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CBLindsay's brain droppings

CBLindsay said:
....when it comes to the vintage stuff....they fall into one of three categories. 1) Horrible. 2) Good. 3) Better. None of the old soaps would qualify as elite as compared to what artisans produce today....
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I've been mulling this statement over for a few days. I suppose it depends on the criteria/characteristics that a person factors into their own overall subjective rating system. For example, hypothetically, let's say that I didn't care for scented soaps, and didn't care anything about post shave moisturizing, thus making those two characteristics non variables in my rating system, then I'd actually rank the vintage soaps I've used thus far as "elite" status all the way due to how slick they are. However, the reality is that scent plays a major factor into my own personal rating system, thus I can say that overall, I'd rate them Tier 1. But I also allow for sub-categories of rating. I'll often use a "performance" rating, and/or "scent" rating to supplement my impression/opinion of a soap.

How's that for low-crawling in the weeds?
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cmh737 said:
I've been mulling this statement over for a few days. I suppose it depends on the criteria/characteristics that a person factors into their own overall subjective rating system. For example, hypothetically, let's say that I didn't care for scented soaps, and didn't care anything about post shave moisturizing, thus making those two characteristics non variables in my rating system, then I'd actually rank the vintage soaps I've used thus far as "elite" status all the way due to how slick they are. However, the reality is that scent plays a major factor into my own personal rating system, thus I can say that overall, I'd rate them Tier 1. But I also allow for sub-categories of rating. I'll often use a "performance" rating, and/or "scent" rating to supplement my impression/opinion of a soap.

How's that for low-crawling in the weeds?
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I think you are pretty dead on. If you remove the scent and “luxury” post shave feel From the equation a better vintage soap is as competitive if not more. Basically a better quality vintage soap sets the bar for how a shave soap MUST perform. I think most vintage soaps have decent but not incredible residual slickness ...but since residual slickness only matters if you aren’t reapplying lather, this becomes a non-issue when your routine doesn’t rely on excessive residual slickness.

Perhaps using a quality vintage soap as a baseline I could better evaluate newer soaps. If a soap is well scented (strength only) or has outstanding slickness, residual or post shave feel beyond that of a vintage it gets bumped up a notch. If it falls short of a basic vintage soaps properties it’s a dud.
 
Nice shaves with the vintage. And yes the season change is still wreaking havoc on my skin. My skin is extremely dry right now. But I have been using some Stirling Body Butter and it has been helping pretty well.
 
Cvargo said:
Nice shaves with the vintage. And yes the season change is still wreaking havoc on my skin. My skin is extremely dry right now. But I have been using some Stirling Body Butter and it has been helping pretty well.
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”body butter” is NEVER going to be something I even attempt. Ugh. My face, neck and scalp are in serious pain at the moment. It’s not dryness so much as allergy response.
 
CBLindsay said:
”body butter” is NEVER going to be something I even attempt. Ugh. My face, neck and scalp are in serious pain at the moment. It’s not dryness so much as allergy response.
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I am only using it on my elbows, feet, and hands. For my face I actually have been doing nightly lathers with Williams GASP! It seems to be helping.
 
Good luck with the allergies! They are the worst.

And don't knock on body butter. Always good to moisturize. ?
 
Oh Lord the Mental images developed when the Word Body butter are used. Somethings can not be forgotten
 
Tuesday 10/16/18
Straight shave #874

30mm 2 band badger
PannaCrema Nuavia Rosa
Spike

Not a lot has occurred since my last check-in, well nothing I can remember anyway. My skin has been protesting the change in seasons by breaking out in eczema here and there. Fortunately my face has been ok so I am not fighting that fight too.

I have had a few very good shaves using the Weck, a real God send for those mornings where I have no sharp razors in the shave den or just don't feel like stropping etc. The extra large 30mm 2 band badger set in the burl/resin handle is fast becoming a favorite. The amount of lather this monster produces in incredible, I have a feeling I could 3017 a puck of Williams in 10 days with this thing...although, I don't plan to try that.

The PCN Rosa is one of my favorite soaps, with a strong and unique scent that goes very well with the cooler weather. One thing that I don't care for is the intense amber notes, this soap blends well so the amber isn't too objectionable. Strange though, this scent is equally repulsive (amber) and intoxicating (everything else).

On the personal front, I am noticing my wife becoming a little more interested in my "hobby". I am partly to blame for her previous lack of interest since I did a pretty good job of hiding my activities (a smart move for anyone flexing their acquisition muscles) but I am guessing she noticed much more than she let on back then. She isn't quite as welcoming as Chad and Dave's wives but she seems to enjoy seeing what I have in the works. She tries to be helpful with my endeavors to develop new scents but after a few "hey, smell this" in the same day she begins to object. Sadly, I really need her help of late because my nose has nearly stopped working. But I am guessing my nose failure is not unique to my nose, I am sure many of you experience at least some nose blindness.
 
Getting your wife into the hobby is a double edge sword. Orders are usually bigger and they tend to steal your stuff!
 
Great update to me!

Glad there were no mishaps with the Weck and that the missus is enjoying helping with your soap making interest!
 
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