11/24/15

Gillette Super Speed Y3
Gillette Silver Blue (4)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original

Today along with my Super Speed, I'm using a gift from @clint64: Strop Shoppe Baker Street. Put about a half dozen drops of hot water on the top of the soap to soften it a little more. Afterwards, I poured the little that was remaining into my scuttle, squeezed out my brush, then to the soap container to load up. I swirled the brush for about 20 seconds and then went back to the scuttle. I worked up the lather adding water from time to time until it was nice and rich and felt slick to the touch.

It went on my face nice and smooth. 2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Good reduction. Pass 2: ATG. Afterwards, I did a small amount of touch up where I could feel stubble. A cold water rinse followed by a moderate amount of touch up and I thought I had the BBS. The Pinaud Clubman was mild.

A nice near BBS from the GBS in my Super Speed with slickness provided by Strop Shoppe Baker Street. The fragrance was pleasant, but much more subtle than I expected. It held up well on my face, gave good protection, and rinsed off quickly. Still had loads of soap when I finished, probably enough for 2 or 3 more passes. I squeezed out my brush and the lather still felt slick. I added a small amount of water and it seemed to get slicker. I think I will add a little more water to the lather as I build it next time and see if I can get this level of slickness. Thank you @clint64 for your generosity and your good taste!

I hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

Thank you. I enjoyed meeting you and the lunch was good as well. I am glad that you liked the soap. Strop Shoppe is a really nice product. I think I picked up more on the scent since I face lather the soap.

11/24/2015
Razor – Wolfman OC with Triad SS Helix
Blade – 7 O’Clock Blue (2)
Brush – Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – B&M Seville
Post - Witch Hazel & Myrsol F/Extra



I am continuing to refine my use of my self made shave sticks. I soaked the brush and the top of the stick in warm water. Then I swirled the soap around my face until I had a very even coating. Shaking the brush out well, I started face lathering. Knowing that Barrister & Mann is a thirsty soap, I added water several times as I lathered ending up with a very protective and slick lather. I went with a 3 pass shave and paid particular attention to my trouble areas as I went. This approach cut down the touch ups required. After the final rinse, I just touched up the area around my chin with the water and residual slickness left by the soap. If this is not a BBS shave, it's very, very close to one. Closeness an A and irritation an A+. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra and I am ready for my last workday of the week. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

RR Black Mamba
Feather#2
Druida Ebony Chubby
Sterling Glacial Obsidian
Alum, Dickinson’s +Menthol, Proraso Blue Balm
Krampert’s Frostbite Aftershave


Today’s shave was one of the coldest in recent memory. I worked the lather, slowly adding water with the Chubby. The burn of the Glacial Obsidian increased as I built the lather. My eyes watered through the first pass. Two passes plus clean up lead to my usual, near BBS shave. Pass two at an adjusted shallow angle, removed the stubble from my trouble spots. The Black Mamba is my current DE Driver. It is smooth and efficient with a Feather. Ended today’s shave with generous handful of Frostbite Aftershave. Ahhhhh! I hope you all had a great shave today and are having a wonderful Tuesday.

I'm very thankful for the great camaraderie here at TSD. Especially for my 30-day Compadres for their daily ruminations and shenanigans, which I so enjoy.

SOTD
November 24, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Kai Captain Original
Lather: Pré de Provence No 63
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Shady Past
I've been on a Gillette Super Speed kick lately and have neglected my Mongoose, the streak ended this morning! Bam! The Goose is a mean, clean, shaving machine. Okay but really I get amazing shaves from it. I like this blade! PdP #63 is pleasant, shady past is great. It's chilly today with rain later.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

Great photo. Is that a new brush? I don't recall seeing that beauty before.

I've been tagging along there. Very impressive to say the least.

Thanks Clint. I don't use it much since it requires special care with Tung Oil.

You inspired me today. I turned in my list to the girls of aftershaves I wanted for Christmas and 2 were from Folsom & Co, Capri & Shambala.

I can appreciate the special care. The brush looks like a lather monster for sure.

November 24, 2015
No Variation NoVember
This month is perfect for me to learn skills with new-to-me equipment.

Razor: Mongoose B3
Blades: Feather Artist Club Professional (3)
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Manna
Brush: Omega 31025 Scarlatti Boar
AS: Changes at will. Today: Myrsol Blue



Two-pass shave. (XTG, ATG) Face-lather.

I think I’m getting there with this razor / blade combo.

I think the learning curve has been a long one (for me) due to this being a razor unlike any I’ve ever shaved with (weight, size, etc.) PLUS the combination with this blade (first time using a Feather of any kind, and the AC Pro is unforgivingly sharp).

I’ve had some blood-letting, as recently as yesterday, but all those events, combined with a good deal of advice from around here, has made me understand this combo much better and wised me up for the specific things I need to be ever-aware of.

Today was the best shave so far. BBS on 95% of my face. Holidays will affect my routine, but I think all I need now is repetition. Still thinking of carrying this into next month.

Cheers!
RT

It is a Monster all right. Javier's Chubby Knots are among his best.

Aristocrat Focus November 24:

Homemade PS Oil
Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Gillette Aristocrat
Stirling Unscented PSB -- Mentholated
Fine Platinum AS

A quick, but very good shave this morning. Everything came together for a satisfying DFS. The Wool Fat was great, and I kept with the Feather / Aristocrat combination for a 4th day. It was a good start to some time with the family for the holiday.

Vince, I've enjoyed following your progress with the Goose. Looks like you're getting the hang of it. Do you think it will make it into your top 3 razors?

So guys, I have my eye on a carbon steel western kamisori razor. Aside from the edge maintenance, what special care do these razors require? Is it sufficient to dry them and wipe them down with mineral oil (an oil that I already keep on hand for my knives) after each use?

Good question Charlie. What are the advantages of the Kamisori over a regular SR? Not that I will try either but I was just curious.

That should suffice, maybe a small box with some silica gel packs. Keeping it stored outside of the humid bathroom may be a good idea as well.

That was nice indeed of @clint64.

Thanks Danger!

In all honesty...I've been shaving with so many razors in my first 6 - 7 months of doing this, I think I'll have to revisit a few of them to know for sure. Plus I still have a 3 - 4 more to get to in the next month or so! I mean it's only been four months but I'm already forgetting my shaves with my adjustables! Yes I know, tough problem to have so many razors!
I am thankful.

Right now, I'd say my top razors at this point are:
(in no particular order and for different reasons...ease of use, closeness of shave, time until regrowth of whiskers, etc.)

Gillette 1930s “The New” LC
1912 GEM
1950s Era Pal Adjustable Injector
PAL InjectoMatic
1937 Schick Made in Canada Type E
1955-58 Schick Eversharp Type I2
Mongoose B3

This is out of over 20 razors that I've tried so far! I'll probably gather up all my shave notes at the end of the year and devise some sort of year-long focus for 2016 with a more narrow field and really get to know them well. This could also give me impetus to not add anymore razors during 2016...No Buy '16!??

Cheers!
RT

Thank you. It was my pleasure. Plus it allowed me to reduce the inventory so I can get some more soap.