It is indeed, Jeff, thank you. I never thought I could get the highest rank from a chunk of soap. But as I said, watching that video taught me a lot about the "power" of a small chunk of soap.
May 12th Proraso PS Red Asylum Shave Works - SS & AS - Old Virginia Supply Co v2 Schick Proline (1) Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic Bowl lathered ASW (made by WSP) creating a very thick yogurty bliss, slightly tan in color. Used both painting and face lathering swirls with the Chubby 2, worked great with Old Virginia for an awesome fragrance & face feel. 2 auto pilot passes to a nice DFS+, one extra pass with exagerated skin stretching for catching baby skin smooth with ease. Still had tons of lather left, painted the face a 4th time...just while cleaning the tools. Quick rinse and after shave application finished the routine. Old Virginia....dark cherry tobacco with a nice vanilla hint. Wifey approved. Hope everyone has a Terrific Tuesday!
May Focus SMN Crema da Barba~~Simpson CH2~~DE-Vise/Wilkinson Light Brigade~~SMN Tobacco Toscano Well, the long-awaited day has finally arrived. Tom's DE-Vise arrived last evening and it was all I could do to not try it out. I used patience and with 4-day's growth, performed my inaugural shave this morning. First, let me show you some pictures of the razor: In this last shot, you can see the blade exposure. (You will also notice, that at this point, I had not "seated" the blade properly) Also notice that there is no safety guard below the blade. For those interested, Tom first approached me with this idea, after I made a post climbing that blade "gap" made NO difference in a shave. After all, we don't shave with the gap, we shave with the edge of the blade. What we really have here is a hybrid of a DE razor and a Shavette. Therefore, I have re-named this razor...a DE-Vette. With respect to the creator, going forward, all references to this razor will use this newly dubbed title. But...how does it shave? I did have a challenge getting the blade aligned. As Tom told me, the tolerances are extremely tight. However, once I figured out how to keep the blade in the slot and get the top cap to "accept" the raised bar of the base cap, the handle would then screw in completely. No issues of uneven blade exposure. Now to the lather. I'll keep this brief, because the focus of this post is the DE-Vette. First time with the SMN Crema da Barba. Here's the lather I created: I was careful to assure that I had a very slick base for the shave. First pass, WTG, sideburns to jawline (stretched skin) was just like using my Feather AC. I kept the angle shallow and the blade obliterated the hair. A word on the handle. It's smooth and Tom eschewed knurling. Now, this was a slip issue, so I used some alum to to assist in the grip. I could ill afford to lose my grip on this in the middle of a pass. Continued my WTG on the neck and got two small weepers at the base. Now, this was clearly user error as I failed to maintain the shallow angle at the bottom of the pass. Side note: THIS is a perfect example when a SB would come into play. Mustache area and chin area were next. I moved slowly and carefully. No issues. After the first pass, I could have quit and called it a DFS+++, but I re-lathered for an ATG pass. No issues, no more weepers. Under the nose is always a challenge, with ANY razor, and the DE-Vette is no exception. It's quite awkward to get a shallow angle AND get the razor-edge right underneath the nose, WITHOUT scraping. I did manage to "scrape" a bit and the alum let me know about it. Called it quits after two passes and my face is as smooth as it ever gets. Maybe smoother, because of the 4 day growth. Took a couple of drops of SMN Tobacco Toscano and mixed it into a small amount of Stirling Unscented Glacial ASB for a really wonderful finish. First impressions. We all know what a talented machinist and designer Tom is and he has created a not only gorgeous razor, but a razor that functions perfectly. Mos def© NOT a beginner's tool, but a unique and solid razor. I am very fortunate and grateful to @twhite for this opportunity and to own a one-of-a-kind creation. In the very-near future, I will be hosting a pass-around for those interested in trying it. I will not be taking names or creating a list at this point so please wait for an official thread.
Thanks Gary. This is just what I needed. I'm feeling and looking dapper after a shave, haircut, and a gentle dusting of Clubman talc. To quote @Terry Well....
Thank you, Jeff. I'm praying for you, your family, and especially your dear son, Sam, this morning. How is Sam doing?
It's on tap for this week, Paul. She's ready anytime. I'm waiting until just before we leave for Minnesota. That way, the haircut should last the whole time we're there. Hopefully, we can all go in for a proper haircut soon...at least those of us blessed with curly locks and good looks. Thankfully, my hair was short when things started to get crazy. I can't remember the last time I went three months between haircuts, though. I'm sure I was still in school...so that would have been in the 1800s... I hope you're doing well, my friend.
Fantastic group of photos and shave report Joseph. You know your technique is solid to use the DE-Vette and not have a blood bath. Bravo.
I might have thought Mayo had(has)its own barbershop. But I'm doing fine thanks, Charlie. Actually, I'm cheating a bit with my mask-the law says to wear it at all times except for when you're at home. Course I wear it in public(grocery drug store), but the only time I wear it inside the bldg. here is when I'm on my way out. Did you say 1800's?????? What an irony....you were in school when Clubman got its start .
SOTD TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2020 Welcome to M-Bombed (6 drops) Tabac Tuesday. As promised, I returned to my recently acquired Ronson, but did not use the stacked DE blades. The nipper I use for my Gibbs razors doesn’t provide a square nip, but rather a circular one which isn’t wide enough for the Ronson. I have a new nipper arriving Saturday that should solve the problem. But today’s shave was with a fresh Proline Injector. I’m really growing to like this little razor. It provides beautiful BBS dome shaves. That is my threshold for any razor I shave with. It needs to perform for both mug and noggin. And this little beauty does in spades! I have, after a recent den reduction 59 razors with one (Blackland Tradere) on order. Every one of these meets my shaving criteria. If not, they’re gone! The Ronson is right up there with my Shake Sharps as one of my favorite vintage SEs. I really don’t need to use DE blades in this razor, as the Injector performs excellently. I’m just curious to compare the Ronson to the Shake Sharp with stacked DE blades. That shave won’t take place until the weekend when the proper nipper arrives. This morning’s shave couldn’t have gone better. I just love shaving with vintage razors. And the Ronson is a pip! It’s truly a joy to shave with. The Jayaruh Custom Boar #372 whipped up a prodigious cooling lather which the little Ronson swept away, taking with it most of the accumulated whiskers in that first WTG pass. The second ATG pass left me with that velveteen feeling only a stellar BBS provides. And best of all, the alum check revealed no heat which the Cryogen AS splash confirmed. I feel cool, smooth and refreshed! RAZOR: Ronson Safety Razor BLADE: Schick Proline B-20 Injector PREP: Iced cold water rinse BRUSH: Jayaruh Custom Boar #372 SOAP: Tabac salted with 6 drops of M-Bomb POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Thayers Lavender WH and Chiseled Face Cryogen AS Splash. Finished with A&E Post-Shave Serum.
