SOTD 4-3-15 Razor: iKon OSS stainless w/bulldog handle (2013) (1st time with razor) Blade: Astra SP (new) Soap: Pedal Pushers Fancies "Speakeasy" (2nd time using) Bowl: Steel Brush: VDH Preshave was just face wash with warm water and post shave was rinse with warm water then some cold water splashes and pat dry! Shave was good but not quite a DFS. I didn't feel any irritation but I did get one weepers (maybe from too much pressure and going to fast, I think) that didn't last long. Razor: First time using this iKon OSS stainless version (2013) with the bulldog handle. I did three passes, the first using the open comb and the last two using the closed comb. Little touch up needed but not much. I am not sure where I would place this razor at this point in time as far as aggression goes as I need more time. It did have some to it though! Blade: One of my favs so have used before and like them alot! Soap: This is the second time using this soap and I like it. The scent is not over powering and it lathers great and gives very good protection for each pass! It also seems to have some post shave qualities that seem to feel pretty good on the face. Please feel free to leave comments on any items used as I enjoy reading them to see what others say about the gear I am using/trying out! Thx.
I currently have two synthetic brushes. I have the FS, and a Kent silvertex. they both are extremely soft. once I figured out the water ratio, both synthetics perform very well. I don't think of them as better or worse, the are just different. I do like how fast they dry. it makes them ideal for travel. I like the size of the FS, better than the smaller infinity. thank you, and happy Easter to you also. happy Easter to all of my brothers and sisters here at the shave den. may you all have safe and joyous weekends.
Here's a random post from me... The things I think about. Not to detract from the awesome photos, shave gear, and experiences here within. But.... This thread is always called SoS. Meaning SHOWER or SHAVE(of the day). Let me be the first to thank everyone for all the info and posts relating to their shaves and NOT their shower experience each day. OK, boredom has set in this evening and my face got tore up this morning from my shave. I just put more aftershave balm on to sooth the itch and irritation. I tried a new cream that didn't lather well at all(Every Man Jack) and tried my slim for the first time finally. Set on 5 with a new Gillette SB blade. So now I'm debating giving the slim a second chance tomorrow with a different cream/soap or go back to a known good razor (SS or 34c).
Well first off, seeing the Slim is new to you, you probably should have tried it on 3 instead of 5. With that said, I would try it all again but work on the cream's lather as it sounds like the lather was the problem so I wouldn't fault the razor or blade based on what you are saying! If you cant get the lather built to the right level, then I would switch it out BEFORE continuing with the shave! To me that is one of thee most important factors in achieving a great shave. Right behind technique!
It was a thick lather but more like a painted on lather than a worked up lather. I had to keep adding to it, both cream and water. But I am definitely changing it out. I'll give the slim a try again on 3. I started with 5 only because I have read that that (4-5) was comparable to the 34c, which does perfect for me. I'm not giving up on the Slim, just figured I'd give my face a break if it was partially at fault and go with what I know has worked, then try it again later.
Have to agree wholeheartedly. Also, dont necessarily give up on the soap so quickly. Maybe practice lathering it here and there by doing a simulated face lather on your hand. I had a problem with All Soaps On Deck: Spiced Rum shave soap that came in one of my WSC boxes. Loved the scent and all, but couldn't seem to get a good lather out of it. So I spent about a week just experimenting and testing it and finally got a great lather with it. Now I love the stuff.
Saturday Planned Shave Razor: PILS 101NE Blade: Triton R3 (D2) Brush: Oscar11 w Plisson Synthetic Bowl: Turkish Porcelain Bowl 4 ¾” Pre-Shave Scrub: SPAtopia Dead Sea Scrub Pre-Shave Oil: Pacific Shaving Iced Shave Soap: Strop Shoppe Russian Tea Post: Monster Alum Block Aftershave: Florida Waters
Friday SOTD Sonnal slant razor Rapira blade Plisson Access badger brush MdC shave soap Thayers Lavender WH Mrysol Plastic Shave AS Great shave again today. Quality products with an awesome vintage slant made for a close comfortable shave.
Planned Shave for Saturday 04Apr15 Prep: Wash Face with Hot Water & Neutrogena Men Invigorating Face Wash Rinse and Wipe face with Wet Face Cloth Soaked in Ice Cold Water Apply Pre-Shave Oil; Shave Secret Shaving Mug: VDH Luxury Mug Shaving Soap: Eucalyptus Hybrid Ian S. Shaving Soap Co. a PIF I Received Razor: ATT R-1 88mm Kronos Handle Blade: Wilkinson Sword DE Blade (5) Brush: "Old Corps"& "Oscar 11" Custom 28/65mm TGN Finest Badger F-2 Knot Resin Handle Brush Aftershave: Captain's Choice Cat O' Nine Tails A/S WTG-XTG-ATG (adjusted angles for my beard) WTG-XTG-ATG (adjusted angles for my beard). Wilkinson Sword Classic DE Blade.(5) This is will be the Fifth Shave on this Blade. I will again be Face Lathering. I will use a Ice Cold Wet Face Cloth. On my face as I have each day in the past week. I will again shave with Cold Water. This is the 8th. Day of 30 Day Rule using, a ATT Razor R-1 Base Plate 88-mm. Kronos Handle
Okay, good luck with the second use! I actually heard the Slims are closer to the Merkur's at 3-4 but who knows!
SOTD 3 April Arko April!! 3 April 2015 Day 3, blade 1 - The mighty mighty MTO (Weishi 9306) Happy Easter!
Saturdays Planned SOTD Razor: 1918 Gillette Ball End open comb Blade: Vintage Schick blade (1) Brush: Burma Shave Pure Boar Bristle Soap: Arko Shave Soap (pressed into oak bowl) Post: Dickinson's Witch Hazel & cold water splash AS: Lucky Tiger After Shave and Face Tonic Fragrance: Pinaud Clubman Decided to go a little old chool with this one. The razor (from what I can find online and using the serial number) is a 1918 Gillette Ball End, and was the first razor I ever bought. Picked it up at a flea market for .25 cents! The brush (with matching mug that I still have; just not in the pic), is an old Burma shave and my first brush that I picked up the same day for $5; along with 8 pucks of Williams Mug Shaving Soap (at .10 cents a puck on clearance) at my first job at Shaw's Supermarket. And the Pinaud and Schick blades I actually picked up in the same trip (albeit not at Shaw's, but the CVS next to door). The rest is all fairly newer stuff, and I'm not really sure if any but the Razor actually qualify as vintage; though I've had them all for 17 years or so now. Just kinda thought this would be a fun one though. Bit of a trip down memory lane. Sadly, no longer have any of the Williams; and can't grab it at the supermarket anymore.
SOTD April 4, 2015 Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Shield Face Wash Razor: ATT Kronos S1 Slant Bar Razor Blade: Sputnik Brush: L'Occitane Plisson Lather: St. James of London Lavender & Geranium Post: Alum. Thayers Cucumber WH. Aftershave: Fine Clean Vetiver Go out and get it
4/4/15 Prep: Warm wash and Cornhusker's Lotion Lather: St. James of London Mandarin & Patchouli cream Brush: TGN synthetic Razors: Gold Dollar 66 and Schick J1 Post: Cold rinse and Captain's Choice Cat O'Nine Tails First successful straight shave with the Gold Dollar. I can tell I need to do more honing and deal with the bar on the heel of this razor. However, with that said, 1 pass with the 66 - from top down above the jawline and from the bottom up below the jawline. Cleaned up with the Schick and wouldn't you know it, the only blood I saw came from a clean-up pass withe the J1. All in all, a decent shave.
Guys, you won't believe me - this morning I changed my shaving plans and I used De Vergulde Hand soap. This is another soap which I hadn't used in a long time and I felt it was time for me to go with it, and it gave me an excellent and very enjoyable shave. I finished off with Stephan's Bay Rum aftershave which I bought recently at a barbershop I go to. Very nice stuff.
Saturday Prep: Hot Shower-Stirling Scots Pine Bath Soap Soap: Stirling Executive Man Razor: Gillette NEW Short Comb Blade: Personna Med Prep (1) Brush: oscar11 2-Band Finest-24mmx50mm Aftershave: Stirling Executive Man WTG-XTG-ATG (adjusted angles for my beard) Stirling Executive Man today. 20 seconds to load the oscar11 brush. Great, easy, thick, lather. I loaded a new Personna Med Prep in the NEW Short Comb. Excellent smooth, close, shave! I finished with Stirling Executive Man aftershave splash. Bob
