30 Day Rule/Focus; April 2023. All Are Welcome!

Just took advantage of an Easter discount at WB Barber....3 Gabels aftershaves 1)-Lime 2)-Bay Rum 3)-Original. I've always had my eye on Gabels. I still have some Stephan to go(BR).

 

I just found out that YouTube Kevy Shaves will be visiting Pasteur's Pharmacy in NYC on Sat. April 22. He lives in Scotland so this is a rare visit by him. He will be there from 10:30am - 12:30pm, maybe up to 1:00pm. This almost makes me want to go to Pasteur's Pharmacy. Lol! It is tempting to be sure.

 

8th April 2023.



​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/ Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body + Face Wash.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face & head.
Pears Original Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Yaqi 26mm Rainbow Brown Synthetic. (Faux Horse)
Bowl Lather.
Bowl : Home Bargains Stainless Steel Side Bowl.
Lather: Omega Eucalyptus Shaving Cream.
Blade: Dorco Prime Platinum. (D1)
Razor: Parker Variant. (Settings) 2.5-wtg,2.5-xtg,3-atg+pick-ups.

Post:
Cold water face & head wash with brush squeezing's, Cold Water Face & Head Rinse./Alum Rub. /Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.3 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel./ Denim Original ASL. /Boots Cucumber Moisturising Lotion.

(Face & Head Shave)

A new shave set up to start the weekend... It's been while since i use my Parker Variant and forgot how much of a efficiently smooth it is which paired together with the Dorco Prime Platinum wonderfully mowing through my face & head stubble with effortless ease. Out of the four adjustable razors i have the Parker Variant is my favourite.

The Dorco PP blades may not be the most efficient of blades but I find them very forgiving and super smooth and pair up well with all of my DE razors especially the more assertive ones.

I personally find that Platinum coated blades feel smoother & the longevity of them is better over stainless steel blades...That said if had to choose just one type of blade then it would be the good old stainless PTFE/Teflon coated over platinum because they have a good balance of been assertive & smooth even though the longevity on Platinum blades is better I would still choose them...As always blade choice is a very subjective topic.

Another enjoyable close comfortable 2 pass + pick ups face and head shave with no errors to report. Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of Boots Cucumber Moisturising Lotion.

My face & precious swede are feeling super smooth & smelling divine.

Stay safe, and enjoy the start of the weekend ladies & gentlemen.

 

Great shave Barry. Have a great weekend.

 

@Paul Turner: something I aspire to, ATG first and then WTG later. Nice.

@Trigger he must be a bit of a celebrity then? what is he promoting?

 

7 and 8 April 2023. Arko April continues...



Back to back shaves with two different Arkos each day,

Comparing two different blades again yesterday and today, using my Gillette Rocket HD left side, and Rocket right side of face, since they are the closest I have to being identical.

7 April 2023

Growth: 28 hours
Lather Bowl: blue
Brush: Old Vulfix Pure Badger
Razor 1: Left side of Face: Gillette Rocket HD with Gillette Silver Blue (1)
Razor 2: Right side of Face: Gillette Rocket with Permasharp (1)
Face Prep and Pre shave: my usual, no change
Cream/Soap: Arko with Imperial Leather A/S
Post Shave: The usual with Thayer’s
Aftershave: Tabac A/S to finish off with

Passes: Usual 3 passes and Touch ups:

Results: Nicks: None Red spots: None

Really do like these Gillettes. They inspire confidence in the tricky areas.
There is a definite difference between these blades: more tuggy with the Gillette Blue, but overall still a great shave.

8 April 2023
Growth: 24 hours
Brush: Old Vulfix pure badger
Razor 1: Left side of Face: Gillette Rocket HD with Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Razor 2: Right side of Face: Gillette Rocket with Permasharp (2)
Face Prep and Pre shave: my usual, no change
Cream/Soap: Arko, pure and unadulterated!
Post Shave: Alum silent, Thayer’s
Aftershave: Proraso refreshing.

Passes: Usual 3 passes and Touch ups: Results: No damage. A super smooth shave.

What can I say:
Yesterday, Arko with 1/3 bottle of Imperial leather A/S = silly idea. I think this was waaaay to much stink to add to the Arko: I suspect what happens is the alcohol dries the lather as it evaporates, you have to be quick to finish each side of the face. I think this contributes to the dragging feeling.

Today, pure Arko brand new tub heavy loading, into the bowl, I think this is better than many other soaps I have, on par with the MWF.
The thing is it didn't dry out at all, so I could take my time with each pass, very nice, I am even beginning to embrace the scent.
(Esoteric question: could it be the puck is a different to the stick? )

Comparing both the GSB and the Platinum this morning, each on day 2, I still think the GSB felt more draggy, especially on the first pass.
But very good overall. Glad I did this, I can keep my other 19 tucks of the GSB!

Have a peaceful and blessed Easter everyone.

PS: I have binned the Adulterated Arko

 

Thank you Joe. Have a great weekend as well my friend.

Great shave Chris...The answer to your esoteric Arko question is both the puck & stick have the same ingredients. The only difference is the sticks are cheaper in price. However, some people think the puck produces a slicker lather in comparison to the stick. I can't comment on this as I have only used the sticks. I actually prefer Derby stick/tub to Arko but either soaps will always be in my soap rotation. Enjoy the Easter break.

 

@palmolive fox
thanks Barry, loving your posts. I am now officially an Arko fan for April anyway, after I messed up my first Arko stick. I will hold off chasing the Derby, I have enough stuff for now to get through. Anyway I don't think the idea is necessarily to get through the stuff, just to enjoy messing around with something new each day!

 

Shavette Shave # 199

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Parker SRX
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Brush: Ever Ready 200T
Lather: TTFFC Spring Fern
Aftershave: Floïd Genuine Vigoroso
Additional Care:
Omega Alum

Change of soap, same results with the Parker SRX. Fabulous three pass shave with super smooth and irritation free results.

Ready for another fun filled day in the Sun. Joe, @Trigger, just your cup of tea with a temperature projected to be 90 degrees this afternoon.

Hope you all have a great day gentlemen.

 

Wonderful shave this morning Barry. Enjoy your weekend.

 

Interesting experimental shaves. I like the slickness of the Arko but I find that the post shave leaves my face feeling a bit dry. Not anything a quality balm can not rectify. Enjoy you day Chris.

 

Thank you Joe. Have a great weekend as well.

 

Thanks for the shout Chris...Enjoy messing around. And your right to hold off chasing the Derby sticks/bowl you don't need it, as Arko is equally as good the only difference is the Derby creates a creamier lather and to my nose has a tamer industrial lemon fragrance. Having too much stuff isn't always a good thing you don't have the time to appreciate it... Use & enjoy what you have. yours-Barry.

 

He is a well-known you tuber in the wetshaving community. He isn't promoting anything, He sent a YouTube to his subscribers letting them know he will be at Pasteur's Pharmacy. He was supposed to be there a few years ago prior to Covid-19.

 

Excellent shaves Chris. I learned something new: Don't mess with Arko by adding too much aftershave to it. Lol! Glad you're feeling good about the GSB. Enjoy your day.

 

Hey @ChrisB , you must be a fn of Arko, eh? Or as it is pronounced here around Boston, "Aaaaako".

 

Super Saturday Shavette Shave Joe. It's only going to be a chilly 50 degree day, but it will hit in the 70's next Thursday and Friday. Enjoy your 90 degree weather.

 

No pictures to post. I am a relatively new wet shaver and still learning. This thread has helped me settle in. Ive been using a Henson Al13 a semogue boar brush paa preshave soap ck6 soap followed by matching a/s and Gillette blue platinum Blades. Two passes and irritation has reducing i believe due to daily shaving and improving processes. Thanks all

 

Cool looking textured bowl Joe, is that 3D printed?

Thanks Joe.

Yes I have seen some of his videos and enjoyed them.

Lol! it was that or throw out the Arko stick, but I am now a convert!

Hey @Paul Turner, Aaaaaaa get it now! Aaaa am now Aaaafficially an Aaaaaaaaaako fan!

That's April for you. Now back to my Adjustables next. Nice to get things sorted out even if it means taking one step at a time.

 

Hi Chris, well, people around here aren't THAT bad, lol...they just use "aaah" for the r sound.