|
Post by wchnu on Oct 9, 2017 9:06:57 GMT -6
9 OCtoberMenthol MondayPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 24mm Silvertip Frank Shaving (FS) Soap: C.O. Bigelow Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (7) Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse and "Teddy" Wild Country After Shave, Avon Photo: View AttachmentSeeing how it's Menthol Monday I went with the only menthol like soap I have, C.O. Bigelow. Whipped up a unsatisfying lather in the little glass bowl I use to soak my brush in. Luckily I was still able to get some decent lather after face lathering. I continued with the short strokes on today's shave and minded the spots from yesterday. That being behind my jaw and below my ear. I only did two passes today and it shows, I should have done the third. If I don't get another good shave from the blade tomorrow it will be done. Though 8 shaves off of the blade isn't bad, it ain't great, but isn't bad. It is also a base line/ bench mark for the next blade when I strop. Finished the shave with a little Teddy AS. The Wild Country After Shave has a scent of baby powder to me, not to strong but a slight hint. All in all an okay shave for a Monday. BULLY!!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 10, 2017 5:10:07 GMT -6
10 OCtoberThis blade is officially done.Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: Omega Boar Brush 81064 Soap: Pipe Smoke, Uncle Jon's SS Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (8) Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Virgin Island Bay Rum After Shave, Clubman Photo: I haven't used my boar in awhile and have been thinking about putting it in a cup of water to help with the brake-in period. I heard across the street that if you put a brush in a cup of water then stick it in the fridge for three days it will come out with split ends. I had the brush pretty broke in before but it had to much loft for me and was just too floppy, so I gave it a hair cut. Now I have to start all over again trying to break it in. I recently ordered this bottle Clubman Bay Rum from the interweb. This morning I tried pairing it with a soap and came up Uncle Jon's Pipe Smoke. I think the scents are close enough to complement one another. The AS has a very clovey, cinnamon smell. The Wife thought it smelled of "Big Red Gum". Now on to the reason we are all here, "The Shave". Today was day 8 on this blade. The blade gave just as close a shave as it has before, still not BBS, but no where as smooth. As a matter of fact this shave was as rough as the first shave with the blade. Tonight I will put a new blade in it then strop it twenty times. So as there is no questions as to how those twenty times will be counted, 1 time is the back and forth motion down the length of the strop.
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 10, 2017 17:55:14 GMT -6
Tonight I tried to setup the next blade for the razor. After breaking two blades with a pair of pliers and needle-nose. I went out to the shop to use the work bench vise. That worked better. By a little bit. You can see in the picture above in the first attempt I broke part of the edge out of the razor. Than in the second attempt I broke the blade in two. I am glad that the box had ten blades in it. In this picture the top blade was the blade I had in the vise. The good thing was the blade did not crack. The bad thing is that the top of the "E" broke away also so the blade has some wiggle room in the razor when stropping. I stropped the blade twenty times after I got one that did not split in two. What I noticed was that some times while stropping the blade was not straight on the strop. Will shall see how it turns out. I think the next Valet I will get will be one that takes de-spined SE blades that way I don't have to mess with modifying special blades no more.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Oct 10, 2017 20:01:10 GMT -6
No need to despine a blade when you have the feather blades. They work great.
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 11, 2017 7:01:47 GMT -6
11 OCtoberWilliams WednesdayPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 22mm Badger, JR #180 Soap: WilliamsRazor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (1) Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse and Stetson After Shave Photo: What I didn't post in the last posting was that after stropping the blade than posting, I got to thinking about how that blade broke on me. That the top of the E was missing and it allowed the blade to move around a bit. So I figured I would try again. I started off by taking the glue off the new blade with an old GEM blade. Because all good stories start with "Here hold my beer", Here hold my beer. I was at my bathroom vanity, I had three blades on the vanity: the GEM, the Feather that I had already modified earlier in the evening and the new Feather that I was going to try and modify in hopes of getting a better break. I had scraped one side of the blade off then turned it over to get the other side. Not paying as much attention as I should have I picked up the first Feather blade to use on the second Feather. This in it's self would not have been that bad except subconsciously I didn't want to ruin the cutting edge so I turned it around so that the sharp edge was were I placed my finger to push the blade across the other. I now have a nice cut on the end of my finger. Sorry no pics of my finger. This morning I stropped the blade five more times before the shave as the blade was able to move around when I stropped it the night before. The Williams and JR #180 whipped up a nice lather. Now if you remember the first shave with the last CS blade it was rough. It was okay at best. OMG! Today's shave was hands down better than any shave I got from the un-stropped CS blade. It was smoother and gave me a closer shave. Three passes and it my not be BBS but damn near it. If this is a example of what is to come I will strop all the CS blades from here on. At least for the Valet. Finished off the shave with some Stetson AS and I am ready for anything the world my throw at me today.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Oct 12, 2017 21:18:18 GMT -6
11 OCtoberWilliams WednesdayPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 22mm Badger, JR #180 Soap: WilliamsRazor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (1) Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse and Stetson After Shave Photo: View AttachmentWhat I didn't post in the last posting was that after stropping the blade than posting, I got to thinking about how that blade broke on me. That the top of the E was missing and it allowed the blade to move around a bit. So I figured I would try again. I started off by taking the glue off the new blade with an old GEM blade. Because all good stories start with "Here hold my beer", Here hold my beer. I was at my bathroom vanity, I had three blades on the vanity: the GEM, the Feather that I had already modified earlier in the evening and the new Feather that I was going to try and modify in hopes of getting a better break. I had scraped one side of the blade off then turned it over to get the other side. Not paying as much attention as I should have I picked up the first Feather blade to use on the second Feather. This in it's self would not have been that bad except subconsciously I didn't want to ruin the cutting edge so I turned it around so that the sharp edge was were I placed my finger to push the blade across the other. I now have a nice cut on the end of my finger. Sorry no pics of my finger. This morning I stropped the blade five more times before the shave as the blade was able to move around when I stropped it the night before. The Williams and JR #180 whipped up a nice lather. Now if you remember the first shave with the last CS blade it was rough. It was okay at best. OMG! Today's shave was hands down better than any shave I got from the un-stropped CS blade. It was smoother and gave me a closer shave. Three passes and it my not be BBS but damn near it. If this is a example of what is to come I will strop all the CS blades from here on. At least for the Valet. Finished off the shave with some Stetson AS and I am ready for anything the world my throw at me today. Sounds like it just keeps getting better for you WOOO!!
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 13, 2017 10:00:31 GMT -6
13 OCtoberFriday, 13 Oct 2017 Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 28mm Faux Finest Badger, Frank Shaving (FS) Soap: Edwin Jagger SS Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (2) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Brisk Spice, Avon Photo: I had umbilical hernia surgery a month ago today. Yesterday I felt as though I had been sucker punched in gut so I spent most of the day in bed. I think I must have done to much the other day. When I went to get up this morning I had some more pain, so I am home again today taking it easy. After a shower it's surprising how much better a shave can make you feel. I used the oldest soap I have, Edwin Jagger, I think it may have been their aloe vera scent. I chose the FS faux finest to try and use the soap up. Strop the blade 10 times on the razor before the shave. I did a three pass shave that was smooth as well as close. I don't want to say BBS but the shave was so close to BBS. Finished the shave with some Brisk Spice AS. I now am BBS and feeling better than before. Final thoughts on the shave: - A good shave can and will make you feel better.
- Stropping the blade does make an impact on the blade which leads to a better shave.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Oct 13, 2017 14:43:15 GMT -6
13 OCtoberFriday, 13 Oct 2017 Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 28mm Faux Finest Badger, Frank Shaving (FS) Soap: Edwin Jagger SS Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (2) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Brisk Spice, Avon Photo: View AttachmentI had umbilical hernia surgery a month ago today. Yesterday I felt as though I had been sucker punched in gut so I spent most of the day in bed. I think I must have done to much the other day. When I went to get up this morning I had some more pain, so I am home again today taking it easy. After a shower it's surprising how much better a shave can make you feel. I used the oldest soap I have, Edwin Jagger, I think it may have been their aloe vera scent. I chose the FS faux finest to try and use the soap up. Strop the blade 10 times on the razor before the shave. I did a three pass shave that was smooth as well as close. I don't want to say BBS but the shave was so close to BBS. Finished the shave with some Brisk Spice AS. I now am BBS and feeling better than before. Final thoughts on the shave: - A good shave can and will make you feel better.
- Stropping the blade does make an impact on the blade which leads to a better shave.
A good shave is indeed a wonderful thing. I am glad that the stropping the blade is working for you. I am enjoying reading your post on it.
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 14, 2017 18:59:42 GMT -6
14 OCtoberPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 25mm Boar Brush, Omega 81064 Soap: 1) Badger Shaving Soap 2) Arko Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (3) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Clubman Musk Photo: I had used this brush Tuesday and thought it needed some help with the break-in period. I put it in a cup of water than put the cup & brush in the refrigerator for three day. After I pulled it out of the fridge I hand lathered with it once. The brush was a bit softer and did have some split ends now. In my opinion putting the brush in the fridge works in aiding to shorten the break in period. If you have a tough badger brush this will help. I bought the Badger SS from a local all natural shop when I picked up the Thayers WH. It has a good scent almost like Bay Rum, very spicy like. Though I don't use it all that often. Today I was reminded why. It lathered nicely but the lather did not last long on my face. I may have had the water to soap ratio wrong I don't know. I do know that it was just not working so I went to old rereliable, ARKO. I stropped the blade 10 times before the shave, then did a two pass shave. First pass with Badger SS, then the second with Arko. Was not looking for BBS today as I have to shave tomorrow for Jim jayaruh birthday tomorrow, 15 Oct. Happy Birthday Jim. I am even making my son use his JR #181 tomorrow. The shave was pretty good as I only did two passes. I did have a little sting on my neck from the Alum block. I finished off the shave with some Clubman Musk. I think it is a ringer for Old Spice. Now I have asked my Wife what she thought of Old Spice in the past. She responded with "Do you want to smell like my father?". So today when I put on the Musk I told her that if she called me Dad today I would NOT be using the Musk again. All in all it was a darn good shave. Maybe a little closer then I was originally hoping for but darn good all the same. Stropped the blade ten more times and then was ready for the day.
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Oct 14, 2017 19:10:47 GMT -6
14 OCtoberPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: 25mm Boar Brush, Omega 81064 Soap: 1) Badger Shaving Soap 2) Arko Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (3) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Clubman Musk Photo: View AttachmentI had used this brush Tuesday and thought it needed some help with the break-in period. I put it in a cup of water than put the cup & brush in the refrigerator for three day. After I pulled it out of the fridge I hand lathered with it once. The brush was a bit softer and did have some split ends now. In my opinion putting the brush in the fridge works in aiding to shorten the break in period. If you have a tough badger brush this will help. I bought the Badger SS from a local all natural shop when I picked up the Thayers WH. It has a good scent almost like Bay Rum, very spicy like. Though I don't use it all that often. Today I was reminded why. It lathered nicely but the lather did not last long on my face. I may have had the water to soap ratio wrong I don't know. I do know that it was just not working so I went to old rereliable, ARKO. I stropped the blade 10 times before the shave, then did a two pass shave. First pass with Badger SS, then the second with Arko. Was not looking for BBS today as I have to shave tomorrow for Jim jayaruh birthday tomorrow, 15 Oct. Happy Birthday Jim. I am even making my son use his JR #181 tomorrow. The shave was pretty good as I only did two passes. I did have a little sting on my neck from the Alum block. I finished off the shave with some Clubman Musk. I think it is a ringer for Old Spice. Now I have asked my Wife what she thought of Old Spice in the past. She responded with "Do you want to smell like my father?". So today when I put on the Musk I told her that if she called me Dad today I would NOT be using the Musk again. All in all it was a darn good shave. Maybe a little closer then I was originally hoping for but darn good all the same. Stropped the blade ten more times and then was ready for the day. The answer to the question is Yes. Yes I want to smell like that. The clubman Musk is awesome stuff. I need to pick up a new bottle myself. Never heard of the cold water breakin before either. Interesting.
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 15, 2017 13:43:39 GMT -6
15 OCtoberJim's Birthday Shave Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: JR #180, 22mm Badger Soap: Lilac, Mystic Water (MW) Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (4) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Lilac Vegetal, Clubman Photo: This mornings shave was a tribute to the Jim. The maker of fine shaving brushes. Across the street over at TSD a lot of the people that have JR brushes are using them today and posting photos of them in their SOTD posts. I bought some Veg to try. As it's supposed to be a lilac scent I paired it up with the MW Lilac. The JR #180 whipped up a very good lather with the MW. I stropped the blade ten times before the shave and then did a three passes with it. When I was about to lather up for the third pass I knocked the brush into a sink full of water. The lather was a little thin on that pass but was still able to get a nice lather out of it. Finished off the shave with the Alum block and then the Veg. It was another fantastic shave with the blade. It was a little rough on my neck as the alum was talking when applied there but I think it was me and not the blade. Stropped the blade fifteen more times on the strop before hanging it back up for tomorrow.
|
|
RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
|
Post by RocketMan on Oct 15, 2017 23:20:11 GMT -6
15 OCtoberJim's Birthday Shave Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: JR #180, 22mm Badger Soap: Lilac, Mystic Water (MW) Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (4) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Lilac Vegetal, Clubman Photo: View AttachmentThis mornings shave was a tribute to the Jim. The maker of fine shaving brushes. Across the street over at TSD a lot of the people that have JR brushes are using them today and posting photos of them in their SOTD posts. I bought some Veg to try. As it's supposed to be a lilac scent I paired it up with the MW Lilac. The JR #180 whipped up a very good lather with the MW. I stropped the blade ten times before the shave and then did a three passes with it. When I was about to lather up for the third pass I knocked the brush into a sink full of water. The lather was a little thin on that pass but was still able to get a nice lather out of it. Finished off the shave with the Alum block and then the Veg. It was another fantastic shave with the blade. It was a little rough on my neck as the alum was talking when applied there but I think it was me and not the blade. Stropped the blade fifteen more times on the strop before hanging it back up for tomorrow. Sounds like a great Shave de Homage for a birthday boy! And the Veg.......... Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by wchnu on Oct 15, 2017 23:52:56 GMT -6
15 OCtoberJim's Birthday Shave Pre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: JR #180, 22mm Badger Soap: Lilac, Mystic Water (MW) Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (4) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Lilac Vegetal, Clubman Photo: View AttachmentThis mornings shave was a tribute to the Jim. The maker of fine shaving brushes. Across the street over at TSD a lot of the people that have JR brushes are using them today and posting photos of them in their SOTD posts. I bought some Veg to try. As it's supposed to be a lilac scent I paired it up with the MW Lilac. The JR #180 whipped up a very good lather with the MW. I stropped the blade ten times before the shave and then did a three passes with it. When I was about to lather up for the third pass I knocked the brush into a sink full of water. The lather was a little thin on that pass but was still able to get a nice lather out of it. Finished off the shave with the Alum block and then the Veg. It was another fantastic shave with the blade. It was a little rough on my neck as the alum was talking when applied there but I think it was me and not the blade. Stropped the blade fifteen more times on the strop before hanging it back up for tomorrow. Sounds like a great Shave de Homage for a birthday boy! And the Veg.......... Thoughts? I think chosen he will not be!
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 17, 2017 5:18:29 GMT -6
17 OCtoberPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: JR #180, 22mm Badger Soap: Port-au-Prince, Stirling Razor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (5) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Lilac Vegetal, Clubman Photo: Todays shave was another good shave from the blade. I stropped the blade fifteen times before shaving. Paid special attention to what I was doing when shaving and did it in two passes. Not BBS, but I wasn't looking for BBS today, all I was looking for was DFS and that's what I got. Today was more about the Veg then others. I got this bottle last week to try it out and that is what I am doing. I am trying it out with different soap combinations to try and find one that might work for me. I have heard others say that the Veg chooses the person not the person chooses the Veg. I'm afraid that I may not be in the chosen camp on this one, but the search continues for the camp ground. Hopefully this answers your question RocketMan. I stropped the blade another fifteen times before hanging the razor up for tomorrows shave.
|
|
|
Post by GarnerPW on Oct 18, 2017 6:59:21 GMT -6
18 OCtober Wiliams WednesdayPre-Shave: Hot Shower Brush: JR #180, 22mm Badger Soap: WilliamsRazor: Valet VC2, Autostrop Blade: Feather FAS-10 Carbon Steel(CS), Feather Seikan (6) Strop: Amish made Post-Shave: Cold Water rinse, OSMA Alum block and Tai Winds After Shave, Big Blue Whistle Decanter, Avon Photo: It's Williams Wednesday gentlemen. The JR #180 whipped up a hell of a lather with the Williams this morning. Almost did not partake in the festivities today. I still looked good on my cheeks but my neck needed a little shave. Last minute I decided on a two pass shave that left me with such a close shave with little to no irritation that we will call this another BBS shave. Finished of the shave with the quiet alum block then a newly acquired Tai Winds AS. Stropped the fifteen times before the shave and another ten times afterward. The blade is still going strong and shows no sign of quieting yet. I do believe that this blade will out live the un-stropped blade but how much longer is yet to be seen.
|
|