I like it! I'll have to picture the case with some Veg when I get home
Thanks

Truly wise words.

I actually did rewatch the video Jared posted and did try this morning to do it - sort of. Since I am in the shower, I cannot get the head to dribble water that slowly and this too might have contributed to having too much water and the brush retaining lots of water. I will watch it again today and see. I think part of the issue or maybe the entire problem was not having loaded enough soap. SDM was harder and I have never had to deal with hard soap yet. Till now, I have only used creams and Stirling is rather soft for a soap. I am thinking it was a loading issue.

Will see on Friday. I would like to give the Derby another shot on TOBS or AOS.

One thing that has come up before about Stirling samples: SDM is a pretty popular scent, so it probably doesn't have a lot of shelf time on it, but the sample pucks can basically dry out some on the outsides when they sit. I think it is because of the biodegradable cellophane he uses, which also allows the soap to breathe. Sometimes people can go full tilt boogie on the top of that puck and still not pick up a hell of a lot of soap. (almost like trying to load a glycerine soap) Mashing it around in whatever container you are using, mixes it up and roughens the surface. People have said this helps. The only reason I think this might be the case is that you said it was a bit weaker in scent. The SDM I had was anything but light scented.

I know you have this dialed into the water issue, and I am sure you are correct, but if it still seems hard to load the next time you use it, it's something to consider.

Well in fairness I should probably take my own advice and try the Rubie again in a couple of different razors. Probably time to check whether or not I've either upped my technique to the point of being able to use them or else perhaps have a razor I didn't have before that they like.

I have noticed that usually blades with a universal bad rep do have more haters than lovers, but sometimes it's closer than we think. One noted exception - the Baili Green blade. Universally hated, reviled, Chinese piece of crap......that I've seen two individuals in daily shaves rave about how close it shaves and how sharp it is. Not even close on the ratio there. Two world class fans, thousands of haters. (not that I've done a poll)

My wife is that rare woman who values things not because they're shiny and expensive, but because they help accomplish things that give her enjoyment. I'm certainly not shiny (though with medical bills I can be expensive) and she hangs onto me. Her philosophy carried over to the choice of rings when we got married as well. She flatly rejected a diamond at all considering it wasteful, and the rings are silver, not gold because she considers gold too soft and too expensive. Hey, it only took me 5 tries but I think I found a keeper!

I have some 3.5" wide by 1" deep plastic food containers from take out food that I put it into. I will say that it took less effort to put it into this container than the Piacenza into the other container. I will give it some hand beatings and see if it behaves better. I do like that a large order will have stronger scent.

Thanks Jared. Should I try this out, I cannot promise I won't shave with the results. Stirling is just too good to waste!!

That unicorn is Fabulous!

Are there pictures attached to your posts? for some reason, I get a big blank area the last few days on your shave reports. This could be an iPhone issue, so I thought I would ask.

One other question: Have you done a 30 Day Rule yet? If not, you may consider it. I know they can be a little on the boring side, but they do help in eliminating variables and focusing on building good technique. You are definitely making good progress, but I personally really got better when I focused on a single set up for a full 30 days.

Without giving that copout answer and saying I couldn't choose, I will narrow it down to two, at least for right now. This changes all the time, so I might say something else next week:



The Nathan Clark Aluminum handle with an Envy White knot, and the Stirling Finest Fan.

Surprisingly enough considering the price difference, (the Stirling being the cheapest badger I own, and the Envy being more than double the cost) they have some similarities.

They are both 24mm knots, but the Envy is a hugely overstuffed knot making feel bigger, and the fan of the Stirling doing the same.

The Envy is denser, so it has more backbone, but the Stirling is no slouch. They can both give a nice scrub.

The Stirling has softer tips, especially out of the box, but the Envy is a very nice knot with scrub but not scritch. It took some uses to soften up though.

The Envy traps lather a little more, but not in a bad way, and it holds so much soap that it never leaves me shy at the end of a shave. The Stirling gives it all up every time.

Both are fantastic brushes. Both are, in my opinion, the best badgers out there in their respective price ranges. They both are much better knots than their cost would indicate. I literally get excited when it is their turn in the rotation, and use both of them out turn sometimes just because I feel like it. They are basically the only two naturals I do that with.

My wife likes the practical gifts, too. And our wedding bands are (or were in my case) simple gold bands, partly because of the Vegas wedding thing, and partly because she doesn't want a diamond or anything. But, even she would be upset with a tiller for Valentine's Day (although if I fixed the toilet as you did, she may get over it). You definitely have a special one!

Sounds proportionally similar to the Veg.

The pic that started it all.

Another beautiful photo. How is the scent on the Reef Point Espresso?

Exactly like the name. It could have just a touch more coffee, or be a bit darker, but it isn't sweet either. I am usually not a morning shaver, and for a long time, when I did shave in the morning this was the only soap I would use. It is just strong enough to have presence, and with a cup of coffee is perfect for a morning shave.

That is the only reason this puck has lasted me as long as it has, because it has been relegated to morning duty. I love Reef Point, and want another scent when this one is used up.

Another travel shave. Finally finished my Route 66 sample of A Perfect Gent. Did three and a half passes. The half pass on my neck has made a huge difference in the quality of my shave.

Fattie February Focus

Route 66 BSH, Omega #20248
Gillette Fat Boy, Gillette Black
Alum block, Canoe aftershave


After reading about brush maintenance I gave my non-synthetics a cider vinegar treatment. A shot glass of acidic juice to a small cup of warm water for 20 minutes of soaking for each. I followed that with a thorough deliberate rinsing & an Arko lather. All dried at least overnight. The badger knots bloomed big!
Today's lather with the big bore boar laid flat. I loaded twice, little dribbles of water all my regular procedure. Couldn't get it to fluff. I'm guessing the vinegar is still fighting the soap because Route 66 works easy.
Still got in a great shave. I forgot to adjust the #195 from 9 to 6 for post first passes. Popped the little scab off my chin from a previous shave. Alum at normal Number Nine tingle. AS went on comfortably.
Despite the noobie quality lather I still got a DFS
Good Shave Y'all!

Ok Men. I have had little time to post, but have been following along with this focus for every shave that is not with a straight (approximately 4 per week). Last month, I focused on hard to lather soaps so this month I've mostly been reaching for the very easy to lather creams & Proraso. I have a Fatboy which has been unused until this month. I have kept it loaded with both Gillette Silver Blues & Astras. I have found with both blades, 6 is the best setting allowing for a near BBS shave without being too aggressive. I love the monthly foci & just wanted to drop in and contribute. Great Shaves!

Is that Gillette Silver Blue? If so you should give them a try. I use 'em in my NEW SC. They kill stubble. And they're smooth.

I too am a fan of the GSB's. Since I shave everyday, I appreciate that they are smooth and really do an outstanding job on day to day stubble.