SoS: November 30, 2015 - December 6, 2015

Congratulations JR, you're braver than I am.

 

December Focus

The Twelve Blades of December!

Hard to believe we've almost put this year to bed. Wow. Where did the time go? But, here we are and as a gift to everyone here I'm offering up my shaves with twelve blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve. So, sit back, get the fire burning and enjoy what I hope is an enjoyable month of further proof Technique Trumps Tools. I hope for that....my expectations aren't as optimistic.

December 3

Razor - '46-'47 Gillette Aristocrat
Blade - (1)
Brush - Vie-Long 12601 - The Pony
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold water, Alum, Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Welcome to Thursday! Short day today for me as I transition to a new job (didn't I just do that?) and I needed a great shave today. So, of course, rather than switch off of the plan I'll just have to see if I can do it with the gear at hand. The Prime Platinum with it's classy looking moustache on the wrapper. Has to be a quality blade right? Well, it's made by our South Korean friends, Dorco. So immediately there is a bit of distrust. Now, full disclosure, I've never used a Dorco blade but common wisdom based on reading SOTD's and other reviews is that they are not a top blade. Not by a long shot. Some have expressed their satisfaction with them but the majority says no way. The Prime Platinum is a different offering than their standard ST-300 series though so we'll see.

The razor is the Aristocrat, the best DE I own, IMHO, and a solid performer in almost every case. If a blade can make the Aristocrat a bad shave it's saying how horrible the blade really is. The Pony and Tabac today for a great lather. It's all up to the Prime now. First stroke was surprisingly smooth, if a bit ineffective. Not horrible on reduction but no better than the Centwin. After the first pass it felt very similar to a mid-level blade like Derby. Not horrible again, but could be better. Lather up for the XTG and work through it and I'm still not DFS. Close, but not there. Full lather, full third pass to finish with a nice mid-range DFS. Nothing to be overly excited about but it's a solid, nice, comfortable shave. Like the Centwin (and the Derby) this blade delivered an acceptable shave with no discomfort, and the alum proved to be mild as well. All in all you can't complain about that. No fancy bells and whistles, but a journeyman shave in the Aristocrat. We'll see how it performs in its second day of use, but for now I can't complain. Three decent shaves in a row on a blade trial month? Didn't see that one coming!

 

It only took a couple months...LOL.

 

Hello folks, today's SOTD as follows,

Muhle R-107 safety razor.
Polsilver Super Iridiums blade.
Chinese badger hair brush.
Proraso Red shaving soap.
Captains Choice Sandalwood AS Splash.
Avon Mesmerize cologne.

I haven't used this R-107 in over a year. The last time I used it I tore my face up. Today's shave was much better. I guess I had an off day that time, because today's shave was excellent. A two pass BBS. Here's the photo-



Have a blessed day people!

 

Razor: Merkur 38C Barber Pole
Blade: Wilkinson (4)
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar
Soap: Route 66 Barbershop Hop
A/S: TSD Iced Barber Shoppe
Excellent shave tonight with this combination. The 38C gives a good shave, however, I'm not sure if I like how it feels in my hand. The Route 66 Barbershop Hop is a great shaving soap that building into a great slick lathe. TSD Iced Barber Shoppe is a very good A/S. I added a little M Bomb to it just for fun.

 

Friday's


Dove Men Face Wash
Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap
Jayaruh #30RS Silver Tip
DeFitch Three Piece Razor
Personna Super Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Clubman AS

The Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #30RS Silver Tip brush. Two passes with my DeFitch Three Piece Razor and a Personna Super Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

 

shave of the day



prep: shower with RR Son Of Zeus soap
razor: Gillette ball end tech
blade: treet classic
brush: everready600
soap: vintage Yardley Shaving Stick
post: Givenchy Gentleman Balm
aftershave: Hi Karate

Had a pretty good 3 pass shave this morning. I couldn't resist trying the Yardley stick and seeing how good it is. Well..... like most vintage soaps it is a great product and the performance was top notch, I would still have to say my favorite vintage soap is Royal London by far. It could be because I'm not good with shaving sticks. It always seems like I run out of lather towards the end, no matter how thick the soap is loaded. Maybe I need some practice or maybe I prefer the puck version. At any rate, it was a good old school shave and I hope everyone else had good luck with their shave today as well.

 

Friday morning's freeze:

Neutrogena Men Facial Wash
Large Horsehair Barbershop
Super Speed/Astra day 5
Stirling Frozen Tundra SS
Gold Bond Moisturizer
Alt Innsbruck AS

I'm all set for another ice-cold and enjoyable shave with one of my treasures from Rod, at Stirling Soaps. The Frozen Tundra soap smells absolutely awesome - a unique scent which to this day is impossible for me to describe, although perhaps it has some wintergreen notes to it. The lather is a pleasure to work up and its menthol power is intense, but still not quite at the Glacial level. The Gold Bond moisturizer is such a wonderful, soothing balm and the Alt Innsbruck aftershave smells so nice in addition to delivering LOTS of strong menthol goodness.

Wishing everyone a great weekend in advance!

 

I loved my years in DC...not above a possible return sometime.

 

And how many styptic pencils?

 

Jeff, if I DO return to the Nation's Capital, I may need to do an Ice Bucket Challenge every day in July and August!!! But I'll be ready.

 

Ive got bottle of Cologne Russe on its way.....

 

TGIF Planned SOTD



Razor: Gillette Red Tip
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (D4)
Brush: Vie-Long Pro Horsehair\Boar
Bowl: Olivewood 4"
Pre Shave Scrub: MRGLO
Pre Shave Oil: AOS unscented
Shave Soap: Dr. Jon Propaganda
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: PAA Jitterbug Fougère (compliments of @JR Reyes)
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nice looking Red Tip!

 

Thanks!

 

I've never seen a brush like that!! Super cool. I didn't forget to send the rest of the spray bottle. It should be in the mail tomorrow. Frenchie..lol

 

Great looking pic. Really dig your brush choice. I'm finding the long handled shape to be a great for bowl lathering.

 

Friday SoTD
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Schick type A Repeating razor
NOS Schick blade
Vintage Simms shaving brush - TGN 2 band
Truefit & Hill No10 shaving cream
Truefit & Hill No10 Post shave cologne balm
Czech & Speake Cambridge & Oxford EdC

 

Merci Monsieur JR. and yes, though it does remind of what it I said to you, I really like it this Fougère.

Actually is a really nice brush with the combination of horsehair and boar. Smaller than I thought it would be at 21mm but it works rather well.