ArkoApril in Russia!

April 20


Razor - 1959 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (3)
Brush - Vie Long 12601 The Pony
Soap - Arko
Post - Cold water rinse, Alum, The Veg

Final day of the Voskhod and I was eager to get started. Back to the Vie Long 12601, or the Pony as it is known here. And, another lather problem. For some reason this brush is giving me inconsistent results on the face lather with Arko. I end up with more of an Arko glue than a lather, especially on the left side. Now, I know my left hand is pretty much the useless red-headed step child of my hands, but it surely can't just be that. Something about this brush is keeping me from consistently getting the right amount of water or something. So, for the remainder of the month, the Pony is in the stable. The 12705 will stay in rotation but I'll avoid any more failures from whatever error I'm making with its smaller brother.

As for the shave I'm not going to lie. I have had better. But, given the lather problem and the fact the razor was clogging from that again, it's hard to blame just the blade. Was it as smooth as it has been the first two days? No, which is strange. Voskhod's can go for a week without showing much sign of tiring out. Still, two passes and I was done. I did have a nice DFS but the alum was a bit harsh and it was, all in all, not my best day. So how much of that is blade and how much is lather or just me being an idiot today? I'm going to go 98% on the lather and technique and assign 2% to the blade just to be fair. Where does that leave the Voskhod in the week's rankings? Still on top by the slightest of margins over the Rapira Super Stainless. And I'm talking slightest of margins. The king nearly got dethroned. And, there are still three blades left. Tomorrow is the Ladas, another stainless entry that I normally have great luck with. Though recently I did hit a dud.....or else we'll discover a problem tomorrow if things have changed.

Good news! The boys are finally on their way across the Pacific. I'm impressed with their ability to obtain transportation on the cheap.....and with a familiar looking pilot of the vessel. I think he figures it's the only way to get rid of them and dump them back on me.

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THURSDAY
Starting tonight: 'Japan Week' —I'm switching from old Sheffield blades to not-so-old Japanese razors. A week's worth —well, I'll stretch it to a week! (think I only have five currently), but it should be fun. Tonight's shave is using a restored Takehana Feon #172—really a lovely, sturdy & efficient shaver. Lightweight compared to some of the heavy Wostenholms I've been wielding. Slick L'Occitane 'Cade' lather & TSD 'Iced Jasmine' aftershave. ハッピー剃り！(happy shaving!)

Pre-Shave: Occams pre-shave soap, cold water
Razor: IKON DLC Slant with long Bulldog handle
Blade: Ladas (1)
Brush: Rudy Vey Shavemac 2-band Silvertip
Lather: Mike's Lime
Post-shave: Alum, Barrister & Man Kyovu Original, South Australian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil​

GOOD MORNING TSD!! 04/21/16 SOTD

Schick G-Model
Schick(5)
Synthetic Brush(unknown brand)
Body Nature Stone Wash Soap
Cold Water Rinse,Witch Hazel
Pinaud Clubman A/S

Another nice shave with the Schick G ,very smooth and close shall we say BBS?, Yes We Shall!!

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!

04/21/2016
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (7)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange
Whipped Shea Butter

​

21.iv.2016

SOTD April 21, 2016

Proraso preshave cream
Fendrihan CC DE / GSB
Omega / Cella
WH / Pre de Provence ASB

Awesome shave this morning! Great soap, a razor and blade that sings to me, near perfect brush. And the Pre de Provence ASB is such a lovely fragrance. Not much more I can say!

April 21 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
PAA Deja Fougere
Wm Elliot
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic AS

A much, much better shave than yesterday - so much more enjoyable. The Glacial Lemon Chill soap's fresh, tangy lemony scent with the rich, mega-frigid lather was so delightful. The Lemon Chill witch hazel provided tons of extra freeze on a BBS face!

SOTD Thu. 4/21/16
Pre Shave Cleanser: Noxzema Classic
Pre Shave Oil: @ob1page Citrus PSO
Shave Soap: Route 66 Lumberjack
Shave Brush: Semogue 620 Boar
Razor: Muhle R41/Bullgoose Black Beauty
Blade: Astra SP
After Shave Balm: Stirling Mita
Soap: Grandpa's Sandalwood & Shea Soap
Cologne: Lapidus by Ted Lapidus


Good morning my friends. Wonderful shave this morning with the R41. Route 66 Lumberjack performed beautifully as expected, thick, creamy, slick lather. 3 passes for a dolphin smooth finish, my MITA balm finished the freeze beautifully with cold soothing comfort. Have a wonderful shave and a wonderful day friends.

Nice picture!

Thank you so much Jim!

SOTD April 21, 2016

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Voshkod (1)
Razor: Maggard MR1 handle with V2 open comb
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Soap Commander Endurance
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG



Ended up with a pretty good shave. The blade felt like it was tugging at the beginning. I kept going and it felt better once I had made a few strokes. But the right side of my face was more stubbly than normal, I guess due to the blade feeling that way, so I went back and did a full XTG pass. Normally I just do one full pass with touch-up but I made an exception for today.

My lather was a little runny but was better when I reapplied for pass two. Regardless, no irritation and I'm feeling nice with the Fine American scent.

Have a great day!

The Voskhods in my experience are a bit tuggy on the 1st shave and then beautiful on the 2nd and 3rd Perry. One of the only blades i'd ever have a second shave on or even a 3rd.

Thanks! I'm remembering now that I had a similar experience a while back when I tried Voshkod. This is only the second time I've used a Voshkod. I will use it again tomorrow and maybe once this weekend and then toss it and move on to another blade.

Sounds like a solid plan my friend.

Wow Jim, brilliant colors!

Wonderful photo my friend.

Great photo and write up!

Thursday was a repeat Wednesday's SOTD..........

Cella face lathered w/Duke 2 Best
Gillette Tech razor w/7 o'clock Sharp Edge blade
Witch hazel rinse followed by True Gentlemen ASB finishing w/Aqua Velva Ice Sport aftershave
2-passes for another fantastic DFS!