Thanks Joe.

Top tier shave Troy.

18 Sep 2023



Mid morning shave 1 - 2 days
Prep = Cold Water Prep and shave. Using Aloe Vera Gel as Prep a la @Ron R
Soap / Cream = TOBS Lime Zest
Brush = Old Vulfix 20 mm Pure
Bowl = Timeless
Razor = Gillette New short OC 1930’s
Blade = Gillette Platinum (1)
Passes = 3 or 4? with intra-pass touch ups as needed
Technique = usual. Multiple angles in right lower neck: almost smooth
Post = Usual CWR, Alum, CWR,(forgot the Thayers), Nivea Balm, finished the Clubman Pinaud sample
Damage = None

Score = 9.5 / 10 Very Nice
Comments = Despite new blade in an OC this was a fine shave. DFS with some patches of BBS!
The Lime Zest was a bit dry to start off with, snow flakes here and there, more water solved the issue

thanks Gary....that's hilarious

Excellent thanks John, at some stage I will see if I can fit this into my Hydromagic.
For now Gary's Pic has scared me off for a while!

This Hub City Soap(Pages)is very appropriate in its description of reading a book in a library by flickering lamplight.. And an OLD book at that. It's easy to get fooled at the beginning by the scent-especially that of the aftershave, as it gives off a combination of medicine and Soy sauce, but after a while, as it settles down, you're suddenly thrown into the aforementioned library with aforementioned flickering light. Great old-school sensation. It just shows that what you first smell ain't what you eventually get. For the shave, two passes, clean and clear everywhere although maybe could stand some improvement on the east side of North Porcupine(another area that gives me fits). This is my second Hub City soap, and I may try another later. Very pleased with this HC. Most Outstanding.

I like the photo and it sounds like a good shave.

Uhmmm... you said it was a fine shave "despite the new blade". Questions: Do you find the Gillette Platinum blades are smoother after the first shave? And if so, how many shaves do you get out of each blade?

Is Hub City one of the more recent makers on the scene? I haven't heard of it before.

2016. The reviews appear to say that the Lubbock, TX family-owned group is "on to something big"(my quotes). With its ingredient lineup of skin-loving stuff, I'd agree.

Terrific Tobs shave and a nice vintage Gillette razor Chris. I am surprised that a cream would be dry at the start. Is this an old container? I have read that the water evaporates and the creams become hard.

SE Shave # 349 - DECLARATION GROOMING MICROMATIC MONDAY - Gratiot League Square

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: GEM Micromatic Open Comb
Blade: GEM Stainless
Brush: Brent Jacobson Tamarind and Ebony w/ Paragon 24mm boar
Lather: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux Gratiot League Square
Aftershave: Chatillon Lux Gratiot League Square
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

Perfect software for a cool, damp day here on LI. I just truly enjoy the GLS. The scent profile is as follows: “This scent is inspired by Gratiot's trade and features tobacco, leather, rose, clove, nutmeg, sandalwood, vetiver, vanilla, musk, bergamot, and amber.”
The software will alway have a place in my den.

The MMOC, fitted with a fresh blade, delivered a BBS shave. Yes, Joe, @Trigger, this shave would have passed the cotton ball test. The only downside to this shave, if there was one, was the development of a delayed weeper on my chin.

There was a slight amount of feedback from the alum which I will attribute to the new blade. I am smelling a looking good.

Hope you all have a great day gentlemen.

Nice looking citrus shave Chris.

Awesome shave and setup Joe. Definitely an epic shave my friend.

Thanks Joe

Thanks Joe

Yaqi Sentinel 1.5mm open comb stainless steel head.
Homelike Shaving Voevoda stainless steel handle.
Astra SP blade.
Yaqi 24mm synthetic brush.
Lakewood Soap Company Smokeberry shave soap.
Timeless Razor shave bowl.
Cremo Bourbon and Oak EdT.

Awesome shave thus morning. The open comb Sentinel head took care of two day's growth with no problem.

Happy Monday everyone!

Sept 18

Good afternoon.

Straight Razor Shave #485
7/8 Henckels Friodur
JR #290 Cashmere Brush
TSD Irish Spring SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Modessa Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 25 hrs



It's a dreary day on Long Island. I am not going anywhere important so I decided to use the mildly scented TSD shave soap and aftershave. However, I picked my Friodur to brighten my spirits because it's approximately as old as I am. I feel like I am one with it. Lol! Anyway, I purchased this soap with lanolin because I felt that it would be slick and I was right. Lathering it does take some work because it takes on a lot of water. It looks like it would never explode, but it does get there. See below:



Three passes gave me a nice, close comfortable shave without any issues. I went WTG, XTG and ATG. The alum gave some feedback, but I wasn't surprised. I would say it wasn't a Holy Cow adventure on my neck and I am glad about it to say the least. Finished with my usual postshave routine. Take care.

Lovely shave, setup and pic Danny.

Thanks Joe

Thanks John

Let me explain..what I mean is that mostly with daily shaves when I use a fresh blade there is some potential for damage. So I was glad there was none, especially since I was using this in an OC razor, so I was most most relieved.

Yes the GP blades work well for me. I would call them sharp and smooth, generally better on day 2 but that is subjective and applies to most blades. Whenever I take blades to day 3 I find they get a bit draggy, or maybe it's my lack of lathering skills. @Terry Likes to use fresh Feathers each day. I might try that too once my lathering and technique are where I want them.

Have a lovely day

(Your nom de plume brings the name of Clive Staples Lewis to mind...)