass and had a decent result so maybe it's the lather? Tabac is normally more than slick enough. Maybe not MWF slick but close enough. Hmmmmmmm. Added water to the Tabac and focused on the lather for the second pass. Seems like maybe that was it. XTG for the second pass and.....yeah still that draggy feeling. Lather didn't seem to make a difference. Finished with a very nice DFS on the face, CCS on the neck. Third lather, even more water and wetter lather and......on the neck only.......still got that drag. The blade is cutting, it's not pulling or tugging, just getting bogged down a bit. XTG and G-slide for the DFS finish.

I'm a bit confused on scoring so I will preface this by saying.....I reserve the right to modify this score tomorrow depending on the Bic. Basically, if the same drag occurs with the Bic I am going to have to assume it's the razor or lather and adjust. If the drag is gone, we know it's the blade. So, here we go...........Sharpness - 2 because the passes were effective...however if the drag is only on this blade I may revise that score as that could explain it. Smoothness - 3....yes, due to the drag. If the drag occurs on the Bic, then this will get revised as well since I can't blame the blade. Irritation - 1......not much burn. Less than the last round so I'll improve it by one. Result - DFS for the 2.

Total - 8 This is actually 1 better than its round against the Kai. I fear this may be the end of the SM Platinum given the Bic's last round but we'll see. I've been surprised before in the tournament, I may be about to get another surprise now.

​

 

SOTD - Menthol Monday, June 22, 2015

Cool shower
Prep: Peppermint PSO
Brush: Klenzo B985, TGN finest
Soap: Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill
Razor: Merkur 38C
Blade: Personna Lab Blue (3)
Post: Stirling Lemon Chill WH
Aftershave: Osage Rub

 

Tabac Tuesday SOTD
Razor: Gillette Fat Handle Tech Steampunk finish
Blade: SuperMax SP Tiger (D2)
Brush: Romera Rustic Chubby 26mm Manchurian
Bowl: Lady Sea Creations 5"
Pre Shave Scrub: RazoRock GLO
Pre Shave Balm: Proraso Sensitive
Shave Soap: Tabac
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: Tabac AS Balm
Cologne: Tabac
​

My first Tabac Tuesday and was planning on making a Fatboy/Tabac Tuesday but my Fat Handle Tech in what James called a Steampunk finish (dark copper with black chrome cap/accent ring arrived today and it looks better in person than picture shows so just had to put this one to use right away. Really looking forward to tomorrow morning shave.

​

 

Menthol Monday SOTD


Merkur Futur razor
Polsilver SI blade
Semogue SOC boar brush
Homemade frosty woods PSO
Prorasa green/Myrsol crema de afeitar Uber lather
Myrsol Metisol aftershave
Myrsol Formula K aftershave

Three days camping and fishing without shaving and I was ready for a shower and a shave. The Mentholated Uber lather was perfect for the task and the Merkur set on 4 knocked the beard down with out any resistance. The Myrsol AS products left my face feeling smooth and chilled.

 

Nice "new" razor you got there

 

Planned Fat Tabac Tuesday SOTD

'59 Fatboy razor
Gillette Spoiler blade
New Forest tubby badger brush
Myrsol Antesol preshave
Tabac shaving soap
Myrsol Antesol aftershave
Tabac EdC

 

Thanks, hope it shaves as good as it looks.

 

SOTD Tuesday 23Jun2015





Razor: 1951 Gillette W-2 Super Speed TTO/DE {Birth Year Razor}
Razor Blade: Wilkinson Sword
Brush: "Oscar11" Custom 24/48mm TGN Super Finest Black& White Resin Handle
Bowl: Arletta's Mug I
Shower: Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap Tea Tree Liquid Soap
Shampoo: Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo - Extra Strength
Pre-Shave Face Wash: Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash
Pre-Shave Oil: Pacific All Natural Shaving Oil.
Shave Soap: Williams Mug Shaving Soap
Post Shave: Afta After Shave Skin Conditioner
After Shave: Mennen Skin Bracer Original

WTG-XTG-ATG (adjusted angles for my beard)


I will be using, Afta After Shave Skin Conditioner,not because of Razor Burn
It really does feel very soothing in this humidity and heat.
I will use Williams Mug Shaving Soap
I will continue to use it the rest of this coming week, in Honor of my Father.
He always used either Williams Mug Shaving Soap or I think Palmolive Shaving Cream in the can.
I do remember him using a mug and brush.
He also always used a Gillette Razor of sorts DE/TTO
Maybe after all of these years I have finally learned how to shave?​

 

Photoless SOTD Tuesday 23 June

Truefitt & Hill No 10 Pre Shave Skin Protector
Omega Mixed Midget brush
My own woody-vetiver blend soap
Merkur 37 c Slant razor with Gillette Silver Blue blade
Portland General Store Whiskey Splash
Bulldog after shave balm

Having struggled a bit with the neck the last few days, today was a joy. 2 passes, WTG and XTG. Is variation of all products key, I wonder, or was it the razor–blade combo? Was it the pre-shave oil which I haven't used in a loong time? Was it the @Primotenore way of flooding the soap, letting the brush dive straight in (believe you used it for MWF?)? I really should take a more scientific approach, changing but one variable at a time, ceteris paribus...

 

June 23 SOTD:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Stirling Frozen Tundra
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Stirling Unscented PSB
Barbasol Pacific Rush AS

 

SOTD June 23, 2015

Prep: Shower, hot facecloth followed by homemade rose EO pre-shave oil
Soap: Sterling Bay Rum
Razor: Fendrihan DE
Blade: Feather
Brush: Omega Boar Bristle
Aftershave: Hot facecloth followed by Lavender Witch Hazel
Aftershave balm: Shea butter
Mustache Wax: Badger

The adventure with Sterling soaps continues! Today it was Bay Rum. A nice scent...a little heavier than some of the other Sterlings I have tried, but it was not unpleasant (I can tolerate it well...so that's a bonus). A clean smooth shave, no nicks or weepers. A great way to start the day.

 

06/23/2015
Razor – ATT R2 with Triad Helix SS
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Olive Wood with TGN Finest Fan
Lather – Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine L’Orange Noir



Another great work morning shave of 2 passes plus touch ups produced a near BBS. The girls gave me the soap and aftershave for Fathers Day. The scent and performance of this soap is fantastic. Finished off with witch hazel followed by a splash of Fine L'Orange Noir. All in all a great morning.

 

Tranquil Tuesday
After a loud night of thunderstorms, I naturally reached for RP Tranquillity. The Colonel made optimal lather almost immediately from the bloomed puck, and built it luxuriously on my face. I went back to my usual pattern of 9/7/7 with the Fatboy, earning a drama free BBS. I finished with PAA Gondolier, easily top five in both scent and skincare.
Prep: warm shower, Mickey Lee Lime
Soap: Reef Point Tranquility
Brush: The Colonel
Razor: '59 Fatboy 9/7/7
Blade: Voskhod (2)
AS: PAA Gondolier

 

:rah:C'mon, Bic!

 

I had a most delightful shave with my Glacial Lemon Chill soap - damn, my face felt so frozen and when I slapped on the Rubby Dubby Doo the freezing effect from it almost numbed me.

 

I also love the MITA soap but although it's pretty cold it doesn't make my eyes tear. I think it's still wonderful.