Good day everyone

Day 20 of NOVember - and I had a great shave with this stuff:

- Stirling Preshave Soap
- D.R. Harris Sandalwood
- Semogue 620
- Mühle R89
- Gillette Silver Blue (#9)
- Tüff Sensitiv Rasierwasser
- Aloe Vera Gel

Today I had one goal in mind: Absolute BBSness. So I soaked the Semogue while I brushed my teeth and washed my face with the Stirling preshave soap. I still think the soap doesn't have any special "preshave" effect, but hey, it's there, so why not use it?

Then I went for a 3 pass shave - the usual WTG, XTG and ATG, with some touchup at the neck (especially that one small area where the hair grows in every direction possible). Had to reload some soap for the 3rd pass - I guess the small Semogue brush can only hold so much lather. The result: the closest shave I have had in my entire DE-career so far. The AS punished me with some stinging and burning at the neck (I guess at that one trouble spot it was more like a 5- or 6-pass-shave...), but nothing too serious - and the burning sensation vanished after a few minutes.

So for me closeness today was an A+, irritation somewhere between A and A-

The drawback: I'm pretty sure I won't have to shave tomorrow

Friday, November 20, 2015

B-3 Mongoose w UFO Titan Fine XL
Feather Pro Super #5
Druida Red D-7 Manchurian
HTGAM Gondolier Shave Stick
Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter
HTGAM Aftershave Gondolier

The usual two pass delight with the Mongoose ended in a Super Close BBS shave almost everywhere. No AGT under the nose. Finished with a nice splash of Gondolier Aftershave, what a great scent! I hope everyone had a great shave today. Have a good weekend folks.

Fantastic picture Mark. The bowl and brush look great in the natural light.

Thanks Clint!

That is a great picture, Mark. The set up is nice, and I really like the lines of the bowl and razor.

Im color blind, but for some reason I know that this picture is AMAZING!! Beautiful Mark!!

SOTD
November 20, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Grafco-Merkur 3-Piece Open Comb
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Dapper Dragon Unscented
Brush: Omega 10098
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Myrsol F./Extra
I keep reaching for the Grafco-Merkur OC, the shaves I'm getting from this razor are spectacular. I like DD unscented, nice, clean, slick, easy to lather soap. Omega 10098 very easy on my aching hands in the morning, lather monster. Myrsol. Great buy. Great product.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

Kerry, great set up from the razor to the Myrsol F/Extra with it's classic scent.

Thanks, Clint!!

Planned Day 20 - 20 November 2015

No Variation November!



Utopia 3-piece
Gillette Silver Blue (20!!)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Red
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash under Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
​

I am planning day twenty on the GSB. Lots of work to be done this afternoon before a night out with Mrs. Samurai. Nice day on the prairie, snow moving in tonight. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado!

Have a great afternoon!

​

November 20, 2015
No Variation NoVember
This month is perfect for me to learn skills with new-to-me equipment.

Razor: Mongoose B3
Blades: Feather Artist Club Professional (7)
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Manna
Brush: Omega 31025 Scarlatti Boar
AS: Changes at will. Today: Saponificio Varesino Manna AS



Two-pass shave. (XTG, ATG) Face-lather.

I think I’m reaching a point where my technique application is approaching the level needed to properly use this razor.

What I mean is - the unique attributes of this razor have caused me to seriously adapt my approach in order to apply proper technique. This is mostly due to the weight and size of the razor head.

For instance, the increased width of the shaving head requires me to adjust my line of sight in order to view my shaving angle…because if I am even slightly off with the angle, the scalpel-like Feather Pro slits my skin immediately - most unlike the “early warning system” associated with the coated blades of a DE. In time of course, I will just be able to use the angle of the handle to guide me. But it’s taking time to build that muscle/eye memory.

Another challenge is the razor weight.
Its heft is most welcome on the “down” stroke (WTG/XTG) where gravity works quite nicely to provide all the downward force necessary to just hold it against the skin, to where I just have to guide the razor.

However, the ease of that stroke totally flips to something I’m struggling with on the “up” stroke (ATG). On the upstroke, the head weight works against gravity and my fingers/hand, due to the angle of the handle. The required blade/handle angle is such that the head’s weight will make it fall away from my face, unless my fingers/hand apply more muscle to keep it against my skin. The more muscle, the more pressure, the more likelihood of blood! The force necessary is so much different than I am used to applying with DEs or ultra-light injectors. I have found it to be quite off-putting and I am experimenting with different grips on the handle to compensate.

This is what I mean by having to adapt my approach in order to apply proper shaving technique. It’s just taking me longer with the Mongoose than I’ve experience with the dozens of vintage razors I’ve used this past 6 months.

Keep in mind, and don’t get me wrong - this razor provides a fantastic outcome. Five hours after my shave, my skin is still incredibly smooth - as though I’ve just now finished the shave…and growth is minimal the next day. But - the price of that outcome is much more work than I’ve experienced with other razors with nearly similar results.

So for now, the shave outcome will keep me working at this through the end of the month and possibly into a second 30-day Focus Rule* into December.

Cheers!
RT

* - yeah that's right @Bama Samurai , we're wise to your shenanigans!

Thanks to @NCoxSTL for calling you out first...with Ivan just within shouting distance, its probably wise to just join them for some vodka and caviar.

Unlike DE razors that I seem to handle best with short strokes, I just use really long strokes with the Mongoose. This seems to lessen the weight issue somewhat. Many were hoping that the Mongoose would be available in an aluminum version to offset the weight. Now after using the razor so much I don't notice it that much. However, I do prefer custom handles that are considerably lighter than the standard handle.

Probably spot on as usual Clint, just like you were with the hydrated lather. At some point I may try the lighter handle. Perhaps for now I'll try choking up a bit on the handle to manage the weight of the head better...at least when I'm doing ATG.

Speaking of the lather, I feel like I have progressed with the soap this month to have it be a good constant now - more focused on it first being slick for glide, instead of being too thick to slog through. It's made a difference.

Thank you for your kind words Kerry. Myrsol F / Extra is on my list, as soon as I run out of something.

"No Variation November" a month of shaving constants is my antithetical reply to "No Shave November". And yes, it sounds better than, "Hey y'all, let's all do a 30day Rule in November!"

Now, about your shaves....

Newly minted lather ninja...

Now cut that out!

oh, yeah, Funkadelic Friday!

"America Eats its Young" is one of the greatest recordings of all time.