Chinese Razor Month

I rather like my Bai Li Tech clone. In fact, I'll have a shave with it tonight. It's pretty aggressive, which floats my boat.

I had one & thought it was a tad less aggressive than a real Tech. Of course, it was their newest version that covers the blade tabs. I have read the earlier ones did not and were indeed more aggressive.
 
Today's SOTD: 03/04/20

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Razor: Ming Shi 3000S #6-9
Blade: Gillette Winner (1)
Brush: Simpson's Duke 2 Best
Soap: Dead Sea Shave Maelstrom
Pre: Proraso Green
ASL: Floïd Vigaroso
ASB: B&H Ginger and Lime N8

I don't like the 3000S. I'm not a person that winds up adjustable razors to their max setting but I had to put this on 9 and there still wasn't much hair removal. I know I could take the time to learn it but I've not got the patience for that. The blade has been removed and is now in the Weishi adjustable for tomorrow's shave. The 3000S will be cleaned and packed ready for its new owner @donnie_arko and posted when the fear of getting tasered subsides.

On to a plus - the Dead Sea Shave Maelstrom is a very nice soap. Nice cooling effect, nice scent and easy to build a lather. I recommend doing some test lathers with this soap before use as its mud content can alter the way you develop your lather somewhat. It's worth it though. These are available on Etsy and there are 3 to choose from: Maelstrom (cooling) - named after strong whirlpools and water movements, Tempest (Fennel & Lime) - named after windy storms and Kraken (Bay Rum) - the deadly sea beast. Good quality Vegan soaps.
 
Today's SOTD: 03/04/20

View attachment 53131

Razor: Ming Shi 3000S #6-9
Blade: Gillette Winner (1)
Brush: Simpson's Duke 2 Best
Soap: Dead Sea Shave Maelstrom
Pre: Proraso Green
ASL: Floïd Vigaroso
ASB: B&H Ginger and Lime N8

I don't like the 3000S. I'm not a person that winds up adjustable razors to their max setting but I had to put this on 9 and there still wasn't much hair removal. I know I could take the time to learn it but I've not got the patience for that. The blade has been removed and is now in the Weishi adjustable for tomorrow's shave. The 3000S will be cleaned and packed ready for its new owner @donnie_arko and posted when the fear of getting tasered subsides.

On to a plus - the Dead Sea Shave Maelstrom is a very nice soap. Nice cooling effect, nice scent and easy to build a lather. I recommend doing some test lathers with this soap before use as its mud content can alter the way you develop your lather somewhat. It's worth it though. These are available on Etsy and there are 3 to choose from: Maelstrom (cooling) - named after strong whirlpools and water movements, Tempest (Fennel & Lime) - named after windy storms and Kraken (Bay Rum) - the deadly sea beast. Good quality Vegan soaps.
I meant to post the link for Dead Sea Shave:


@RussellR5555 When I sent you the Oatcake, it was the ingredient list of these I read (same tin).
 
Today's SOTD: 04/04/20

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Razor: Weishi Adjustable #5
Blade: Gillette Winner (2)
Brush: Oumo 24mm SHD Manchuria Fan
Soap: ESC Fuar Ach Snog
Pre: Proraso Green
ASL: Floïd Suave
ASB: Creightons

According to Weishi the razor is made of brass with the exception of the baseplate which is zamak. Chinese TTOs and Adjustables are always a little hit and miss as the alignment doesn't always survive the international journey. This Weishi is very well built and the alignment is fine. It's a very good looking razor and a big step up in quality compared to many Chinese razors. I had the V1 Qshave Parthenon and did not get on with it.

The shave didn't get off to a great start when the knot came loose in the handle when removing it from the soak. It still managed to whip up plenty of lather in an entertaining fashion though. I should clarify that the Oumo knot is DIY set in a dscosmetics handle so this isn't a reflection on Oumo brushes.

What followed was a brilliant shave. A DFS finish from two passes and I'm really impressed with the Weishi razor. It's got an excellent weight to it and sits well in the hand. This razor could easily pass for something much more expensive. Looking forward to tomorrow's shave.

I find the Executive Shaving creams excellent and the Fuar Ach Snog may be my favourite. A lovely peppermint scent with a really nice cooling effect.
 
View attachment 53138
Soap: MWF
Brush: Yaqi Moka Express 2 band badger
Scuttle: QShave
Razor/Blade: QShave Parthenon V2/Astra (1)

Uneventful smooth 3 pass shave using chinese brush, scuttle and razor. I've not used the Parthenon for a while and found it a much milder razor than the Rex Ambassador I've been using for the past few weeks.
Always liked the look of the Parthenon razor. I've often had it in my shopping basket only to put it back on the digital shelf just before checkout.
 
Today's SOTD: 05/04/20

IMG_20200403_194620.jpg

Razor: Weishi Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Winner (3)
Brush: Yaqi Chianti
Soap: Proraso Green
Pre: Proraso Green
ASL: Proraso Green
ASB: Proraso Green

Most of you will be unfamiliar with this soap. Unobtanium. Proraso Green - produced in tiny handfuls by an elderly Italian chap in his garage. The last of my cooling soaps and well timed as I can flaunt this rare jewel in front of @donnie_arko knowing he's just finished his and must begin the long hard search to secure more.

Joking aside, people berate Proraso products as they're cheap and mass made. I don't think that's fair. I find their entire product range to be good - I use their pre-shaves every shave and their ASLs and ASBs regularly. Their soaps and creams are also good. I don't see the value in comparing them to artisan offerings but they do exactly what you need them to do.

Another DFS finish with the Weishi from 2.5 passes. I'd happily carry on with this razor but I'm sure there must be hundreds of people reading this thread that are desperately waiting on my next installment.

That concludes the run of cooling soaps/creams. I've enjoyed them all but looking forward to some variation now.

Two more Chinese razors to go but I've just remembered that I have the Yaqi Beast head somewhere. Beast is its actual name as it is supposedly very aggressive. I should probably give that a go for completeness as well.
 
Most of you will be unfamiliar with this soap. Unobtanium. Proraso Green - produced in tiny handfuls by an elderly Italian chap in his garage. The last of my cooling soaps and well timed as I can flaunt this rare jewel in front of @donnie_arko knowing he's just finished his and must begin the long hard search to secure more.

Joking aside, people berate Proraso products as they're cheap and mass made. I don't think that's fair. I find their entire product range to be good - I use their pre-shaves every shave and their ASLs and ASBs regularly. Their soaps and creams are also good. I don't see the value in comparing them to artisan offerings but they do exactly what you need them to do.

Ha ha. Fine work there Boyce.

IMO, I think a lot of people berate the PG shaving soap as it's one of the first soaps they start using and they don't get great results as their technique isn't up to scratch; it was for myself anyway and once I got to grips with using the soap with a synth opposed to a boar it'd produce a superb lather.

Part of the reason why I was trying to finish up my existing stocks is that Proraso have reformulated their range for the better supposedly, and I was planning to get a tube of the green cream at some point.

Btw, how does the Lea Menthol cream compare to PG soap?

Keep up the great work with the MIC razor thread, a delight to follow. IMO some of the razors here go under the radar and it's good to read of user accounts with them.
 
Ha ha. Fine work there Boyce.

IMO, I think a lot of people berate the PG shaving soap as it's one of the first soaps they start using and they don't get great results as their technique isn't up to scratch; it was for myself anyway and once I got to grips with using the soap with a synth opposed to a boar it'd produce a superb lather.

Part of the reason why I was trying to finish up my existing stocks is that Proraso have reformulated their range for the better supposedly, and I was planning to get a tube of the green cream at some point.

Btw, how does the Lea Menthol cream compare to PG soap?

Keep up the great work with the MIC razor thread, a delight to follow. IMO some of the razors here go under the radar and it's good to read of user accounts with them.
I think you're probably right regarding the Proraso products and noobs.

I'd say the LEA menthol smells nicer than PG with similar performance. Interestingly I found the menthol kick from PG cream stronger than the PG soap. I'll let you make your own mind up though - I'll PIF you the LEA green along with the 3000S. Just give me a couple of weeks to muster the courage to go the Post Office.

If you fancy a new Chinese razor, I would recommend the Weishi adjustable based on my experiences with it. It may now be sold under the Yintal brand.
 
Ha ha. Fine work there Boyce.

IMO, I think a lot of people berate the PG shaving soap as it's one of the first soaps they start using and they don't get great results as their technique isn't up to scratch; it was for myself anyway and once I got to grips with using the soap with a synth opposed to a boar it'd produce a superb lather.

Part of the reason why I was trying to finish up my existing stocks is that Proraso have reformulated their range for the better supposedly, and I was planning to get a tube of the green cream at some point.

Btw, how does the Lea Menthol cream compare to PG soap?

Keep up the great work with the MIC razor thread, a delight to follow. IMO some of the razors here go under the radar and it's good to read of user accounts with them.
The link to the Weishi:

#Aliexpress ï¿¡21.96 33%OFF | YINTAL New Adjustable Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor Matte BLACK Brass Razors Designed By WEISHI

I picked it up in one of the sales and got it for £13 using the coupons. I'm convinced AliExpress has more sales than DFS!
 
Alright there Boyce, very generous of you offer the Lea Menthol and MS adjustable. Please don't make a trip to Post Office for a good while, I'd say things should quieten down by September at the earliest!

What makes the Weishi Adjustable so good? I no longer have RAD tbh, I've found a few razors that suit my face/choice of blades really well. £13 was a great piece of bargain spotting though!
 
Alright there Boyce, very generous of you offer the Lea Menthol and MS adjustable. Please don't make a trip to Post Office for a good while, I'd say things should quieten down by September at the earliest!

What makes the Weishi Adjustable so good? I no longer have RAD tbh, I've found a few razors that suit my face/choice of blades really well. £13 was a great piece of bargain spotting though!
Considering its price point, it looks great and has no blemishes on the coating. The balance and weight are good and the shave seems to be really smooth as well.
 
Today's SOTD: 07/04/20

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Razor: Yaqi Chrome Scalloped
Blade: Gillette Winner (1)
Brush: Simpsons Duke 2 Best
Soap: Cella
Pre: Proraso Blue
ASL: L'Oréal Skin Purifier
ASB: Proraso Blue

48hrs growth taken down with ease in 2 passes for a DFS. I've used this scalloped style of Yaqi before and know they perform well. A lot of razor for the money when you consider the handle is brass. The handle is nice and grippy and it balances well in the hand.

Cella did what Cella does and provided a nice slick lather despite the efforts of the D2 to make it difficult. I've never really gotten on with this brush and this may be one I sell in the near future.

Overall a nice shave and I'm sporting a smooth face. Nice to reset with a bit of 'me time' after the events of yesterday.
 
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