SOTD : Saturday 18th August - Friday 24th August 2018.

Wednesday 22nd August PM

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Prep: Warm rinse, Nivea Sensitive Face Wash then Proraso Pre Shave cream Eucalyptus and Menthol
Cream: Alvarez Gomez Barberia (sample)
Brush: Executive Shaving Medium Jock synthetic
Razor: Merkur 34c
Blade: Feather (2)
Post: Cold rinse, Thayers Witch Hazel with Cucumber then Nivea 2 Phase followed by Alvarez Gomez Barberia balm (sample).

Very methodical this evening. Really taking my time especially on my neck.

A slow blade, really paying attention to every stroke, pays dividends. Knowing I get a closer more comfortable shave with two days growth, I wanted to shave again today so took my time. I still can't get used to having stubble at work! [emoji30]

My 1st and 2nd passes went as normal however on the 3rd I got in close to the mirror and really slowed everything down. Watching my angle I literally saw the usual rough bits disappear with each stroke. Even looking at the blade I could see how much more was coming off. Result.

To say I love this game is an understatement. Each shave has its good points and bad points, every day a school day. I think I get a good shave one day then the next is often (not always!) better. That's been a month and a half, shaving almost every day, and I'm still learning - good and bad!

I also can't believe the difference different products make.

My current favourites are BBA face wash (though (that's) now away with the newbies pass around box), Proraso Pre Shave cream, my Merkur 34c (though I have not really tried anything else properly), Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless, Alvarez Gomez Barberia cream, Thayers Witch Hazel toner and Barts balm.

I used a Feather blade again today, and yes it's super sharp, but I think it's just that bit too aggressive at the moment. I thought it was the blade for me, but I'm going back to the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless for the time being.

The Alvarez Gomez performed flawlessly and I love its scent. The lather is a joy to behold.

Lets see what tomorrow brings.

Have a great evening folks. [emoji482]
 
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Ever Ready 1912
Gem Blue Star*
Maseto Finest
Sudsy Soapery Lavender and Peppermint*
Tüff Green aftershave

*The blade and soap were kindly gifted to by Kevin AKA @Boru62 . Thanks mate you're a gent.

Let's get the negatives out the way. The blade. This is my first carbon blade and I wasn't impressed. I thought it was rough and not very sharp at all. I needed a lot of passes on my neck to get a finish I was satisfied with.

Luckily the soap was more than up to the task. I was very, very impressed.
I found it very easy to lather with excellent slickness. Post shave was good too. The scent wasn't for me as I'm not a fan of peppermint. So overall a big thumbs up for me.

Finished off with the Tüff aftershave which had a little kick to it but soon passed to leave my skin feeling soft and supple.

Cheers
Rob

 
'Off with her head, off with her head' was the theme for this evening

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Have a great evening folks.
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Thank you

The Queen of Hearts - Razorock Hawk V2
The Mad Hatter - Home made 'The Bullet' brass handle
The March Hare - A synthetic Muhle brush in a popular butterscotch finish
The White Rabbit - Murdock Avalon cream
The Knave of Hearts - Floris Santal
Alice - Margaret Hamilton from the Lego 'Women of NASA' collection. Some of the presents one gets when older, but never got as a child. Uh

As I mentioned last night this single edge adventure reaped more shaving rewards than I cared to think of with the Hawk proving a very worthwhile addition to the cabinet of shaving delights. However I felt it was very let down by a handle which gave the same feel as a razor head attached to the end of a Biro. So the big change for this evening was to throw the head on to the end of my one of my home brewed handles and in this case 'The Bullet' as one TSR member rightfully named it. Lightweight it isn't and bulky it is. Due to its polished finish it is quite imperative ones hands are dry prior to use otherwise it could result in untold damage should it slip. Either personally or to the sink. What it did give though was control (hands being dry as per the prior warning) and feel. I guess I am one of those who likes a bit of weight in a razor and in its standard form the Hawk is more bantam weight than it is a heavy weight contender. I really think this gave a different perspective to the razor and at the end of the day there is a lot to be said to being more in the driving seat as against trying to drive sat in the child's seat in the back.

I think I have also mastered what should have been an easy task in getting the blade firmly clamped in place. I now realise there is a very defined 'click' when the two plates are correctly located and the blade ready to get down to the business of shaving. Lightweight grumbles now history this odd pairing has me down the rabbit hole and in to Wonderland. For some reason there is a lovely synergy (doesn't one just hate naff business terms?) happening and the end result is even more of that ruthless efficiency thing.

Same blade and so I have no reason to go on and on about my technical failure to achieve simple tasks. Nice blade though, no wibbly wobbliness to contend with and I can certainly see how this is one of the strong points with SE and how it makes sense. Fiddly buggers for sure compared to nice wide DE blades.

The brush is what it is and a popular contender in my very small world of brushes. It is not edible

I am by nature quite an obsessive person and to this extent I fit in with the idea of the Obsessive Soap Perfectionist Company. So to be different tonight none of this OSP OCD behaviour and bring on the Murdock's Avalon. Made with Mallow extract or so it says. And I really thought you stuck mallows on the end of a stick and roasted over an open fire. Blow me you can also shave with them. What a great cream though even if its consistency is similar to a roasted mallow. Everything to love and nothing to hate. A wonderful barrier between the sharp end of the process and the soft end of the process. Neither is it edible.

Everything working in synergy harmony and resulting in one of those great shaves I dream of ( I don't really dream of shaves as that would be sad) but I guess anyone reading this gets the gist of where I am coming from. Where I am going to is another question.

And so here ends my SOTD of today and I am really sorry for the endless drivel I write. Tomorrow I shall try to be more Beano than War and Peace written in the manner of Viz.

Have a great evening chaps and may tomorrow be free of five O'clock shadows. None of that rubbish on this forum.
 
Date: 23 August 2018

Pre-shave:- Cold Water straight from the tap
Brush:- Maseto Extra Density 2 Band Finest Badger "Memphis" 26/55mm Knot
Soap/Cream:- Barrister & Mann ~ Lime | Lavender | Cedarwood
Bowl/Scuttle:- Captain's Choice
Razor/Blade:- Rockwell 6C 'R6' / Vintage NOS Gillette Super Stainless (spoiler) #1
Post-shave:- Thayers Witch Hazel & Tea Tree Oil / Lucky Tiger Aftershave & Face Tonic / Lucky Tiger Face Moisturizer
Fragrance:- Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male

I'm enjoying my Karve Christopher Bradley razor using the 'D' base plate which given me a HUGE WOW super smooth shave as a
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, I've decided to have another crack with the Rockwell using R6 base plate because there's been a lot of feedback going on in many different shaving forums. The Rockwell R6 supposed to shave almost the same as the Karve 'D' base plate, that why I've decided to have another crack with the R6, besides it's far too early for me to give my complete thought and comparing between R6 vs D base plate.
 
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SOTD : 23rd August 2018.

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Shaving recipe for today.


Prep: Warm shower:/ Imperial Leather ~ Sea minerals & Black Mint Shower Gel. .


Pre:

warm wet flannel to my face.

Pears ~ Transparent Mint Extracts Glycerine Soap./Bloom water.

Brush: Omega 48 Pro.

Bowl Lather.

Soap : Scottish Fine Classic Shaving Soap .

Blade: Gillette SharpEdge.(3)

Razor: Jagen David ~ B30 .

Warm wet flannel/ cold wet flannel to rinse my face.

Post:

Cold Water Face Rinse./ Homemade Lime, Lemon+Peppermint Oil & Menthol Crystals Witch Hazel Mixture./Aloe Vera gel.

Proraso ~ Eucalyptus & Menthol A/S lotion .

Greetings,

This week after a thoughtful decisive decision i've had a 'extremely 'FULL ON' ruthless shaving den clean-out','It's been on the cards for a while', i've now passed on 7 DE razors, 200 DE blades,(various types) 14 shaving sticks,(Mainly Palmolive & Arko) 5 shaving brushes, 7 bottles of over stocked aftershave, 5 tubes of shaving cream,(Various types.), 2 Alum blocks..and various other items that i didn't use.

A vast cleanout! i agree, but it needed to be done,for my sanity, ..i simply had far too much shaving gear that i didn't use, or should i be painfully honest and say 'didn't need'..I feel much better for it,all of the above was passed on to family & friends who have wanted to give traditional wet shaving a try.

The remaining items i will use in rotation for the rest of my shaving days on this earth.

Even after the vast den clean-out i'm still left with the following.

(DE Razors- SE-Razors & shaving Brushes.)

(P*)= passed on to me.

TTO*= twist to open.

1. Lord (fresh L125) P*(merkur style head)
2. Wilkinson Sword Classic.P*
3. Gillette Slimtwist.P* TTO
4. Gillette Aluminum Handle Tech.
5. Fatip Grande.
6. Muhle R41. (2014 Version)
7. Muhle R89.
8. Merkur 34C HD.
9. Merkur 37C. (slant)
10. Merkur 39C.(slant)
11. Parker 22R. P* TTO
12. Parker 24C.
13. Parker 92R. TTO
14. Parker 98R.
15. Parker 99R.TTO
16. Parker 87R.TTO
17. Parker Variant.(Adjustable)
18. Pearl SBF-11.TTO
19. Ming Shi 2000s. (Adjustable) P*
20. Ming Shi 2000s. (Adjustable) (Spare)
21. Baili BD 191P. ( Gillette tech style head)
22. Jagen David B30. P* TTO
23. Weishi 9306-IP.* TTO
24. Edwin Jagger DE 89 (Kelvin)P*
25. Kanzy DE -K100 .(Gillette tech style head )P*
26. Wilkinson Sword Classic . (Spare)
____________________________
( SE Vintage Razors.)
1. Ever-Ready 1912. USA P*
2. Ever-Ready 1912 . UK
3. Ever-Ready 1914.
4. Ever-Ready 1924.
____________________________
(Shaving Brushes)
1. Semogue 830.
2. Semogue 1305.
3. Semogue 1438.
4. Semogue 1470.
5. Erasmic Boar.
6. Omega 10077.
7. Omega S10065. (Synth)
8./9.10. Chinese Synth's. P*
11. Yaqi Sagranda Familia.( synth)
12. Omega 11047. (mixed midget.)
13. Anbbas Boar.
14. Frank Shaving. (synth)
15. Wilkinson Sword Boar.
16. APShaving Co. (Cashmere synthetic.)
17. Fine Stout (Synthetic.)P*
18./19. Omega 48 .x2
20. Omega 49.
21. Chinese Horsehair. P*
___________________________

As you can see above it's still a substantial amount of shaving kit, and I have equally the same amount of soaps,creams, aftershaves, balms, moisturising creams,colognes, and DE blades to last me two life-times.. I know you only live once, but i could live twice and still pass on shaving gear to open a small shop.

Finally!..'NO MORE RAZORS OR SHAVING BRUSHES!!!...Even vintage SE razors that i would love to own.I'm finally putting a stop to my razor & brush acquisition disorder once and for all.

The only shaving related items i'll be buying, if & when i desperately need in the near future, are aloe vera gel, & a batch of Personna Gem SE PTFE coated blades for my vintage SE razors..Enough is enough,Over Period, Le- Fin.


The Jagen David B30 along with a Weishi 9306-I(both Gillette super speed copies), a Edwin Jagger DE 89 (Kelvin), Kanzy K100, 3, synthetic brushes,150 various blades & 10,shave sticks etc, were all kindly passed on to me by a mate, who ventured into the wonderful world of traditional wet shaving but found it wasn't for him, and reverted back to using cartridges & disposables razors...I did however convince him to keep some of his soaps and brushes, and in return for his generosity i give him all my remaining stock of cartridge & disposable razors that i had left over which i had no use for anymore.I'm lucky to have a good family & friends our moto is'We all don't give, to receive or for payment', if Something is just gathering dust,and not getting used, then pass it on to be appreciated, cared for and used.

DE shaving isn't for everyone and it's not a crime to shave with a Cartridge or a disposable razor,Each to their own choice & Opinion.I still occasionally shave with my Gillette Guard, which i personally think is the best SE disposable razor on the market, perfect for a travel / holiday razor, or when i can't be arsed to have a DE shave.

Final shave with the gillette sharpedge,..I haven't used the JD B30 for a while and forgot how comfortably mild, but efficient this razor can perform, paired up with the gillette SharpEdge the shave resulted in a very enjoyable silky smooth 3 pass + pick ups with no errors to report.

I don't normally use the same shaving soap twice in one week,but i've made a exception with the s.f.classic soap ,as it's such a pleasure to shave with. Adding to that, the omega 48 & 49 pro boars brushes pair wonderfully with it too...Brilliant brushes,'once broken in',and for what they cost..they are on equal par with my semogues, if better in some ways.

The gillette Sharp Edge blade has gave me comfortable smooth shaves throughout week.Yet again another blade that has excelled itself for it's smoothness & longevity.

Finishing the shave off with a generous splash of proraso ~ eucalyptus & menthol 'A/S lotion.

My face is feeling super smooth & smelling devine.
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;)

Sorry for the short novella fellow members of TSR, i get carried away with myself at times. Enough said.

Enjoy your day,ladies & gentlemen.:cool:
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Morning shave

Olive Oil Soap
Tabac
Shavemac 2 Band Silvertip
Gillette Slim
Polsilver Łódź (3)
Tabac Aftershave
Tabac EDC

Full throttle Tabac today. My Mrs cites this as a case in point of my lack of ‘discernment'. She probably thinks that I should seek advice from @Digimonkey. I will drop the bombshell later and tell her that Iain LOVES Tabac. Have a good day gents.
 
Pre: Cold water face wash
Brush: EJ Medium BB
Soap: WK La Fougère Parfaite (sample)
Razor: Gillette Sheraton 1939
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Post: Cold water rinse, Tuff Red ASL
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Thanks must go to @Blackmass for this sample, cheers Rob.
It's probably because of my unsophisticated nose but I find the scent a bit of a mess.
On the other hand the performance is up to the usual Wholly Kaw standard and a great shave ensued.
Happy Shaving one and all.
 
Pre: Cold water face wash
Brush: EJ Medium BB
Soap: WK La Fougère Parfaite (sample)
Razor: Gillette Sheraton 1939
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Post: Cold water rinse, Tuff Red ASL
View attachment 37863

Thanks must go to @Blackmass for this sample, cheers Rob.
It's probably because of my unsophisticated nose but I find the scent a bit of a mess.
On the other hand the performance is up to the usual Wholly Kaw standard and a great shave ensued.
Happy Shaving one and all.

No worries and thanks for the tag. I wasn't impressed with the scent either TBH.
 
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