Just finished honing this baby up on the film and will take my fist baby steps on Tuesday.


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Winner

SOTD September 12, 2016

Blade: GEM Stainless
Razor: GEM Micro-matic Open Comb
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Through The Fire Fine Craft 'The Beast' sample
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Barbasol Pacific Rush, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Pretty close shave with the GEM MMOC. A little irritation on my neck that will clear up soon. Otherwise a pretty nice shave. That razor is pretty aggressive and I have to be careful with pressure and angle. It's improving with each use. You really have to ride the cap with this one.

Have a great day!

September 12, 2016
Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (1)
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
Route 66 Perfect Storm
Witch Hazel
Floid Blue

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Since it has been over a month since I used the Mongoose, I was initially surprised by the weight of the razor. It is much heavier than the Cobra and AlumiGoose even using a lighter handle. I loaded up a new Feather Super Pro and off I went. With this blade and the weight of the razor a light touch is needed. I went with a 2 pass shave, ATG followed by XTG. With very little touch ups I caught the baby but in the process my over confidence caused a weeper. I am really enjoying the Route 66 Perfect Storm. I finished off the shave with a splash of Floid Blue. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

SEptember 12 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Cool SS
Schick Type E3
Stirling Unscented PSB
Skin Bracer

This was my first shave with this razor. I ended with a few weepers, which is the first in a while. I got a close shave, but the number of weepers was a bit disappointing. As I was a bit in a hurry, this could be due to some technique issues, so I'll give it another go tomorrow to see,how it works out. The Skin Bracer did feel good after the shave this morning. I hope everyone has a great day!

September 12, 2016- Shakedown Cruises

Razor: M3 Schick Adjustable (5)
Blade: Chick (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Nutragena French Milled Soap

A new week and back to my focus of getting to know a recently-acquired razor. This time it's the M3 Schick Adjustable which I acquired a few weeks ago. It's a slightly rough example; based on the marks on the end of the handle, a previous owner either had a puppy or severe issues while stopping smoking. My initial shaves with it were very good except for some issues with the head sticking to my face. Since then, I've made some adjustments to my technique and also used some BKF on the razor which has made the head both shinier and slicker.

The soap is my favorite not-a-shaving-soap to shave with. I'm supposed to go on travel at the end of the month and, if I can get into my usual hotel, hope to grab a couple of more bars.

In a nutshell, everything worked as hoped today- The soap made plenty of slick, cushiony lather and the razor glided over my face with no dragging or sticking. This was also the first shave in about a week with no blood. (I deliberately skipped shaving yesterday to let the cut on my chin heal a bit.)

So, the week is off to a good start. I look forward to reading Neal's adventure with the Crystal blade. I considered joining in, but decided I had had enough of Personna blades from last week.

Monday Shave

Brush- AOS Fine Badger
Razor- Ever-Ready 1914 / Ever-Ready 1924
Blade- GEM
Soap- Stirling Barbershop
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Stirling Barbershop with menthol

First shave with the 1914 and I'm very impressed. It seems to have the smoothness of the MMOC with the closeness of the 1924. For never using this razor before it performed wonderfully. The AOS brush whipped up a nice lather with the Stirling Barbershop. I used the 1914 on my right side and the 1924 on my left. First pass the 1914 was very smooth, the 1924 was slightly rougher. Reduction was equal on both sides. After three passes I'm BBS everywhere. The alum was silent on both sides so the verdict is going to be decided in a few hours from now. Have a great day folks!

SEptember Moving on Focus

Gingers Garden & Omega Pro 98
Schick G1 & J3 / Chick blades
Alum, Osage Rub, Florida Water


Showing my love for Gingers Garden @soapbuddy 's tallow. Whips up great lather with a broken in boar and suribachi bowl. New blades in two new to me razors. From John @John Ruschmeyer - a G1, & a flea market find - a J3. Started with the Textured surfaced shorter handled G1, and after a full WTG pass found tugging and no reduction. I'm assuming I drug the new blade across the stops when I loaded it. I wasn't planning on using the Golden 500 today, but swapped it out, re-lathered, and got what I'd hoped. Three more passes gave what I'd compare to the J1 shave I get from the razor I received in trade with Chris @Bama Samurai . Smooth, no blood, DFS+. Alum was a bit loud as happens when I try a new unit, or two. Love the cooling pass with Osage Rub followed by alcohol burn from Florida Water.
I'm going to take a close look at the G1 because I want it to perform. Another day, another shave.

Shave 19
Omega 10098
Stirling Orange Chill soap
Ceramic Suribachi bowl
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Lucky Tiger Splash Aftershave

Well, after 8 days without shaving, I had quite a bit of scruff to knock down. I loaded a new blade for the job and first pass took it all out. Second pass across the grain and third pass against the grain & it was a solid DFS. I didn't lose any of my shaving kung foo while I was away either, no nicks, cuts or weepers. It's good to be back.

Shave 20
Omega 10098
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill soap
Ceramic Suribachi bowl
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill Aftershave Splash

I needed a good pick-me-up this morning 1st day back to work after a great vacation, so I figured a good dose of menthol was in order. I lathered up the big boar and could smell the citrus while loading the brush. I took two passes, one wtg and xtg for a solid DFS on a Monday morning. Then splash... HELLO. that aftershave has a big kick. Now I'm awake and ready for the week. 10 more shaves to go in my 30 shave challenge and I can try some of the new hardware that is sitting on my counter begging to be used.

Smells like a Drug Store SEptember!!

September 12

Grand Blade Trial
Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (2)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum, Nivea

Back to the regular trial after a week of experimenting with the Generic Red. Today may help shed some light on whether or not there is a structural difference in Israeli blades or if it's just rebranded blades. The first Israeli I used was the Royal, then the Red, then the Generic. I didn't notice a definite failure of the Royal at the 2 setting, but after running headlong into it on the two Reds I may have just not been aware of it on the first blade. If it happens again on the Crystal we can add fuel to the "same blade" argument.

So, the Crystal it is. I have read lots of good reviews on this blade among the boards so I'm hoping for another good shave. After the past two days of Injectors I'm ready for a nice, calm, bloodless day. I didn't hack myself up too bad, but just enough to still feel it a bit.

Arko and the BoS for the lather and it's off! First pass is immediately different from the Reds. Audible feedback. It's quiet, but it's there. Something I didn't get at 2 on the past two blades. That would seem to mean it's doing something. Rinsed and confirmed that, yes, there was some reduction. Still lots to get rid of but definitely a bit smoother. XTG pass produced even more noise and a definitely better reduction. I had to be careful along my right jawline not to do any more damage over the bloody spots but I made it. Third pass ATG and Gillette Slide and again, audible feedback and even more reduction. Went for some J-hooks on the neck to clean things up and have a nice DFS. Not perfect but definitely DFS. Clearly this blade did better than the last two on this setting.

I'm optimistic that things will improve as the blade gap increases. And, I'm leaning a bit to the theory that they are, in fact, different blanks, or perhaps a different grind than the Reds. We'll see if that continues not only with this blade but the ones still to follow.

Well now you've gone and thrown a wrench in the spokes

Ontario's are nice razors.

Thanks, The blade could use a little more polish but I got out most of the blemishes. At lease I feel it is presentable now. The edge seems super sharp, shave test either tonight or tomorrow morning.

SEptember 2016 SE Focus

September 9, 10

Razor: GEM Junior
Blade: GEM by Personna
Brush: Maggard 24mm synthetic
Soap: Stirling MITA, TSD Bourbon Vanilla
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


Back to the GEM for the last few shaves. Been trying to minimize the irritation while still getting the super close shaves this razor can deliver. Main area of problems has been the chin. Weepers, nicks, and lots of irritation have been the rule.

Decided to use a three pass system on the chin instead of two. I would go WTG and then XTG both directions instead of WTG or XTG and then ATG since the ATG pass causes most of my problems. Well the result has been DFS and near BBS shaves with much less irritation than when I go ATG. This may just be a razor I cannot go ATG on my chin with. Not sure if it is angle or what but going three passes has definitely been better than two. Will stick with the three pass chin for a while with this razor. Trying a new blade on my next shave as well.

I have found that rushing with an old injector causes me to blow the angles and have a harsh shave too.

Oooops! Sorry for the double post, but I forgot to say PURDY picture!

Nice photo Doug! The Lavender Woods is also magical. It changed it's name for the photo! Always appreciate your posts!

A new recruit for the dark side. It looks like we need to bake some more cookies.

Nice looking razor.

Razor: Schick Injector G
Blade: Schick (4)
Brush: WDC-8 Brass Handle TGN Finest
Soap: Route 66 Sea & Citrus
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Shady Past
Felt a little less of the TGN Finest tips tonight. I probably felt them more yesterday as I had used a TGN Silvertip Premium for a few days before. That is none tip feeling knot for sure. This is my last day with the Schick Injector G. It is a great little razor and does a super job mowing down the stubble.