Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 27:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
La Cigale SS
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

I had originally planned to make this a Fougere Friday, but my parents just got back from France and sent me this La Cigale soap, so I gave that a try this morning. Unfortunately, just as I was about to start shaving, I got a phone call letting me know the refinery had widespread power outage. So, I rushed through my shave to get to work. The soap seemed OK, very lightly scented with lavender. I'll probably try again tomorrow to give it a fair shake. On the plus side, the Big Ben seemed better this morning, but once again that could just be that I was focused on other things.

8/28/15 SOTD (Shave 15 of this Focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Case Red Imp 133
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (10 linen 10 Leather post shave)
Soap: Jabonman Lima-Incienso (Menthol)
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman with M-Bomb

Final shave for this focus. Wanted to end it on a high note. This razor is a recent acquisition from @HolyRollah. This is one razor that was on my Have-to-Find-One list, and is in outstanding condition. The pictures don’t do it justice. It was freshly honed, so I did no pre-shave stropping. I was hoping I would be able to get a feel of a nicely honed razor to compare the shave to what I have been getting with my honing on other razors this month.

Lather with Jabonman Croap is freaking awesome. I loaded the brush for all of 5 seconds, using a very light hand. Then added a little water and bowl lathered it into wonderful goodness. I let it sit for about five minutes to get the menthol to start working, then whipped it back up. Great feel during and after the shave, with good glide and cushion, and just enough menthol. This razor was incredibly smooth. Knowing it has a spike point, I used a very light touch. I managed to only stab myself once, and it wasn’t a deep one. WTG pass was very easy; ATG pass took a little more pressure, but no cuts. The razor cut through everything very well, and I ended up with a DFS plus off two and a half passes. Good shave. It was smoother and keener than I have been able to achieve on my other razors, but it gives me a good benchmark to keep working on. If you haven’t tried Clubman with M-Bomb, I highly recommend it.

I recognize that Impish razor!
I'm glad to read you have a nice initial experience using that razor. the Red Imps always seem to easily take a smooth, keen edge. And yes, beware the Spike point! It has reminded me of it's presence during many shaves.
That particular razor is one of the larger (6/8") Imp blades I've come across and also one that has very little hone wear (a rarity!). Imps pop up on ebay but often are in pretty sad shape with misshapen or badly worn blades or replaced or broken scales.

+1

SOTD
August 28, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Kia Captain Titan Mild
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Lather: PAA Dirt
Post: Alum. Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: PAA FU Fougère
I rotated brushes this morning, I leave two brush in my rotation all the time. My Ever-Ready 150 and Stirling Synthetic. Today off the bench is the Plisson! This is a great brush! It will stand up to any I have. Well almost. . Day 9 with the Mongoose, the best razor I've ever bought! The quality of this razor is truly amazing. PAA Dirt is pretty good, FU Fougère is awesome! I like these Kia blades. Since the solid advice from Clint on the angle I should try my shaves have been KILLER! 3 and out.
I use my Schick injector I1 for my head shaves, has anyone heard of someone using the Mongoose for head shaves?
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

I have a question, oh omnipotent and all-knowing shave gurus.

Today I noticed that after my razor passed an area on my face there was no residual slickness like usual, nothing. My skin was soft and supple, but only wet, as if I had just splashed water on my face. No sign of the soap. Normally, if I wet my hand and feel my face after a pass it would be very slick. What happened?

I get this every now and then with a straight. It is typicly on an area that is BBS, and lets me know I got a really close shave there. I ussually don't see any whiskers in those areas for 18-24 hours.

Late Post.

08/27/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – Zenith Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Renewal
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra

On their Facebook page and some other forums, there are several guys that head shave with the Mongoose.

Oh my, you lucky man! Where on Earth did you find her?!!!

I thought I was blessed to have found a woman that was amenable to sharing the counterspace in a one-sink master! You sir, have won the spousal lottery!

I'm with you with idea of moving on. I guess this sort of thing happens when a chore turns into a passion...but, can you imagine our fathers with multiple razors, getting tired of it after a month and moving on to another?!!

I told my 90-yo father that I had taken this up and he immediately said - "best shaves I ever had." - (having converted many years ago to an electric due to medical issues.) Could you imagine how he would have reacted if I told him I had over a dozen razors?!!!

(btw, your new look becomes you with the tie and all...especially the white gloved look!)

I really married up. She is a wonderful wife! She even puts up with my new obsession. What more could I ask for?

Late Post. I was side tracked yesterday with a sick child.

08/27/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – Zenith Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Renewal
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra



Another very good 3 pass shave with the Slim. Soap Commander as usual was very easy to lather. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra

Your Boar Brush is breaking in nicely?

I may give it a try, thanks for letting me know some guys do it.

08/28/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Shavemac D01 Silvertip
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine Platinum



Final shave with the Slim for the week. Taking the weekend of to play with my new Wolfman OC. Not sure if I'll pick up the Slim on Monday or start a day early on the September focus.

Another very good 3 pass near BBS shave with the Slim. It's been sometime since I have used this Shavemac brush. I have really enjoyed using it over the last several days and will have to remember to use it more often. Finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum and I am so ready for the weekend.

Thanks, I really like to use this one and my Rubberset with the Omega knot for lathering Mystic Water soaps. Between the 2, they whip that finicky stuff up easily.

must be your good looks!

I got the best shave of the month today. It's official, the Feather blade works best for me on day three with a mild razor.
SOTD
Schick Krona
Feather (3)
TOBS Mr. Taylor's cream
AOS Pure Badger brush
Nancy Boy AS Balm
Pitralon Swiss AS
I got such a nice three pass BBS today that I'm still smooth five hours later. No irritation today either.
Happy Friday!

Doing my wrap up a little early this month, since I am traveling for the next two days, and don't want to type this on a smartphone. Overall this was a very successful focus for me. (Other than the limiting myself to three razors thing. I only ended up doing five razors total...) My main focus was on maintaining and creating a shave ready edge on a straight. The first razor I used this month had a bevel set when I got it, and required only touch up on finishing stones. It took a few tries, but I managed to get a smooth shave from it. Second razor I used needed sanding, polishing, and honing to be shave ready. Again, took a couple of attempts, but I got it done. I also took a razor from my regular rotation, and polished it and touched it up with slurries and a finishing stone. Compared these to my new razor from @HolyRollah, and I am not too far off! Very encouraging. For those wanting to learn to hone, here's what I finaly had pointed out to me, find a single method you have hones to support, and stick with it. I was trying to blend four or five different approaches, and not getting good results. (Thanks @gssixgun)

Didn't get to my brush work, since I restored a razor instead. Whoops. As far as number 6, this thread is a shining example of community shenanigans. We ended up with almost twice the posts of previous months, multiple custom titles, and learning a lot about each other. We also mentioned shaving a few times. Thanks for everyone's participation, and for @Bama Samurai for organizing it.

and thanks Adam for all your contributions to the successful thread you talked about. I really like the diversity of equipment used in this thread. Though I don't comment on it much IF I have no knowledge of it, I read all the posts and appreciate the passion all the participants have. And especially that it all happens "under" one thread.
You add much to it!


Have a good trip and enjoy Hawaii!