Thanks. I think even if I didn't shave, I would still play with soap and brushes. It is my favorite part.

January Shavette Focus

Arko & Omega Pro #20248
Weck Shavette, Personna
Stahly Live Blade, Rapira
Alum block, Lilac Vegetal


Good old Arko and a fat boar brush in the suribachi bowl didn't whip up the lather I was expecting. Brush maintenance instruction have been absorbed and will happen. Face lathering conquered the issue for now. Confidant with the open blade my two passes were efficient. Grabbed the Stahly for clean up, but didn't wind it up. It left me with a SAS, a bit of neck stubble. No point in risking irritation with a little used DE. Alum was smooth enough. The Veg topped of an pleasant shave that caused me to miss the Inauguration. I'm sure I'll catch the reruns and commentary later.
Good Shaves Y'all!

Don't get nuts with it!

January 20

Feather Artist Club SS kamisori
Feather Super Professional (1)
Semogue Owners Club Two-band Finest
Kiss My Face Pomegranate Grapefruit
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine L'Orange Noir

With all the shavette love this month, I was inspired to take the Pain Stick out for spin today. I was inspired by @PickledNorthern and others to use a Feather Super Professional blade, in an attempt to overcome the observed limitations of the blade-holder design. I thought the additional blade exposure would be beneficial. I was reminded by the admonition of @SharptoothC to go slowly. I know from months of experience using this razor that truer words have never been spoken about it. I was inspired by @John Ruschmeyer to use KMF cream. Lastly, I was inspired by everyone touting The Veg to select a heroic KMF scent, so of course I chose Pomegranate Grapefruit.

I felt like a million bucks when Feather steel first touched my face! Who wouldn't? I went for two passes (WTG and ATG) plus touch-ups and achieved a drama free, close comfortable shave. To top it off, the alum was cool - no hot spots at all. I had one close call on a blade set-down, when most of my accidents with this razor occur. I felt the blade edge, which would have been a cut, but I was able to pull it away before any damage was done.

In addition to shaving slowly, it's important to shave confidently with the Feather AC. A tentative blade set down on the face has a greater tendency to cut the skin, which is a lesson I've learned from @NCoxSTL and his shavette adventures. I've also learned to stretch the skin, continually re-wet and reapply lather as I move to different parts of my face, and I save my trouble spots (around my mouth and chin) for last. It takes the best of my technique and focus to get a good shave with this razor, and today was that day for me.

I hope you all have a great Friday and blessed weekend.

He plays beautifully!

Segovia was an amazing classical guitar player.

Beautiful setup Charlie. Good post also.

Doug, thanks for the kind words. Have a great weekend!

Have a great weekend yourself Charlie.

Razor: Gillette Black Beauty R-2 1971
Blade: Personna 74* Tungsten Plus (6)
Brush: Vie Long Cachurro Horse Hair
Soap: Route 66 Barbershop Hop
Aftershave: Old Spice Fresh Lime

Very good 3 pass shave tonight. I don't use a horse brush much. It was a gift from my wife a few years ago so it is always a good move to pull it out and use it. Have a good evening and a great weekend.
The new Fendrihan towel is outstanding.

You're a cute couple.

Laugh out loud at work funny

Thanks Charlie, I think. Forty-seven years married next Tuesday for me, 470 year for her. She calls them Doug years. You don't hear that everyday.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you and your dear Bride, Doug! Being married 47 years is an amazing accomplishment.

My Bride and I celebrate 30 years in May. Many of our friends say she is a very patient woman. I guess that means she's been married 300 Charlie years!

Wow! It is so encouraging to see someone with such a long marriage. Congratulations!

+1000

Don't they give special medals to women who have been married to a Marine that long?!?! I'd say she's earned one or two! Congrats in advance! That's fantastic.

As my wife would say, "We aren't there yet." You are a very lucky man Charlie, as am I.

I would say she does deserve a Medal or three Neal.

Thanks very much Brian. I've arranged for my wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law to go to Mahogany's Salon and Spa for the day. That way I can stay home and shoot squirrels all day. She doesn't like when I shoot squirrels, but they wreck my bird feeders.