SOTD : Saturday 10th -Friday 16th August. 2019

48535358397_807a1d5c92_z.jpg


ABC ~ ABM ~ Vanta ~ Feather ~ ADP Balm ~ ADP Colonia
 
Date:- 14 August 2019

Pre-shave:- Cold Water straight from the tap
Brush:- Edwin Jagger Synth. v2.0 Silvertip Fibre Faux Horn 25/58mm knot
Soap/Cream:- The Club ~ Signature
Bowl/Scuttle:- Captain's Choice
Razor/Blade:- Karve CB SS 'D' / Vintage NOS Gillette Super Stainless (spoiler) #6
Post/After-shave:- T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel Astringent mixed into the 240ml bottle with Natural Glycerin (20), Tea Tree Antiseptic (10), Lavender (15) & Peppermint (10 drops)
Fragrance:- Dolce&Gabbana The One for Men
 
And on this gate repairing day the theme for this morning's shave was 'The theory of molecular shaving'

46442

Covalent bonded razor - Ikon SB with chrome cap on an ATT Colossus handle
Body Centred Cubic blade - Polsilver Lodz (not in photo due to it coming to the end of its molecular life ie. It was shagged)
Higgs Boson Brush - Cadman 30mm Tuxedo in copper and black C21H25ClO5
Electrostatic bonded soap - La Savonniere du Moulin Shaving Soap (Made from donkey molecules)
Diffused molecules - Hermes Concentre D'Orange Verte

Today's shave was all about dispelling the theory of making sharp blades even sharper as described in a paper by the esteemed Professor of sharpology who transpires to be Benjamin Franklin. Not content with inventing electricity, the USA (in a joint effort) and the art of flying kites in electrical storms it is also noted that by all means he invented cold shaving. Good old Benji, what didn't he invent?


The theory: “The hot water used to rinse the blade causes the tiny metal molecules in the blade to expand, making the razor dull after only five shaves. Cold water, on the other hand, causes the molecules to contract, giving the blade a better edge and longer life.” .

Dr @chris.hale was quick to make a very important interjection in stating 'a load of old cobblers' although the world is still waiting for his formulaic evidence and 'Age Concern' are chewing over the depiction of old shoe makers in a negative sense.

I did contact CERN if there was any chance they could sharpen my Polsilver down to within an atom using Hadron's large colander but they suggested it might be more useful for straining vegetables. All that waste of European money just to drain water from some food. What a load of old cobblers bollocks.

After a week or two shared between my SE collection and the loaned R41 this was a nice welcome return to the Ikon SB and I will say in all honesty this has the edge in terms of efficiency, or read aggressive if one so wishes. Political correctness for you :unsure: . Whereas the R41 has you on edge and 'with care' stamped all over it the Ikon is exactly the same, however the difference being with each pass this one is still finding something to cut. What it is managing to find is beyond me but the feedback says 'still trimming away matey'. With the cold water though an absolute peach to use and after three full passes not one bit of concern, just a wonderfully close and smooth shave. It must be the cold water making the molecules less excitable and as a consequence the blade sharper. You would be pushed to cut yourself with water, but you could possibly with ice. QED

The donkey milk shaving soap performed brilliantly although I think it is a soap which may benefit more from warm water to lather up. Still a great medium and I can't complain. The Cadman picked up the soap easily, whipping up a bowl of richness in no time whatsoever and it still gives me great pride of ownership every time I use it.

A spray of the newly purchased Hermes Concentre D'Orange Verte to add that finishing touch to an otherwise lovely shave and feeling as smooth as melting ice and as sharp as a chilled razor blade. This was one of those shaves which reminds me how glad I am to have taken this 'proper shaving' route. It may be all a bit ritualistic but the end results and benefits are well worth the palaver.

Have great days all you TSR folk

And to round it all off I just thought I'd say the garden gate was happily repaired and so here are a bunch of pretty Japanese girls who also manage to sing about gates in their songs. There must be something about gates in Japanese which doesn't quite translate the same




“The hot water used to rinse the blade causes the tiny metal molecules in the blade to expand, making the razor dull after only five shaves. Cold water, on the other hand, causes the molecules to contract, giving the blade a better edge and longer life.”

Yup. Load of old cobblers
 
Last edited:
14/08/19
Pre shave Prep: Pears Original Transparent
Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia
Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Bay Rum
Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: Astra SP (4)
Post shave: Alum Block, cold water splash, Homemade Bay Rum #2
Balm: Homemade Bay Rum A/S splash #2, Bart's Bergamot and Vanilla Balm & Lotion
Aftershave: DR Harris Bay Rum

Futur, YSF, B Rum (2).jpg

2 Passes and a bit buffing on my Devils whirlpools under the jawline leaving me Cue Ball smooth and as comfortable as can be.
A lovely scented lather from the Bay Rum and the Yaqi, I really like the Bay Rum scent and the Stirling seems to hang a bit longer than others.
WTG #3 then a XTG / ATG #2.5 mix with a bit buffing under the jawline/neck area. The blade is still going strong without any issues.
Nothing from the Alum block, starting the Post shave with a splash of my Homemade Bay Rum #2, then the Bart's Balm and lotion finishing with DR Harris Bay Rum.
BBS, Soft & Supple and smelling like an 19th Century Pirate ready for shore leave.
Enjoy your evening "Me Hearties" Aarrh!
 
Wed 14th August

The Grosvenor [ 404 ]-mixed
Williams Mug soap
Gem Micromatic - HFT
Gem S/S [ 1 ]
Williams Aqua Velva A/S Lotion

A much better Shave than yesterday, though this Micromatic is very smooth and forgiving it is quite efficient. I was pleased at the quality of finish attained without any problems during or post shave.

IMG_0620.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bulldog Sensitive face wash / shower
Executive Shaving handmade bowl
Muhle STF brush
Eufros GEA soap
Razorock Game Changer .84, iKon Bulldog handle
Personna Med Prep blade
Wholly Kaw Man From Mayfair toner

Really good second shave with the Game Changer .84. I love that there are no exposed blade tabs with this head. There is a satisfying ‘crunch' sound as the whiskers are removed! I would love to know what the magic ingredient is that makes my face feel so good after using the nice and slick Eufros GEA soap.

5C84E584-645C-41B4-B1F4-09C498074989.jpeg
 
Well today I decided to break out a special razor from a special set and I believe one of Gillette's finest...the Executive. I got this awhile back and though it isn't perfect it is a fantastic set. I just imagine what it would have been like to throw this set in a bag and head out on a business trip. Being one who travels often myself it would have been pretty perfect. This beautiful TTO was loaded up with a Gillette Platinum today.

Soap of the day you ask?...Stirling Executive Man of course! One of my favourites and tops on the list with the newly acquired Stirling Sharp Dressed Man. So good.

Lathered up with the Yaki SF and thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful three pass BBS shave. Topped it off with two spritz (I know, rebel!) of English Laundry London which is a perfect compliment to the Executive Man AS. Truly a shave fit for an Executive! Happy shaves all!

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Gillette Executive - 1948-51
Blade: Gillette Platinum
Brush: Yaqi 24mm Tuxedo - Sagrada Familia
Lather: Stirling Executive Man
Aftershave: Stirling Executive Man
Additional Care:
B.I.G. Co. Alum Block
English Laundry London
413146F4-8FAE-40DB-81E8-C377CFA204E1.jpeg
 
Back
Top Bottom