SoS: March 23, 2015 - March 29, 2015

If I wasn't a Jays fan, I'd likely be a Giants fan. Love your park the most in baseball (except the lack of a bullpen)....

 

Ohhhhhhhh, kaltes Wasser...............und eine tolle Seife aus Griechenland die ich nicht vertraut bin. Ich bin sicher dass Du eine fantastische Rasur hattest, mein lieber.

 

Maybe Im not loading up my Semogue boar enough...gonna go try it now.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
March 29, 2015 - Week 1 Day 1
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB & '59 Gillette Superspeed
Blade - (1) (1)
Post - Alum & The Veg

Starting April a couple of days early. Loaded a Kai Captain Titan Mild MG (guard) blade into the CJB and a Voskhod into the SS. Lathered up the ARKO puck in my Old Spice mug and took a deep breath. Started on the right side of my face, one pass WTG. Hearing the CJB cutting and feeling the response in the handle is a nice little adrenaline rush. Made it through the cheek and went ahead down the neck. Switched hands (I am not good with my left) and started on the left. Same drill. Cheek, then neck. No nicks/weepers etc., and I was pretty amazed at how much had already been reduced. Considered going ahead and trying the XTG with the CJB. Sanity intervened, picked up the SS and went XTG and ATG for the finish. SWMBO declared my face the smoothest it's ever been. Neck is a bit less perfect, but overall a very very nice DFS to BBS.

Alum was totally quiet on my face, very minor barking on the neck. Added the Mighty Veg to finish and I can't wait until tomorrow to do it again! I'm wondering, though, as close as it shaves, if I will even need to shave tomorrow. Amazing little razor!

 

Oh yes you could, my friend - have confidence in yourself!

 

Sunday's SOTD
Razor: Antelope #16 11/16 Full Hollow
Brush: Shavemac 23mm D02 Buffalo Horn
Bowl: Buffalo Horn 5” Lather Bowl
Pre Shave Scrub: SPAtopia Dead Sea Scrub
Pre Shave Oil: Homemade Cedar-Lavender
Shave Soap: Neumann Signature 1907
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: Neumann Signature 1907​

This morning has not started off in a good way. Wanted to start the day with an expresso but the gasket on my Moka Express tore so had to settle for a pour over which is my usual method for coffe. Next I went to turn on my computer to edit my photo and post SOTD, but BSOD greeted me when it tried to load to the desktop. Pulled out my phone and the error states some type of hardware failure or driver issue. Booted into save mode, updated all drivers, and tested the hard drives and memory and all passed with flying colors. Still crashes at the desktop so now have to test video card, power supply CPU or it is the motherboard. A lot of variables to check and not a happy camper to say the least. I'm leaning towards video card but will have to wait and see. My laptop is out on loan until their's come back from repair shop and trying to use Tabatalk on my phone is a major PIA for me so this maybe my last SOTD for some time. At least my shave this morning went well as I decided to try and use a straight once again after 4.5 months since my last try and my Brother -In-Law shipped my straights back as he decided they were not for him. Shave better than expected but did have to use the Bakelite Slant from yestday's use to touch up around the chin area. When they say it will take 70-100 shaves to be proficient they are not kidding. This was only my ninth shave with a straight and no where near comfortable in my hands just yet. Really like Neumann Product line. Littel on the expensive side but well worth it in my book.​

​

 

Good question Mark. I used the open comb side exclusively when I first acquired this razor but, lately I find myself using the closed comb side exclusively. Since I am working around my chin area now, it seems the closed comb side makes more contact and produces a cleaner shave in that small curved area than the open comb. The closed comb side lays flatter on the flat planes of my cheeks as well. Both sides are equal in aggressiveness. (Or mildness in this razors case.)
The more I use the SC101 the more I like it's performance and feel and, it is becoming one of my favorite razors. The heft of the Bulldog handle and the mild shaving head is very comfortable to use.

 

nice answer

 

Sorry to hear about your computer problems Guy. I hope that you can get everything sorted out and back on line real soon. Computer problems can really ruin your day!

 

I hope the rest of your day goes better. Good luck with the computer.

 

Then there is alcohol. Menthol is an alcohol…

 

Thank you, Guy! It is a bit challenging matching the transparent handle to this Tigerwood dish, but with a bit of editing, they compliment one another quite nicely, I believe.

 

All your photos are fantastic. You can tell you put a great deal of thought and effort into the shots.

 

Loaded with Castle Forbes Lime and it produced a ton of thick lather. I was obviously doing it wrong the past couple times.

 

Sunday SOTD

Decided to go lime theme
Merkur Futur
Semogue SOC boar
Castle Forbes Lime soap
CC Lime aftershave
Fantastic shave. Two days growth knocked down easily with the Futur. The soap and AS are a great combo, face feels great.

 

my semouge did just ok for a long time. just so so. then I guess I stumbled onto the right ratio of water it liked. now I can't wait till it comes up to bat.
I used to try to control that wild Woodstock look it had. seems like after I let it go wild, it became a lather monster.
I don't think the attempt to control it's bloom could affect it. I just noticed the coincidence.
hope you continue you luck with it.

 

Sunday:
hot shower w/TOBS Avocado shower gel
Homemade PSO
Schick J1 2+ passes
Schick (6)
TOBS Avocado cream in a warm bowl
Century boar
Thayers unscented w/aloe
Wm Neumann & Co Signature 1907 AS

Very nice shave with the J1. Took me a minute after using the PAL for the last two shaves to get the feel for the Schick but after the first pass I was back in the groove and got a great shave.

 

Sorry to hear about your computer problems Guy. I feel your pain.

 

SoTD for Sat, March 28, or, another Schick grail in action.

Pre- BBC oil
Soap- TSD Grey Vetiver
Brush- Vie Long
Razor- Schick plastic DE
Blade- Krona Chrome
Rinse- Osage
Aftershave- Fine Vetiver
Balm- Kiehl's
Cologne- vintage Lagerfeld



I got busy and forgot to post this yesterday. I was going to just let it go, but the razor is important to me. I have been looking for one of these for most of last year. I have seen three on the bay...or actually two, but three times. Due to various shenanigans, I did not get my dirty paws on any of them. But now, thanks to a Den member, I gots. I have seen these called a 'special', but although printed on its package, I don't think that is the name. I feel that was referring to the low price for the razor and blade combination on the blister carded package. I have seen this called a 'platinum'. I don't know why. Maybe because the included blades are Schick Platinum? Because the plastic case this guy comes in only says Schick. And I have seen the blueprints for this razor, which only refers to it as 'double edge razor'. So, that doesn't help. Regardless of it's name, or lack thereof, I am thrilled to have it. This particular razor inspired a whole generation of Soviet and Turkish lookalikes, of which I have several. I have always wondered how and why this Schick took on this influential afterlife. My working theory is this razor was just too weird and ugly for the U.S. market. This seems to be born out by it's almost non existent historical footprint. I think it sold poorly, resulting in its eventual mark down and attempted clearout as the aforementioned, under a buck, 'special' set. And after that, the dead stock very likely got shipped elsewhere. Perhaps emerging markets in the east? Or maybe Schick just cleared it's stock and sold the design itself. Maybe that is more likely, because there aren't a bunch of these out there. I have zero evidence for either situation, but now, holding the Schick and one of its illegitimate Russian children in each hand, I can tell you that they are essentially identical. The Schick has metal end caps. That about covers the differences. They feel the same. @GDCarrington said in an earlier post, that if blindfolded, one likely could not tell the Schick and the Russian apart. This is 100% true. I sort of expected the Schick to be made of nicer plastic. No. If there is a difference, it is subtle.
So, how is the shave you ask? Like it's Soviet counterparts, the razor is a wonderful, if lightweight shaver. Takes a little getting used to, but loaded with an excellent vintage Krona Chrome blade, an excellent 2.5 pass BBS was easily obtained. I am absolutely enchanted to finally have one of these in my collection.

 

If it's anywhere as cold as a glacial soap then it's to much hahaha