SOTD TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Given that this is the last day before SWMBO returns, I broke out one of my old favorites, Ogallala Bay Rum AS. It’s back to relatively unscented or lime products tomorrow. The mug shave this morning featured my Frederick Reynolds rattler grind. I hadn’t shaved with this razor in some time, and it began to tug a bit on the third pass. This is a very wavy blade, and has always presented a honing challenge. So it’s back to the Naniwa 12k and the 9 Ball slate for a refresh. Despite the tug, the result was acceptably smooth

The silver plated Autostrop VB2 was the singular luxury model of Gaisman’s designs, and always delivers a top tier noggin shave as it did this morning. It came in a shiny silver toned case with two silver plated blade cases. This model reflected the success of the early Roaring Twenties and was killed by the 1928 stock market crash and depression that followed. I feel fortunate to have the complete cased version of this lovely safety razor. I loaded my last carbon steel FAS-10 Feather blade. I may need to resort to the FHS-10 SS blades as I’m having problems sourcing the carbon steel which respond well to the stropping function of this beautiful little razor. In any case, two ATG dome passes and I’m porcelain smooth. The Ogallala Bay Rum was the icing on the cake.

RAZOR: Frederick Reynolds Rattler 5/8 (Mug), Valet Autostrop VB2 (Dome)
BLADE: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: JT Sapele/Resin Handled Omega Pro48 Boar Knot
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Ogallala Bay Rum AS Splash.

I did a headshave this morning with the Schick E-3. I figured that I would use it since it was already on the counter from last night's face shave. Decided to go with Arko. I now consider Arko as my go to soap for my headshaves because it is really slick and I get great results with it. Did get a nice cueball result. Did my usual postshave ritual and finished with Proraso Green aftershave. Sorry, no picture today. Take care.

Terrific shaves, Jeff! It's too bad that the Reynolds edge is wonky because it is a nice-looking razor.

Thank you Jeff.

Thank you Jeff...The Palmolive situation isn't a big issue for myself, as before it started to disappear from the Supermarkets & high street stores i bought the grand total of 25 shave sticks which cost 50 pence per stick total price was
= £12.50 pence/ $17.08 cents which was a fair price in both of our currencies. Now for just two sticks it would cost use £20.90 pence. / $ 27.31 cents.!..The Mind boggles..Have a good day too. Yours-Barry.

Thanks Joe.

Thank you Joe. We are going to have breakfast at Martha’s Country Kitchen in Smithtown.

Excellent dome shave Joe. Arko tub or stick?

Awesome Bay Rum shave Jeff

I bought 4 extra sticks myself (from Connaught in the UK) when it appeared this latest rumour of the awesome stick's demise might be true. Alas, it appears it is. I'll probably never run out, so like you, Barry, I'm not really worried about it.

Nothing like a good head shave to start the day off rightly! Great shave, Joe!

Thanks, Joe! That wavy edge allowed me to get a great price for it at a local meetup. It’s a challenge both to hone and to touch up.

So it sounds like you’re well-stocked, Barry! Good for you! Great planning!

Thanks, Joe! I’m luxuriating in the scent! I really went overboard in applying it, but there’s no one here to suffer!

RR Hawk V3-A
Schick Proline (3)
Semogue 22mm BC Mistura
MWF
Superior 70

Not as nice as the shave Sunday evening, but still a close and comfortable shave with no irritation. Two passes with a little touch-up along the jaw line to get me out the door this morning.

Enjoy your day.

SEptember

Antica Barbieria Colla~~Simpson MC~~2011 Mühle R41/Polsilver~~Aramis Tobacco Reserve
Day two with the R41 and I pondered this thought whilst dragging this rabid dog across my face,
How much of gap/geometry difference; how many µ's apart from this very blade-forward razor,
to a Gillette Blue Tip? Seriously, we're talking about µ's!

The ABC soap

performed as well as its 75% less expensive cousin:

This is perhaps the most over-hyped; over-priced soap I have ever had.
(Disclaimer: I traded a 90% full MdC Original for the ABC)
Finished the shave with Aramis Tobacco Reserve.​

It's always best to have a back up..I've recently gifted a few sticks to my work mates...I'm not the Ebenezer Scrooge of the traditional wet shaving world that counts my shave sticks with avarice.I use them and share them out when needed .

That's a great place. Enjoy.

The tub.

Thanks Jeff!