Shave of the Day Thread - 2017

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A truly stunning 12/10 straight razor shave tonight.
@Itsonlyblood sent me the 2 Semogue brushes he recently had for sale [830 and 620] and they are sensational.
2 passes and DFS+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I ran a Russian blade over my Jnat and then stropped it on my pig hide paddle strop.
Brushes as above. I used both to see the differences, both were very good for face lathering.
My soap
Splash of metho on a wet face to finish.

Highly recommend the 830 or the 620 Semogue brushes for any level of shaving.
 
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Date: 11 May 2017

Brush: - Semogue SOC 2 Band Badger in Ash Wood 24/53mm
Cream/Soap: - La Savonniere Du Moulin (donkey milk)
Razor: - Colonial Razors "The General" SE with iKon Bulldog Handle
Blade: - Kai Captain Titan Mild (Pink) #15
Post: - Thayers Witch Hazel 'Rose Petal' Aloe Vera Alcohol Free Toner / Bulldog Original Aftershave Balm

To early for me to give a review on the La Savonniere Du Moulin (donkey milk), I will be using the same shaving soap again on my next shave so far so good (y);)
 
Brush: whipped dog high mountain badger
Soap/Cream: geo f trumper sandlewood cream
Razor: eclipse red ring
Blade: brand new Astra platinum
Post-shave: lucky tiger bay rum
Cologne: CK be.
 
Razor: Progress standard set at 3.5
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Soap: Mitchell's Woolfat
Brush: Maggard synth
Post: Anherb Aftershave Conditioner

So, I have come to the conclusion that no matter which brush or soap I use, I'm going to get a result that doesn't vary too wildly. If I use MWF, I'll get the best post-shave but apart from that, the actual shave itself doesn't vary much whether I use a $30 puck of S/Varesino or an $8 Haslinger.

What I've actually realised that, for me, the razor an blade make the biggest difference in the shave. I have been using Polsilver SI blades solely for over a year now and they are the best combination of sharpness and smoothness. I have 7,000 in my stash and don't think I'll ever change to another blade as I've pretty much tried them all.

I had a tuck of GSB laying around so loaded one up in the Progress. Whilst the shave was very smooth, the blade itself felt only a bit sharper than an Astra-SP, which is to say, not very sharp. I ended up with a nice shave but I had to work for it. Extra buffing, and even found myself applying pressure in tough areas.

At the same time, if I load up a Polsilver into a milder razor, I go through the same extra effort as above. I feel that once a razor has been chosen and suitable (e.g. even with a dull blade, I can't go beyond 4 on the Progress as my skin can't take that much exposure) then the next step is to find the best blade. I can pop a Polsilver into the Progress or Rockwell 6S and I know I'll get a smooth, close, comfortable shave. As an added bonus, the Polsivers last me longer than any other blade.

So whilst this might, by default, seem minimalist...I just don't see the point of having extra hardware that gives me a mixed bag of results. I'd much rather stick with a couple of razors (although I do have 3 Progress razors) that suit me and my Polsilvers.
 
Thursday 11 May 2017

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Mastro Livi Razor Club 2017, Again​

Saturday I am going to return this Club Razor 2017 prototype to Mastro Livi after having had the privilege of testing it for about two weeks. By the way: tomorrow will be the last day for ordering this Mastro Livi Club Razor 2017 and after this date there will be no way to order this razor anymore. I have to say this has been a very luxurious and enjoyable testing, the quality of this razor is stellar having a super smooth and cutting edge delivering a superb close shave. I also like the overall balance of the razor, making it very comfortable to use. The look of this Mastro Livi Club Razor 2017 is terrific: the three semi-precious stone inserts make the blade very elegant and exclusive, very classy adding an artistic pleasure to the joy of shaving. The cocobolo scales perfectly match the shiny blade with its majestically mirror finish. Shaving with this prototype Club Razor was really a joy and I cannot wait to have mine. It simply and certainly is yet another fine masterpiece from Mastro Livi, a real master in craftsmanship.​
  • Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
  • Soap: Aquagena Shaving Soap
  • Brush: Omega Professional #48
  • Bowl: Chinese Bowl
  • Strop: Mastro Livi Travel Loom Strop and Hand Palm
  • Razor: Mastro Livi Club Razor 2017, 8/8 Full Hollow, French Point
  • Post-Shave: Alum Block
  • Post-Shave: Argan Oil
  • After Shave: Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve
 
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Pre: Valobra Glicerlanolina soap, Myrsol Emulsion
Brush: Simpson Chubby 2 Super Badger
Soap: Shaver Heaven Vanilla Oak
Razor: ATT H2
Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (2)
Post: Myrsol Emulsion
EdC: Musgo Real Spiced Citrus

Another cracking shave with the H2 plate. The Shaver Heaven soap is wonderful - great cushioning and glide, and most importantly for me, plenty of residual slickness. The Vanilla Oak scent is perfect for a Perth autumn evening.
 
Brush: Omega Synthetic Hi-Brush
Soap: Proraso Green
Razor: Merkur Progress (+3)
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Green (1)
Lotion: Omega Alum Stick / Old Spice A/S / Nivea Post Shave Balm / Pinaud Clubman Talc

Today's shave with the Progress set at +3, using the sharper than the Derby 7 O'Clock Green blade, was both smooth and close. I am liking the Progress (and its versatility) more and more. For an adjustable razor I do prefer the always reliable (and milder) Slim, but the Progress is a also a fine instrument.

There are discussions on other threads concerning whether the Progress (and other adjustable razors) provide a better shave by a progression or regression of the setting on subsequent passes. While there are arguments that seem valid for either approach, I haven't experimented sufficiently with these alternate methods to come close to any conclusion. My intuition, however, is that much care is necessary if the setting is increased to attack a trouble spot, such as on the lower chin. A better approach might be a firm stretching of the skin. As always, YMMV.
 
Razor: Vintage British Aristocrat #15
Blade: Vintage Australian Gillette Super Stainless [aka "Aussie Spoiler"] (4)
Brush: Vintage butterscotch distressed Culmak reknotted with TGN finest
Soap/Cream: Squadron Soap 'Group Captain's Blend'
Aftershave Splash: Australian Private Reserve 'Un côtelette de porc' splash
Aftershave Balm: Australian Private Reserve 'Un côtelette de porc' balm

MEL day trip for a meeting, great way to start the day!
 
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Musgo Glyce
Simpson CH3
Timeless
Feather
L&L + Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender
Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender Salve
Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender Aftershave
Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender EDT

Fantastic two passes, Fantastic Fragrance. Very Pleasing :)

​
 
I got the rhapsody set from @todras in the mail yesterday.. I thought I would like it but I love it. What a scent, even the missus said it was one of her favourites.
I'm really happy with my den at the moment. I only have soaps I rate as a 9 or 10 /10. Everything else had been sold or pifed
 
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Pre-Shave: @khun_diddy Olive Oil Soap, cold water
Razor: Rockwell 6S Plate 4 on loan from @nsavage
Blade: Voskhod (1)
Brush: Maseto 2-band Finest
Lather: Australian Private Reserve General Ledger
Post-shave: Alum, Stirling Bay Laurel Witch Hazel, South Australian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil​

Best shave with the Rockwell so far and the Australian Private Reserve delivered as always a wonderful lather (picture here) - I hope you all have some fantastic Friday shaves (y)(y)(y)
 
SpeedyPC said:
@alfredus how was the Maseto 2-band Finest brush? is it pretty good?? is this worth getting if so what's the knot like?
Click to expand...

This is my replacement, as the first one was unfortunately shedding...

The knot is fantastic - especially at this price point I think it is STELLAR! But I want to use it for a week or so, to see, if there are any shedding issues - then I will write a review
 
Gillette Blue 2
Scottish Fine Soaps Luxury Shave Soap
Omega 80266
Re-lather and cold rinse

First time I tried this veggie soap. Rubbed the triple milled puck on my wet face as I do for MWF, then followed with a soaked boar brush that I had got most of the water out of. Started out as a pasty, thick lather with an unobtrusive scent that was quite promising. Slowly added water and.... bubbles! Thought it may have been me so I kept working it with the brush to get rid of the air but the bubbles always came back whenever the water was put back in. Couldn't get water in without the air. By this time I had wasted a lot of time so I had to reach for the disposable to do a quick and dirty shave. Subsequent passes were slightly better, probably due to the addition of the slime from the lube strip!

Not my finest hour - I might try hand lathering this soap once more just to make sure it wasn't me but otherwise it's another soap relegated to hand / bath / pre-shave duty...

Chalk me up to the list of people who only really gets good lathers from tallow soaps - and better post shave feel from those with lanolin as well.
 
Eclipse red ring
Second shave on an astra SP (I don't really like these blades)
Geo f trumper sandle wood
Whipped dog silver tip
Alum
NATO face moisturiser
CK one shock

Love this razor, can't wait to get a Nacet, GSB, rubie or stainless Astra in it.
Looking at my Razor collection, I may need to move a few.
 
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A very @todras shave today as I have just unpacked a box of goodies. New to the den the Tallow Eufros Brisa and Progress.

Brisa tallow has a different scent to the prior version (non-tallow) that I own and dials down the cardamom, for a more balanced cologne like scent. I really liked the old one as I love cardamom, however the new scent is brilliant as well. Performance, well if you haven't tried Eufros tallow.... DO IIITTT! Has to be the best performing soap I've used. I had tried a sample last year courtesy of @filobiblic which was good, but from a tub is totally different. Just all around brilliant and can't fault it anywhere tbh.

Progress I used with a Rapira Chrome (4th use). Started on 3 WTG, 3.5 XTG, then 4 XTG other way. I've really had some great luck of late with razors. The QShave is brilliant, and this Progress is no different. Feels slightly more robust than the QShave, but that may be just the design (not a fan of pop off caps). The razor has more blade feel than the Qshave, even with a smaller blade gap, but by no means aggressive. Efficiency is brilliant. I'm sitting here with BBS stroking my face as it's just that comfortable.

Eufros Sandalwood, Tobacco and Fougere are certainly in my sights now :D

Have a great Friday night all!
 
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