SOTD - November 2021

[Old Sarge]

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gem Junior w/ Baton Handle
Blade: Gem SS PTFE (1st Use)
Brush: Semogue SOC Boar in Taj Resin
Lather: Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Face Lathered
Post: Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud After Shave, Nivea Sensitive Balm

So today was truly a successful two pass shave, compared to the previous three. I started with one foot in a hole as my face was still not happy with me about yesterday's shave. Combine that with a bit of harshness from a new PTFE blade and I drew a few weepers. I cannot give enough love to my Gem Jr. and it's wonderful baton handle. Overall I feel like I got back on the horse! (horse emoji here)

I noticed what might be an indicator that will help me know if I've hydrated my lather enough. I spent a good deal of time adding water to the lather by dipping the tips, painting it to my face and scrubbing it in with the splayed brush. When I started shaving and went to rinse my razor of lather/whiskers, the underside of the blade and tray cleared out easily. There have been times in the past where the lather/whiskers accumulate between the bottom of the blade and the tray to the point I had to remove the blade to clean it out. I think on those occasions I didn't properly hydrate the lather. Just a hunch that will become more obvious over time as I now have something to measure with.

If you haven't watched Wchnu's recent shave video, I highly recommend it. Particularly if you are a new/newer/newish shaver. He is speaking directly to us. I've heard it all before, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't revisit some of his preachings. While shaving today, I focused on the mantra of "pressure and angle" along with using short strokes. I also incorporated skin stretching more than I've done in the past. I could tell a noticeable improvement on one of my troublesome jawlines. I also got a much closer shave on my cheeks despite not going against the grain. Being a right handed shaver, it is natural to reach over my head with the left arm and stretch the right side of my head. A bit more difficult with the other side, but I made it mostly work.

As Bill Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." And on to tomorrow's shave! 

[GAW9576]

I had an excellent shave with my Schick type I  Hydro-Magic. I really like the patina the brass is developing. Today was the first use of my new copper Zenith B36 boar brush, which my wife got me for my birthday. It is super scrubby. This is the lower loft version so I expected it to be as such. However I'm sure it will soften considerably with a bit of use. I may get the higher loft version too in the future. I'm looking forward to watching the patina develop on the copper.
Today's watch is the Casio world time on a 22mm strap using Jays&Kays adapters.

   

[Wchnu]

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gem Junior w/ Baton Handle
Blade: Gem SS PTFE (1st Use)
Brush: Semogue SOC Boar in Taj Resin
Lather: Mitchell’s Wool Fat, Face Lathered
Post: Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud After Shave, Nivea Sensitive Balm

So today was truly a successful two pass shave, compared to the previous three. I started with one foot in a hole as my face was still not happy with me about yesterday's shave. Combine that with a bit of harshness from a new PTFE blade and I drew a few weepers. I cannot give enough love to my Gem Jr. and it's wonderful baton handle. Overall I feel like I got back on the horse! (horse emoji here)

I noticed what might be an indicator that will help me know if I've hydrated my lather enough. I spent a good deal of time adding water to the lather by dipping the tips, painting it to my face and scrubbing it in with the splayed brush. When I started shaving and went to rinse my razor of lather/whiskers, the underside of the blade and tray cleared out easily. There have been times in the past where the lather/whiskers accumulate between the bottom of the blade and the tray to the point I had to remove the blade to clean it out. I think on those occasions I didn't properly hydrate the lather. Just a hunch that will become more obvious over time as I now have something to measure with.

If you haven't watched Wchnu's recent shave video, I highly recommend it. Particularly if you are a new/newer/newish shaver. He is speaking directly to us. I've heard it all before, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't revisit some of his preachings. While shaving today, I focused on the mantra of "pressure and angle" along with using short strokes. I also incorporated skin stretching more than I've done in the past. I could tell a noticeable improvement on one of my troublesome jawlines. I also got a much closer shave on my cheeks despite not going against the grain. Being a right handed shaver, it is natural to reach over my head with the left arm and stretch the right side of my head. A bit more difficult with the other side, but I made it mostly work.

As Bill Belichick famously said, "We're on to Cincinnati." And on to tomorrow's shave! 

Thanks for the shout out.

I agree that if your razor is clogging the lather is not wet enough. One point of the lather is to get the lather and cuttings to flow out so as to not clog things up. Sounds like you are coming along!!!! Keep at it!

[Wchnu]

Razor: AutoStrop A2
Blade: Kai Best carbon steel
Brush: Rudy Vey Badger & Blade 2020 Group Buy #4/30
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
Additional Care:
  Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented
  Imperial Leather Talcum Powder


This blade was a bit tuggy. 

 I had a A2 shave yesterday. Fantastic it was. I see that you are chosen by THE VEG also!!

[Wchnu]

Razor: Schick A Repeating
Blade: Taconic
Brush: No-name Boar
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Aftershave: Preferred Stock

How much do you like that little boar brush?????

[srqshaver]

I won a OneBlade Core razor as part of a PIF and today was my first shave with it. I wasn't expecting much from the razor since it's plastic but it's actually very solid and has a decent heft to it. I opened a new blade, washed off the copious amount of glue, and loaded it up. I just received some new aftershave and such from Clubman and was eager to try it out since I hadn't used aftershave for quite a long time and didn't enjoy it the last time I did. I lathered up the Col. Conk lime soap with a PAA Atomic Rocket and had a very pleasant three-pass shave.

The razor is a little odd to use as a wet shaver. First, it requires pressure and longer strokes to work well. I have spent the last six months training myself not to apply pressure so it took a few minutes to feel comfortable pushing down. To that end, however, the razor really instills confidence that it won't bite you and indeed it didn't. The other thing that is unfortunate is needing to make many passes over my problem areas under the chin along my jawline. I had to buff and ended up really working those areas pretty hard. I was sure I'd regret it and have a ton of irritation but amazingly, not a bit. I used an Omega alum stick and had zero feedback.

I finished up with the Clubman Citrus Musk. I haven't used aftershave in decades and was really just trying it at the suggestion of a family member. Boy am I glad I did though. I absolutely love how it feels and smells. It's been several hours and the scent has faded to just a light hint of the strength when I applied it.

   

[Old Sarge]

I won a OneBlade Core razor as part of a PIF and today was my first shave with it. I wasn't expecting much from the razor since it's plastic but it's actually very solid and has a decent heft to it. I opened a new blade, washed off the copious amount of glue, and loaded it up. I just received some new aftershave and such from Clubman and was eager to try it out since I hadn't used aftershave for quite a long time and didn't enjoy it the last time I did. I lathered up the Col. Conk lime soap with a PAA Atomic Rocket and had a very pleasant three-pass shave.

The razor is a little odd to use as a wet shaver. First, it requires pressure and longer strokes to work well. I have spent the last six months training myself not to apply pressure so it took a few minutes to feel comfortable pushing down. To that end, however, the razor really instills confidence that it won't bite you and indeed it didn't. The other thing that is unfortunate is needing to make many passes over my problem areas under the chin along my jawline. I had to buff and ended up really working those areas pretty hard. I was sure I'd regret it and have a ton of irritation but amazingly, not a bit. I used an Omega alum stick and had zero feedback.

I finished up with the Clubman Citrus Musk. I haven't used aftershave in decades and was really just trying it at the suggestion of a family member. Boy am I glad I did though. I absolutely love how it feels and smells. It's been several hours and the scent has faded to just a light hint of the strength when I applied it.

Hey, Eric...nice shave! How do you like the scent of the lime Col. Conk? I have the bay rum and like it's scent plenty good. For such an inexpensive soap, it produces a real nice lather!

[mayer57619]

Razor: Schick A Repeating
Blade: Taconic
Brush: No-name Boar
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Aftershave: Preferred Stock

How much do you like that little boar brush?????

It works really well.  It originally was covered in a type of pain that just came off and I have not decided what do do with it yet.

[Wchnu]

How much do you like that little boar brush?????

It works really well.  It originally was covered in a type of pain that just came off and I have not decided what do do with it yet.

Looks good like it is!!

[srqshaver]

Hey, Eric...nice shave! How do you like the scent of the lime Col. Conk? I have the bay rum and like it's scent plenty good. For such an inexpensive soap, it produces a real nice lather!

I do! It's a very mild citrusy lime fragrance, is easy to lather, and the slickness is very good. There's not much in the way of post-shave moisture which is what you'd expect from glycerin soap. I definitely want to try the others now.