SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Definitely a happy birthday to @Robyflexx Hope it is a great one!!

 

Well, as Neal @NCoxSTL indicated the Q Ball blade looks very similar to the Crystal blade. I am hoping they turn out the same quality shave as well!

Q Ball on the left in both pictures, and Crystal on the right.

 

@Robyflexx

 

The Crystal outperformed the Platinum in my book.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

Shave 24
Omega 10098
AOS Sandalwood Shaving Soap
Ceramic Suribachi bowl
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Fine Stantal Absolut Aftershave Splash

1st I have to say that this soap / aftershave combo may be my all time favorite so far. Wow! I had an issue with the handle on my razor and ended up with a much longer and heavier handle which changed the weight & balance of the razor dramatically. That being said, I think I like it. I did a 3 pass shave with solid DFS results today and am sitting here enjoying the sandalwood aroma that seems to last all day from the aftershave. I have some Ginger's Garden Green Irish Tweed and Suede scented aftershave on the way, but for now that Fine Santal combined with the AOS soap rocks.

 

September 16, 2016

Razor: Schick J1
Blade: Chick (3?)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: NeutroMarvy

One of the things I notice about myself during a razor focus is that I tend to get restless about wanting to use a different one. So... today was a break from the Schick M3 Adjustable to have a shave or two with the older J1 Injector. The soap for today continues to be the Neutrogena and Marvy concoction from yesterday which seems to perform decently though exhibits enough of the characteristics of the Neutrogena to still make me suspect how much the Marvy is currently contributing.

Got a very nice shave from the J1. For reasons I don't understand, it seems to glide over my face a bit easier than the M3 and be a bit more forgiving if I go back over an already shaved area. I think I need to keep my eye out for an I-series one of these days, maybe something with Hydromagic.

A DFS and a good start to Friday.

 

Thank you so much William! Eating Thai right now!

 

Excellent Picture. Love the black and white theme without being a black and white photo.

 

Thanks amigo!

 

Friday Shave

Brush- AOS Fine Badger
Razor- PAL InjectoMatic / Schick E3
Blade- Chinese Schick
Soap- WSP Black Amber Vanille
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Avon Tai Winds

First day of injector head to head shaves. I loaded up brand new Chick blades, lathered up a wonderful bowl of WSP and went at it. I used the PAL on my right side and the Schick on the left. After focusing on SE razors the weight, or lack thereof, took a few strokes to get used to. There was good reduction from both sides, very smooth and maneuverable. BBS finish from both. The alum decided the winner today. I sprayed on the Thayers and grabbed the alum, Schick side was silent, there was feedback from the PAL. Not horrible feedback but it was there. I splashed on some Avon Tai Winds, first time using it and I love the scent, and again nothing from the Schick side, burning from the PAL. In what I believe to be an upset the Schick wins the round. The PAL gets another try this weekend. Have a great day folks!

 

Let the injector games begin!

 

Razor: Ever-Ready SE 1914.
Blade: GEM by Personna PTFE (2)
Brush: Muhle Chrome Plated Handle 31 M 89 w/ New V2.0 Silvertip Fibre Synthetic.
Soap: Captain's Choice Sandalwood
Aftershave: Captain's Choice Sandalwood

An excellent three pass shave tonight. I'm very impressed with this razor and the Gem Personna PTFE blade. The Muhle brush with their new V2.0 knot is excellent. This is not an expensive brush, however it does a great job whipping an excellent lather.
Have a great weekend and enjoy your shaves.

 

Today's razor is a Hart 6/8.

This razor is already a keeper today's shave is to just see where it falls in the pecking order.

I pulled this razor from the waiting to be refreshed holding bin. The edge is still in excellent shape, very smooth and still sharp. Four easy passes and zero blood and feeling good. The alum test gave zero feedback and finished with a solid BBS. An excellent shave.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

 

Thanks for those. I haven't had time to take any pics this week. Two cartel points for you!

 

Smells like a Drug Store SEptember!!

September 16
Grand Blade Trial
Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (6)
Blade - (2)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, Clubman

Day two on the Qball blade and I'm pretty much ready to call this one. On 6 this blade produced basically the exact same result as the Crystal. Extremely smooth, nice audible, three passes to an easy BBS, really no difference from what I could tell. Now, I know all shaves will have minute differences. We can't hold the razor exactly the same with exactly the same pressure and balance etc. However, the result and feel is so close as to be a twin. I really do think this is the same blade just re-named for a specific marketing area. In fact, I'm even being bold enough to ask that question of Personna. We'll see if I get an answer. I usually don't from any of them because apparently I either impinge on trade secrets or they figure I'm an industrial spy type or something. Boy if only they knew the truth!

I'll crank it up to 9 tomorrow to give it the final trial but I would be surprised if I don't get another fantastic shave.....just like the Crystal. But this time it will be with the Qball. If not the same blade then the grind and process are close to exact.

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

I haven't posted for a bit, but not to worry, I'm still on the right side of the topsoil. I've been busy trying to get my shop in order with the hope of getting back in there when it cools off. That looks like it might be mid February the way the weather is in north Georgia right now. I've been getting back to my shaving roots by using my Weber polished head and classic handle, sorry, Neal @NCoxSTL but the GSB is my blade of choice for this razor. I'm a Voskhod man in most applications, but there is something magical about the Weber and St. Pete Steel. Don't send the Moscow faction after me, I'll put a little something extra in my cartel dues this month. Anyway, I've forgotten how great the shaves are from the Weber. Effortless DFS, and BBS with minimal chasing. The alum may as well be a glass block. I'm mostly using Stirling, Route 66, and TSD soaps, mostly menthol (see above weather comments), and my Wolf Whiskers brush.
Hello to all. I've missed posting regularly, and hope to get back into a regular routine soon, but for now it's off to bed, and up early for two shifts of bowling (daughter in Bantam league, and son in Masters league) then home and back to work in the shop. 'Night, all.

 

Please feel free to crank to eleven. And turn down the mids -2, bass response +4. She's an amazing player.



Now as we listen to Brian Aubert shred a hollow body (all the way live), let us post about Personna, shall we?

Thirty Days Hath SEptember!



This is the new preference list for blades:

1. GSB
1. Voskhod
2. Generic Personna

Had I tried Voskhod first, it would be listed first.

Yup. Generic Personna is a fine shavette blade.

Kept it chilly today, but I didn't get nuts with it, for a two pass near BBS easy shave. Gonna try to spend more time on the forum next week. Things are cooling off, drying out, and calming down out on the prairie.

Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great weekend!


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Glad to have you back. Have fun tomorrow.

 

September 17, 2016
Gem 1912
Gem PTFE (5)
WDC-6 with Sunrise Synthetic
Route 66 Perfect Storm
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange Noir


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Back to the Gem 1912 for the weekend and it continues to impress. The 1912 does not seem to be as smooth as the Damaskeene but does seem to be a touch more efficient. A three pass shave with minimal clean ups ended in a near BBS. Finished off with a splash of Fine L'Orange Noir. I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday.

 

Great picture, Clint! The brush and razor go well together.