No Variation November - A TSD Challenge

November 30, 2015

SOTD - No Variation NoVember
This month is perfect for me to learn skills with new-to-me equipment.

60 yo newbie’s intro to traditional shaving. (Week 29 AC*)

Razor: Mongoose B3
Blades: Feather Artist Club Professional (5)
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Manna
Brush: Omega 31025 Scarlatti Boar
AS: Changes at will. Today: Myrsol Plastic Shave



My mid-morning shave yesterday (Sunday) was so close that I decided that I would do a one-pass ATG shave this morning. Face-lather.

This was the last day of my month-long intro to the Mongoose - my first use of a non-vintage razor. Between a design totally different than what I was used to and the sharpest most unforgiving blade I’ve ever used - this month challenged and ultimately further developed my skills.

Simply, this combo is capable of incredibly close shaves that requires sharp focus at all times (for me). Whereas I can get away with a mental lapse now and then with other razors without needing a transfusion!

It will definitely find a place in my rotation, though with so many razors yet to try - getting to a set rotation may take awhile!

Why oh why did I wait sooooo long to dump my carts!

Cheers!
RT

*AC = After Carts

 

Thanks for the feedback on the brush. Thinking it might be my first boar brush.

 

What a great month of NOvember. Really got to know the Progress which was new to me mid October. Experimented with the lower settings but ended at setting 5 - getting nice comfortable shaves with the Astra SP. Who knows maybe I'll take it back down a few settings and see how it goes with GSBs. I think Santa is bringing me a Mergress. Should be fun comparing the two razors.
Great hanging out with you fine gentlemen for the month. Thanks for sharing your experiences with your gear. Learned a lot from you.

 

No Variation November!!
Completed!

30 November 2015



One last nice two pass before moving on to December and a new focus! Thanks to everyone who tried and congrats to all who finished!

Have a terrific Tuesday!!
​

 

Last shave of the challenge! Was a little easy for me since I'm a noob with limited gear. But I did get to learn this sledge hammer with personna reds and Wsp soap. Finally understand what technique trumps tools really means.
Great shave tonight, very little feedback from the alum, and just the slightest bit of burn from the cc cat 0 nine tails. Not BBS, but a dfs!
Now I'm looking forward to trying this route 66 soap!

 

Well, today was the last day of this shave kit for awhile. Worked on improving my two pass shave results, which I did.



Buy the looks of the Tabac, I can get another two months out of it. I am sure I have gotten about 90 shaves out of it already.

Have not given any thought to my next shave kit, might go with my Gillette open comb.

Dave

 

1930's open comb
Sharp Platinum, (started with the Voshkod but it felt rough. Learning when a blade is dull and not my poor technique.)
Escali badger brush
Taconic Eucalyptus and Mint

DFS, aaalmost BBS.

Thank heavens it is over! This month several nice razors and scents arrived. I was about to burst.