OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Of course, how stupid of me.

 

Thanks. I saw where the vendors who had postings in that section were the "approved vendors." I did not know if that was different from the "supporting vendors." Also a list I would think would make a beneficial sticky at the top of the vendor section or somewhere so people can buy from someone that supports this site in some way.

 

Ah, nice observation Clint!

You're right, as I try new razors I tend to fall back to Arko (my indoctrination standard) just to have a base from which to judge new hardware or if I feel I've tripped up on technique. Odd that by doing that, it seems to help me return to my happy place (shaving technique).

But enough of the tangent.

Yes I'm hoping that RAD is finally satisfied (for awhile) and I'm tiptoeing into soaps. I've accumulated a few that I see guys using (Stirling, Cattie's, MWF, and of course TSD) but also venturing into some that tweak my ancestral DNA - Italian soaps - Proraso, Cella and and a few artisans. Haven't tried them all yet but will in time.

So the SV Manna. My Sicilian roots got to me on this one. It is not an inexpensive soap.
I had read a fair bit about this one, attracted by the comments about the unique scent and natural ingredients. I actually found it to be least expensive by going through their website and ordering the "Promo Bundle" of the soap with wooden bowl. (US retailers post a significant markup.)

Scent - So I've used it a couple times and really like the scent. I've got a pretty decent nose for scents but this one is difficult to generalize. Best of all for me, it's subtle. I'd describe it first as a subtle floral, but the manna (from the bark of a flowering ash tree in Sicily) must be the ingredient that (to me) adds an earthiness to the scent that keeps the floral notes from being too sweet. Again, it is very subtle overall.

Usability - This is a hard, triple-milled soap, my first, so it's tough for me to figure out immediately. I load a barely wet boar brush and face lather. (I'm tempted to next try to just rub the puck on my face.) My initial use left my skin feeling somewhat dry, so today I really added more and more water gradually and took 2 -3 minutes to work it on the initial lathering. It really helped.

Three hours later, my skin feel is still smooth and supple no greasy feel at all. I will continue to experiment to get this lather right.

Hope this helps.
Cheers!
RT

 

@wmbjr the link Clint posted is the place to go. I've used of course The Shave Den Shop and Gingers Garden and The Soap Exchange

 

Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts on the soap. I understand about RAD. Whenever, I think I have it under control it rears its ugly head. At least I keep getting out bid on the bay, so at least I haven't bought any more razors.

 

They are both the same

 

The Aristocrat has a perfect balance and maneuvers with ease, the British Rocket is a bit more aggressive yet still a comfortable shave.

 

I tried for an Aristocrat on the bay but lost out. Maybe next time I will scope out the Rocket as well.

 

Let's pretend I could only keep two razors, I'd keep my Mongoose and Aristocrat. It's that kind of razor, if you come across an HD Rocket at a good price grab that.

 

I understand. If I had to keep only 2, mine would be the Mongoose and Wolfman. Expand the list to 3 and I would add the Red and Black New Deluxe. Looking on Ebay is a dangerous thing for me. I am just going to avoid it for a while and enjoy what I have.

 

My 3rd would be a Fatboy. I know all about eBay.. I'm looking for a Gillette Sheraton but it's not going to happen. Do you check out Etsy? Great deals can be found there also.

 

I like the fact Etsy is basically a buy it now system (unfortunately many of them are set way too high). Ebay on the other hand can just be infuriating at times! I lost out with 2 seconds to go on a group of 7 razors that included both a slim and a lady Gillette starburst that I keep eyeing for my fiancee but cannot seem to nab at a decent price. I keep going back to ebay, but I really keep hoping I can find one in the wild and not have to deal with the frustration.

 

Man....in Turkey, Arko is King! @crackstar Jeff, has a brilliant Turkey barber shave story...Jeff.....?

 

Oh yeah, I do. I'll mention it again soon!

 

Just because someone has a price on something doesn't mean it's written in stone. Send them a message and an offer. You never know unless you ask.

 

Etsy is where I got my Single Ring for$20. It was listed higher, but I made about a 50% offer and it was accepted.

 

Used the Mongoose again today, (I promise I'll get back to the open combs again) and had another great shave. Soap Commander Endurance lathered up with the Kong, 3 passes, minor touch up, BBS. Finished with alum, (very quiet) and Lemon Chill WH/Aloe. Now to decide between Myrsol F/Extra and Floid Blue before heading out to meet friends for trivia night.

 

Congrats on a fantastic shave! Back in the early 80's when trivia pursuit was new and popular we would play on Friday nights. Yeah I've always been a ball of fire..

 

I completely understand. The Mongoose is a hard razor to put down. I've used mine for over a 15o (50+%) if my shaves this year.