@Bama Samurai but don't you think there is the possibility of irritation being caused by either weak technique, blade angle or pressure? or a combination of any of those three, i.e. weak technique, blade angle or pressure?

I mean, I'm just saying.

It's official - TSD has lowered their membership standards...

...and I thought I was as low as they could go!

Jim, I can't wait for your end of month wrap-up, specifically on the difference between the C1 and C3. I had it in my mind that perhaps they shaved about the same, but I don't know if I've had enough shaves with each to say that with certainty.

It could be the soap or the blade or the razor, because if soap and blade or razor are used in conjunction with weak technique, improper pressure or a bad angle, irritation might be the result. I am glad you brought this up. I went through so many soaps blades and razors trying to fix bad shaves as a new convert. Wish I'd had you guys around, would've made smarter and more reasoned purchases. Nice work!

October 20, 2015

OC October - This month I'll introduce myself to OC razors.
Gillette New LC
Schick Type C1 OC
Standard Safety Razor OC
Gillette Goodwill

Morning shave
Hot Shower
Soap: Arko Stick
Brush: Brush: Omega Pro 48 Boar
Razor: Standard Safety Razor OC (Germany)
Blade: 7 o’clock (Blues) (2)
TSD Witch Hazel
Aftershave: TSD Acqua di Gio



Two-pass shave.
Another very good shave for this combo.

Yesterday I complained about one element of my first shave with this combo. I had felt some blade vibration in the ATG pass. So with the advice from @wristwatchb about it potentially being a weak or dry soap issue, I went back to my trusty 30-day Rule standard - Arko soap and the Pro 48 brush. I also did not “cinch down” on threading the three-piece razor together.

Much better result today, with little to no vibration. - How did you get so smart Charlie?!!!

Play Ball!
RT

Well, lucky for you, we're all here now, and we're all amazed over how smart you've gotten in that time.
Keep up the good work Chief!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015
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B-3 Mongoose with Triad Ti Helix
Feather Pro #3
Omega 10098 Boar
Knockout Shave Cotton
Witch Hazel +++Menthol, Cucumber Melon Whipped Shea Butter
Fine L' Orange Noir​

Today’s shave was a KNOCKOUT! A hair’s breadth two pass BBS. The shinny head Mongoose was great to watch almost impossible to feel. The weight of the razor did all the work, and the Triad handle has the perfect weight and grip. “Ooo La, La!” The Goose honked. “Look at me, watch me cut through these mangy whiskers, lickety-split”. The second pass was just clean up on my neck, and along the jaw line. The Mongoose is ‘Numero Uno’ for this frio bandito. Knockout’s Cotton is an outstanding performer as well as one great scent. The Omega 10098 is my top performing Bargain Basement Brush. It has soft split tips and an America’s Cup backbone. The combination of the two resulted in a mountain of Deee-lishious smelling super slick and creamy lather. Finished this one with a generous spritzing of Fine L’Orange Noir. Look out, I am smooth and smell good today.
Have a Frosty Wednesday gentlemen.


​

Another great photo. Is that your new polished Mongoose?

I haven't shaved since Friday night so I could see what the Mongoose could do with an abundant harvest. Also got in a couple of Shave Den sticks and wanted to try that out. The Kong did a great job of face lathering the Cool Water type soap and the 'goose, loaded with the Feather ProGuard (2), had no problems mowing down the hay. This razor intrigues me. I can get just as close a shave with many other razors, but it seems to take much less effort with the 'goose. It's very efficient. Very little touch up required after my standard 3 passes. I may wind up doing a blade focus on this razor for November, to see if I can really dial it in. I finished with the usual Stirling Witch Hazel and a little Myrsol F/Extra, for an irritation free BBS.

I used my ATT H2 OC today with Mystic Water soap. I've reintroduced DE razors after using the Mongoose and Cobras exclusively for the past several months.

Congrats on the Goose. Great report of your first shave with the Mongoose.

I have a H1 head on loan from a friend, that I need to try out. How did the H2 compare to the Cobra and Mongoose?

October - Trick or TREET
October 20

Razor - Gillette Post War (46-50) Fat Handle Tech
Blade - (1)
Brush - Vie Long 12601 The Pony
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Onward and forward today to the next TREET of the month. Or perhaps trick. The Treet Double Edge Blade "New". Now, for those who know Treet blades, the orginal Double Edge is the famous "Black Beauty" carbon blade that is still my favorite carbon to shave with. It has the nickname because the blade is indeed black. The "New" Double Edge appears to be stainless. And, I say it appears to be because I can't confirm that beyond how it looks and the fact that carbon is not mentioned on the wrapper. Normally a Treet carbon blade will say so. I'm also unsure as to why they came up with this particular blade unless it's a similar grind to the carbon Double Edge just in stainless for perhaps a bit more longevity. I'm still looking for more info. It also isn't shown in their current blade selection on their website. Oh well, more to look up later, for now let's shave.

The Pony and Tabac for the lather. About the time I decide MWF is absolutely positively my number one soap I get a lather like I did today from Tabac to try and take first place. Great feel and of course the scent is wonderful. And, the pony just feels so darn good with its scritchiness. Definitely another horse brush in my near future. Just because I like the horses.

The razor is the mild Post War Tech and the first pass was incredibly smooth yet effective. Second XTG also extremely smooth, though the finish to that pass seemed a bit weak. Lots left to do on the third pass, especially on the neck, but I got it to DFS and called it good. Alum was very quiet so it was a great shave overall. I prefer the ball end tech to the fat handle, but can't complain at all.

So, the first shave on this setup was great, and we'll see how it does for two more. One nice thing today when I finished my shave and checked email......my quote for my brush was ready from Wolf Whiskers. I had placed the actual order last night since my number on the wait list was up and it should be in the process of being made even as we speak. Looking forward to getting it in my hands in the near future!

This morning I broke focus to shave with a tried and normally true combonation but it wasn't comfortable. I'm guessing that the stress and anxiety of my court appearance and the other issues have ruined my technique and concentration. I loaded up a GSB in my old type and lathered up with MWF and my WD synthetic brush.

The first pass XTG did very well and the 2nd buffing pass was nearly ATG. This usually give me near BBS with no irritation but today my pressure may have been off or my blade angle may have been off. I had some irritation around my chin and neck. The clubman bit at me pretty hard but by the time I had arrived at the courthouse My skin had relaxed into a red free DFS+. Now, just over 12 hours later I feel significant stubble and I may shave again since the first time today refused to give me adequate results.

Court went all right. I had both bad news and good news followed up by some infuriating news. There is still the possibility of success.

Yeah any disruption to routine, especially a stressful one, can definitely interfere with the zen of shaving. Glad to see it went "all right". I've had a few of those kinds of days in court too. Hang in there!

Hang in there. I remember my court days of a custody battle. Everything looked like it was all going south. Thought I would never get to see my daughter. But on the last appearance the judge say right through all of her lawyers games and I got everything I wanted. Hope you have the same outcome!

One other thing, make sure you are getting a good rinse on your neck. I used to miss the folds where I was looking down, and the little bit of soap left always gave me irritation.

I do hope everything works out for you!

Good advice, that's exactly where the ingrown hairs are.

Also, consider using large amounts cold water as a rinse before applying alum, you don't want to trap soap in the folds under the alum. Give your neck a break and just double up on WTG. Your ability to get neck BBS will just evolve as you learn the correct stretching and angles. Just remember, if your neck looks clean at a glance, that's good enough for now. There is no point chasing BBS on the neck right just because you can.