I have an unused sample tub of that soap and a small bottle of the matching aftershave - it's called "Smolder" and smells like vanilla caramel that someone left on a stove for too long sounds kinda weird, but it's actually a pretty pleasant scent. Just too sweet for my taste/everyday use.

If you want, I can send you that stuff (aftershave contains no alcohol, just witch hazel, so international shipping would not be a problem). Just drop me a PM.

Hello TSD

Shave #2 of my October focus:




- Mystic Water "Irish Traveller"
- Maggard Synthetic
- Feather Artist Club SS
- Feather Professional (#2)
- Tüff sensitiv Rasierwasser


Well - one should always be aware of the fact that this razor is basically a very sharp blade on a stick - without the added safety of a solid bar or teeth. Sloppiness and/or over-confidence WILL be punished promptly.

It started really promising today. Very nice first pass, smooth with good reduction. Holding and using the razor felt much more natural than last (first) time. Upon re-wetting my face before the second pass I noticed the nice residual slickness provided by the Mystic Water Soap. This is good stuff!

The second pass was a mix between ATG and XTG ... and I think I have been a little careless, because the first shave with the Feather was such a success. I did not actually cut myself, but this pass left quite a few tiny bloodspots on both sides of my cheek. Nothing too serious though, but still annoying, because it would have been easily avoidable.

I did not chase the baby today because I simply would like to shave more often this month. I could just perform my usual WTG and ATG routine for a BBS face, but then there would not be any considerable amount of regrowth for a shave tomorrow.

The "Irish Traveller" soap performs just as well as any other Mystic Water soap I have used. But the scent does not acutally blow me away. I mean - it's nice (supposed to smell similar to Creed's "Green Irish Tweed" ... can't comment on that because I do not know the Original), but I don't ncesessarily HAVE to buy this one.

Have a great day

SOTD October 4, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Stirling Barbershop aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Good shave this morning. The lather from Stirling Barbershop has been a little runny and thin. I used less water today and got a better lather than yesterday. When using a badger brush I had the opposite problem and needed more and more water. Goes to show how different brushes work with soaps. I'll keep playing it and will get the right ratio.

The Schick L1 is a mild razor that works well for my daily shaves. I don't need something aggressive. I'm enjoying this combination so far, even though it's only been two days! Have a great day!

Good pumpkin picture.

Great picture! I like the soft focus.

I really like the pumpkin! Nice picture!

October 4 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Maggards London Barber Shop
Gillette Rocket
Stirling Unscented PSB
Maggards London Barber Shop AS

I am really enjoying this razor. I got an easy two pass DFS +. I was oh so close to a BBS, with just a small patch under my chin that is keeping me from calling it. The soap was super slick with a great scent. This aftershave is top notch as well. It is moisturizer, but has a nice little punch from the alcohol. My skin is feeling great as I start my day. I hope everyone has a great day!

Thank you for all your contributions to this thread. You have been one of the guys I have learned a lot from since you have been on here. Hope to see you back soon!

The Rocket HD is one of my favorite Gillettes - actually it's #2 behind the Fat Boy. Yours seems to be a 40s style, right? Beautiful specimen.

The Rocket looks fantastic. Was it NOS?

October 4, 2016
Timeless OC .95 Gap with Hempel Ti
Feather (1)
Rubberset 400 #3 with WSP HMW
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Witch Hazel
Fine Platinum

​

Getting back to the Timeless OC after focusing on SE razors last month. Honestly it took me sometime to come to terms with this razor. For the first 7 shaves or so, I had weepers and nicks constantly even though I was riding the cap. Finally watching a video review of the razor on one of the UK sites, I noticed the guy using a very steep angle. So I decided to give a steeper angle a try. Instantly the shaves smoothed out and efficiency improved. Examining the razor head this makes sense. The blade is tightly clamped into a more curved bottom plate than most razors. So in reality a steep angle brings the blade back to an optimum cutting angle.

I went with a 3 pass shave this morning and was very close to a BBS. Since I had the time, I chased the baby and with minimal effort ended with a BBS shave. The Timeless OC gives shave that are equal to my best SE shaves. It is not quite as forgiving as my original Wolfman OC but is more efficient. I finished off the shaves with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

Yes, it is a 40's style, and it is fantastic. I don't know that I don't rate it as my top Gillette. I probably need a few more shaves, but it is close.

No, it has a few marks on it, but in general it was in pretty good shape. I am very happy with it!

Thank you! I'll still hang out with you guys. You are too much fun not to.

My first thought would be Teflon coating.

It's definitely earned a spot in the rotation. My only disappointment, per se, is that it appears I have one of the early ones with the smaller handle screw. So, unless I want to tap it, I can't go the route of using a setscrew with a larger handle. No biggie, though...

October 4, 2016- OC Focus

Razor: '20s Thick Cap Ball-End OT
Blade: Rapira Super Stainless (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Williams

With a new blade in the OT, we pick up where we left off after Saturday's rough shave. I went with the Rapira on a bit of a whim. In my Adjustable razors, it is almost a ninja blade in that there is no sense that it is there except that whiskers are being efficiently removed. I was curious to see how it would perform in the OT and pleasantly surprised to see that it is still a ninja. The overall feel was as if there was no blade there.

I only have one of the Rapira Super Stainless blades left after this one, so I definitely need to make a point of getting some more.

As for the rest of the shave... I may have gone a bit overboard with loading the Williams as I ended up with lather everywhere. That aside, everything worked very well for a DFS+.

Tuesday, OCtober 4, 2016

Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic
Martin De Candre Fougere
iKon OC DLC with UFO TiTan Fine L
Polsilver Super Iridium #1
Chatillion Lux Colbeck



​

Oct. 4
Soap - Proraso Green Tub
Brush - Omega 10098 Boar
Ceramic Suribachi Bowl
Blade - Blade - Gillette Silver Blue - Russia
Razor - 1937 Gillette Sheraton
Aftershave - Lucky Tiger

Another great shave this morning. This is truly a sweet setup. The proraso soap is very easy to lather, this is the third shave with this blade and it still seems sharp. the razor performs flawlessly for a very close two pass DFS. After a stint with some heavily scented aftershaves, the Lucky Tiger was light & refreshing. It is really great stuff.

Might I suggest a shenanigans focus? That way we can all follow along with your explorations on new stuff, and you can let us know what techniques and skills translate across the stuff you are trying. You can also instigate things, and be the first one off the bridge if needed.