Shave of the Day Thread - 2016

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Pre-Shave: Musgo Real Glyce Soap
Razor: iKon DLC Slant
Blade: PolSilver SI (1)
Brush: Simpson Chubby 2 Best
Lather: D.R Harris Arlington
Post-shave: Alum, Thayers Cucumber, Trumpers Coral Skinfood

My first wow moment with the Chubby. The Klar I used the other day reminded me that I need to soak my hard soaps a little before use. With the Arlington it's the difference between a great lather and a poor one. Mr. Chubby ate the soap up, created a beautiful lather and even gave it up gracefully.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the Cucumber Thayers, although overtime I use it I have a craving for a Pimms.
 
Pre-Shave: Musgo Real Glyce Soap
Razor: iKon DLC Slant
Blade: PolSilver SI (1)
Brush: Simpson Chubby 2 Best
Lather: D.R Harris Arlington
Post-shave: Alum, Thayers Cucumber, Trumpers Coral Skinfood

My first wow moment with the Chubby. The Klar I used the other day reminded me that I need to soak my hard soaps a little before use. With the Arlington it's the difference between a great lather and a poor one. Mr. Chubby ate the soap up, created a beautiful lather and even gave it up gracefully.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the Cucumber Thayers, although overtime I use it I have a craving for a Pimms.
Pre shave : Geo F trumper limes skin food
Razor : iKon B1 slant
Blade: astra sp
Brush : Simpson chubby 2 best
Soap: DR harris arlington
After shave : Aesop after shave lotion


I'm having a hard time with the iKon slant in the area between my lips and my chin. I still couldn't get those little stubbles clean, unlike with the OSS head.

The DR harris arlington is way harder to work with than my DR harris lavender puck. I tried blooming it, poured a bit over water every 20-30 swirls while loading. Still couldn't get it to lather up well. Even with the Marco method, no good foam. So during my last pass, I got a little frustrated and dipped the chubby in my bowl of water, at first the foam was a bit watery, but after lathering it on my face a little longer, a glimpse of the familiar thick foam starts to form. Maybe i need to bowl lather with this soap to get the water and soap ratio right. Does seems like I need a lot more water to work with this soap. Before I retire this puck. [emoji20]

Going back to the OSS head tomorrow. Give the slant a rest.
 
Brush: Edwin Jagger badger
Soap: Shaver Heaven, Spiced Mahogany
Face lather
Blade: Gold Monkey 6/8
Post: home made Bay Rum A/S

I ran my own espresso vans for 11-12 years at events including the NQ Cowboys, Council events, markets etc where you pour hundreds of shots per event. Every now and then, a shot gets brewed and you know that you know that this is this is the sought after "God shot". Every ba`rista aims for this. It comes out with beautiful timing, the crema is full and bubbles are small and tight, it's perfect and hence the title. When you're into espresso as a business, you just know that you know. You don't want to sell that cup but frame it instead.

This is a long-way 'round of saying this morning's shave was "that" shave. I hadn't planned for this morning's shave to be "special" or a stand-out, it just found me like that espresso shot. A relaxed Saturday, a late shave (8.00am instead of pre-5.00am), Spiced Mahogany, as always smelled a treat and lathered superbly, The Gold Monkey was sharp and "it just flowed". I've been minus the musketeer now for a couple of months and sporting a pencil thin moustache instead and everything went well including the finicky shaving and shaping around the mo'. No nicks, no issues, just close and smooth.

  • make sure the lather is bountiful and moist - don't skimp here - lather (and lather and lather) it up with a quality soap
  • make sure your blade is sharp (no matter what type of razor used)
  • don't try too hard to "chase the shave". Let it find you.
  • Enjoy wet shaving. Most people find shaving drudgery.
 
Razor: Fatboy E1 (5)
Blade: La brune française Wilkinson Sword, fabriqué en Angleterre (5)
Brush: Plissitane
Soap: @Barrister & Mann Ferox
AS: @D_Smythe's PAA 'i.e.' sampler from @shavetheman

Gotta say that the i.e is interesting but has a weird note in it which I am not sure about. Good staying power with the scent.
 
How new are your brushes? That boar (from memory it's the Semogue #1305 you have) needs to have been used about 30 times before its soft & the bristles don't "absorb" the lather. Even your Duke 2 needs to have some lathers under its belt before it settles down. People argue about breaking in brushes, but hair is organic and there is something that needs to adjust. The amount of times varies, but boat brushes need far more use than badger before settling down.

It sounds to me that it's not the soap, it's not *necessarily* your technique, but it's likely to be your brush(es) itself.

You are right. Both brushes have done probably 10 lathers or so. Still young. I did manage to crack the code today however - see my SOTD.
 

Pre: Occams Lime
Brush: Semogue 1800
Soap: Mystic Water - Sandalwood Rose
Blade: Dorco Platinum
Razor: Merkur 34c
Post: Thayers WH & Aloe
Scent: Tabac AS lotion​

I do believe I finally cracked the Mystic Waters code. I've done a full review here but basically, load heavily, dry, and add water very slowly, and don't push your luck. Lovely shave today with zero irritation and soft moisturized and so dam close BBS I am going to call it BBS anyway. Blade review here
 
Pre shave : Geo F trumper limes skin food
Razor : iKon B1 slant
Blade: astra sp
Brush : Simpson chubby 2 best
Soap: DR harris arlington
After shave : Aesop after shave lotion


I'm having a hard time with the iKon slant in the area between my lips and my chin. I still couldn't get those little stubbles clean, unlike with the OSS head.

The DR harris arlington is way harder to work with than my DR harris lavender puck. I tried blooming it, poured a bit over water every 20-30 swirls while loading. Still couldn't get it to lather up well. Even with the Marco method, no good foam. So during my last pass, I got a little frustrated and dipped the chubby in my bowl of water, at first the foam was a bit watery, but after lathering it on my face a little longer, a glimpse of the familiar thick foam starts to form. Maybe i need to bowl lather with this soap to get the water and soap ratio right. Does seems like I need a lot more water to work with this soap. Before I retire this puck. [emoji20]

Going back to the OSS head tomorrow. Give the slant a rest.
It took me a while to truly dial in the slant. I shaved continuously with it for a few weeks before I was really happy. Now it gives me my best shaves by a long way.
 
Alright, I'll keep going at it. And learn the way of the slant!
I understand the temptation to use lots of different razors and blades at the beginning of this path. Everything is shiny and exciting. But the best thing i ever did was stick with one razor for 30 days. It takes one variable out and you learn the subtleties of the razor. That particular one is heavy and has a large head. Learning a light touch takes time.

Also, try a PolSilver SI with the slant. It works well for me (thanks to @Lifes a Peach).
 
I would agree @Psmith. Iv'e got two razors in my drawer but I have stuck to my guns and not used them. I have been focusing on blade testing. Changing too many variables muddies the waters.

As it happens it's been a month, I reckon I know which is my goto blade and so tomorrow I'm going to give another razor a run.
 
Sword: Hikari
Suds: Fauldings Shave / Omega S10108
Salve: Proraso Green

Steve honed my NOS kamisori this afternoon. We deduced that it had a factory 'wheel edge' on it but there was a little bevel work still to be done. After the bevel edit it hit a Jnat followed by some strokes on a brilliant translucent Arkansas stone that is quickly becoming a firm favourite.

I must say, although I had high hopes for this razor I was a little concerned that it would only be beautiful to look at. It is smaller than I expected it would be but despite its diminutive size it has a thick wedge-y grind that is typical of these half-half kamisoris. My concerns were allayed as soon as I put the edge to my face though. It cuts very very well and it's the single most manoeuvrable razor I've ever used, eclipsing even the mighty Schick E-Type..

I'm pretty stoked. Cheers to @bald as for the hone and chat and @Draco Noir for the heads up.

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After setting myself the 'challenge' of an internationalist shave yesterday based on @Draco Noir's world tour it really was not too hard!

Razor: United States of America
Blade: France
Brush: England (yes, pre Isle of Man)
Soap/Cream: Italy
Aftershave: Spain

Simple and effective!

Well done, @Mark1966 but no, not too hard at all mate. Below a man of your considerable standing in fact :sneaky: So, to give you something more worthy of your skills and hardware collection : I invite you to dazzle us with a British Commonwealth Shave. Plenty of interesting countries to consider, but not totally open slather. In the spirit of fairness, any country that is or has been a member of the British Commonwealth is eligible to contribute to your shave :)
 
I must say, although I had high hopes for this razor I was a little concerned that it would only be beautiful to look at.

I have to admit it is a beautiful razor and takes a wonderful edge. I am thrilled it shaves well. :) You don't have to acquire anymore razors - right!! :) The translucent Arkansas is a nice little gem for a final touch to an edge. Well I look forward to the next treasure @Draco Noir identifies for you.

Excellent afternoon.
 
Well done, @Mark1966 but no, not too hard at all mate. Below a man of your considerable standing in fact :sneaky: So, to give you something more worthy of your skills and hardware collection : I invite you to dazzle us with a British Commonwealth Shave. Plenty of interesting countries to consider, but not totally open slather. In the spirit of fairness, any country that is or has been a member of the British Commonwealth is eligible to contribute to your shave :)

Hmmm - remind me in a fortnight's time. I have the beginnings of a plan ...
 
Razor: Weber Polished Head on Bulldog Handle
Blade: Vintage NOS French Gillette Super Stainless (8)
Brush: Vintage butterscotch Simpson reknotted in pure
Soap/Cream: Shaving Yeti - Yeti Snot
Aftershave: Floid Vigoroso

I was curious after the shave yesterday whether Floid would be a better post menthol shave finisher than Mennen Skin Bracer. I think it is. This is probably more about Floid itself than a menthol hit but it has enough menthol to 'work' in the overall package but adds a complexity and longevity that the Skin Bracer lacks. At the risk of offending, think white bread USA vs sophisticated European.

The NOS French Gillette Super Stainless is still going strong although I think it will have to be retired to make way for a new blade to test. We shall see, it has clearly got a few shaves left ...

Enjoy your Sunday guys :)
 
Pre: Occam's Lime
Brush: Vintage Butterscotch - Best
Soap: Wickhams Super Smooth - English Rose
Blade: Feather
Razor: Slim @ 2

Wanting to recalibrate between testing Dorco blades I went for a Feather (second use) for the inaugural run of the Slim. I had determined that setting 2.5 was equal to the 43c so started there.

Wickhams - brilliant especially after learning Mystic Waters. Effortless and abundant slick lather lasting for days. Being a croap I went for the softest brush in my drawer and boy it is nice on the face.

Shave was great with no irritation, smooth finish but a little rough against the grain. It could be me getting the angle wrong but I will go with #3 tomorrow.
 
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