What's new
The Shaving Cadre

Welcome to The Shaving Cadre, a forum dedicated to gentlemanly discourse about wet shaving and other topics of common interests. Membership is always free so register today and join in the fun

Anything that can go wrong... Will happen while I'm Shaving

Friday, October 16, 2020


PRE: Face wash with Stirling Menth Bar
SOAP: A+D Diaper Ointment Shaving Soap
RZR: Razorock MJ-90A
BLD: Personna Comfort (#1)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] ½ (3.5/5)


In honor of the arrival of Danger baby, I chose to use my newly acquired Proraso Red "Baby Butt ointment" soap. With the super mild razor, and the easy soap to lather, it ended up being a relaxing and easy shave. Not super close, but definitely enjoyable. [emoji106]

Of note, I made two purchase today:

A new shelf for my brushes in my "den" . The shelf gives me more room to store brushes, including being able to display my travel brush now. It also takes them out of the cabinet, which will maybe be better for them.

...and...

a Durham Duplex razor. I have full intentions of throwing away the head and only keeping the awesome looking handle for my Mamba 70, which is enroute as of today.

Have a great evening Cadre... And WE EANT PICTURES DON!!! [emoji6]
7b01953d1124aad2f7c79e7b009525e6.jpg
92b3d9e4b7ccdf0072a07098b1ebb823.jpg
 
Monday, October 19, 2020


PRE: Face wash with Stirling Menth Bar
SOAP: AOS Olibanum and Pepper
RZR: Razorock Mamba 70
BLD: Personna Comfort (#2)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] [emoji294] (4/5)


So I usually would have shaved last night, but I knew a razorock Mamba was coming in the mail today, so I held off an additional day. First shave was good, but I definitely need more time with it to decide if it's a keeper or not. I have to say, of all the reviews I've read, I expected it to be smoother than it was. Perhaps I had the angle wrong? It felt like most razors until I got to the ATG pass. That pass was surprisingly smooth and efficient. Time will tell.

The soap is also new, a packed 2oz container I got from a trade. I was skeptical about the scent, but I'm so glad I gave it a shot. It smells great and works well.

All in all, a happy shave. Have a good evening Cadre!
 
GearNoir said:
I’ve done that too! Well...waited till later in the day anyway, for the mail to arrive [emoji23]
Click to expand...
This was just about a full 24 hours from when I should have... And let me tell you, it was as painful to wait as you'd expect. Lol. [emoji1787]

Glad I did. I would have been twice as antsy having a razor arrive that I would then have to wait an extra day to use. [emoji6]

Tonight I get in the handle from the Durham razor (well, I get the whole Razor, but I'll just toss the head). That will need polishing... So it'll give me something shave-wise to do. Then, hopefully we'll get our Secret Santa assignments. That'll be a huge help... Instead of buying more junk I don't need (because let me tell you, I need nothing), I can focus on shopping for him. [emoji106]
 
Well, so much for the handle...

The Durham came in this evening and it isn't the same thread size as my other razors (tried on a GC, a Mamba, and a Henson AL13). Big bummer.

I need to go back to where I found it suggestion and see what razor head was used.
 
mrdoug said:
Well, so much for the handle...

The Durham came in this evening and it isn't the same thread size as my other razors (tried on a GC, a Mamba, and a Henson AL13). Big bummer.

I need to go back to where I found it suggestion and see what razor head was used.
Click to expand...
After further tests, I think it's a post diameter thing. It fits on a Gillette tech cap, albeit a little tight. It goes onto the MJ90 smooth and easy. It won't fit the others, though. [emoji2369]
 
Wednesday, October 21, 2020


PRE: Face wash with water
SOAP: WCS / Zingari Soloist
RZR: Razorock Mamba 70
BLD: Personna Comfort (#3)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] [emoji294] (4/5)


Today I'm back at it with the Mamba. I have to say, I'm not super impressed. This time it was smoother (it never was 'rough'), especially on the first two passes. Knowing the angle is slightly off with these uber curved razors, I shut down the music and really listened. It cut well, and again, ATG was smooth as silk. In the end, I took to re-arming the Henson for a clean up pass. It just wasn't close enough for my liking. Maybe it'll get better?

Today I used a soap PIF'ed to me by a great guy ( @Granite.Glasser ). What a great smell and an awesome shave. I'm fact, it was smelled good, after I loaded the brush I completely forgot all about my Pre-shave and immediately loaded. [emoji2369]

Again, another happy shave.

So, the gears have been going and the shopping has begun for my Santa buddy. Very exciting, as I believe I have an awesome gift idea.

Have a good evening Cadre!
 
Friday, October 23, 2020

PRE: Stirling Glacial Bar Soap
SOAP: Razorock Blue Barbershop
RZR: Henson AL13
BLD: Personna Comfort (#4)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] ½ (4.5/5)


After the disappointing shave last time with the Mamba, I thought I'd give the Henson another nod. I had the aluminum handle already installed, so I just went with that. Being Razorock is a mediocre soap for me, I decided to use the Ethos First Shave. This time I coated the brush, pre-loading. Whether it helped or not in this minimal use, I can't say for sure. I do know I got three great passes and some good clean-up done (again, with a quarter turn loosening of the handle). It was a smooth, comfortable, and relaxing shave that ended in a close shave and a smile on my face.

So Sunday is a big day. Since COVID was in full swing in NY during the Easter season this year, my oldest daughter's confirmation had to be rescheduled. It is (finally) taking place this Sunday. Obviously, as COVID hasn't gone away, we're still dealing with concessions. Nonetheless, it's nice to be able to have it. I'm very proud of her.

Have a good evening, and enjoy your weekend, Cadre!
 
Tuesday, October 27, 2020


PRE: Stirling Glacial Bar Soap
SOAP: Victory Shaving Flak Bait
RZR: Henson AL13
BLD: Personna Comfort (#1)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] ½ (4.5/5)


A great shave was had. It really is a good razor. No fuss, no problems.

The shave soap was really good, as well. The scent was strong enough, the lather was slick, and I didn't feel worried about irritation. Comparing price and performance, this soap is a great deal.

I'm beginning to think I need a splash option for aftershave. Something unscented with a bit of menthol.

So I got in a beautiful Rubberset 203 with the idea i'd replace the brush head. I looked online and decided on steaming it in a pot of boiling water to loosen the knot. I placed it in a pyrex cup, which I then placed into a pot filled with an inch or two of water. I boiled the water, with the top on for about 20 minutes. Instead of the knot coming out, the finish on the brush became aged and dulled. The almost pristine white coloring in the etching ran out. It looked so horrible. At that point I decided I'm keeping it as it is. I polished it up with some glitz, and I have some plastic polish I'm going to try on a small part to see if it restores the sheen. Either way, it'll just be a display piece. [emoji3525]
 
So here's the rubberset brush I mentioned (before shot on the bricks). It was so beautiful originally... I'm so mad at myself for screwing it up.

I was able to bring some of the writing back with a white crayon. The polish that I ordered to (hopefully) restore the sheen is called Meguiar's PlastX. I'll try it on a tiny spot. If it works, it'll get completely polished with it.
84347c583a63ccbb77a8b26cecee572f.jpg
16361debc55cd7f9996ce64cd9086408.jpg
 
Nice! Don't write-off those old boar knots. They're not as dense as we are used to these days, but many of them still perform wonderfully.
 
woodpusher said:
Nice! Don't write-off those old boar knots. They're not as dense as we are used to these days, but many of them still perform wonderfully.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words, but it's actually worse than it started.

I boiled it to remove the knot. I guess the picture is distorting the view, but it's very washed out now. I did try to polish it with flitz. Also rubbed a bit of baby oil on it. Still not looking the same.

Hopefully the plastic cleaner works, or I've ruined it. [emoji2369]

Definitely won't use it as it, and I'm done trying to diy things. I need to know my weaknesses. Lol.
 
Thursday, October 29, 2920


PRE: Stirling Glacial Bar Soap
SOAP: CBL Premium Decadent Chocolate
RZR: Henson AL13
BLD: Personna Comfort (#2)
POST: Alum Stick
POST: Stirling Glacial Unscented Balm

[emoji294][emoji294][emoji294][emoji294] ½ (4.5/5)


Another great shave. The Hensons just performs.

The soap, my grab-bag choice from my recent CBL order, is good. It's definitely a rich smell, and based on the colors, has vanillin (or however it's spelled... The synth vanilla). Decadent absolutely fits the description. My wife and daughter both don't care for the scent, but I think it smells good.

Also got a tub of Hombre. A unique, citric southwest scent with a light muskiness that is ok, so far. We'll see how I like it after some use. Musk and cologne scents usually make me nauseous. Even the ones I initially like usually good south. [emoji3525]

This afternoon I ordered some Osage Rub. I figure I have a few menthol balms, and I need a splash. We'll have to see how it compares. I'm not imaginng it has much scent beyond medicinal menthol. It's hard to find something without scent, with menthol. Especially now that I am again questioning the witch hazel. [emoji2369]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top