January 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

+1

 

If you are specifically looking for a soap with the same scent profile both Fine Italian Citrus and Stirling Piacenza are both based on AdP . If you asked me to compare Route 66 and Stirling I don't think I would be able to as they are both premium soaps. The only think that might tip the scales is that I think Route 66 soaps are more strongly scented.

 

I will have to give it a shot. I have found that mixing a dab of KMF with other lathers takes them up a notch.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

I would agree with everyone who suggested Kiss My Face creams. I tried the KMF Lavender Shea when I was testing brushless creams. The scent was quite light (but that would be a feature not a bug for you) but the performance otherwise was first class all the way. And I found you could also use a brush with it if you wanted to get an excellent lather.

And as others have mentioned, it also comes in an unscented version.

Something else you might want to consider, however, is a simple change in routine. I know most guys shave after they have showered so the hot water during the shower helps soften the whiskers. But there is no law saying you have to do it that way. Have you considered simply shaving first and then showering afterwards? Any residual shaving soap smell on you will be thoroughly wiped out by the shower, eliminating that entire aspect of the problem. For that matter, the shower would probably do a good job of removing most shave soap smells from the bathroom too - especially if they aren't that strongly scented to begin with.

Just a suggestion I thought I would throw out for your consideration.

I know fragrances can be a real minefield: many fragrances, including some that seem to form the bases of a lot of popular perfumes, colognes, etc can trigger blinding migraines for me if I catch enough of a concentration at the wrong place and time. And that's without having traumatic past experiences associated with them. I hope your wife and you are able to find a solution that makes both of you happy.

 

Soak the boar brush for several minutes, then shake it until it doesn't drip. Pour all the water out of the bowl, it will retain lots of moisture in the unglazed textured surface. Load your soap - I haven't tried MWF so no clues about blooming/moisturizing or amount of soap, on your own there. Between swirling and punching generate your lather. If/when the fluffly lather starts climbing the walls of the bowl, use the brush to gather and push it back to the center. You'll know when the creamy slick yogurt lather happens.

 

I've been a part of soap review groups, and have sampled many soaps. There is not a better small batch soap than Route 66. If you want to try other stuff, do so first, because once you try R66 many soaps will be forever inferior.

 

When you're right your right.

 

Or as an old guy I used to work with would say, "you'll be spittin' Chiclets".

 

Razor: Gillette Black Tip X 3 1952
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (2)
Brush: Frank Shave Finest Faux Ebony Handle(travel brush)
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
Aftershave: Route 66 Frozen Margarita Balm

What a great shave soap. The Route 66 Frozen Margarita has juicy notes of Mexican lime and sea salt, light hints of plum, berries and apple over mid notes of rose and jasmine; anchored with earthy, freshly cut hay, topped with a dash of cooling menthol. This followed by the Frozen Margarita Balm makes for an amazing shave.

 

Beautiful setup Doug. Frozen Margarita and Lumberjack have been my Route 66 soaps thus far.

 

Thanks very much Clint. Two of my favorites also.

 

My experience with MWF has shown that needs water added very slowly. I hydrated the soap as described in @PLANofMAN's thread, so my puck has water in it already, but then I start with a completely dry (Synthetic) brush. I have to add water just a little at a time, or else the lather gets to airy, and I can never seem to save it once that happens.

 

Beautiful picture, Jared!

 

Great color to your picture, Perry!

 

Great looking set up, Doug!

 

January Shavette Focus

Route 66 Barbershop Hop
B-400 Tuxedo synthetic
Weck Sexto, Personna blade
Fatip/Muhle, Ladas SS blade
Alum block, New Old Spice AS


The downside of using great products and developing technique is not needing to shave every day. Every time I open my Route 66 soap, sniff, and begin making lather I wonder what the other scents must smell like. Then I read this and I know! (Thank you Charlie @wristwatchb )

The B-400 that Tom @twhite hand polished, fitted with an APShaveCo Tuxedo knot could be my favorite brush, if it weren't for that JR#130 ( @Jayaruh ). Soap, brush, bowl? I'm working on a trade for a new-to-me suribachi. Anticipation is fun! Until then my locally sourced keeps doing it's job. I did consider dropping a fresh blade in the shavette. Of the two Wecks I have, this one has the most mileage on the blade. Still think I'll follow Jared's @PickledNorthern lead and blunt heel & toe. No blood on steel since I did. All components of the Focus aligned for a smooth performance. Took me a moment to decide which DE for my clean up pass. Neal @NCoxSTL had his Fatip out and about so I took it in hand. Finished with way passed a CCS, definitely into DFS territory. Alum was pleasantly cool with new Old Spice in an old Old Spice flask for the win!
Good Shaves Y'all

 

Day Omega Pro Boar:

Today is Tabac a classic soap for a classic brush. I miss straights so today it a TI frame back. The brush soap combo worked great and the four passes went smoothly except a small cut, no idea how that happened. No irritation but down a half grade for the cut and just short of BBS.

Irritation A Closeness A- Smoothness A Sharpness A-

 

Day 10, a third of the way through...second shave on a BIC, bumped the toggle from "3" to "4" for a second pass, two tiny spots on my chin (probably from previous damage). None on my throat, finally! Almost slick under my jawbone, too. Back to using the ER brush, which has become my favorite. This is the slickest I've been yet.

 

Besides the Artisan unscenteds mentioned above, Nivea has a Sensitive Cream that is used with a brush. Has no scent that I can detect, is available everywhere, and is cheap to try. You won't have to wait for an order to come in, or to break the bank experimenting.

 

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Simpson 58 Manchurian
Cold River Soap Works Juniper
The OneBlade
GEM SS PTFE #5
Fine Fresh Vetiver




​