Share your shave of the day for Saturday!
September 23, 2023
- Brush: Wald Stratos Goldvein 29mm A1 Fan
- Razor: Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple Gen 1 (Straight Shave 335)
- Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap (58)
- Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner
- Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
As you can see by my straight shave count (since mid-July 2022), I’m not particularly experienced as a straight shaver. But, I very rarely nick myself, and my patterns easily give me comfortable BBS shaves. I’ve noticed a number of people on the sub starting to straight shave or, perhaps, returning to it as I did last year. Today’s shave was another great straight shave for me, and after I was done, I got to thinking about why straight shavers seem to always prefer a straight shave over a shave with another razor type. My theory is that because a straight can do significant harm if you are careless, developing patterns that are mindful and careful of the edge but are easy and natural to do with muscle memory makes us appreciate the whole experience more. Probably BS, but that’s my thought for today.
So if you’re just starting to straight shave, or are returning to it, stick with it for a while! This is a skill that takes time to develop, but it is well worth it!
Enjoy your weekend!
My theory is that because a straight can do significant harm if you are careless, developing patterns that are mindful and careful of the edge but are easy and natural to do with muscle memory makes us appreciate the whole experience more. Probably BS, but that’s my thought for today.
I guess you are right with this one. The fact that I cannot (rather: learned the hard way that I absolutely must not) shave with a straight when in a hurry or when tired, and that safety precautions have to be enforced makes it that a minimum level of concentration or mindfulness is required, rather than nice-to-have.
Also, what I found interesting (or challenging) with straights is that you can not only harm yourself, but also your razor if you’re not careful.
but also your razor if you’re not careful.
Yes, definitely! I have only dropped one straight razor and, thankfully, that was a Gold Dollar purchased many years ago for ~$15. A big part of straight razor shaving that we don’t talk much about is the actual handling of the razor while shaving (rinsing, wiping, switching hands, etc.). This is a skill in itself.
I’m rinsing with clear water, and then I wipe with a microfiber cloth. I’ve set a precise disposition for my shaving implements when using a straight, and if the razor is not being used, I keep it closed at all times. Better safe than sorry!
I believe I could optimize my hand changing routine: I switch 2 or 3 times for each pass - if I only did it once, it would be much faster. But this is also constrained by wiping, especially for the XTG pass.
I switch 2 or 3 times for each pass
I use lather build-up as a signal for rinsing and switching hands.
Bye Bye Summer
- Brush: Dogclaration LG 2022 Mystery Brush (B16)
- Razor: Böker Abalone
- Lather: Stirling Soap Co. – Gin & Tonic
- Post Shave: Mühle – Aloe Vera
- Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Sea Spice Lime
Fall has come to Western Switzerland with a cold front and rain, so I chose a very summery setup in an act of futile defiance.
Sea Spice Lime is one of my favourite summer scents, but my wife burned out on it during AA 22, so use it sparingly.
Great shave! My muscle memory has caught up with the new Böker, and it is an autopilot razor now.
September 23, 2023
- Brush: Maggard 24mm Synthetic
- Razor: Gillette Red Tip Super Speed
- Blade: My-Blades (6)
- Lather: Barrister & Mann - Reserve Fern - Soap
- Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Reserve Fern - Aftershave
- Post Shave: Stirling - Bergamot Lavender - Witch Hazel & Aloe
- Fragrance: Barrister & Mann - Lavender, Interrupted - EdP
The last shave with the My-Blades wasn’t great. The blade seems to be a tad picky about which razor I use it in. This time it was back to working well in the Red Tip. When I start a fresh blade, I’m going to attempt a side-by-side with a Bolzano to test my theory that these are what Bolzo’s used to be before they moved to Egypt.
I’ll be interested to see how close you think the My-Blades is to the Bolzano and Elios in performance. They sure do look alike!
Sep 23, 2023 - Sample September: Champs de Lavande
- Prep: Coffee
- Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
- Brush: Chisel & Hound/House of Mammoth Beloved 26mm v15 Fanchurian
- Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy (Aluminum)
- Blade: Gillette Nacet [1]
- Lather: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux - Champs de Lavande - Soap
- Post Shave: Ethos Grooming - Lavender Suprême (Lisse Collection) Skin Food - Splash
- Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps - Picture Day - Eau de Parfum
Using the Nacet with the CF Legacy made a definite difference from the 7’OC-SS that I had been using. The small increase in aggressiveness and blade feel was welcomed.
CdL just isn’t for me. I’m a sucker for lavender, but this scent is too earthy/powdery to me.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sep. 23, 2023
- Brush: Zenith 31mm MOAR BOAR
- Razor: Razorock Hawk V2
- Blade: Feather AC Pro
- Lather: Henri et Victoria - Costa - Soap
- Post Shave: Henri et Victoria - Costa - Aftershave
Ok shave. Picked up my goofy niche razor and paired it with a comically large boar brush. This soap is so odd I doubt I will ever use the whole tub, the scent is ok, the consistency is very soft yet it is hard to lather and load.
2023.09.22 SOTD:
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Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser & Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
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Brush: Paragon Shaving Plisson knot (28mm) with Paragon handle
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Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy AL
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Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (1)
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Lather: Zingari Man The Watchman
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Post Shave: Alum, Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, Zingari Man The Watchman aftershave balm, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
Today’s shave is brought to you by /u/OnionMiasma. He provided a wonderful (and overkill!) care package which included the soap and aftershave (along with the frag version, which I also used).
Great shave today. The fresh blade made a world of difference in the razor. Very nice and easy shave that ended with a close shave. Curious how it would fare with a fresh wizamet.
First time using Zingari Man. First use, pretty nice products. I made the lather a little too watery, but it was still very good. The scent on these is great, but still not quite what I’m looking for (in terms of ozone pre-tornado scent). I’ll find what I’m after eventually!
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