Interesting.
Lather, apply steamed towel, strop razor, remove towel, reapply lather.
While soap hasn't changed much, few of us apply lather before a hot towel. I tried a preshave oil but didn't find much improved performance. Without a Barbers chair handy the idea of slipping off for a quick nap during my shave probably won't happen.

Came home today to a package in my chair and recognized the sender. @John Ruschmeyer had sent me something and it wasn't ticking, had no broken glass or other problem sounds to it and didn't smell funny. So, I opened it and found this. Oh yes, I remember his posts on this. Should be fun to play with and see if it has any redeeming qualities at all. I'm sure the blade included doesn't, but it will get a shot at some point too. Not sure when this will break out of the package, but it's in my den. Thanks John! I know what a sacrifice it was to share such a fine instrument with me!

I've used a hot towel on my face before but always before the lather, never after a lather. Interesting, as you said. I've also only tried pre-shave oil a couple of times and gave it up. Almost seemed to create more problems for me than it helped.

This stuff? I'm not a fan of Bay Rum. That was the faint aroma to my nose. Otherwise just another step I eliminated.
K.I.S.S.

Anything that uses a picture of a cart in its packaging is suspect.

That wouldn't be a bad name some days around here. We seem to be prone to a willingness to try new things, old things, and things that we shouldn't get within ten feet of.

Happy Anniversary January!!

January 6

Mostly Shavettes

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (3)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, Nivea Original

I couldn't resist another day with the Feather SS and Pro blade. And, since Tabac has been ignored lately, I pulled it out of the cabinet and lathered it up. I have become totally convinced that the Semogue 620 is a better brush than the Omega 10066, and the 10066 is an awesome brush. But, the Semogue just seems to work better, faster and never fails to produce a perfect load and face lather. Once again I'm putting another Semogue on my "eventually buy" list.

The shave today reminded me of why I keep pain sticks around. And, it reminded me why I could probably switch totally to the pain stick as my daily shaver. It was a smooth, noisy, fun and effective two passes. With a third pass I could have had a near-BBS but I chose to end with a barely DFS. It's an improvement on yesterday and I'm happy with that. At this point I plan to stay with the razor and blade into next week and just enjoy myself. Shaving at night gives me the time to really work at grips, angles and other technique to improve more quickly as well. Loving it.

In the teens today for a high. Windy, cold, yep it's January. Looks like it's been busy around here so I'll start getting caught up! Have a great weekend!

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A Journey Down Route 66
6 January 2016

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Just realized that this razor probably needs to see a GSB soon. But alas, today the Shark SS was again up to the task. My method for lathering Route 66 is to load a brush and face lather. I place a small amount of the soap into a bowl, place a half tablespoon of water on top, and hit it with a dry Plisson until all the water is gone. This yields more than enough for my standard two pass automatic DFS. Probably three plus passes in reality. Good stuff. Alum was cool, skin feels great, and I went with the Mighty Osage, but didn't get nuts with it. @PickledNorthern -17f on the truck dash this morning, -16f per the phone. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a great weekend!
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Nice find!

Welcome back!

Wrap up day with RV-Shavemac D01 flat op.

I needed a great shave for a social occasion and I want to give this brush a closeout with what it is designed for, a hard puck. Today's was AoS with tallow, Merkur Futur loaded with Rapira Swedish Steel blade. The small handle on this brush means soap all over my hands, and with AoS tallow it means lots of slippery soap everywhere. The brush works best with a hard puck and all the ingredients were there for an epic shave.... an epic shave was the result.

This brush will be put up for sale the next time a due a den clearing. Next up will be my Omega Pro so I can compare of boar to the D01 knot.

January 7, 2017
Timeless OC .95 Gap with Windrose SS
Feather (1)
Simpsons Chubby 2 Synthetic
Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Witch Hazel
Floid Amber Sample

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Everything just click to provide another automatic 2 pass, XTG & ATG near BBS shave this morning. The Timeless OC consistently delivers exceptional close and smooth shaves making it a joy to use. The CH2 whipped up the Twisted Tweed into a mountain of rich slick lather. Route 66 soaps are wonderful during the shave and have excellent post shave feel. I really can't ask for a much better shave. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

Shouldn't that be that it separates the Jedi from the Padawans?

[INSERTRAUNCHYCOMMENTCHOICEHERE]

I await your impressions of the RSO and it's attendant blade. I suspect that a comparison with the Rapira would be a good approach, possibly including some mixing and matching of pieces since they should be interchangeable.

It took me a bit longer than I thought to get to the Post Office. I'm glad it got there okay, though.

Share and Enjoy!

SOTD January 7th
TSD Anniversary Shave


Merkur 34c
Astra SP(4)
VDH Deluxe
Satin Tip The Purest
Crown King scuttle

Good morning friends, this morning I shaved with the setup that got it all started. Well as close add I gold get to it that is. The VDH lather was very nice. Too bad it often gets overlooked. The Merkur and the Astra were the first safety raid and blade that I ever used. I got rid of the VDH boar brush because it was too rough for my face, after I got the satin tip. Have a great day my friends!

Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

VDH Deluxe is a very good soap. I still use it on my head shave. I've been considering dropping it from the lineup since I have enough Arko to stock a couple of stores with, but then I use it the next time and remember why I like it.

Route 66 Ghost Town
B-400 Brush by Tom
Sensation Razor
Lucky Tiger
Pinaud Clubman AS
I refreshed this razor with a Norton barber's hone and some CrOx. What a difference.
Have a great weekend!

SOTD January 7, 2017
Route 66/Injector or SE focus

Blade: Kai Captain Mild
Razor: RazoRock Black Hawk
Brush: Vie Long horse hair/synthetic blend
Lather: Route 66 Cavendish
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
XTG, touch-up

Went back to Route 66 Cavendish today. Whipped up some great lather as normal. Needed to add some water to the tips as I face lathered more than most other shaves. But that's okay. Each day is different. I took a tip from @clint64 about going XTG on the first pass with this style of razor. So I did so and really enjoyed the result! My upper face is quite smooth for one pass with touch-up. Did some touch-up on my neck and jaw line and came away with a great shave.

I'm liking the Black Hawk pretty well. It's efficient, noisy, and has a cool factor.

Have a great day!