That is a good idea. I would normally think that was too but for this NOvember.

Congratulations! I'll pray for you guys.

Congrats and do keep us updated.

11/27/2015
Razor – Wolfman OC with Triad SS Helix
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



When @Bill_F and I had lunch together he gave me a sample of Chiseled Face Trade Winds. Then I received a full tub from @Boojum1 on Wednesday. This is really my first experience with Chiseled Face soaps. The scent of the puck seems to be their take on Old Spice I guess. At any rate it is a very pleasant scent. I soaked the brush and added water to the top of the puck while I showered. After shaking the water out of the brush, I used the bloom water to hydrate my face, loaded the brush, and began face lathering. This stuff is really pretty easy to lather. Adding water a couple of times I ended up with tons of slick lather. Enough for 5 or 6 passes easily. Bill and Mark, thank you both for your generosity.

Being somewhat lazy today, I just went with a 2 pass, XTG and ATG pass shave with no touch ups. I ended up with a DFS but that is more than good enough for today. Finished off with a splash of CC Bay Rum with menthol added. I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.

Not sure if nervous or terrified. Either way, we will finally get to meet Thing 2 next week. I am excited about that. Lots of changes coming on the Homefront.

I found it much easier the second time around. If only because, I had a idea of what to expect and how to take care of a child better.

Congratulations on the expected bundle.

Happy birthday this weekend and welcome on board!

Definitely like the idea of the pain stick for first passes and then repeaters for touch up. Eventually get to being just pain stick hopefully without any pain . . . at least as long as you wash off the menthol right Adam.

congrats on getting everything accomplished this month!

The big green egg is on my list of toys to eventually get. I know it was a great Thanksgiving for your mom, especially with everyone together and you doing the cooking.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Exciting times! Definitely let us know how everything goes! Prayers that everything goes well for mom and little @Drygulch. For dad too!

The Big Green Egg is certainly a great piece of cooking gear. Mine is 21 years old now and still going strong.

I love it so far!

11/27/2015

- Sterling Preshave Soap
- La Toja Stick (Sample)
- Semogue 620
- Mühle R89
- Gillette Silver Blue (#5)
- Tüff sensitiv Rasierwasser

What a fantastic shave that was. After washing my face with the Sterling preshave soap I decided to try the La Toja today. And this soap is just awesome! The Semogue produced ridiculous amounts of lather effortlessly, slickness was just great - and it smelled soooo good. After just one use I can honestly say that I have a new champion on my "best bang for the buck" soap list.

The shave itself: two passes, WTG and XTG/ATG - without any touchups but almost BBS anyways. Finished with the usual cold water rinse and Tüff aftershave. The verdict: Smoothness A, Irritation A+ (sounds pretty boring, but I can't help it, I just seem to achieve constantly good shaving results lately...)

If I want to criticize one thing: maybe the La Toya left my face with a slightly dryer feel post-shave than the absolute top performers. But those are 4 or 5 times as expensive - and it's a criticism on a pretty high level. And wife loves the La Toja scent. Whatever makes her happy, right?

Have a great day - and feel free to just PIF me all your delicious Thanksgiving Dinner leftovers.

NOVember - NO Variation

November 27

Razor - Feather SS AC Pain Stick
Blade - (8)
Brush -BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Nivea

Raining cats and dogs again in STL today. Should be doing the same tomorrow. Gotta love it, though I'll take this over ice any day. BoSFat was good today, nice and slick and the two pass from the Feather SS was also smooth and nice. I held back a bit on the areas I have been re-opening cuts and didn't have any blood though it cost me a DFS. Still, a nice CCS is fine for the day. I'm only working about a half day today. Tomorrow will probably be a quick and easy shave too as I move on to Sunday. I'll be ending the NOVember portion of the month tomorrow and taking two days to try out something else. Then, it's on to December.

Hope you all avoided the shopping today. Stupid tradition if you ask me. Although, if you're out there, I do have a wish list.

Congratulations Adam! Children are a blessing! I'm praying for a healthy baby and for a safe delivery!

Day 26 - 27 November 2015

No Variation November!

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Today was a rare morning shave. This month has been a fruitful technique exercise. The Utopia now yields pretty much automatic 2 pass BBS with a little touch up. Spending a month with Proraso has been a joy too. Already looking forward to December and a new challenge. Thawing out in the sunshine on a 20F sunny day on the prairie. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.
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Have a fabulous Friday!
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November 27

I was so close (and lazy) this morning that I decided not to shave. Even when I don't shave, I wash my face, moisturize with unrefined shea butter, and finish with a splash of after shave. It was CC Bay Rum this morning. I love this stuff. I repeat this routine at night also. I think it helps keep my skin ready for the next great shave, especially during the winter months.

I took some time this morning to thoroughly clean my razor and brush. I spray my razor weekly with scrubbing bubbles and use a toothbrush to clean the nooks and crannies. I soaked my brush to remove the soap residue. Then, I hit it with shampoo and conditioner. Even though I rinse all my tools well after each shave, they still need a little extra TLC every so often. I'm not sure if any of this really helps my tools, but it makes me feel better when I use them.

The Semogue brush continues to break in and has developed a nice bloom. It has lost a few hairs, and I hope this will eventually stop. It feels great on my face (I face lather), and it has begun to release lather better. I'm officially a Semogue boar brush fan!

I have gone back and forth on my decision to try a Feather Super Pro blade in the Pain Stick. I'm gonna try it, beginning with tomorrow's shave. Hey, what's the worst thing that could happen?

I ventured out briefly today to swap movies at the Red Box and pick up some Chinese food for lunch and dinner. The house is decorated for Christmas, and Mrs. Pain Stick and I plan to remain horizontal for the remainder of Black Friday.

I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.

I run my razors through the ultrasonic cleaner at least once a month. You did remind me to clean some of my brushes. I have them soaking now. Thanks for the reminder.