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

Tue 13th August.

RazoRock Syn.22mm
P & B Pall Mall
ER Natural Angle [ HFT ]
Gem S/S [ 5 ]
Floid Vigoroso A/S Lotion

I rather like the looks and feel of this British version of a "G" Bar, but find that it does not deal with my beard very well. The Razor is nice to hold and is very manoeuvrable , but despite my best efforts I can never get an ultra close finish. I have to settle for what really is an OK- Going to Work type of Shave. I think this Razor is best suited to those with less stubborn growth than mine.

 
SOTD Tuesday 13th August 2019 PM

Hot shower / Proraso Green pre-shave cream
Stirling Soap Company Finest Badger
Acqua Di Parma Colonia shaving cream
OneBlade Genesis / Feather FHS
Thayers Cucumber / L'Occitane Cedrat aftershave balm
Acqua Di Parma Colonia EdT



In Perth, Scotland for an interview tomorrow. Want to look my best. It was a no brainier as to what software and hardware to use!
 
13/08/19

Razor: Qshave Parthenon
Blade: Gillette Rubie (1)
Brush: Semogue 830
Soap: TOBS Royal Forest
Pre: Wilko Oil
ASB: Boots Freshwood
ASL: Boots Freshwood



I've used too many new variables again in a shave. I started on setting 3.5 with the Parthenon which is ~1/3 of the way up its aggressive scale. I was immediately aware of the feeling of the blade and wound it back to 2.5 for the next two passes. 2.5 was significantly milder and struggled to get me more than a socially acceptable finish.

The Royal Forest smelt fantastic but I was aware of a light burn after the first pass. I initially thought this might be down to the aggressive first pass but minimal feedback from the aftershave suggests there's something in this cream that my skin disagrees with. It will be the first product where I've had that issue if this is the case.
 
Tuesday shave:
  • Preshave: Proraso White
  • Soap: Proraso White
  • Brush: Zenith Boar B30
  • Razor: Focus Dynamic R48
  • Blade: 1/2 half of yesterday's Feather blade (2nd use)
  • After: Nivea sensitive skin balm
My follow-up shave with my daily driver to see if my experiment of yesterday with the pimped-out 23C has told me anything. The shave today was everything I expected it to be as I do use the R48 every day and am pretty familiar with it after a year of use. The comparison did point out to me that my technique is getting better as the 23C is much closer in performance than before and, in fact, slightly better in some aspects. If anything a closer result was had on the easy bits with the 23C. But it was the tricky bits where the R48 continues to shine; the pivoting head makes it so much easier to handle the sharp curves and the imperfections (scar on chin). I also find the R48 is more tolerant of buffing and does not irritate.

I realize that it comes down to my technique. Ultimately I could get proficient enough with my angles to get the same result with the 23C or other traditional style DEs but I get that now with the R48. And, oddly, I get better results with the R48 when I use a German Wilkie rather than the Feather so I am anticipating things to be more definitive when I switch blades.

The R48 still does not do well with longer stubble. For that I will continue to experiment on Mondays when I have a 3+ day growth. Have been using a Feather AC SS with ProGuards and am liking that; even if i am not too skilled yet and generate a bit of the red stuff. Will probably revisit my X3 and see what tweaks can be done there. But for the daily maintenance shaves, it will still be the R48 for now. But who know what the future will bring!
 


Shave of the day. 14th Aug

Prep ~ Valobra Glicerlanolina soap
Razor ~ Blackland - Sabre L2
Blade ~ Personna Gem
Soap ~ MdC - Original
Brush ~ Semouge LE Badger
Post Lavender witch hazel
Scent ~ Crabtree & Evelyn - Lavender & Espresso

This has been my seventh day using MdC and I've found it to be a very good soap indeed and it has the added bonus of longevity, I think you could use this soap every day and the tub would last a year with no problem. Good value for money for such a good soap IMO .
Today's shave with the Sabre was great, close and smooth and left me with a clean finish.
I've enjoyed using a different SE razor for the last seven days too but now it's time to change my soap and razor / razors for the next seven days.

Have a great day folks...P.
 
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