Wednesday 5th February




Simpson 'Trafalgar' T3 - RazoRock Tuscan Oud - Schick J1/Proline B - Oudh Khalifa 2020


3 passes for a 'Face Feeling' finish

cool shave and pic Brian..

5th February

Pre: warm water
Brush: Yaqi Moka 26mm
Soap: Tabac Original
Shavette: Chinese clone Feather Artist Club SS
Blade: Feather Professional
Post: witch hazel & Tabac Original balm​

Today the Brush was soaking for two hours unintentionally. The lather was magnificent. As a result, I had one of the best shaves Ever.

Appreciated.

February 6, 2020
Rex Ambassador
Gillette 7 O’clock Black
Omega Evo Synthetic
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum
Shave Cream & Aftershave

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Herder 8/8 full hollow
Grooming Department Kairos
Synthetic knot, purple heart handle
Becker scuttle
Witch hazel

thursday shave
brit red tip rocket
platinum
yaqi twilight badger
tfs crazy sandalwood
fine santal absolut

SOTD February 6, 2020

Prep: Cold water and PAA Cube pre-shave soap
Blade: vintage Personna twin
Razor: eBarbershop Type O clone
Brush: Poculi synthetic
Soap: Stirling Blu
Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Blu aftershave

Thursday SOTD



Razor: Supply Provision The Single Edge Jet Black
Blade: Personna Injector (D4)
Brush: Shavemac TSR2015 LE
Bowl: TDG Style Three 5" Maple\Walnut
Pre-Shave Scrub: MRGO Lime
Pre-Shave Oil: AOS Sandalwood
Shave Soap: Neumann Signature 1907
Post: Saponificio Varesino Puro Burro di Karitè
Aftershave: Neumann Signature 1907
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02/06/20 Shave of the Day
Face Wash with Detroit Grooming Manistee Glycerin Eucalyptus & Mint Bar Soap
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Malbolge Conditioning Shampoo Puck - A Woodsy, Aromatic Fall Classic!
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements CUBE Mentholated Preshave Soap
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Malbolge Artisan Shaving Soap - Ultra Premium CK-6 Formula
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements The Green Ray - 24mm Hybrid Tribble Synthetic Brush
Creative Flame Pottery Stoneware Shaving Scuttle
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements The Ascension Twist-Adjustable Aluminum Double Open Comb Safety Razor
Bolzano Superinox Blade - 13th Shave
Shavex Alum Block
Thayers Alcohol Free Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner with Aloe Vera
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Malbolge Artisan Aftershave & Cologne
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Galactic Aloe Vera Gel Made with Organic Aloe Vera
Crown King Atomic Age Bay Rum Natural Deodorant - Sport Strength ​

awesome shave and pic Guy..

fine set up and pic Steve..

Thank you!

February Favorites

February 5

Razor - El-Cheapo Chinese Pain Stick Thingy
Blade - (1)
Soap - Stirling Sheep
Brush - @Jayaruh #54
Post - Alum

So it's February Favorites. Time to pick a favorite or two that isn't perhaps obvious. Well, ok, so maybe a bit obvious at some point. One of my favorites - that isn't a specific razor or other item - is trying new shaving tools that may or may not perform the way we expect them to. For the newbs, I spent many many shaves using questionable blades, razors, soaps etc. Why would I do something like that, you ask? Why, because testing our motto - Technique Trumps Tools - is the real motivation. If the theory is correct, then if the right technique is learned and used, any tool that isn't defective should provide a legitimate shave. Doesn't mean it has to be perfect, but something that we'd say "good enough, I can go to work now". Got it?

I picked up a super cheap "pain stick" a couple months back after someone on here posted a link. Yep, I'm that easily influenced. I say "pain stick" in quotes, because while it does feature the look and features of a true pain stick (otherwise known as an Artist Club razor) it uses half DE blades like a shavette. Intriguing. I'm a big fan of pain sticks so I couldn't pass this up. It's from China and cost less than $10 bucks. I'm actually surprised to say it fits together well and appears to be decent quality. Here's a picture of it in the box it came in along with 10 Dorco ST-300 blades.

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I'd normally toss the Dorcos into my shaving box where all of the "in case the world ever runs out of Russian Steel I'll use these" blades reside but....it came with the razor so I'll use one. I'm not a big fan of Dorco. South Korean company, blades made in Vietnam. They aren't horrible, but they're not the top line blade either. Think Derby without the smoothness. Or as much smoothness. Here is a comparison between this cheapy and the real Kai AC razor.

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The Kai is a bit longer and definitely heavier. The handle on the Kai is also rubber where the handle on the cheapy is what I'd call rubber feel plastic. My biggest issue when setting this razor up was simply getting the blade in it. I snapped a Dorco in half and spent probably 20 minutes getting it inserted in the razor. Like every real pain stick it has a sliding door on the back side and is hinged to hold the blade. The problem is getting the half blade to sit in the right place while you slide the door back on after loading. You can't really put the blade in just by squeezing the top of the razor to open the holder like you can with an AC. The blade tends to ride over the stops and disappear into the handle. It's also possible to get the blade inserted and have it on an angle - or missing a stop so that it retreats in from pressure. Really a pain in the behind, this one. Finally got it in and then thought about lather.

Time to pick an absolute favorite. Stirling Sheep. Yep. Mutton tallow. Slickest and most protective lather out there. I may need it. The JR54 is an excellent choice to make that lather so it got the call. Finally, ready to go.

I was actually quite surprised at how much it handles like a true pain stick. The blade is shorter, of course, but once you get the angle right it's easy to keep going. If you are good with a pain stick you'll be good with this one as well. I made three full passes and reached DFS. Not bad for a Dorco in this setting. I'll take it. And.......no blood whatsoever. Nice finish. The alum was pretty warm but not to the point of being a problem. Clearly the blade exposure in this setup created a bit of irritation but nothing that would stop me trying again. All in all I'd say it was a success. And.....most importantly......it proves Technique Trumps Tools is still a thing!! Nice shave.

Have a fantastic Thursday tomorrow. We got bombed by sleet then snow today so it's a winter wonderland after the warmest weekend on record. Yep. Living the good life.

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6 February 2020

* Charcoal Goods Level 3 OC + Stork Ex Brass
* Wizamet Iridium Super
* WSP 2-Band + Oscar11 Aquamarine C7
* Mystic Water Sandalwood Rose
* Unrefined Shea Butter
* Bergamot/Vetiver EO


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Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday Shaves;

• @blackland Blackbird (OC and SB)
• Astra SP
• Vintage Colgate Mug Shave Soap
• VDH Bowl
• Fine Lather Bowl
• Gentleman Jon's Alum Block
• Clubman Special Reserve AS/EdC
• Stirling Soap's Bay Rum ASB
• Homemade Hair Tonic
• Every Man Jack Cedarwood Deo
• Clubman Firm Hold Pomade
• Clubman Original Body Powder

Monday and Wednesday's Shaves;

• Edwin Jagger 3one6
  
• Dorco ST-301
  
• Arko Soap in a Bowl
• Captain's Choice Heavy Copper Lather Bowl
• Gentleman Jon's Alum Block
  
• Arko Gold AS/EdC
• Arko Comfort ASB
  
• Arko Comfort ASC
  
• Million Dollar Hair Tonic
  
• Dax Short and Neat Pomade
• DSC Deodorant
• Gold Bond Body Powder

Thanks Gary!

Thursday 6th February


Simpson 'The Colonel' - Signature Soaps Eboracum - Supply V1/Proline B - Massimo Tutti AS


3 passes for a perfect shave

It has been a while since I’ve used this soap and it’s a shame actually because I absolutely love this scent and performance! (but well….I’ve got so many wonderful soaps…always difficult to choose one perfect soap for the day right? )

Soap : The Club - Signature
Sotd : 06-02-2020
Razor : Rex – Ambassador
Blade : Astra - Superior Platinum (2)
Brush : Razorock - Plissoft
Aftershave Balm: Hawkins & Brimble - Elemi & Ginseng Post Shave Balm
Eau de Parfum : Ralph Lauren – Polo Blue