SoS: May 25, 2015 - May 31, 2015

A fantastic - truly fantastic shave this morning.

I used the second of my WWII UK issued OC razors and it was as good as its brother. Someone seriously need to copy that head design it is amazing.
I also used my Fitjar Isrose for the first time and really, really liked both scent and performance. Such a shame that great soap company is no more.

Razor: WWII UK issued OC razor from 1944
Blade: Ladas
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Soap: Fitar Isrose
A/S: Myrsol Plastic Shave (man, I love Myrsol....)

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Thought I would give my initial thoughts regarding new shave soap for me 1920's Barber Shoppe by Tiki Bar Soap. Everyone who has read my posts regarding Amanda's tallow soaps know that I consider her my #1 overall shave soap when I consider all factors. When I came across this offering I knew I had to at least try it and boy I'm I glad I did. Her take is a little different than any others I have tried so far. I have six Barber Shoppes on my shelf right now and I have sold or traded away another four. The aroma strength seems just right; not over powering which is unusual for me as I like strong scented soaps and appears more powdery and sweeter some how. Once lathered up the aroma got a little stronger but again not overbearing and I kept trying to place the aroma or think it this way trying to figure out what she used in this soap to arrive at balance in EO aromas. My favorite barber shoppe aroma up to this point has been another lesser known soap on this forum from Prairie Creations but now I have a new favorite in 1920's Barber Shoppe. RazoRock Baby Blue paired perfectly with Amanda's 1920 and now having used this wonderful soap I have decided to make the rest of the week a Barber Shoppe scent week.

 

Razor: Dubl Duck Special #1 5/8 Squire point 1947-52
Gillette Ball End Tech NDC (declared 1947) Birth Year
Brush: e-shave finest Badger
Mug: Old Spice 1985 Cobalt Blue
Soap/Cream: Pre de Provence Shea Butter soap
Blade: Feather (1)
Post shave: Thayers Cucumber WH, Jack Black Post Shave Gel, Florida Water cologne

30 laps on the strop after my last shave to keep the Duck sharp. Face lathered the PdP with the Badger, after hydrating my face real well, going for extra slickness. Nice lather. Getting better and a little closer. Working on getting under my upper lip, and I'm getting better. Left side of my neck is a breeze with my left hand but my right side is going slow. Relathered and went for a second pass being careful, and changing the angle. I finished with my Tech and only needed 1/2 pass. Still working all the angles, but getting better. Nice cucumber smell with the WH, and then some soothing JB Gel. After cleanup some Florida Water. Y'all have a good one.

 

Thanks for the review! I have been meaning to try some of Amanda's soaps.

 

May 27, 2015
“Don't Weep For Me Artigiana, Wednesday"

60 yo newbie’s intro to traditional shaving. (Week 2 AC*)

Pre-Shower Prep: Lucky Tiger Lemon Cleansing Facial Cream
Morning Hot Shower
Prep: Pre-Shave Oil - The Art of Shaving
Soap: Saponeria Artigiana Sapone da Barba Vegetale alla Mandorla
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Tech “Fat Handle”
Blade: Astra Platinum
Mustache/Beard Trim: Schick Golden 500
After Shave: Proraso A/S Cream



Last day of the Saponeria Artigiana soap sample. Easy lathering and very subtle almond scent places it on my list of potential 'full-size' purchases.

Today begins another two-day trial for different blades that I am trying out, as I seek to find one blade to utilize in my 30-day Rule lockdown in June. Today and tomorrow I'll be using an Astra Platinum. So far, of the limited number of blades I'll try (6), I'd be content to use either a Voskhod or an Astra Stainless for the 30-day technique regimen.

I did the standard 3-pass - WTG, XTG and ATG, with the Astra Platinum. Once again, I felt it took me awhile to get used to the cutting angle and aggressiveness (or lack of it?). It was ok, but I felt I had to go over the same territory a few too many times to get a close shave. Will try again tomorrow.

Cheers,
- RT

*AC = After Carts

 

With a solid review like this one I'd be so wrong not to order a tub! Outstanding! I really like what Amanda is doing at Tiki Bar Soap. Order placed. Thanks!

 

SOTD 05.27.2015
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Prep: Hot shower, PSO
Razor: Merkur 34C
Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (3)
Brush: Omega 80080 Boar Brush
Soap: Proraso Red
Post: Cold rinse, Alum, Witch hazel, TSD Sandalwood AS Milk

Just a quick 1 pass today and off I go.

 

Schick J4 razor
Personna blade
CO Bigelow SC
WD Silver Tip brush
Osage Rub/Witch Hazel/Sage mix
M&L Florida Water Cologne

The J4 is a really nice shaver. Smooth, comfortable and effective. Like it!

 

Wednesday's Shave



Prep: Hot shower w/ Grandpa's Pine Tar
Lather: Palmolive Classic cream
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Eversharp Schick G1
Blade: Schick
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm

Been lazy about posting lately. Most my shaves lately have been quick 1 pass deals, been crazy busy lately.

 

Are the Henkels really good razors? There is one locally I could get at a low price. Don't know much about straights. But it's been sitting there for a while now.

 

May 27 SOTD:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Chiseled Face Sherlock
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Astra SS
Stirling Unscented PSB
TOBS Sandalwood AS

 

Odin's Day:

Prep: Hot shower, Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub, TSD Jasmine Sambac preshave balm
Brush: Simpson 56 Best Badger
Soap: Ginger's Garden Oakmoss
Razor: Merkur 1904 41c
Blade: Bic (1)
Passes: WTG, XTG, XTG (1, 2, 3)
Post: Cold water splash, Bloc Osma alum, Dickinson's WH, Pinaud Clubman AS splash
Cologne: Velvet Mood (sample)

After yesterday's mere SAS, I decided to switch things up a bit, and loaded up Ye Olde Merkur 41c with a trusty new Bic blade. The Oakmoss lather smells good, provides good slip, and ample cushion when face-lathered, though I think Irena's tallow soaps are a bit more cushioning. Rather than attempting an ATG pass with the new blade, I opted to do XTG passes in each direction (toward and away from my nose), providing a DFS+ shave with a single weeper under my chin, where I apparently attempted an ill-advised Gillette slide.

 

Great setup. Love it!

 

I've had several J. A. Henckels (most are carbon steel blades) that were fine razors made of quality steel. They can be purchased used very reasonably.

The 'Friodur' (stainless) line (pricier than the regular Henckels), I found at least with my current model, appears to be a notch above the standard.
A simply magnificent shaver that takes a quite keen and smooth edge.

 

Thank you.

 

Yep, I noticed the price difference on the bay. Thanks for the info. I see several straights out in the wild , but usually stay away from them account not really knowing what I'm looking at. I just recognize them symbol on the one you shaved with.

 

SOTD MAY 27th​

• cad PAA soap​
• Myrsol emulsion​
• Myrsol antesol​
• Semogue 1305 boar bristle​
• Personna blade/4​
• alum block​

BBS in 2 passes, excellent personna blade!


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SOTD 5-27-15





RAZOR: Gillette SUPERSPEED
BLADE: BIG BEN
BRUSH: OMEGA S SYNTHETIC
SOAP:TSD ICED HAVOC (AQUA VELVA TYPE)
POST: NIVEA SENSITIVE BALM

This was my first time with these blades and I was quite impressed. thank you again to @spacehobo for the razor and blades. They did not tug or cause any razor burn which was cool. These may be my new go to blades. The soap was a little mild on the menthol so it didn't freeze my face off which is fine with me. excellent scent and performance. the true scent didn't appear till I lathered it then I could detect the different notes. Great BBS face with no irritation so it was a great shave.

 

Sometimes you come across a product after it's discontinued and sort of wish you hadn't...because it's just SO good that you already miss it.

R.I.P. Fitjar and your amazing Isrose shaving cream - it's really outstanding.

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SOTD 27 May 2015

30 Day Rule with a Schick!



Another great 2 pass, finished with the Veg!

Have a great Wednesday evening!
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