March Madness!! March 11 Razor - RazoRock Wunderbar Slant Blade - (1) Soap - Soap Commander Courage Brush - Semogue 620 Post - Alum Time to put Mild Madness away and pick up some Slant Madness. I finally got my first slant razor and it needs some testing. Now, I know that many think that slants are a gimmick. You bend the blade in order to produce a "scything" motion with each pass under the theory that a scythe blade, or guillotine blade if you will, will cut more easily and closer. You are slicing the beard off instead of cutting it off. The theory also states that it produces a smoother shave as the blade is not encountering the beard at a 90 degree angle of blade to hair, but is meeting at an angle that allows a smooth slice with much less resistance. It's a good theory. And, of course, anyone with a bit of practice can master the Gillette Slide technique, which essentially turns a standard razor into a slant, at least for effect. You have to learn to shave vertically as always with a horizontal slide to create the slice. I do it all the time, usually on my final pass to clean things up. So I can say, at least, that creating a slide does allow for easier finishes as it gets those hard to handle areas. That much I've experienced. So, what about this Wunderbar from RazoRock/Italian Barber? It's a pretty thing. And it's a heavy thing. All stainless steel (there is an option for a titanium handle that I passed on) it comes in at 104 grams. That's heavy. That's comparable to the ATT razors. The Rockwell 6S is 113. The Merkur Futur is 120. Those are about the only heavier razors out there. Compared to Superspeed at 58 grams or even the Red Tip at 70, this is a heavy piece of steel. The finish is perfect on the razor and their description of the manufacturing process talks about the extra steps they go to in order to produce a perfect finish on it. The quality shows. Even if it doesn't outperform a standard razor it's still a very nice addition to the den. Slants have a reputation for aggression and ease of cutting skin. So, I need a blade that will not hinder my trial. I need something I absolutely trust. A blade that has never failed me. I need a Russian.......oh wait......it's still March Madness......I'm not using Russians this month and that's a pledge I won't break. Let's grab a German Wilkinson Sword. One of the best non-Russians out there and it has also never given me a bad shave. Blade solved. Now, I need a lather that will be as slick as possible. Plenty of cushion. Need that protection so it's Stirling........oh wait.....it's still March Madness.....I'm not using Stirling and that's also a pledge I won't break. So, Soap Commander it is. Now, I could have chosen another soap or two just as confidently, but I will say that Soap Commander produces one of the slickest and most protective lathers of any soap not named Stirling. It puzzles me, given it is a vegan soap, but it works. So the Semogue 620 (since I'm not using synthetics either) will be in charge of managing a super slick, super cushy lather. So, off we go. The lather - perfect. I'm relaxed, wondering how I'll find the angle but give it a quick stroke by aligning the blade guard to my face at an angle that both the guard and cap touch my face. Keep the razor in line and just let that 104 grams do the work. Wow. That was easy. I heard the cutting but I felt nothing. Smoooooooooth. I kept going on the first pass making sure to go north to south only. No hooking, no angling, nothing. Just straight vertical strokes. Rinse, lather, and go WTG the same way. Equally as smooth, not quite as noisy indicating there is less to cut which is good, and I'm soon rinsing and lathering for the ATG. Fairly quiet to quiet pass with no issues. No blood, nothing but smooth steel on my face. No touch ups for this shave, I'm taking what I get in three. And what did I get? Ok, we can debate the merits of BBS all we want just like we can debate the reality of a slant - but I've got to say the easiest and cleanest BBS I've had in awhile. No touch ups required. I wouldn't do one if I wanted to. That seems like a perfect three passes to me. That was one of the best first shaves I've ever had with a razor. The best part was I was a bit surprised. I thought I'd finish up, find out that yea, ok, it made things a little easier maybe, but I still had to do all the usual clean up routines etc. Nope, not a one. How much of a slant is gimmick and how much is real may be a debate we can continue - but the debate over whether or not this particular razor does what it says is settled. I like it! Have a great Tuesday!
SHAVE OF THE DAY Prep: Shave Soap Mix razor: Gillette Tech blade: Croma Diamat brush: Yaqi Synthetic soap: Gustafsons- Stubble Management post: Aqua Velva A/S (Decanted) The soap used for todays shave is Gusrafsons Stubble Management which is produced by Square One Soapworks. Gustafsons first formula did not lather whatsoever, but this stuff has been a HUGE surprise. Vegan soap base that stands out and is not a typical Vegan IMO. ingredients: distilled water, sustainable palm oil, stearic acid, shea butter, mango butter, potassium hydroxide, castor oil, sodium hydroxide, glycerin, sunflower oil, bentonite clay, essential oils (Anise, Peppermint), indigo blue powder, vitamin E scent of Stubble Management is a mix of Anise and Peppermint. I am not a fan of Anise whatsoever but this is a different story, the 2 notes blend together yet you can still detect both notes (if that makes any scents hahaha). Very natural smelling scent that is fairly strong. performance has surpassed all expectations and has actually become a soap base that is near & dear to my heart. The lather from this soap is a bit different (such as Shannon's, I Coloniali, or Perfectly Natural) and whips up to a cream consistancy with no visable bubbles. Lather can hold water and becomes nice and dense. Slickness and post shave feel are great but where this soap shines is post residual slickness, after rinsing touch ups are no problem. Would imagine this soap would be perfect for shaving with a Straight Razor as it is super slick with low volume. Managed a DFS drama free shave and finished off with a splash of AV. Hope everyone had a swell shave!
12 March 2019 * Muhle R41 + Stork Aristocrat 1 Titanium * Wizamet Iridium Super * WSP 2-Band + Oscar11 Aquamarine C7 * Mystic Water Poggio dei Pini * Unrefined Shea Butter * Bergamot/Vetiver EO
3-11 Prep: pre shave soap mix Razor: Gillette Tech Blade: Croma Diamat Brush: Yaqi 26mm Synthetic Soap: Queen City Soapworks- Gentlemen's Cut Post: HEV Cognac & Cuban Cigars Balm had used this soap once when i first got it and have been wanting to revisit it so today was the day. Queen City Soaps (not to be confused with Queen Charolette Soaps) is a artisan that there is little information about accept the WTF review which is where i purchased this soap from. scent of Gentlemen's Cut is a light barbershop type tobacco scent, many artisans offer soaps that smell almost exactly like this (MW Sweet Briar, WILD WEST PEACE PIPE, etc.) It smells nice but prefer other versions of this scent. performance is quite nice and made a decent lather with no issues. Soap consistancy is on the hard side like Paladin or Soap Commander and has a waxy feel to it. This soap is very concentrated, only scooped a small amount and still had some left over so a tin should last practically forever. Overall this is a decent soap but nothing about it had that "WOW" factor IMO. Finished off with Yak & Cuban Cigars balm to keep with the tobacco theme and is one of my favorite balms when it comes to both performance and scent. Ingredient list is: Saponified Steric Acid, aqua, caster oil, Coconut Oil, Kokum Butter, sodium Lactate, Glycerin, fragrance Hope everyone is doing well and getting the best shaves possible!
Nice stuff Guy! Pirates Cove is a soap that i haven't seen mention of in a long time. They are inexpensive and have some interesting scents, BR with Ginger sounds like it would be a great twist on a classic scent.
I wish I could get my hands on some more of the BR with ginger but haven't seen a live site for pyrate cove since 2015 or 16.
The Leresche 77 is unique shaver. It really is a mild/medium razor but efficient as an aggressive razor. The cream is awesome and the scent is crazy good. What a great shave
Tuesday SOTD Gem Micromatic razor New Forest brush Bufflehead Fifth Season shaving soap Fine American Blend aftershave
Tuesday 12th March Pears Glycerine Soap Vitos Pre Shave Cream Williams Mug Shaving Soap Omega 10108 Boar Brush Wilkinson Sword TTO with a Wilkinson/Gillette Blade Simple Facial Toner Dove Moisturiser Williams Aqua Velva AS Something quick and effective for an early start to a long shift. 3 passes for a very nice shave indeed.
Date: 12 March 2019 Pre-shave:- Cold Water straight from the tap Brush:- Maseto 2 Band Finest Badger Ivory Beehive 30/55mm knot Soap/Cream:- Mitchell's Wool Fat Razor/Blade:- Gillette Red Tip E1 1959 / Vintage NOS Gillette Bleue Extra #3 Post-shave:- T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel Astringent mixed with Tea Tree, Lavender & Peppermint / Lucky Tiger Aftershave & Face Tonic Fragrance:- Dolce&Gabbana Pour Homme 19 more days to go for the whole month of Mitchell's March Wool Fat shave
Travel Monday SOTN I'm still getting used to the Q-shave Adjustable Futur Clone, but tonight's shave with a new blade was more comfortable. I turned up the aggressiveness TONIGHT a little bit to a 4.5 WTG, 3.5 ATG, 3.5 XTG. The shave was closer and still smooth except for one weeper under the left side of my chin. I knew it right away - clearly my fault with the shave angle was off. I look forward to my last couple travel shaves. Enjoy your night everyone! Josh Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk
Good Morning Everyone SOTD 03/12/19 Gillette Single Ring Personna (2) Synthetic Col. Conk Bay Rum Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block Suavecito Bay Rum A/S Have A Great Day!
I'm a little more than a month into my DE- shaving journey. Had a wonderful shave this morning. I'm trying to find a routine that works for two shaves per week (tuesday morning and friday afternoon). Skin irritates easily, but once per week is too little for my growth. Anyways: Pre: Hot Shower + Acqua di Parma preshave oil Soap: Tabac Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89 black 3d handle Blade: Derby (third use) Brush: Executive shaving super badger Post: Osma Alum bloc + Cold Water Rinse + Nivea after shave balm sensitive It's all out BBS with very little irritation. Nice scent. Very happy with that.
Tabac Tuesday's Shave Cold Water Rinse Tabac The Brush B-3 by Tom Starling SE Gem Blue Star SE CWR Tabac AS My prep was just a cold water rinse. The Tabac Shaving Soap face lathered well with The Brush B-3 by Tom brush. I did two passes with the Starling SE razor with a Gem Blue Star SE blade and ended up with a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Tabac AS. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...
SOTD 20190312. J&T® wengé / Maggard synth. Czech&Speake "Oxford&Cambridge" shaving soap (sample). Seygus "Zeppelin" V2. Dorco Titan Stainless (4). Hugo Boss "Bottled" EdT.
