No real difference but I made sure it was a wet lather. That seems to be the key more than the soap, at least from what I've tried. I'm sticking with the Fat and Tabac pretty exclusively with the straight. Although I may try Arko the next time on the Rabbit.

I am staying on R66 for 90, but may throw in an Arko or two for science.

Thanks bama. I'll try that and will update. My shave is way smooth but my neck is paying for it.. I gots to let it heal.

My best lather over the past few months has been MWF with Tabac right there with it. So that's why I haven't strayed from them with pain stick or TSR. I'm thinking though that Arko is easy to make a good wet lather with so it should be a good choice.

Just take it easy. Stop in after each shave and we can talk about it. Just ask anything, me or someone will have an answer for you pretty quickly. Thanks for joining in!

Slow and steady sir, and keep listening to @Bama Samurai - Master of the TTT. (Technique Trumps Tools)
As a newbie, he limited me to one razor, one blade brand, one brush and one soap for almost TWO months!
6 months later I almost feel as though I can shave with any DE or SE on any given day and get anywhere from a decent shave to great shave.

Everything I learned about shaving was through him and the regular contributors to this thread, though the questionable stuff I learned from @NCoxSTL !

Thanks Vince,
I am just trying to keep up with @Boojum1 (Mark) and his pics, and the ninja skills of Charlie Danger, aka @wristwatchb...

You guys are having a lot of fun
I think next month I will join in for a month of well deserved focus.

Igor hid a cookie variety platter for you in the HQ vault. I'd love a Darkbulb focus! What are you thinking of doing?

I'm thinking I'll do a whole month just using New Forest brushes
I'd number them - next month I should have hmmm....17 of them I think....and try them one by one

Well that's a nice one.

I was gonna say - Isn't a @Darkbulb Focus an oxymoron?

I'm thinking baby steps

Throw in a Leresche or three in B&W photos? The brush maker focus sounds pretty cool, a lot of short term useful data would be generated.

Well you're in the right thread then!

Sounds like a plan!

He's probably just hypnotizing us as part of his eBay 2016 campaign of world domination, but we'll let it slide. I am serious about Leresche. They're about as classy as it gets in DE design.

Ride the cap is good advice @Bama Samurai has given you. I spent several months not listening to this piece of advice, but when I finally did, my shaves improved almost immediately.

Welcome to the thread, BTW. There are lots of knowledgeable folks here who are more than willing to help. I have learned a ton from them, and they are lots of fun, too.

1/7/16

Phoenix Double OC
Gillette Silver Blue (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Third shave with my Phoenix DOC loaded with the Gillette Silver Blue. 2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Pass 2: ATG. Both with very good reduction. Followed up my second pass with a small amount of touch up with the lather already on my face. A cool water rinse and a small amount of touch up brought home the baby again. The Pinaud Clubman stung very little today. The MWF left me with enough lather for at least another pass.

Another nice comfortable BBS with the Phoenix DOC, the GSB, and MWF. I needed to go over a couple of trouble spots a little more than the first two shaves with the GSB. It may be it is time to swap out the blade. But today's shave was still closer with less effort than any with the Lord Platinum Class blade.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

Guys - my new (well used, but new to me) Merkur Futur arrived yesterday and I just HAD to try it. You understand that, right?
So since i'm out of focus today, you can read about my amazing shave here

Trust me I understand the need to try new items before a focus is over.