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Doug's Journal of Shaving Happiness v2.0

Journal Entry #425
2020 Shaves (DE: 0, SE: 0, Straight: 1, Cart: 0)
New Year 2020 TSC Appreciation Shave #2 of 2

01/01/2020
TSC Straight Shave #30
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Uncented pre-shave oil
Straight: G. H. Pumacker Black Diamond
Shavette Blade: none
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Chocolate
Razor: Gillette Single Ring OLD Type (from the Mystery Pass-Around Box)
Blade: Shark SS (2)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: TSC First Anniversary Brush w/Cashmere knot
Soap/Cream: CBL Tonsorial Money BETA (3)
AS 1: 365 Everyday Rose Petal Face Toner + Lucky TIger AS & Face Tonic
AS 2: Aqua Velva Sensitive 5-in-1 ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Barbasol Pacific Rush
Fragrance: none

Overview
Again, I wish I could have included gear from every Cadre member in my appreciation shaves.

Here are TSC Members represented in today's shave (in alphabetical order by forum handle):
@CBLindsay - CBL Tonsorial soap - Chris has a real passion for soap making and it really shows in his products. I have been a fan since the first time I tried his soap. I also really enjoy interacting with him here on TSC. He is fun and interesting to talk to.
@Dagwoodz - G. H. Pumacker Black Diamond - I was the winner of Josh's PIF in December 2018. It is the most generous PIF that I have ever seen. This razor was one of the PIF items. I am still overwhelmed by everything that he included in the two boxes he sent me.
@Dave in KY - Barbasol Pacific Rush - This is my first, and probably only, bottle of Pacific Rush that I will ever have. It is an amazing AS splash given to me by a true gentleman.
@Joe Hackett - Stirling Unscented Pre-Shave oil - Rod & Amanda make some of the best shaving software in the industry. His scents are top notch. I am glad that Rod is a member here. I will always have some of Stirling's products in my shave den.
@Smattayu - TSC FIrst Anniversary Brush - Eric is a master woodworker. His brush handles are works of art, in my opinion. He made my first custom brush. It is something that I will treasure forever.

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
The Black Diamond gave me a seriously close shave today, but was a little rough. I may need to refresh the edge on my pasted balsa strop. A third pass with the Single Ring left me smooth as glass. My aftershave routine soothed my skin and left me feeling like new. The BBS has lasted all day. Feeling good.

Gear
The First Anniversary Brush is comfortable to hold and the Cashmere knot is a pleasure to lather with. It made quick work of the CBL Tonsorial, which is everything it is cracked up to be.

The straight may need an edge refresh, but it is a seriously good piece of vintage steel.

Today's gear lineup was all good stuff.

Other Thoughts
This year I am going to try once again to shave every day of 2020. It is also my goal to be 3017ing something each one of those shaves. Let's see if I can make it.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Thanks Doug, I was trying to figure how to use the Glass bottle of Florida Water you generously gave me bit needed another day. You are a Gentlemen Sir 🧐
 
Great shave and read Doug, and many thanks for your kind words. I remember that first custom brush. I made it when I was still putting CA finishes on my handles with a tapping bit on a corded drill lol.
 
dkeester said:
I started to feel that slowly developing tingle and burn that indicates a reaction to a scent component
Click to expand...
I've only experienced a reaction to one soap and I avoid it like the plague. Trouble is, I am unsure of which ingredient caused my reaction, so I reluctantly avoid other soaps from this maker, which disappoints me. Oh well, plenty of great soaps out there that agree with me.
 
Journal Entry #426
2020 Shaves (DE: 0, SE: 0, Straight: 2, Cart: 0)

01/02/2020
TSC Straight Shave #31
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Uncented pre-shave oil
Straight: Chinese Feather AC knock-off
Shavette Blade: Perma-Sharp
Strop: none
Razor: Parker Variant @2.5
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: Yaqi 26mm Rainbow Handle, Brown Hair Synthetic
Soap/Cream: CBL Tonsorial Money BETA (4)
AS 1: 365 Everyday Rose Petal Face Toner + Lucky TIger AS & Face Tonic
AS 2: Aqua Velva Sensitive 5-in-1 ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Barbasol Pacific Rush
Fragrance: none

Overview
Successful Shavette Experimentation

SOTD Pic
IMG_20191228_184311673[1].jpg

Shave Quality
BBS in three, two with the shavette and one with the Parker Variant. The lather was great! The shave was one of the best shavette shaves that I have ever had.

Gear
This shavette was surprisingly mild during the first pass. Shavettes tend to leave me with tons and tons of irritation, but this one didn't leave me with as much as usual. I still had some irritation and suffered a few small nicks, but this was one of the best shaves with a shavette that I have ever had. I will be using it again. Treat this device like you would a Feather AC. Lay it flat against your face and raise the spine only slightly and it will give really good results. It also feels really great in the hand. I am really glad that I took a chance on this from AliExpress.

Last night I decided to do with the CBL Tonsorial what I often do with Williams. I bloomed it overnight. Today's lather was superlative. I got a huge load off of the puck and made a very creamy, thick lather. This is really good soap.

Other Thoughts
This year I am going to try once again to shave every day of 2020. It is also my goal to be 3017ing something each one of those shaves. Let's see if I can make it.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
For a knockoff, that is a handsome razor. In your 2020 shave count I noticed that you included carts. Here's hoping it stays at zero for the year. ;)
 
Journal Entry #427
2020 Shaves (DE: 1, SE: 0, Straight: 2, Cart: 0)

01/03/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Uncented pre-shave oil
Razor: Parker Variant @2
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: The Tech Hive Synthetic Tuxedo Beehive 26mm
Soap/Cream: CBL Tonsorial Money BETA (5)
AS 1: 365 Everyday Rose Petal Face Toner + Lucky TIger AS & Face Tonic
AS 2: Aqua Velva Sensitive 5-in-1 ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Barbasol Pacific Rush
Fragrance: none

Overview
I like Parker razors.

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
You know the drill by this point. Great lather. Sharp blade in a good razor. BBS- in two passes. Low irritation.

Gear
The Parker Variant is really great. Thanks for selling it to me @Spider! It really is a much better version of the Merkur Progress. Maybe one of these days I will pick up a Mergress to compare, but I am in no hurry on that one. The Variant really is outstanding. The Astra SP was a good choice for the razor.

The CBL Tonsorial loads much easier when it is bloomed. I did not bloom it today. I still got a nice heavy load, but it felt like loading required more time. This probably is to be expected with a harder soap.

Other Thoughts
Cleaned all the old computer junk out of the house yesterday. Now it is in my car. Tomorrow it goes to the e-waste recycling center. Slowly but surely the house is getting less cluttered.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
Journal Entry #428
2020 Shaves (DE: 2, SE: 0, Straight: 2, Cart: 0)

01/04/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Uncented pre-shave oil
Razor: Parker Variant @5
Blade: Astra SP (3)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: VIG Shaving 24mm Silvertip Badger
Soap/Cream: CBL Tonsorial Money BETA (6)
AS 1: 365 Everyday Rose Petal Face Toner + Lucky TIger AS & Face Tonic
AS 2: Aqua Velva Sensitive 5-in-1 ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Barbasol Pacific Rush
Fragrance: none

Overview
New brush.

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
The lather was a little more airy today, but it was really good. The razor definitely gave more blade feel at the higher setting. Two passes for BBS-. I can't complain too much. I am still really smooth about 7 hours later.

Gear
The new badger worked well. It lost about 15 or so hairs between the initial shampoo and the shave. This seems like a high number of bristles to lose, but I am not certain. If it continues to shed I might have to be disappointed in the knot. We will see.

The Variant at 5 has some definite aggression. It wasn't excessive. I still really like the razor. At 5 it has blade feel, but still works well.

Other Thoughts
Having a nice afternoon/evening at the cigar lounge. Tried a new stick today called La Coalición. It is a collaboration between Drew Estate and Crowned Heads. I liked it very much. Had a bit of Old Forrester 100 proof with the stogie. I am a happy boy.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
NurseDave said:
Cigar lounge sounds great
Click to expand...
My lounge is a really wonderful place. It has nice big comfy chairs, a nice selection of pipe tobaccos, and a huge cigar humidor.
dangerousdon said:
Haven't had Old Forester in quite some time. Some good sipping Bourbon there!
Click to expand...
It is a very nice sipper and with the high rye mash bill at 100 Proof it stands up to a cigar. So far Old Grand Dad 114 Proof is my favorite cigar bourbon, but the Old Forrester is a nice one too.
 
Journal Entry #429
2020 Shaves (DE: 2, SE: 1, Straight: 2, Cart: 0)

01/05/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Uncented pre-shave oil
Razor: GEM Featherweight
Blade: GEM PTFE (1)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: VIG Shaving 24mm Silvertip Badger
Soap/Cream: CBL Tonsorial Money BETA (7)
AS 1: 365 Everyday Rose Petal Face Toner + Lucky TIger AS & Face Tonic
AS 2: Aqua Velva Sensitive 5-in-1 ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Barbasol Pacific Rush
Fragrance: none

Overview
Massive razor burn.

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
The shave would have been good, except for the nicks and some of the worst razor burn that I have had in a really long time. The two passes would be aroung DFS+, were it not for the irritation.

Gear
Yup. The GEM Featherweight does not like my face. I think this is going onto the PIF or sell pile.

The VIG Shaving brush didn't lose any hairs today. Hopefully it is done shedding after that first shave. It is a nice brush so far. The knot is set at a higher loft than the Yaqi HMW, so it splays more and holds a bit more lather. This is not necessarily good or bad, just a difference that I have noticed.

Other Thoughts
Don't really want to go back to work tomorrow. My two week vacation went by too fast. It will be nice to get back to routine, however.


Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
 
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