December 12

Z3 Gillette Super Speed
Feather (1)
Semogue 830
Trumper's Coconut
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum

I've enjoyed my first week of shaves with the Super Speed. My set up has been consistent, other than choice of aftershave and either soap or cream (6 shaves with MdC scented and 1 with the Trumper's). All the shaves have been near BBS with virtually no irritation.

I have learned over the past 6 weeks that my face prefers ATG rather than XTG on the second pass. This causes less irritation, provides a really close two-pass shave, and reduces the temptation to go for a third pass. I've also paid more attention to the basics: skin stretching, riding the cap, listening to the shave with the water turned off, and rinsing the razor more frequently. DE blades are 3 and out. I think all this has helped me get better shaves. I like everything about the SS, and this has been a very enjoyable focus.

The Semogue is now broken in, and it's a winner. Soft tips, great backbone, decent lather release, and I love the wild look. I'll start using one of my badgers this week for variety. I also plan to work in some Trumper's, Stirling, and Arko over the remainder of the month, in place of the MdC.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

I know several of you are going for a NB16. I'm not on strict NB16, but I took a look at my inventory this week and decided to eliminate a few items. It actually caused me to evaluate what's working best for me. Hopefully the items I passed on will get the love they deserve.

As for modern razors, I have the Feather AC, Mongoose, Weber, and an R41 head. My vintage razors include the FB, Slim, SS, and the new LC. That seems like a fairly small group of razors, but I have multiples of almost everything...yep, Ivan is not the only crazy one in this group. I passed on a Parker 99R, a Muhle R89 (my first DE), and a couple of Merkur 37C's. They're all fine razors, but they are not as much fun to use as the others.

I also passed on my Omega Pro 98. I like the Semogue 830 better, and I'm good with one boar brush. I also eliminated a couple of shaving creams. I wouldn't have guessed it, but I seem to prefer soaps over creams. I think they produce a better lather for me.

Anyway, it was good for me to take stock of what I have. I'm also making room for a new straight razor (or two), so I have plenty of goodies to keep me busy for the coming year.

WSO soaps are some of the best I ever tried. Did you recently aquire it or have you had it for some time and just decided to try it?

Lakewood, CO as in Denver suburb?

That is a very nice razor to start with! Glad your first use went well. What did you think of it compared to the pain stick? What is your next straight going to be?

The dark side welcomes you.

Never...

Planned Day 12 - DEcember 2015



Day one went well, but the mild Tech made me work a bit harder than I am used to. Xmas party tonight, I'd actually rather go to the dentist via crawling through a sewer tunnel...but that's another gripe for another time. Winter is in full effect today, snow and wind on the prairie. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a Super Saturday!
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Razor: Gillette Super Speed 1948-49 No Date Code
Blade: Gillette Platinum (6)
Brush: Brass Handle Boar (I know nothing about this brush)
Soap: RazoRock Don Donato
A/S: Booster Iced Lime
Very good shave tonight. Although this brush needs a little work, I think it will break in nicely. Nice weight to the brush. DFS. 3 passes.

Mark, congrats on snagging a King Cobra Classic! As you get some experience with it, I will be curious to know how it compares to the Mongoose.

Congrats on your first straight razor shave! It's a beauty! Is it easier or more difficult to use than the Pain Stick?

Your FB is a looker! I have a New LC coated by Delta Echo Razor Works. I love the look and feel of their work.

I get the best shaves out of my FB loaded with a Feather blade on a setting of 7 or 8. Best wishes on your journey to find what works best for you.

Oh, yeah. I took a blade inventory this week too.

I picked it out of the Nation Wide Box Tour III that came my way last month. @JR Reyes contributed it to the box before it got to me. I shaved with it twice and while the lather was thin, I still had comfortable shaves and even snagged a BBS. Up until the last month or so, I didn't have much experience with soaps, but I've almost finished off a tube of Proraso Sandalwood cream. This soap (and the ones that @clint64 gifted me) inspired me to focus on soaps this month. I've discovered I like them!

Its easy to be drawn to the darkside with such a fine example of a straight razor. You also have one the the best edges you can get if Glen honed it for you. I need to find the time and energy to fix the edges on my razors sometime soon.

Bill, your bath is ready.

Pain Stick Focus December 12:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
la Cigale SS
CJB Pain Stick
Stirling Unscented PSB
Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet AS

Shave 13 with the Pain Stick, and they do keep getting better. Every day, I feel a little more comfortable with it. I had a little complication towards the end, as my two youngest kids came into the room, so I got a little distracted, but managed to finish up with a DFS. I think this is on the second time I have used the la Cigale soap, and it is really nice. Very lightly scented, and it provides a nice thick lather. The Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet was the perfect end to a great shave. It is my younger daughter's favorite scent, so she was very excited.

It's a lot noisier than the Feather. I think I will like it better after some practice. I just need to figure out how to strop it without damaging this great hone job.
Funny you should ask about my next straight. I found this s in an antique shop today and talked them down from $45.00 to $32.00. I'm not sure if it was a deal or not, I just love the look and feel. I'm happy

Thank you.
It's a little different than the Feather, mainly because of the shape. I think working for a month with the a Feather was a great way to prep myself for a straight. It will be an easy transition.

Glen did a great job. It shaved great right out of the box.

That's good to know. I can't wait for my PRC razor, and I plan to send it to Glen when it needs to be rehoned. I plan to start out stropping like this so that I don't roll the edge of the blade: