SoS: December 28, 2015 - January 3, 2016

Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen!

 

Not so much the OSP Bay Rum soap. A bit clovey but less than the other two.

 

SOTD New Year's Eve 2015

Pre: Warm shower
Blade: Rapira Swedish Super Steel
Razor: Wet Shave Club 3-piece
Brush: Badger
Lather: Country Club for Men Cahaba Blues
Post: Witch hazel splash, Country Club for Men Sweet Water A/S, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, ATG, touch-up

In honor of the CRIMSON TIDE I chose to go with Alabama-made products today. The Cahaba Blues soap lathers up easily and is thick and slick. The Sweet Water A/S is also very nice.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2016. Happy New Year and Roll Tide!!

 

Friday's


Dove Men Face Wash
Arko Stick
Semogue Owners Club
Schick E (new to me, first shave)
Personna
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Rose Petal WH
Pinaud Clubman

The Arko Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue Owners Club boar brush. Two passes with my Schick E injector razor and a Personna Stainless blade gave me a very close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Rose Petal WH and then Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

 

I still can't believe how nice that razor looks! I'm going to have to find one...... Happy New Year Karl!

 

Here is my last shave of the year. 2015 was filled with silver and gold so here is to a platinum 2016 on Easy St.

 

This was my last shave of the year. The PAL was flawless once again! Captains choice has a great burn but I like the Clubman VIBR better,it also has a nice burn but the scent appeals to me more. Anyway I have no idea what I'm shaving with tomorrow but it's going to be good. Happy New Year to all my friends at the Den!

arty:

 

NEW YEAR'S EVE SOTD

Razor: 1957 Gillette Super Speed (birth year)
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Blue
Brush: Semogue 1320
Soap: RazoRock Don Marco
AS: Barbasol Brisk

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Well, I purchased another birth year Super Speed and give it another trial; this will be #4. Numbers 1 thru 3 were immediately sold after miserable shave experiences. In fact, last year I posted a "No Love For My Super Speed" thread expressing my unhappiness. But, for some reason, I keep coming back. I think it's because most shavers on TSD love their Super Speeds. Or maybe it's because I want to like the SS.

So, today I loaded a fresh blade in my "brand new" SS ($8 on eBay). I'd closely inspected this razor to make sure it was straight and properly functional. I have to admit the resulting shave (I mean the final result) was a very, very close shave; nary a bit of stubble to be found, even on my trouble spots. 6 hours later and my face feels like I just shaved. But, the experience was miserable. It felt like I was dragging a nasty, old steak knife across my face. I ended up with a half-dozen weepers (I had to hunt for my styptic, it's been that long since I needed it) and I think my neighbor heard me scream when I used my alum block. This is exactly the same experience I've had with every SS I've used except my Red Tip, which I love. I don't want to give up, but this is frustrating. Any suggestions?

 

To the best of my knowledge, it's discontinued; the supplier I used for it had it on a significant discount and appears to have been out of stock for quite some time. I'm glad I have multiple tubs of it. I believe it's based off the Fico di Amalfi scent from Aqua de Parma's Mediterraneo line.

 

Happy New Year Herm,

It's unfortunate about the shaves from the SS. I am probably in the majority when saying I not only get great shaves but enjoy the ease as well. I use my SS and good ol Tech as a basis to judge my new razors. But enough about me.

I have noticed quality differences in SS even when close in years. You mentioned the previous 3 were also 1957's I believe. Have you used any other years , and what we're they ?

I don't mean to pry, the reason I ask is I would like to lend you a few to try . I find my 1954 (Z-2) it has a wider band on the knob . Shaves smoother to me than my 1959 (E-1) which has a narrower band.

Then there is my 1951 W-4 Black Tip. Which while being so mild you would had a hard time cutting yourself if you tried, repeatedly. Still gives a very DFS.
I have my boys use this as there first razor then they graduate to a Tech.

I have only 2 shaves with my 1954 Blue Tip (A-4). So I am still learning , but so far so good considering the poor shape it was in when I got it.

I also have the " twins ". Both short black handled SS. One M-3 the other S-1. Both quite nice , unfortunately often shadowed by the other razors.

Then there is the " Black Beauty ". 1971 (R-2) long handle. I bought this one for my wife to try and convert her to the shave side. Long handle for her long legs.
While she was not converted I did find an appreciation for the razor that was towards the end of the SS line.

I always wondered if the got better with each version and really had it down just before the fall, due to cartridges . Or if they really don't make em like they used to.

You are more than welcome to try out any I have and see if the right SS match is out there for you.

 

First, nice group of razors you have there! As far as Super Speeds I also own a 1958 TV Special, almost mint that, if I recall, shaves OK. I had 2 black handles (PIF'd one for Xmas) and they were OK, too. Nothing special, mind you, but not bad. Finally I have a '57 Red Tip that I love. You bring up something I hadn't thought of. Maybe regular 1957 Super Speeds are especially aggressive? Maybe you're on to something.

I compared the blade gap on this regular 57 SS to my 58, the 57 Red Tip and the 80 black handle. The gap on the regular regular 57 is noticeably wider than the other 2 razors. The blade doesn't bend down much as you can see in my original pic. Although, everything looks perfectly even on the regular 57 and the bars don't appear bent down, but it makes me wonder if this is just a bad (damaged) razor and I can't see it. One more try tomorrow...and I'll be careful!

Thanks for the info, Happy New Year!

 

Don't have a picture for yesterdays shave--it was a terrible one. I had this crazy burning on my skin from either the soap or the brush (mentioned under "The Brush" category. Either an allergic reaction to something in the brush or the soap. First time using the brush, but used the soap before. Was really looking forward to an excellent shave with some new stuff and previous favorites and just didn't get it at all. Anyway, here is what was used:
Prep: Hot Shower/ Nivea Original Moisturizing Face Wash
Pre-Shave: Proraso White Cream
Soap: Catie's Bubbles LPV
Brush: Semogue Owner's Club
Blade/ Razor: Personna Lab Blue/ Muhle R 89 Maggard MR5 handle
Astringent: Alum
Post-Shave: TONS of cold water to try and relieve the burning, then SC Passion Balm
Aftershave Splash: Old Spice Original

 

I'm pretty sure you know the drill but let me say it one more time just for me.. Angle, pressure, prep... And if all else fails maybe you just weren't meant to shave with the SS? Things could be worse. Happy new year!

 

The Le Piment de la Vie burned the heck out of my skin as well. I attribute it to the cinnamon.

 

Cinnamon lights me up like a cheap cigar. I just have to avoid the stuff.

 

Yep, you got it, thanks. But maybe I'm getting forgetful. Could be old age...

 

Thanks, my collection is a work in progress. I have a few others as well.

I do believe the knurling did change over time, as well as the end cap. It started out metal ( not sure what kind) then went to plastic (like mine).

I noticed the 57 has the narrower band vs let's say my 54. They do shave quite differently for being the same type of razor.

I'm sure you have thought of it but maybe we just need to find your winning combo of SS year and blade.

 

Congratulations to @PLAla our December NGA winner!! Thank you @Seabs @Boojum1 @youngunn @Marverel @pvtbanks for your generous donations.

 

Hm interesting that it didn't bug me before but bugged me that time. Must have gotten a part of the soap with a lot of cinnamon. I will try my Owners Club brush again tonight with a different soap and see how it works.

 

Jan 1st 2016 SOTD



Razor: King Cobra
Blade: Feather Artist Club Professional (D8)
Brush: Korn D7-XLT Romera Manchurian 26mm
Bowl: Yoresh Scuttle
Pre Shave Scrub: MRGLO
Pre Shave Oil: AOS Lavender
Shave Soap: SdM “Asses Milk" 30%
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: TOBS Lavender Water​

Normally do not shave at night and really don't need a shave but wanted to be BBS tonight as I am heading to the big party downtown Boise and watch our version of NY Town Square as we drop the "Potato" at midnight. I normally stay home on NYE but have guest from out of town who want to see the Potato drop so I gave in and we will be heading out the door in couple of minutes as they finish dressing.