How'd you like the PAL? When I was trying different SE's, I tried the PAL and had trouble getting a decent shave. Maybe I need to try it again....though I use straights now.

SOTD

September 23, 2014
Prep: Hot shower. Axe Boost Energizing Face Wash
Razor: Merkur Progress (4)
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword
Lather: WSP Rustic Fougere Noir
Brush: Simpsons Berkeley 46B
Post: Alum. Dickerson WH
Aftershave: Fine Platinum. Axe Shield Sensitive
Go out and get it!

Iberia 14
H.I.S. brush
Stirling Glacial soap
Barrister & Mann Vetyver Santal soap
Malizia Uomo EdT
Musgo Real balm

Tuesday 09/23/14

Prep: Gaia face scrub
Oil: Shave Secret
Brush: 20mm Whipped dog set deep
Scuttle: Georgetown Pottery
Razor: Gillette new open comb (long)
Blade: Ladas
soap: My French Soap Mix
Post: alum sprayed on
Witch Hazel: Generic Rose scented
AS: Sampson's all natural

S.O.T.D ~ Tuesday, SEptember 23, 2014

Cold Shower with Neutrogena Face Wash
Schick Adjustable M-1
Schick Blade
B&B Omega Essential Boar Gold Leaf
Barrister and Mann SS - Bay Rum
Alum Block
Thayer's Cucumber Witch Hazel w Aloe
Barrister and Mann Kyovu - Bay Rum


Have a good day!

SOTD 23.09.2014 - Muhle R41, AS Chopin (traditional Polish AS), SOC and TOBS Sandalwood

Razor: Gillette gold toggle (D1) 1958
Brush: Whipped Dog 30/45 Silvertip
Mug: Old Spice 1985 Cobalt Blue
Cream: Castle Forbes Cedarwood & Sandalwood
Blade: Feather (1)
Post shave: Thayers Cucumber WH, Jack Black cooling gel, Old Spice vintage Lime (Shulton)


I broke out all of my big guns for the Maiden Voyage of my "new" 1958 toggle. The Castle Forbes is my favorite, and the WD 30/45 whipped up copious amounts of lather. Ok, now for the setting on the toggle. Since it is a 1958 it does not have the same mechanisms in the head to adjust the blade as my FB, Slim, or Black Beauty and some of the toggles do, so I couldn't just set it like I do these razors. The toggle fixes the blade in place and only adjusts the gap, whereas the others adjust the blade cutting angle and the gap. Also everything about this razor is tight with very close tolerances, very satisfying to someone like me that appreciates something engineered and put together well. And the finish on this razor is just amazing. Gillette plated the toggles very thick with gold and then with lacquer, that gives it a warm dark tone. To open the doors you push or pull the toggle. Half way loosens the doors and all the way pops the spring loaded doors open. I dropped in a fresh Feather, and to be safe I started with 3 and flicked the toggle, to close the doors. I checked the alignment and was good to go for my first pass WTG. So far so good, but this razor is also heavier than even my FB, so I was careful with the pressure. The head has the same high dome as my FB so I have to push my nose out of the way to get it all. The toggle is longer than even my Slim but it did not bother my hold on the thick handle, and the balance was about the same as my FB. A little rinse to see how we are doing and relather for a XTG pass on my face and ATG on my neck. Some more lather for touch up on my neck and we are done. I could hear the toggle sing as it cut through my beard but it's a little different sound than my FB. Warm water rinse and pat dry. Some WH and after cleanup some Jack Black AS gel, then some OS vintage lime and all is good. This was a DFS for the Maiden Voyage of my toggle. Does it shave better than my FB? I'll call it a tie. It does feel different with the blade angle not changing like it does on my FB. I will play with the adjustment on it, and see where it goes. Having said that, the toggle is both a great engineering feat and a work of art that I will be happy to shave with for a very long time. It is a legendary razor for sure, and I'm beside myself for the privilege of owning one. I'm still on cloud 9.

I'm on that cloud with you you have a sweet toggle.

I like that Old Spice Mug! Looks like an Early Glass 01 or 02. I couldn't see the 'S' so it could be an 03. Either way 1947 - 1950s. I really like the vintage Old Spice shaving gear. Nice!

Now this statement is something, I can honestly say, I don't think I've ever said to anyone....

Thank you, glad to be here!!!

Um. Yeah....Um. Yeah. Um...Hmmm.......

Razor: Schick I1 Injector
Blade: Personna PTFE
Brush: GDCarrington custom ACE silvertip badger
Lather: MWF
Post: Pinaud

I didn't have high hopes for this shave since I was getting pasty lather from the ACE and though I've never had any problems with MWF, I thought maybe it was because they were using floppy badgers and not synthetics. Well it looks like my concern was unfounded. This is my third shave using a silvertip badger brush, this time I let gravity do the work of getting rid of the water. It had an unthinkable amount of water I thought. Well it was just what it needed. I had no trouble at all lathering MWF- it was just as easy to lather as ever and there was no pasty lather this time.

This brush is like a cloud and I like that unlike the synthetics no lather runs down my forearm or on the handle since the water retention is so good. Also the heat retention is very good and I predict it will be my winter brush for that reason. Things I don't like: it is floppy (compared to boars and synthetics), it requires more loading time

Nice shave photo Rafifafi is this your first post in the SOTD? Great to see your post; welcome!

I initially loved the PAL. Recently have been getting less than ideal shaves with it though. No idea why.

thanks for the detailed account. I'm happy your happy. May it serve you well for a long time to come.

Thank you, this is my second SOTD

thanks, it sat on my grandad's chest of drawers for most of my childhood. years later, my mother gave them to me. if I never grew another whisker, i'd still keep these. thanks for noticing it

What a thrill it must have been! And the Thrill will go on. Legendary for sure. Enjoy.

David, having that history, and in your family is so cool! Thanks for sharing. Your Grandad's mug is an 01 or 02 which is the first Early Glass mugs from OS 1947 to the early 50s. If it has ridges inside on the bottom it's an 02. That is the only difference. I really like all of the history around the things we use in our daily shave.