SoS: November 30, 2015 - December 6, 2015

Can you believe it's that time of the week? We start a new SOTD thread HERE tomorrow. I will close this thread later tonight or early tomorrow morning for a short period of time.
Happy shaving!
Kerry

 

SOTD 12/05/15

EQUIPMENT:
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RAZOR: Gillette '46 Ranger
BLADE: Derby Extra (1)
PRESHAVE: bloom water
BRUSH: Rubberset 220n, Supersoft reknot
SOAP: Chiseled Face Sherlock
AFTERSHAVE: Chiseled Face Sherlock

TECHNIQUE:
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Wam rinse/shower
cold water shave
Face lather
WTG, XTG rXTG, TU
added water + lather between passes
Chiseled Face Post

Ta da! Finally a FANTASTIC shave. I’ll be honest. I was getting a little discouraged. So this time I tried conventional wisdom in pairing the Ranger with the Derby. Guess what? Aggressive razor and mild blade seems like a keeper combination. I am absolutely IN LOVE with Chiseled Face Sherlock. I wasn’t sure in the tin, but on face it was great. The aftershave burned like h*ll upon application, but after it settled down it was an awesome post shave. Well worth the burn. So… close to a BBS. What kept me from it is I’ve re-evaluated my neck grain and either I’m wrong in my assessment or I haven’t figured out the proper approach. Basically, the grain runs from left ear to right with a slight downward angle. Anyway, I’m pumped.

I got my first menthol to try on Menthol Monday. Smells funky in the jar, but we’ll see. I guess I’m supposed to love it with my love of Noxema. /shrug

 

December Focus

The Twelve Blades of December!

Hard to believe we've almost put this year to bed. Wow. Where did the time go? But, here we are and as a gift to everyone here I'm offering up my shaves with twelve blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve. So, sit back, get the fire burning and enjoy what I hope is an enjoyable month of further proof Technique Trumps Tools. I hope for that....my expectations aren't as optimistic.

December 6

Razor - '47 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (2)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold water, Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Second day on the mysterious Gentle Man. Day one wasn't great, wasn't horrible, just, meh. Not expecting great things from it today so I'll enjoy the lather instead. Grabbed the Wolf Whiskers and Tabac and boy did these two have fun together. That badger ran around in the soap and loaded up in no time and produced an absolutely fantastic face lather. I'm going to have to bowl lather with the brush soon. I'm thinking I'll fill the bowl or mug and have enough for several shaves. That awesome Tabac scent really made my morning and since Sunday is now a work day for me I needed that boost to help adjust.

Well, lathering can't last forever (sigh) so here we go. Another three pass from the Gentle Man. Another very mediocre draggy feel, no cuts,nicks etc., but just feels like it's lazy. I did achieve DFS again but not a really good one. Just barely over the edge of DFS. And the alum was a bit hot so I know it's leaving some irritation behind. What a waste of steel. Now, to be fair, it's not a horrible finish, nor a horrible experience. It's just time with a razor I'll never get back to use with a great blade. I almost hate these sub-par blades more than the really terrible ones. At least with the Flying Eagle and such you can enjoy hammering their crappiness into the ground. With blades like the Gentle Man you are just left feeling cheated and alone. The AV Musk helped reverse the onset of shaving depression as well as another deep inhale over the Tabac. Ahhhhhhh........that's better.

Hope you all had a great Sunday!

 

Good evening everyone! I decided to shave a little early tonight, so here we go;

1958 Gillette TV Special Super Speed.
Persona Med Prep blade.
Chinese Badger hair brush.
Old Spice shaving cream.
Old Spice AS Splash.
360 Red cologne.

I hadn't used the TV Special for a long time, so I dug it out tonight. It was a great shave. I had a good start with yesterday's BBS, and so there wasn't a whole lot of stubble, but what was there, is gone now! These old TV Special Super Speeds are fantastic! I scored out at another BBS in two passes. Here's the photo-



Have a great night.