I loves it!

Yeah Buddy! Now you see why they rarely come available...lol

12/06/2015
Razor – GEM 1912
Blade – GEM Stainless PTFE (2)
Brush – Romera Olivewood Synthetic
Lather – TSD Signature Scent
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



Keeping the vintage focus going, I went with the GEM 1912 again today. I used the Romera Olivewood and TSD Signature soap to whip up a great lather. Going with a normal 3 pass shave with a few touch ups got me close to the baby. I did much better above and below the lips today. I am going to continue to use the GEM each weekend for the rest of the month and see how much I can improve on the shave. Finished up with a splash of CC Bay Rum. I hope everyone has wonderful Sunday.

Congrats Bill on mastering MWF. I am sure what you've learned will translate to other soaps.

Welp, I have to find my magic box of blades. I realized that my Tech and Astra SP blades are not a good combination at all. So I need to shift my focus to something else. I've used the same soap every day since early October (The Soap Exchange tallow) and stuck with the same brush (Vie Long 13061M) for most of the same period. I used my Weber PH and Astra blades every day that I shaved. I tried a winter beard but realized that there is more frost in the whiskers than on them and didn't want to look that old every day, so it came off. So I am back to square one. Perhaps I'll try out my New LC for the remainder of the month. Or, I could get to unpacking some boxes and see if I can find my magic box of blades.

SOTD
December 6, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette Aristocrat
Blade: Big Ben
Lather: Bronson Distinguished Goat
Brush: Semogue 610
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom and Co. Shady Past
Really nice shave. This may be my second time using the Bronson soap, really good stuff. The Aristocrat and Big Ben worked OK. Thanks everyone for your well wishes!! I'm feeling much better.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

It's exactly what I would recommend for a first straight.

Well, I settled in on a set-up for the rest of December. I have a tub that I drop in left-over dribs and drabs of soap. In it are Godrej, Van Der Hagan, Tiki and a few unknown bits. Let's see if we can't use it up! I will rotate between this New LC and my Weber PH on a weekly basis. I'll likely rotate brushes in a similar fashion. Old Spice will be the flavor of the month for aftershave.

I know that not all soaps are created equal but even unused soaps can improve with continuous use. Old dry soaps soak up water and give a creamy lather.

Thanks Clint, you certainly helped to make that happen!

Livin' the dream...

Dec. FOCUS - IKON 102 SLANT W/ OSS HANDLE

Sunday-Go-To-Church Shave with the Ikon. Shave #6 and with a new Astra SP blade. I didn't think the Astra felt as smooth as the 7 O'clock Blue, but I still ended up with a 2-pass BBS. But then I've noticed that shaves 2, 3... with an Astra are usually better than shave #1. So we'll see Monday brings. Bottom line is this razor is amazing.

Shave Den Sunday!

Planned Day 6 - DEcember 2015



TSD ISZ PreShave Balm
Stirling Closed Comb DE (courtesy @americanshamrock )
Gillette Silver Blue (1)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
TSD ISZ Shave Stick
Alum
TSD 2x Iced Barber Shoppe AS



Have a great Sunday Afternoon!​

​

So is the Plisson your go-to brush. ?

December 7, 2015
Unless I'm on a strict 30-day Rule, my monthly Focus will vary each week for Shave Den Sunday!

Hot Shower
Soap: TSD Unscented
Brush: Stirling Kong Synthetic
Razor: Schick Type E2
Blade: Schick (China) (1)
TSD Witch Hazel
TSD Aftershave Milk
TSD Acqua Di Gio



2-pass shave.

Just picked this razor up to compare to my Canadian Type E.

First pass, was a bit less reduction than hoped, but had the angle set with the razor flat against my face.

Second pass was just a few degrees off the flat head - made all the difference! The feedback was like Velcro yet very thorough. Result was very smooth and close.

This razor will get a focus in the new year.
Cheers!
RT

Have you picked up your 2016 Shave Den Calendar yet? Please pm @Douglas Carey for details. Hurry supplies are limited.

It is. I am at literally months straight with it. I only own one other brush, the 48.

That's pretty cool Chris...I find it too hard to narrow them down...lol

Razor: Merkur 38C Barber Pole
Blade: Wilkinson (7)
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar
Soap: TSD Coconut
A/S: TSD Coconut
TSD M Bomb

Excellent shave tonight. TSD Coconut has to be my favorite TSD soap and aftershave. Adding a little, ok, a lot make for a very cool comfortable shave. the 38C is just an okay razor IMHO. I bought it so I keep it in my rotation. The 10066 brush has come to life over the last couple of weeks. It is an excellent brush.

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 6

Razor - '47 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (2)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold water, Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Second day on the mysterious Gentle Man. Day one wasn't great, wasn't horrible, just, meh. Not expecting great things from it today so I'll enjoy the lather instead. Grabbed the Wolf Whiskers and Tabac and boy did these two have fun together. That badger ran around in the soap and loaded up in no time and produced an absolutely fantastic face lather. I'm going to have to bowl lather with the brush soon. I'm thinking I'll fill the bowl or mug and have enough for several shaves. That awesome Tabac scent really made my morning and since Sunday is now a work day for me I needed that boost to help adjust.

Well, lathering can't last forever (sigh) so here we go. Another three pass from the Gentle Man. Another very mediocre draggy feel, no cuts,nicks etc., but just feels like it's lazy. I did achieve DFS again but not a really good one. Just barely over the edge of DFS. And the alum was a bit hot so I know it's leaving some irritation behind. What a waste of steel. Now, to be fair, it's not a horrible finish, nor a horrible experience. It's just time with a razor I'll never get back to use with a great blade. I almost hate these sub-par blades more than the really terrible ones. At least with the Flying Eagle and such you can enjoy hammering their crappiness into the ground. With blades like the Gentle Man you are just left feeling cheated and alone. The AV Musk helped reverse the onset of shaving depression as well as another deep inhale over the Tabac. Ahhhhhhh........that's better.

Hope you all had a great Sunday!

I'm back! All is crazy but the shave is keeping me stable.