Tuesday 7 July 2015



New Brush, New Test​

Yesterday I met a gentleman here in Milan who has a razor he said it was dull and not suitable for shaving, but he really wanted to use this razor for shaving as he wished to get into the art of straight razor shaving. He wanted me to hone this razor, so I went to his house and - by using a Belgian coticule and a Mastro Livi loom strop - I honed and fixed his razor. He was so happy he could now shave with this razor that he wanted to give me an Omega brush as a sign of gratitude. I too was happy because we now have another convert to straight razors. I used this Omega Professional 10098 bristle brush in my today's shave and it was also the occasion to test my shaving soap with it. Smooth and velvety with an outstanding huge quantity of creamy and fluffy lather, I am very happy with my shaving soap, although I am already working on a new formula because I want it to be even better. As for the razor, this Mastro Livi "the Last New Grind" is always reliable and impeccable, not to mention the elegant and super refreshing splash of Floïd Blue.​

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: RazorGuy Shaving Soap
• Brush: Omega Professional 10098
• Bowl: Chinese Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Loom Strop and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi "The Last New Grind", 6/8 Half Hollow, Round Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Argan Oil
• After Shave: Floïd Blue

7/6/2015 Fat Tobacco Tuesday!

Prep: Hot shower with Neutrogena Face Wash with menthol, home made PSO
Razor: Gillette Fat Boy, H. Boker Master Razor straight razor
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (6)
Brush: Vie Long Horse Hair
Soap: RazoRock - Tobacco #1
After: Home made ASB, Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave
Cologne: Aqua H2O

It is Tobacco Tuesday! The Horse Hair brush whipped up the Tobacco #1 into a very nice lather. The Fat Boy and the Boker did a great job mowing down the stubble. The AV brought some chill and the Aqua H2O finished off this Darn Fine Shave.

Have a blessed day!

Cool photo! It makes me think of an old TV show I used to love: Rockford Files

Wolfman OC
Rapira Swedish Steel
Rooney Emillion Super Badger
Catie's - Mustache Mint
Fine - Snake Bite A/S

http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Christian-Dior/Cuir-Cannage-25228.html

Yeah, I have it. It's a coldie!

Tuesday 7th July







Warm shower

Hot towel

Fitjar Frost Rose bowl lathered

Finest Badger brush made by myself

Gillette Big Fellow NI Gold (1925)

Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (1)

Cold rinse

Thayers Lemon witch hazel

Old Spice Sensitive aftershave

How does the TSD MITA compare to Stirling's MITA?

SOTD TUES. 7/7

Razor: Stahly head, unbranded handle
Blade: Astra SP (6)
Soap: RazorRock XXX

Last shave with the Stahly before moving on to my new Ikon 102 that was delivered today (Woot! Woot!) Only used the Stahly head this time with a spare handle I had on hand. Day 6 with the same Astra and still a wonderfully close shave. Not a BBS, maybe a DFS, definitely at least a CCS. That head is a great shave! Just livin' the dream!

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 7th
Razor - CJB/Gillette New LC
Blade - (5) (2 2/3)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, Alum, Nivea Original Post Shave Balm

Back at it today after a day off to let things heal a bit. Two days growth so should be interesting. I know some have said that helps on a straight shave but I didn't feel much help. Although, better than it has been. I left the Fat a bit thin today which wasn't my plan but it's what I got. Not enough work with it today. You really have to load the brush and I didn't get it quite right. So, a really nice lather but not great. It happens.

First pass was pretty good with no blood, though the result was disappointing. I had to remember it was a two day shave not a one. When I went to the XTG I realized I was gripping the razor like I thought it would jump out of my hand. Seriously tight grip.....no wonder I'm having issues with angle, maneuvering and too much pressure. Took a deep breath, relaxed my hand and grip and went back to it. Much better result. Smoother, more productive strokes and also clearly less irritating. So, I kept my attention on my hand and if I felt it start to tense up and grip I'd stop, take a breath, reset with a loose grip and get back to it. Finished the second pass with no issues other than I hadn't yet arrived at DFS. That's ok though. I picked up a bad habit in the making and corrected it.

Third pass to the New LC and Voskhod. Got the DFS and called it good. Now to the alum, which has been setting me on fire this month. Cold water rinse, alum.....no burn on the cheeks, some on the neck but nothing like I've been getting. Clearly part of my issue has been technique...too much pressure caused by too tight of a grip. Problem noted and will be dealt with until it's gone. The Nivea felt good, no extra bite and it's all good.

More rain here today so a quiet day at home for my day off. Anyone from California who needs water.....we've got it. I think all of yours is going down the Mississippi this year.

Thank you for the kind words !

I think you will enjoy the Mergress XL. I received the Merkur Progress as 2012 Christmas gift and immediately sent to the gentleman who actually modifies the progress (don't remember his name) and haven't regretted it. Nice and heavy in the hand and the razor just glides. The adjustment knob is smoother and lines up perfectly with the markings while the Progress was a little loose. Hate to admit it goes neglected in my den but a really smooth razor.

Woke up late this morning so had to rush through the morning shave but first impressions are SdM "Assess Milk" is a very good soap and will give it another go around tomorrow morning. In my rush I made the lather a little watery for my liking but this is one slick soap. Aroma is subjective but I immediately thought of a sweeter MWF. Post shave was slick and now 3 hours later, my face still feels slick. Hopefully next couple of days I will give a review of this soap.

Schick I2 razor
Personna blade
Lord SC
WD Silver Tip brush
Osage Rub/Witch Hazel w/aloe
M&L Florida Water cologne w/added menthol

The I2 is a really easy shaver, no problems getting a great shave. And I like the Lord SC, easy to lather, pleasantly cooling and gives a fine shave.

Since my plan to use my Le Touriste this morning fell through I ended up running short on time and grabbed a Fatboy.

Shave was very good -smooth, close and efficient. I do prefer the longer handle on the Slim though.

Gear
Razor: Gillette Fatboy
Blade: Polsilver
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Soap: Fitjar Isros
A/S: North Woods
Body splash: The Veg

​

Razor: Gillette Flare Tip (A3)
Blade: Feather (5)
Brush: WDC 5- Whipped Dog knot Boar/ Green Handle
Soap: Synergy Shaving Soap Bay Rum
A/S: Captain's Choice Bay Rum

Another DFS tonight with this setup. I'm a luck duck.

July 8 Plans

MdC facial soap
G-3 Gillette Fat Boy
Feather blade (day 2)
Omega Pro 98 boar brush
A.J. Murray's Lincoln shave soap
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

I'll man up and bump the FB up to 5 tomorrow. I just cleared the school zone, so I will bang shift into third gear! No change since yesterday with A.J. Murray's shave soap. The lather is somewhat airy and collapses between passes (similar to how I've seen Williams Mug Soap described), but I plan to finish out the week with it to give it a fair evaluation. I'll hold the razor at 5 until I get my lather squared away. Otherwise, I fear that a wide open FB could be as subtle as a hand grenade in a barrel of oat meal.

Nice

Good looking razor!!!

Doug, thank you for the kind words!

Here we go for Wednesday:

Neutrogena Men Facial Wash
Large Horsehair Barbershop
Super Speed/new Derby
Stirling Frozen Tundra SS
Gold Bond Moisturizer
Osage Rub AS
Brut Cologne

The menthol effect from the Frozen Tundra is not as strong as from a Glacial soap but don't get me wrong - it's still STRONG. This soap has a unique scent which I love, but I cannot describe it accurately. The soap lathers beautifully and also allows great blade glide as well as a soothing post-shave feeling. Besides the Gold Bond, the Rubby Dubby Doo puts that extra heavy-duty coating of ice in my face which feels so good on a hot day. Hey, there ain't nothing like a new Derby to help a shave succeed!

Love that razor every time you show it!