SoS: April 13, 2015 - April 19, 2015

Interesting razor choice! How's it treat ya?

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 15, 2015 - Week 3 Day4
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (5)
Post - Alum and The Veg

Change of technique today to use the CJB in true kamisori style. Only used the right hand and kept the same side of the blade to the face for the entire shave. On a kamisori that would be the flat or "Omote" side. I made sure to take my time and try to set the blade properly before taking a stroke. Only a couple of very minor weepers, one on each cheek, where I tended to want to ride the tip instead of the flat of the blade. Bad habit, very bad habit. Finished DFS/CCS with the CCS being on the neck. Lots of alum burn and The Veg became a body splash today. Off to the races!

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I'm a big fan of the Schick Injectors. My E2 is by far my favorite...I don't know if its due to the textured head or the extra aggressiveness. I get great shaves that almost last for two days.

 

Hey RaZor, never heard of or saw Folsom AS before so Googled it, specifically the Shady Past! Sounds really different and awesomely interesting. How ya like it? Is it even on the market yet or still on trial?

 

It's available right now $16.99 free shipping. I have 4 of the 5 offering from F&C. Shady Past is a sweet tobacco scent, wife and daughter approved I've had it on for 3hrs and I can still smell it, nice menthol touch, not a blast, but enough. I highly recommend all of Folsom and Company aftershaves. Shady Past is fantastic..

 

4/15/2015

Prep: Hot shower with Nivea Face Wash with menthol, home made PSO
Razor: Gillette Ranger Tech, "The Hornet" straight razor
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (6)
Brush: Turkish #6
Soap: L'Occitane - Cade
After: Home made ASB
Cologne: Midnight in Paris

It is hump day. The Cade whipped up nice and thick with the #6 brush. The Ranger and "The Hornet" did a good job. The Midnight in Paris was a nice finish to a 2 pass Darn Fine Shave this morning.

Have a blessed day!

 

Guy, the oak moss and sage is an 'acquired' taste. I used to be repulsed by the strong perfumey scent...but I've grown acclimated to it and now find it only mildly offensive.
Normally, I'm a BIG fan of the sage scent (Pre de Provence soaps have it in spades), but PP's mix is slightly odd to my nose....

 

Sounds really great, BUT, must have a pretty loyal following! Went there to order and it's sold out already?!
Definitely gonna have to try some of their stuff! Lots of accolades from their followers and reviewers. Thanks for the link! Bookmarked and moved to the top of the list!

 

razor: Custom Kropp, RazoRock Little Bastone
blade: Gillette Wilkinson (3)
brush: Omega 31064
soap: artisinal soap (made by a friend)
finish: DIY A/S (scent is sandalwood + coconut, but my family swears it smells like Dr. Pepper! We all like it.)

Today was my fourth shave on Kevin's beautiful treasure. I am still quite cautious and a long way from BBS with a straight, but I feel increasingly confident with this weapon of destruction. I managed a second pass in select spots, but still concentrated on getting the moves more than getting a shave. That's my focus for 90 days: build the muscle memory and start shaving after.

I know I am knocking off some hairs. I see them at rinse and the Little Bastone starts straight ATG with less resistance than had I skipped the straight.

I told you guys how my son snapped a pic with his phone and put the Custom Kropp on Instagram. He's had 24 likes by mostly strangers and picked up a couple of followers because of it. His Instagram account is new, so he is pretty impressed. He's going to have to buy his own pretties to keep his fanbase though! There's no way they'll match my treasure, either! @HolyRollah Kevin, I know I said thanks, but you know I really meant it, right?

 

Sure just keep rubbing that razor in our faces. I'll stop wanting it eventually. Seriously it's awesome you're working with it and your son now understands the power of a quality razor!

 

Keep at it! Your confidence (and competence) will grow and you'll begin applying MORE pressure as you shave, resulting in a cleaner, smoother pass....

 

Thanks to all of you for the well wishes for our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

 

Razor: Gillette Slim (k3) 1965 (5) (3) (original case and Blade pack with instructions)
Brush: Vintage Ever-Ready 675 badger
Mug: Old Spice 1985 Cobalt Blue
Cream: TOBS Grapefruit
Blade: Feather (1)
Pre shave: Tree Hut Shea body wash Mango
Post shave: Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera, Jack Black balm, TOBS Luxury AS
Whipped up the TOB Grapefruit in a minute with the badger. Nice slick cushion and I really like the sent, reminds me of summer, on the way. I really like the slim and next to my FB it is my go to razor. The heavy handle and head gave me a nice smooth shave with no pressure with a Feather blade set on 5. The Shea Mango for the pre-shave helped give me a nice no burn shave. My technique is getting better on my neck, especially with a slick lather and sharp blade on (3), so I can buff the area on the right side of my neck. The Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera felt good on my face and that natural scent was nice and fresh. After cleaning my razor and a little spray of isopropyl alcohol to help dry the innards, I smoothed on some Jack Black. And splash or two of TOBS, ahhhhh. Have a good one. I'm off to the range Boom Boom Boom Boom.....

 

A good and quick shave this morning.
Getting used to how light the Schick Platinum DE is. It still feels very much on the mild side of things but gave a passable shave for sure.

Stuff used:

 

15apr15
My first shave with my new EJ DE89 Kelvin.

EJ DE89 Kelvin
Personna platinum (1)
Williams mug soap
TGN synthetic
Every man Jack post lotion

I got the EJ to compare to my 34c. I feel the EJ is a lighter and less aggressive razor. I'll obviously have to use it a few more times but am leaning towards the 34c being my favorite.

Still resulted in a two pass over all good shave. No stinging or irritation.

 

Is that TGN knot in an EverReady handle? It looks brand new.

 

Yes it is, thank you. I did get a little hot in a spot or two with the sander but not bad. Ever Ready 300N handle. I just did the re-knot a few weeks ago.

 

April 15

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Merkur 37C slant bar razor
Feather blade (day 2)
Kent BK8 silvertip badger brush
Arko & glycerin
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm

I had a great and very predictable shave this morning. I'm learning how to lather Arko off the puck using my badger brush. At this point, I still prefer using Arko as a shave stick and face lathering it with my boar brush. Two passes plus a few touch-ups is sufficient for me since I shave daily. If I go for a third pass, I get a small amount of irritation. It keeps getting worse when I perform back-to-back three-pass shaves. The biggest challenge for me is knowing when to stop shaving. For me, that amounts to two careful passes with a small amount of touch up around my chin, mouth and jaw areas.

Have a blessed Thursday!

 

Thursday's fun-filled freezer:

Neutrogena Men Facial Wash
Large Horsehair Barbershop
Super Speed/Personna day 4
Stirling Glacial Obsidian SS
Gold Bond Moisturizer
Alcolado Glacial Menthol Splash
Chabrawichi 555 Cologne

I can only stay away from my Glacial soaps for a maximum of two days, and then I have to go right back to them because no matter what other highly-mentholated products might come up on the market, the Glacials are still my favourite - in fact I think I'm going to place an order for some more since they became available again. The Obsidian is a real treat if you like a powerful black licorice scent, and this soap lathers very rich, slick, as well as easily. The menthol attack hits so damned hard that within seconds your face feels frozen solid. The Gold Bond/Penguin combination is hard to beat for additional soothing and iciness. I'm freaked out over the wonderful shaves I've been getting from this Personna blade.

 

SOTD - Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Shower
Prep: Homemade PSO
Brush: Ever-Ready 115, 20mm TGN finest
Soap: Maggard Chai Tea
Razor: '56 Ball-end Tech
Blade: Personna Lab Blue (1)
Aftershave: CVS Old Spice knockoff