Zenith 506 synthetic boar / La Saponeria Artigiana - Cocco / Merkur 34C HD / Feather / Fliod Genuine

Thank you, @Robyflexx !

First time using the very mighty King Cobra razor this morning.
Popped a Feather Pro blade into it (interesting loading mechanism where you turn a lever under the head which makes the base plate 'drop down' (while still attached), you pop the blade in and turns the lever and it's all secured).

First impression was the most obvious one - it's a huge razor. I mean the Mongoose is a big razor...but this one goes beyond that.
Second impression was quite a surprise: it is super easy to navigate while shaving including under your nose. It never once felt 'awkward' to use through it's size - quite the contrary I really liked it.
The handle is very grippy. Strong texture and makes the handle feel more 'utilitarian' than 'refined'. You will not slip when holding on to this handle.
I can see how it may not be for everyone though which is why you see so many KC's with a third-party handle on it. After one use I can't see myself rushing out to look for another handle though - this just seems to 'fit' the overall appeal of this razor. Big, strong and attractive in it half-posh, half-utilitarian design.

Now the shave was interesting. The Feather Pro blade is one sharp piece of metal. It did make me feel as if I really had to pay attention to what I was doing but even so I did manage to nick myself just under my lip and I barely ever cut myself shaving these days so there was a bit of a surprise/wake up.
It will be interesting swapping out the blade for the Proguard which is a blade I love in the Mongoose and see if that tames the Cobra a bit.

In summary: If you love injector-style shaving and big razors with long handles this one is a fantastic combination of all of those things. Luckily for me - I like all of those things.
This one is a keeper.

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December Focus

The Twelve Blades of December!

Hard to believe we've almost put this year to bed. Wow. Where did the time go? But, here we are and as a gift to everyone here I'm offering up my shaves with twelve blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve. So, sit back, get the fire burning and enjoy what I hope is an enjoyable month of further proof Technique Trumps Tools. I hope for that....my expectations aren't as optimistic.

December 14

Razor - Rimei A2002
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea

Finally, it's the WEEKEND!! Wait, not for you? Sorry about that. I'll keep the celebrating down. Monday morning and it's my weekly head shave ahead of the main event. Last week's head shave didn't work too well as I somehow managed to slice myself behind the left ear. Going to pay a bit closer attention to that stroke around the ear to see if I can avoid that. Still wondering how I did that. Merkur 23c and Astra SP along with VDH Deluxe soap and boar brush as always. And, other than a nick in a rough spot it all went well. However, it took some doing so I'll be changing the blade for next week. I usually go 3 shaves on the blade but I'm stopping after 2 this time. I feel like maybe I got a dud as it just didn't work as well as normal for the Astra SP. It happens.

On to day two of the Remei A2001 and Vincent blade from China. The blade was good yesterday, but again it's made in China for an American company, Sewicob. BoSFat for the lather and it really exploded into life today. First pass felt very smooth and I went into the second pass with high hopes of a DFS. Found some touch up work needed after the second pass and thought I had the high DFS. Afterwards, though, I discovered as I worked with the alum and Nivea that I can't call it that. I would have needed a third pass to accomplish a good DFS. The result is a barely DFS if I'm a bit generous. Still not a horrible shave but not what I thought as I finished. I'm blaming that largely on the Remei, however. It is a mild razor even with the blade a bit straighter than most. Just takes more work to get where you want.

My overall impression of the Vincent is that it is a quality blade. If the shavepocalypse happened tomorrow and all I could find was a stash of Vincent blades I'd be perfectly happy. Not thrilled, but happy. Have a great week!

There's more in the 30 Day Thread for those interested. You can read it HERE!

Menthol Monday

Razor: Gillette Milord w/case and blade pack
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
Brush: Brass Handle Boar (I know nothing about this brush)
Soap: Proraso
A/S: Captain's Choice Sandalwood w/ M-Bomb
Excellent shave after a busy day and great supper. Three passes with a great Captain's Choice Sandalwood w/ M Bomb added finish.

14 DEcember 2015!

Detour of Gratitude Edition


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Whilst preparing for this past weekends events, Mrs Samurai brought a package to me. Sunday afternoon, I opened to discover that our own @Douglas Carey had sent a gift of Route 66 Lumberjack Shave Soap. Since I was a bit windburned yesterday, I skipped the shave, but decided today to immediately deviate from focus a bit and try the soap. The soap is hand made in Arizona and available on the web site on the product label. Usually for me, lanolin soap can be a mixed bag, as some soaps irritate me, some don't. I am more than happy to say that I was able to use this soap with no issues. I lathered it using a damp Plisson, and face lathered per usual. It is a bit of a thirsty soap, and it yields very slick and firm lather that provided for easy razor glide. Doing the normal two pass routine yielded excellent near BBS, and five hours later my skin feels soft and properly moisturized, and I intentionally used only the alcohol based AS with no additional post care, even though the pic shows a TSD AS bottle, I left it out for science. The scent of the soap was pleasing to me also. It has many notes of pine, fir tree, that kind of thing, but maintains an undercurrent of what I call "old school barber shop", much like Brut or AV Musk after the dry down. This soap seems like it might be good for SR shaving, it's really slick. I guess I will find out real soon... Thanks again Doug for sending this! I really enjoyed it! Tomorrow, a new razor for the week. Headed downtown in a bit, good day all around! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

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A REALLY cold shave for Tuesday morning:

Neutrogena Men Facial Wash
Large Horsehair Barbershop
Super Speed/Derby day 2
First Canadian Polar Vortex SS
Gold Bond Moisturizer
Barrister & Mann Arctique AS
Grey Flannel EdT

Canada is known as the Great White North and shaving with this Polar Vortex soap feels like being outside in the Yukon territory during mid-winter. This soap lathers wonderfully and its menthol effect is very close to a Glacial soap. (well, sort of!) It also has darned good skincare. The Arctique aftershave is now oficially the coldest product I ever applied to my face - yes, even colder than a Glacial witch hazel or aftershave, and does it ever smell great. I'm in love with the Derby blades because they're so sharp as well as smooth and forgiving.

Not much if any cooling sensation. Im glad none of the products I picked were too cold as it was -12 outside this morning.

Planned Tabac Tuesday SoTD

Schick Type D razor
Nos Schick blade
Semogue Texuga badger brush
Homemade patchouli PSO
Tabac shaving cream (bowl for photo only)
Myrsol Masaje Antesol AS
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This will be the maiden voyage with my new to me Schick type D razor. If it shaves anywhere near as good as it looks, im in for a real treat.

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Tuesday's


Dove Men Face Wash
3P Shave Soap
Jayaruh #30RS Silver Tip
Scotch & Stowe Fatty
Personna SS
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Cucumber WH
Pinaud Clubman

The 3P Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #30RS Silver Tip brush. Two passes with my Scotch & Stowe Razor and a Personna Super Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and then Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Great write up, enjoy your new KC!

#SOTD
Menthol Monday
Peppermint Mango Iced Tea

Tangerine & peppermint pre shave oil
Schick Krona (19??)
Wilkinson Sword (made in Germany)
Mango Sage Tea soap Maggard Razors
Peppermint EO
Chrome badger hair (?) travel brush - (maker unknown )
Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Dove Expert Shave - intense post shave repair balm ( great stuff )

Back east it's ridiculously mild - about +6 for tomorrow.

Tuesday Planned SOTD



Razor: '1948 Gillette Aristocrat
Blade: Super Iridium (D6)
Brush: EverReady 150 w 24nn TGN Silvertip
Bowl: Beaver WoodWrigh 4.5"
Pre Shave Scrub: MRGLO
Pre Shave Oil: Pacific Shaving Iced
Shave Soap: Malaspina Tweedish Gent
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: Italian Barber GIT
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Almost went with Tabac today but came across Tweedish Gent that I haven't used in a long, long time and I find it to be the best Tweed type that I have came across so far so time to put back in the rotation and chance to try out a new GIT splash for me.

Easy to forget how great the Gillette Tech razor is in particular the Canadian variant. (More effecient)
Combined with one of my favorite saving lotions Speick.
A DFS day.
G

Lovely new brush, Guy! Looks like you are paying homage to the Brazilians (Brasileiros)!

Thanks Celestino. I think the person I bought this from wanted either a Kent BK or Leonhardy clone !! Little to floppy so haven't decided if I will drill down the handle or replace with smaller loft Silvertip of some type.

BBS-1/Feather
PALADIN PK-47
BARRISTER & MANN Le Grand Chypre soap and as
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GOOD MORNING! SOTD 12/15/15

Razor-Gillette Tech Ball End
Blade-Shark (5)
Lather-Body Nature Stone Wash
Brush-VDH Boar
Three Passes-Wtg,Xtg,Atg
Post Shave-Cold Water Rinse,
Witch Hazel,Nivea PSB,Pinaud Clubman A/S

The Tech razor albeit a mild razor with the Shark blade on day 5 still produced a DFS+++ shave.
On the last pass I noticed a little drag and ended up some irritation on my neck, no big deal the Nivea took care of that.
So all in all another great shave goes in the books and it's on with my day!

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERY ONE!!