SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Truth be told, boar is a perfect choice for learning, and one of the easiest brushes to use. I have never used that soap, but some soaps are trickier than others. Glad it's working out smoothly.

 

Real smooth.....and didn't take no where near as long as I thought it would.

 

One of the advantages of custom work—whether it be razors, guitars, or (fill in the blank) is the personalization of whatever the craftsman makes tailored to one's personal preferences. I'm certain that Mastro Livi fulfilled the requests of what Mike wanted in this razor and it is a brilliant shaver! I know when I ordered custom-made guitars, they were wonderful and ideal for my preferences, but anyone else who played these instruments may not think so.
The same can apply to the custom razor field. I personally am not a diehard fan of big bladed razors (for me, 6/8" is the sweet spot), but I certainly can enjoy and appreciate both the skill and craftsmanship that went into making a beauty such as this Mastro. I am excited to have this opportunity to 'sample' a custom and who knows….maybe this razor will sway me further towards a future BIG bladed custom….

 

I ordered 1 custom straight, a PRC western grind kamisori. It is definitely my favourite so far. I am going to wait, or try to wait until I have more experience straight shaving before I order another custom. I do prefer 6/8 and 7/8 heavy razors but I can't imagine what it would be like with 8/8. I would like to try out of curiosity but buying to satisfy my curiosity will have to wait. To bad there is not a rental service.

 

Spell-chek is at it again!
I've need tried a classic kamisori, but its definitely on my to-do list…..

There is wisdom in that line of thinking.
Refine & define clearly what it is you're looking for before investing in a custom.

I've had shaves with plenty of 7/8s and a few 8/8s (never a 9/8 or larger). The 8/8s were all notch tips so were not as intimidating as this blade shape on the Mastro. This Mastro also seems all the larger due to the hefty scales.

 

Hahaha I did get some Russian calls at work today... I've been trying with picking up some blades of the Russian type. Just haven't gotten around to it. I've actually only used the GSB, Derby, and Walgreens club 35 (personas?) aside from the blade that came with my R41 and the Van Der Hagen TTO that I PIFd to a friend of mine. I need to branch out!

 

Nice! Another great brush! If you get the BAD you should pick up a Semogue too. I need to get myself an Omega and a Vulfix (that's a brush made with Pokémon hair right?)

 

The GSBs are Russian blades made at the Gillette plant in St. Petersburg. I like them and the Gillette yellows but I really dig the Voskhods and Ladas from Moscow.

 

I've read that finishing your bottled beer and putting the Pinaud products in there helps settle the scent as well. Or maybe just a regular glass container...

 

Umm Vulfix....Pokémon..... Yea sounds right

 

Well crap. Learn something new every day! Hmm which is the milder of the Voskhod and Ladas?

 

They seem very equal to me. The Voskhods are Teflon coated and the Ladas are uncoated stainless. If you loaded one in a razor and handed it to me I doubt I could tell you which one it was.

 

There is a tuck of Ladas and a Tuck of Gillette Rubys on the way to you.

 

woohoo! New things to try!

 

The Crazy Ivan in SEptember!
September 10

Razor - Schick E2 Injector
Blade - (3)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Nivea

Day three on the Schick E2. After yesterday let's see if I can tame this down a bit. Day one was excellent, day two a bit bloody in spots. @Bama Samurai suggested the angle probably caused it so that's where I concentrated. Used the BoSFAT combo for a perfect lather and start to the day and went to work with the Schick. I shallowed the angle just a bit, using the feedback to determine the position of the blade. Rather than adding a bit of angle past feedback I held right at feedback. Make sense? Ended up getting a really great first pass WTG. Same technique for the XTG and again for the ATG on the face. That pass became another XTG with slide on the neck, all holding the shallower angle. Finished DFS with no nicks or problems. Alum was a bit harsh but better than day two. Angle was definitely the key. Great shave.

Tomorrow Crazy Ivan spins again and leads to the Ball End Tech with a Gillette Super Thin blade. The catch? The blade is manufactured in Vietnam. Gillette usually holds at least minimal quality on its different manufacturing sites, we'll see how they did with this one. Hope you are all ready for Friday! I know I am. Surely we'll see a customer before the end of a Friday! I'm tired of hearing the crickets chirp around there this week.

 

1953 (Y3) Tech
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #1 with the Rapira Swedish Supersteel in my birthday Tech. A comfortable BBS shave.
Used about a 1/2 inch dollop of Proraso on each side of my neck and squeezed out the water from the Vulfix Super Badger brush and did a face lather. Added a hand scoop of water twice as I went. The lather was thick and creamy. I had more than enough for the shave.
2 full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck (wings to center today). Passes 2: ATG. Comfortable shave. A lot closer then yesterday at this point after adjusting my XTG and ATG on my neck. Did a cold water rinse and 2 minor touch ups to capture the baby. The Aqua Velva not as loud as yesterday, but still had something to say before it quieted down.

A comfortable BBS shave from the Rapira Swedish Supersteel in the Tech. It appears that it may take me more effort to get a BBS from the Tech than the Old Type or Fat Boy. But no irritation or discomfort is important too. I’ve been face lathering for a week, and I’m now getting the lather I want. I find that it’s a little quicker than using the scuttle, and I like it because it prepares my beard a bit more.

Happy Friday!

 

SEptember Focus Day 11:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Deja Fougere
Injector Type G
Stirling Unscented PSB
Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet

Managed to cut down on the irritation this morning. I am sporting a nice DFS and smelling great to go along with it. The Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements works well and really pairs with the Wholly Kaw, which is becoming my favorite AS.

I'll also say a prayer for those who lost their lives and those whose lives were forever changed 14 years ago.

 

09/11/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Pro (7)
Brush – Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Lather – Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine L’Orange



A great 3 pass near BBS shave this morning. With the blade on its last legs, I couldn't catch the baby no matter how hard I tried. I really like the red wine and citrus scent of this soap. Finished off with a splash of Fine L'Orange.

I am going to use my GEM 1912 this weekend and move onto the Feather Super Pro with the goose next week. By using other vintage SE razors on the weekends, I anticipate the Super Pro to last the remainder of this month's weekday shaves. Happy Friday everyone.