SoTD for Friday, January 30, or SINGLEMANIA: Injector Redux Pre- Clove Balsam PSO Soap- La Pere Lucien Brush- Blondie (20/50 boar, unknown vintage handle) Razor- Schick I2 Blade- vintage Schick Super Chromium Rinse- Osage Aftershave- Brut / vintage Lotion- Kiehl's Cologne- TSD Brut type During yesterday's shave, I recalled that I had some vintage injector blades which are rumored to be quite good. By time I remembered them, it was far too late to do anything about it then, but I decided to try them today. After some digging in the overflow boxes of my collection I turned up the dispenser I was thinking of. Schick Super Chromium, exact year unknown, but for what it's worth, I got them with a cased PAL adjustable. Unfortunately, the dispenser contained only one blade out of the 4 it originally had. Since this shave is more about test driving the blade than the razor, I decided to go with something dependable. I went with the Hydro Magic I2, a razor that I consider to be perfect. Soap is one again La Pere Lucien, which I chose for the same reason... It is simply one of the best soaps I have at my disposal. To save a couple bucks on the soap, I ordered the refill of LPL just in case I didn't like it. Oddly, the soap is a standard rectangle rather than a puck. It just came wrapped in brown paper, so I pressed it into a bar soap container taken from a vintage Bulgarian travel kit. It fits perfectly, and I think it looks pretty cool. Today I used my little workhorse boar, Blondie. This brush is well under 100mm total, so it can be tough working with a mug. But because of the non standard storage I use for my LPL, it is perfect for today. I loaded the brush thoroughly, and using a metal bowl, whipped up my lather. It was now time for the test. I have tried many vintage blades. For the most part, each and every one has been a miserable experience. But I keep trying them, because you never know. Last week, my luck changed, and I finally found a good vintage blade. No, an excellent blade. The Gem Super Stainless. Hands down the best single edge blade I have used. That success has led directly to this experiment. So how was the Schick Super Chromium you ask? I will tell you... It was fantastic. It wasn't miles better than the current production Personna blades I use, but the quality increase was clear. The blade was sharper and smoother than my usual blades. It wasn't crazy sharp, it wasn't like a laser shearing away the hair with a thought, but the difference was in the quality of the shave. I did my usual 2.5 pass shave (2 face, 3 neck), and got what is without question one of the best shaves I have had in recent memory. So now I guess I have to chase down some more of these. Hopefully it will be easier than finding the Gem blades I am after.
1/30/15 Prep: hot shower and Cornhusker's Lotion Lather: Klar Kabinett Brush: Vie-Long 13061M Razor: Weber PH Blade: Voskhod (2) Post: Captain's choice Cat O 9 Tails 2 passes on my scalp and 3 on my face left me quite smooth. I lathered face and scalp all at once and then shaved my head first. A weeks worth of stubble was easily mowed down by the Weber/Voskhod combo. I refreshed the lather on my face between scalp passes and had a very easy face shave. I had a little scab on my head from bumping my head on a picture frame on Monday and was little worried about getting some blood going, but the Weber was absolutely smooth. Have a great day!
Frey's Day: Prep: Hot shower, Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub, TSD Jasmine Sambac Preshave Balm Brush: Beeline Boar Soap: Stirling Bay Rum Razor: Merkur 41c 1904 OC Blade: Big Ben SS (1) Passes: WTG, XTG (1, 2) Post: Cold water rinse, Bloc Osma Alum, Dickinson's WH, Aveeno Active Naturals ASB Cologne: Le 3e Homme de Caron by Caron I switched back to the boar again today; the initial lather may be a bit better with the boar, but it doesn't seem to be able to sustain that through multiple passes as well as the Simpson 56 does for me. Because of the tugging I experienced yesterday, I made two other changes: I swapped out the old Baili blade for a Big Ben, and I did so after having face-lathered (and rinsed my hands so they weren't too slippery to hold a razor blade) so that the soap could soften my whiskers a mite more. As a result, I got my most comfortable performance ever out of the Big Ben, though I have to admit the Baili shaved a touch closer. Still, DFS results without bloodshed or irritation, followed by the ASB due to the cold, dry air.
Gary for your kind words. I do like this brush, it has a cheap knot from Victoria Sheng in China, not much cost at all
Well some of the "lesser investment" brushes seem to bring some of the best enjoyment. I have one that I call the "Junk Pile" brush that I use frequently. The knot is of no major pedigree but I like it a lot.
SOTD Friday 1-30-2015 Maggard Mr3 w/Personna Stainless Noxema Old Spice Original SC GP Scuttle Omega Boar Dickinson's WH GB Body Lotion Old Spice Classic ASL
Friday's Shave Prep: shower w/ Grandpa's Pine Tar Music: Mississippi Delta Blues mix Lather: Arko Razor: '46 - '50 Gillette Heavy Gold Tech Blade: Gillette Silver Blue Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm Scent: Pinaud Clubman Third day on the Gillette Silver Blue. I think I'd like them better in a more aggressive razor. Just don't seem sharp enough in the Tech. Not terrible but I feel like I liked the Sharks better. Probably skipping tomorrow but next will probably be an Astra SP. Started using Clubman more as a scent than an AS and my face has thanked me so far. Tried cutting it with witch hazel the other day and while it was better, the scent didn't last very long.
SOTD 30 January 2015 Day 28 of 30 30 DAY RULE with a Slim J2 Gillette Slim Adjustable Kroger Israeli Personna VDH Kit Badger TSD Lanolin Shave Stick - Barber Shoppe Scent Today's Great Cheap AS™ is Figaro! Check out the 30 Day Crew as we write about our month of focus on razor technique and share our experiences throughout January. Read about it here: 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic and Discussion Thread- All are Welcome!
What!?! Refined? What is this and how does it happen? I might want to refine mine! Please explain or paste a link. Thanks!
SOTD 30 Jan 2015 Razor: Gillette New (short comb) Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock black Brush: Semogue 620 Soap: ARKO AS: Thayers Lavender Witch Hazel
Having to put down a pet is hard. Darth had a long life and I am sure you have many memories. I hope you feel well soon!
I really feel like Gollum with these, got my first one from asylum guido. At one time I had three of my precious. Amazing story with this one, ebay $19 looked like it came of the bottom of the ocean. Polished up like new AND no crack! However, the case was nnot the same state. I would love to lie and say the are marginal shavers so I could have more of my precious. If you have a chance get a New Improved head.
Razor: 46-47 Aristocrat Soap DR Harris Lavender Brush: Duke 3 Best Balm: Anherb Naturals AS: AV Color: I wished I could shot raw with iPhone or learn Photo Shop better
That NEW is stunning! I'm green with envy every time I see it! Also, I see you had a nice shave how do you like the Supersteel blades overall? I've got a pack coming to sample.
Excellent Justin! That was me! Speed Shaver! Hey if it works, why not. Your hair grows fast! Yesterday you were almost bald. Thanks for taking the time to record this. Kerry
Ron, that's still a very nice image, both in color and composition. What the PS software really allows for is further enhancing (color correction, etc) of an already good image...
