And here are my tools for this month if anyone was interested in pictures

I suggest getting a nice new 160gram stainless steel brush like mine. Pre-soak the brush. Lather up and load a Feather blade in the Valet and attempt to shave with it. After two frustrating passes, smash the Valet with the butt of your new brush handle and clean up the rough spots on your face with a sharpened credit card edge. I'm sure this will give you the best, most satisfying Valet shave to date. This is my plan for tomorrow.

SEPTEMBER FOCUS

SE Razors

I have a basic question related to injector blades. How long do they last? I'm in for 3 shaves, which for an Astra SP is almost done.

I can get 7 shaves easy. YMWV Of course..

What does YMWV mean?

Your mileage will vary.

Oh...ok thank you

It's normal YMMV ( Your mileage may vary) but who's kidding who? It will vary.

I have seen both but did not know either glad to know they mean the same ...sorta

Thanks Kerry. I thought they lasted longer than DE blades.

This morning's shave was comparable to yesterday. Not bad, but not great. I give it a CCS classification. Not as close as I'm used to. BUT, I was in a real hurry this morning and had little time to pay attention to technique. I'm still learning, so hurrying doesn't help. I have to say with an injector you can really "go to town" and shave quite quickly. So, I'm hoping my technique catches up and I not only go quickly, but get the results I want (need).

This thread might be useful, its helped me out and still does.

Yeap just a skim and I know its going to help thanks

Thursday, SEptember 3, 2015

B-3 Mongoose with Triad Ti Helix Spiral
Feather Pro #3
Paladin PK-47 Butterscotch Marble
Mike’s Natural Soaps Lime, Lavender, and Cedarwood
Alum, Dickinson’s ++Menthol, Unrefined Shea Butter
Fine Orange Noir

The second shave of the month was a two pass BBS. I chased the baby, caught her, and paid the price. A Nickster on the chin, silenced by the alum. The PK-47 is the ideal handle for me. It's ergonomic design fits my hand perfectly. Unrefined Shea Butter is the top moisturizer in my den. Topped this fine shave off with a generous dousing of Orange Noir.YES, it was Fine!


​

By George, I think he's got it!

I hear 7 - 10 shaves

+1

September 3 Focus Shave 2

Last night I took the straights I will use this month and they all get some laps on the 12k stone then I took them through the pasted strops. They should all be sharp and read to go.

Three passes and just one small weeper. I did some clean up on the chin and I wanted to to ATG pass on my neck.... but I just can't figure out how to go ear to adams apple. Applied the alum and there was on a light sting. Final results a true DFS but not BBS due to my neck. This is my closest and best straight yet, I am pleased. The PRC kamisori is a pleasure to shave with.

Proraso Pre Shave
QCS Iced Key Lome
Thater two band
PRC Western grind Kami
PRC strop after hitting the 12k stone and pasted strops
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Speick AS
Creed Millesime Imperial ASB
Creed Millesime Imperial

Great view. Looks just like that out my window too. NOT!!! Looks like a great spot.

You can't go wrong with Proraso Green. Like you said, the lather is as good or better than Arko and that menthol/eucalyptus is awesome. That was my first "real" soap and I keep it in rotation though it suffers from sharing the den with Tabac and MWF now. Guess I've gotten a bit uppity preferring those over the green.

The Crazy Ivan in SEptember!
September 2

Razor - Gem 1912
Blade - Gem Stainless PTFE (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea, Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Second shave with the 1912 and it was every bit as good as the first. I keep thinking how much of an improvement this must have been to the guys who put their straights down to try this newfangled safety razor thingy. Had to be mind blowing for them. Two passes and I was done today. For its fearsome appearance it's pretty much a baby, at least through two shaves. I have no doubt it could be deadly if technique goes awry but for the two days I've used it I have no complaints. I seriously had thoughts of making it my daily shaver when not playing around with all the other stuff I do. It's that good. IMHO anyway.

A bit of entertainment today featuring my namesake. The past two days story line.




I look good with a hair ribbon I think.