Awesome pictures!!!

No fail on the SS this morning. Without further adieu...

September 8, 2016- Wet Shaving Anniversary... For Science

Razor: J2 (1964) SuperSpeed
Blade: Generic Personna (2)
Brush: Floppy Chinese Badger
Soap: Arko

One year ago today, I had my first DE shave in close to 40 years and took a hesitant, ill-prepared first step on this journey. My razor then, like now, was a 60's Gillette SuperSpeed that I had picked up on eBay. The blade was a generic Personna from Shop-Rite and we won't talk about soap. I survived that shave with two small weepers.

Today, a year later, I am older and (presumably) more skilled. Although I had not planned to recreate that first shave today, fate brings me to do so in the name of science. Specifically, I am trying to help test the theory that Personna Red blades (and their generic counterpart) do perform in a mild razor and, by extension, that a Gillette Adjustable at a setting of '2' may not be the same as a purpose-built mild razor.

First impression- definite audible and tactile feedback, possibly more than yesterday's shave with the pre-war Tech. Good reduction on the first pass. Even better on the ATG... right up until I cut myself on the chin. It's more of a scratch, really, totally a technique fail on my part, and stopped with the Alum. (Drat! Another stupid noob mistake.) Still, let's call it a DFS for the day.

Final thoughts- Now I remember why I stopped using these blades. A couple of weeks in, I would discover the German Wilkies being sold locally. Soon after that I would win two PIFs: one here for a blade sampler and one on B&B for 50 Astra SP blades. To me, the Personna blades were very sharp and needed a very careful touch; with the WS and the Astra, it seemed like I could get a smoother yet "safer" (i.e., overall more enjoyable) shaving experience.

So, unless Neal has a very different experience with his '59 SuperSpeed, I think we can safely assume that the performance issues have something to do with the low settings of the Adjustable or, at least, something about the blade that the low setting is not compatible with.

Neal is scheduled to try the blade tomorrow with a Weishi as a final test. I don't have one of those, so I'll either go with the Personna in a Sterling... or bin the whole thing and take a free day.

I can't do a month of SE. I'm too attached to my straights. Since they have only one edge, I'm counting my straights as SE. I had a wonderful two pass shave this morning.
Route 66 Sweeney Todd
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Otto Deutsch Hans
Alum
Lucky Tiger
PAA Déjà Fougère AS
Have fun!

I agree straight is a SE too. That is my story and I'm sticking to it.

SEteptember Questionable SE & Drug Store As

Gingers Garden Tallow & Omega #248
@twhite 's Type M & Schick Twin Blade
Alum, Osage Rub and Florida Water AS



Single Edge. I'm using a Twin Blade. Not like it's a Double Edge. Closer to a Cartridge? Either way it is a SE razor. Our @soapbuddy makes this great tallow soap that's so close to Murry & Lanman's Florida Water. I'm not saying you ought to get some, but if you like Florida Water you NEED to get some. Suribachi Bowl lathered with a big Omega boar for slick, wet, cushionful goodness. Three passes WTG / ATG, & XTG + S-slide for I have to admit it a better shave than a Fat Boy. I knocked a scab off hitting a previous technical error, but that's par for this chin's course. Good close shave with no left overs stubble = DFS+ for sure.
Good Shaves to Ya'll!

SEptember 2016 SE Focus

September 7

Razor: Executive at 6
Blade: Personna Red
Brush: Maggard 24mm synthetic
Soap: Stirling Ozark Mountain
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block

I shaved last night and had to take a detour from my SE focus this month. I had an argument with the South Carolina Court of Appeals this morning so I needed to make certain I had a good shave and no chance of any of the issues I have been having with the GEM Junior. The shave was just fine. A solid DFS using the Personna Red blade. It was a fairly smooth shave and reasonably close. I can say the blade does not get as close as the GSB or the Bolzano. The feeling now on my face is definitely not as smooth as it would be if I had used one of my two favorite blades, but it is still quite acceptable. Overall a good shave and a good start for an argument that went really well this morning.

I am going to be going back to the GEM and will stick with it until I get my chin area figured out. I can get good, really close shaves on my cheeks and neck. It really is just the chin that causes me consternation. I get very close shaves on my chin, no complaints in that regard. The problem is the irritation/weepers that I have had pretty much every shave so far. I may try doing a WTG and a XTG going each direction and do 3 passes on my chin instead of doing XTG and ATG like I usually do. Will see if it makes a difference.

I had the same problem with my chin. I finally solved it by going first WTG, then XTG in both directions but at an upward angle. It's kinda like a XTG/ATG combo but the key for me is the WTG pass to knock down the majority of the growth. Good luck!

Always love your lather shots!

Purdy!

Thank you!

Next up to fight to keep her place in the den is a Vorpal. She started life as Gold Dollar but end up looking great.

This razor was honed with film (not by me) and has the shiniest edge I have ever seen under my loupe. The edge was very smooth and 4 passes went easily with one small weeper. The alum gave zero feedback and finished BBS. TGIF.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+-Sharpness A

This razor is very cool looking and has a worked back not shown in the pics. Given it's uniqueness, cool looks and great shaves it is a keeper.

Smells like a Drug Store SEptember!!

September 8

Grand Blade Trial - Alliance for Blade Science Edition (in other words, we're playing around a bit)

Razor - 1959 (E3)Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (2)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum, Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Following right along in the footsteps of @John Ruschmeyer today in confirming what we thought. Well, what he first suspected. After the Tech and the Super Speed I've had two nice shaves with the Personna Generic and that settles it for me that it's something in the design of the Slim (and Fat Boy) that creates the bad shave on the 2 setting with this blade. It clearly isn't a fault with all blades, but something about this one doesn't like that mild adjustable. @Drygulch suggested perhaps it isn't holding the blade firmly enough with the bend it gives it causing it to flex. Still a possibility. I'd test it if I could figure out how to do so.

I'm still going to use the Weishi tomorrow with the blade, mostly out of curiosity of my own. I consider the Weishi an incredibly mild razor based on exposure and gap. Let's see what it can do with this sharp blade. Or perhaps, rather, what the blade can do with it!

Sorry for the late showing tonight. One of those days with busy stuff going on even though it was essentially meaningless and added not one dime to my pocket. Hope you all had a great one and are ready for another weekend!

Thirty Days Hath SEptember!



Still on generic Personna with @NCoxSTL, still liking it! Today's AS... AV Ice Blue. Classic. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a fantastic Friday!
☺

Generic Personna and AV Ice Blue. We had the same dream last night! I assume your Plisson for the brush? It's the only thing I don't see there.

Plisson indeed. I forgot to take the photo preshave and didn't notice until you did that I forgot the brush.

Get way up on the cap of the Weishi and be sure to skin stretch. BBS...

SOTD September 9, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 injector
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel splash, Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Continuing with a theme of great shaves using the Schick G1. Today is Fat Friday! Mitchell's Wool Fat is one of my favorite soaps. The big Omega boar whipped up tons of lather that face lathered really well. One pass with touch-up and I'm pretty smooth. It's always nice to get to Friday and to help celebrate in a small way with a good shave.

Have a great day!

SEptember 9 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Arko
Gem Micromatic Bullet Tip
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman VI Bay Rum AS

Good setup and picture.

Jim., how are you getting on with the Bullet Tip?

September 9, 2016
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (7)
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
Route 66 Perfect Storm
Witch Hazel
Floid Blue

​

Happy Friday. Last day with the Cobra, I'll spend the weekend with the Damaskeene and move to the Mongoose next week. A great shave this morning. Three passes XTG, ATG and XTG followed by minimal clean up ended is a near BBS. At least as close as I care to get on a work morning. Finished off the shave with a splash of Floid Blue. I hope everyone has a fantastic day