Excellent picture. Elegance defined.

Yeah, you see, the whole Dove/Marvy thing has me thinking. That's all it takes, really, to shut me up is to make me go....."huh?" I've never used Dove, though I've heard nothing but praise for it, and while I know Marvy (unfortunately) the fact you get a supposedly great product by mixing the two intrigues me. And really, other than the odor (and the crappy lather so I guess that cancels this whole argument out) it isn't horrible. Yeah, I'm thinking.

Yes, Marvy can be a good soap. All you need to do is add, er, a better soap.

I have been in a big razor mood but then again that is usually the mood I am in. Lot's of competition for playing time in the den and today it is a Hart 7/8 another big heavy razor.

The edge was smooth and sharp and the shave went smoothly not even a weeper. The alum test gave just a tickle and finished BBS, As across the board. Just to show I have been paying attention and always learning from fellow Den shavers I used the Jeris Osage to help alleviate another h0t day in Seoul but just in time I remember to not get nuts with it.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A Sharpness A

I like this razor except the scales seem a little shabby when compared to Koraat, Mastro Livi and PRC. The scales are not ugly just a little rough and the do not have the refinement of the other big names in the den. Despite this it does deliver a good shave so no question it is a keeper.

Or, perhaps....and I know this is a radical thought.......replace it with a great soap? I know, I know, that will never work.

So lemme get this straight....all this praise and congrats for a 5000th Post - from a guy that talks for a living?!!! Really?!!

I think we'd be more impressed if he'd be able to show that he's read 5000 posts!

Sheessh, salesmen!


Aw shucks, I can't pull this off. He's been one of the best things that has happened to me on TSD as he welcomed me over a year ago with both his rapier wit, unending advice and multiple blade PIFs! (Little did I know he was bucking for the North American sales manager position for the Cartel!)

You're one of the true originals on TSD my friend. Thanks for everything....

...now make sure you take care of your health so all those newbies that come after all of us can benefit just the same!

Thanks my friend. As far as reading 5000 posts that's Boris's job. He feeds me the highlights. Seriously, thanks so much for the kind words. They mean a lot. And I'm working on that health thing. It would be a lot easier if Bacon Cheeseburgers were considered a healthy food. Just need one doctor to certify that. Those guys are hard to find!

Let me know when you find one! Those types are nearly worth more to me than the entire Cartel!

SEptember 4 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Route 66 Ghost Town
Gem Junior
Stirling Unscented PSB
The Veg

I went with the Gem Junior this morning, and it rewarded me with a DFS on two passes. After starting with some slick Route 66 lather, the razor just effortlessly removed the stubble. It was easy, comfortable, and fairly quick. In keeping with the drug store after shave theme, I went with some Veg. While I can't find it locally, in my mind it along with all the other Clubman AS epitomize the typical drug store after shave from the small, family owned drug stores of yesteryear. So, I count it. Since I have to work today, I am hoping it brings me similar luck as it does the newest member of Club 5000, @NCoxSTL. I hope everyone has a great day!

September 4, 2016
Gem 1912
Gem PTFE (2)
Romera Olive Wood Synthetic
Route 66 Perfect Storm
Witch Hazel
Floid Blue
Whipped Shea Butter

​

A stellar shave this morning where everything just clicked. The Route 66 Perfect Storm flawless lather coupled with the blade smoothing out made for a really comfortable shave. I stuck with a traditional 3 pass shave, WTG, XTG, and ATG paying attention to my trouble spots as I went. For the mustache area I went from the outside into the center line XTG for each pass. That nailed that trouble spot at last. Glad I finally mastered that area with the Gem. Overall almost a perfect BBS shave. I will get one with a Gem razor before the end of the month. Finished off the shave with a splash of Floid. I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday.

The first time I tried it, back in May, I was pleasantly surprised by how it worked out.

The Dove Hydrating cream was one of my first purchases when I started traditional wet shaving last year. Before that, I was using bar soap and a 3-blade disposable razor. I kind of put the Dove to the side when I bought the VdH Deluxe kit. As I recall, I had no complaints with it, just really got into the whole brush and soap thing.

I'm probably going to stay with this combo for a while... if only, to try and make a dent on both products. The only problem is, now I find myself eyeing how to get Menthol into the mix.

September 4, 2016

Razor: Schick J1 Injector
Blade: Chick (2)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Marvy/Dove Hydrating Cream

Taking a day off from the FatBoy which will be back tomorrow with a Shop-Rite Israeli blade. Staying with the monthly theme, though, I went with the Schick J1 Injector. I think I must have been off slightly on the angle, though, as a couple of spots are not as close as I would have expected. Still, a nice CCS for what should be a quiet day at home.

Hi guys! No shave on Saturday for me. Busy weekend but will check in later!

SOTD September 4, 2016

Blade: GEM Stainless
Razor: GEM Featherweight
Brush: Trader Joe's synthetic
Lather: Arko
Post: Witch hazel splash, Pinaud Citrus Musk, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Nice shave today. I'm using travel products as I'm on a little Labor Day vacation to the Gulf Coast with my wife and little boy. I used my homemade Arko shave stick (using a former deodorant container) with the Trader Joe's brush from their kit that was out last Christmas. I continued the citrus theme from the Arko with the Pinaud Citrus Musk. One pass with touch-up and I'm pretty darn smooth. The Arko lathered up beautifully and provided a good backdrop for the shave. This was shave four on this GEM blade.

On Tuesday morning I will probably switch to a different variety of SE razor from my small stable. I've enjoyed the Featherweight these past few days.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

You can get the same effect by going to a fancy French restaurant, ordering Chateaubriand, and asking for ketchup.

Razor: Ever-Ready SE 1914
Blade: Gem Blue Star (1)
Brush: El Druida Mopane 2 Band Badger
Soap: Route 66 Lavender Woods
Aftershave: Afta Skin Conditioner

A little about the Mopane handle.
Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane, mophane, mopani, balsam tree, butterfly tree, and turpentine tree. It is a tree that grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, 200 to 1,150 metres (600 to 3,770ft) in elevation, in the northern parts of South Africa. The tree only occurs in Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum. It's distinctive butterfly-shaped leaf and thin seed pod make it easy to identify.
A very good shave tonight. Need to work on around the nose hole openings, but other than that a DFS.

Really beautiful brush, Doug. Thanks for sharing the info on it.

Stunning brush Doug. I really like the grain and the way it "pops". Very nice Amigo.

Also a wonderful cased set. Fantastic set up. Just fantastic.