SOTD 11/12

Pre: Shave Secret
Brush: VDH Kit Boar Brush
Soap: Coates Original Almond Shaving Cream for Dry Skin
Razor:  ’32 -40 Gillette Short New Comb Bar Handle
Blade:  Super Max Stainless (2)
Splash:  Thayers Natural Remedies Lemon Witch Hazel w/ Aloe Vera Astringent
Post: Dove Men+Care ASB & Aqua Velva Musk

“Digging in the crates” again this morning.  Pulled out another soap that I haven’t used in a couple of months.  I was looking specifically for this one as I was reminded of it yesterday by a thread in /r/wetshavers where some folks were raving about how it was still available and how cheap it is.  You can grab some at http://www.coatescream.com/.

Coates is yet another of those low priced soaps/creams with fantastic performance for the price.  Easily generated super rich lather.  The almond scent has faded some but still enjoyable.  Lots of cushion and decent razor glide.  Just a dollop the size of a quarter gave me enough lather for 3 passes on the dome and 4 on the face/neck.  More than enough.  You really could make a lot worse choice than adding this soap to your shave den!

3rd shave on the Super Max blade.  Still nicely sharp and very smooth.  No tugging or skipping.  Was even still sharp enough to edge my ‘stache to a crisp edge.  I’m getting pretty good at that by the way.  No blood shed since the first learning attempt LOL

Hump Day!  “Ain’t nobody humpin’ around!” – B. Brown

SOTD 9/6 AOS? Meh?

Pre: Maggard Razors PSO – Lime
Brush: GBS Pure Badger
Soap: Art of Shaving – Unscented
Razor:  ’32 -40 Gillette Short Comb Bar Handle
Blade:  Super Max Stainless
Splash:  Thayers Natural Remedies Lemon Witch Hazel w/ Aloe Vera Astringent
Post: Brut Original Fragrance Moisturizing ASB & Aqua Velva Classic Ice Blue

Was “digging in the crates” so to speak this morning.  Pulled out the Art of Shaving cream.  This is one of those soaps that I use really just to use it up. I have no interest in ever purchasing any of Art of Shavings products.  I don’t dislike it really, it just does nothing for me.  It’s an average lather, actually kind of thirsty for a cream.  Has average glide, maybe slightly less than average cushion.  Unscented so nothing to excite the nose.  Meh..

Popped a Super Max in the Short Comb.  It’s a decent combo.  The Super Max feels nice and sharp, and decently smooth.  Was able to eek out a BBS with zero errors or touch ups.  I may have to adjust my angle with the Short Comb as I detect some minor irritation around the neckline in the back of my head.

Have a fantastic Saturday!

SOTD 8/17 Meh…

Pre: Maggard Razors PSO – Lime
Brush: Shea Moisture Synthetic
Soap: TOBS – Almond
Razor: ’32 -40 Gillette Short Comb Bar Handle
Blade:  PolSilver IR(2)
Splash:  Thayers Natural Remedies Lemon Witch Hazel w/ Aloe Vera Astringent
Post: Brut Original Fragrance Moisturizing ASB

It’s a grey, wet, lazy, meh kind of morning.  Really not in the mood to do much but sit around the loft today.  Zero motivation to leave the domicile for any reason that isn’t imminently critical LOL

My shave this morning definitely reflected my lazy mood.  I switched up the PolSilver blade from my original Short Comb to my recently acquired one with the bar handle.  Wanted to see if the handle made a big difference in the way it shaved.  And apparently it doesn’t really.  I still achieved a nice close shave with no weepers.  I did have to do a bit of touch up afterwards but that was due to my laziness during the shave, not the razor.  But even during touch up, it shaved efficient and sharp.

Love the TOBS Almond.  Creamy, rich lather and the scent just wafts into the room.  TOBS soaps generally have a nice, protected skin feel and this one is no different.  Three passes on the dome and no dryness or tight feeling.  No razor drag.

Picked up a nice slab of cedar at the farmers market yesterday that I think I’m going to turn into a cutting board.  Just need to decide how to prep it.  Suggestions are welcome 🙂  Enjoy your Sunday!

 

 

SOTD 8/4 The Long and Short of It (Menthol Monday)

Pre: Shave Secret
Brush: VDH Boar Brush
Soap: HTGAM – Frost Byte
Razor: ’32 -40 Gillette Short Comb Ball Tip
Blade:  PolSilver IR
Splash:  Shea Moisture Shave Tea Tree Herbal AS
Post: Pacific Shaving Moisturizer  & Fine Classic AS – Platinum

ICY!  That’s really the only way to describe my shave this morning.  I swear each time I use Frost Byte it gets colder!  My eyes were seriously watering.  I don’t think I could handle a soap much colder than this.  I’m still going to try them.  I’m a glutton for frozen punishment apparently.  I can’t see Frost Byte ever being a more than once a week soap though.  Great lather.  Good skin feel after cold water rinse.

After a thorough cleaning last night, I just had to use my newest acquisition today.  Tossed in a PolSilver blade.  Not a bad combo.  While physically, the Short Comb “looks” less aggressive than the New Long Comb, based on visible blade gap, it actually felt like more of the blade was contacting the skin.  So with that, and being a first use of this razor, I was rather ginger with the shave and didn’t “chase the baby”.  Ended up with a DFS, with minor clean up.  Somehow I missed a spot about the size of a 50 cent piece totally.  Didn’t discover it until the final rinse, luckily I hadn’t cleaned my brush or bowl yet so still had lather LOL

Drawing on the inevitable comparison between the New Long Comb and the Short Comb, so far I think I prefer the Long Comb.  That might be because of the distinct weight difference.  The Short Comb is definitely the lighter of the two.  I think with a heavier handle, the Short Comb may out shave the New, but as is I have to give the nod to the New Long Comb.

Second round using the PolSilver.  Feel nicely sharp.  Not as smooth compared to the Astra SP, but not rough either.  Definitely a better match with the Short Comb than the Tech.  I should get a decent 3 shaves out of this blade.  Have a great start to your week!