Kerry,

Was that day one on GSB? I have noticed possibly a slight QC issue with my more recent lot of GSB. They seem to have the Day one Feather feel. My last GSB shave was just ok, and not great like usual.

it seems that no matter the quality of my shave, Pinaud stuff always burns a bit. I just consider it a life affirming sensation.

December Focus:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Fresh Vetiver

Another decent shave today. Each shave definitely makes me more comfortable, but I still have to work fairly hard to get a CCS. The skin stretching went a little better today.

Nice pic the mongoose razors really are good looking I will hopefully own one in 2016

You're probably right. Seeing as how it has alcohol, a certain amount of sting is to be expected. I looked back through my shave journal. I have about a dozen times where I said it was mild, other times when I said it stung a little, and still others where I said it stung a lot. I suspect the degree of burn has to do with the rawness of the skin after the shave. A nice close BBS could leave places that are raw, or if the lather, blade, and angle of the razor all worked together as we'd like, the BBS could leave the skin feeling good, which might translate into a mild A/S experience. But of course, YMMV. The last "mild" Pinaud experience I had was on December 1. It could be that my sensitivity has increased or I've just been chasing the baby too much lately.

Thanks Tom! The Mongoose razors were worth the wait. Hope to see your's soon.

I'll take enjoying "most" as both a compliment and proof you still have your sanity.

He may actually have over-engineered it compared to Soviet technology. Pretty sure he has some Russian ancestry going there.

Derby is much maligned but really does produce a smooth shave, at least for me. Not the sharpest but it definitely gets the job done.

Glad to know the "better" one performed so horribly. I mean, so well in comparison to its cousin sitting here waiting for its turn. I know I'm just learning TSR's, but I'm assuming having to hone in between passes is a bad thing? As for the no blood, I'd say it's only because it didn't rip the hair out by the roots. Apparently it barely cuts hair so skin should be way too tough for it. Those Ruskis and their advanced tech!

Not quite that far east but pretty close with Estonia, Romania and Belarus. It was Soviet for awhile. Maybe it counts?

Close enough for me. Back in the day Soviet was Soviet. It's all good.

Straights to the Finish Line!

December 21 - It's MONDAY!

PART 1

Due to the time needed to work on the straight razor I shifted my main shave to this evening. I had to be at work for a bit this morning so just did a quick one pass with the '59 Super Speed and Ladas to make it presentable. I'll be back with the real shave later.

Yeah, with one straight razor, you should be able to use it for months without having to re-hone it. Maybe a few passes on a pasted strop or finishing stone every 10-15 shaves if it starts to tug. The fact that the well honed edge on this one didn't make three passes worries me. Today's shave was a good example of Technique Trumps Tools though. I got a SAS/CCS with no blood on a razor that wouldn't stay sharp. I am quite confident that this razor would be happy to cut skin, since hairs seem to be so difficult for it. I can't wait to see how yours does.

Razor: Gillette President Y1 1953
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Tri Color Wood Handle 22/55
Soap: Knock Out Shave Cool Blue
A/S: Fine American Blend

Mediocre shave tonight I've started giving up on a BBS if I'm not there on my 4th pass. Still nice but BBS is always the aim. Something I have found during this focus is I get a much better shave when my blade is on its 2nd or 3rd run. Does anyone have an idea why this would be? It is consistent I don't believe my technique just happens to be poor every time I change my blade

Nice pic again Douglas. You put me off even trying to put a pic together. I just don't have the eye. However I'm aware of a photographer that is new to TSD, so watch your back

How long do we have to wait for Neal's soviet Shave? The popcorn is getting cold.

I have people who have my, "6".