Doug's Journal of Shaving Happiness v2.0

[dkeester]

There is also some stuff that doesn't work for me that I need to get rid of.

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #537
2020 Shaves (DE: 98, SE: 17, Straight: 5, Cart: 0, Skipped: 6)

05/07/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Piacenza pre-shave oil
Razor: Merkur 15c Open Comb
Blade: Gillette Platinum (1)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: PAA Solar Flare 24mm
Soap/Cream: Bluebell Select Shaving Soap Peppermint (17)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream
AS 3: Fine American Blend
Fragrance: none

Overview
A great shave and an ending.

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
I had time to day to relax and enjoy the shave, so I did. I slowed it down and focused on light pressure which left me with a very nice, low irritation (even on my neck!) BBS. The only area of concern is my mustache area. It is a tiny bit irritated, so I need to change up my technique in that area. The lather was killer. The Gillette Platinum was more than sharp enough. I am very pleased with today's shave, especially my neck.

Gear
Merkur 15c + Gillette Platinum = winner!
The 15c is a great piece of hardware that gave me stellar results today. It occurred to me as I was shaving with it that there are some similarities to later model (i.e. thick cap) Gillette OLD Types. I need to remember to do a visual comparison of them and perhaps a comparison shave. I am very much a Merkur fan.

The Gillette Platinum blade is one of the best out there. I would maybe even go so far as to call it my favorite, although Astra SP is also right up there (and perhaps tied with it). ... ... ... Let's just say that it is definitely in the top 5. I got my stash of them from 'razorbladesclub' on Ebay, where they are $15.99 per 100 with free shipping from Sweden. If you like Astra you should try these.

The Lucky Tiger Disappearing Cream is gone. I will be moving on to the Vanishing Cream tomorrow. This stuff is not bad as an addition to a post-shave routine. However, I am not sure if I will be purchasing this again. It is an improvement, but not a vast one.

Other Thoughts
For some reason I am in a mood to try some new razor blades, so I ordered a bunch. I realistically have more than enough to last me for about a decade, but the new is calling.


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

 

[BarberDave]

Very Nice Read Doug and great conversation last evening

 

[fhalden]

[
The Gillette Platinum blade is one of the best out there. I would maybe even go so far as to call it my favorite, although Astra SP is also right up there (and perhaps tied with it).

I'm with you on this! GSB has long been a top performer for me, but I finally tried the Platinum and I really do think I like it better. I just sprung for 100. The Astra SP is also near the top of my list.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #538
2020 Shaves (DE: 99, SE: 17, Straight: 5, Cart: 0, Skipped: 6)

05/08/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Piacenza pre-shave oil
Razor: Merkur 15c Open Comb
Blade: Gillette Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: PAA Solar Flare 24mm
Soap/Cream: Bluebell Select Shaving Soap Peppermint (18)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Royal Copenhagen AS
Fragrance: none

Overview
A killer shave for my Friday

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
Today I focused on short strokes with light pressure. I also tried to make sure that I wasn't hitting the same spot over and over. With the thickest of slickest of Bluebell lathers the razor removed the stubble with little exfoliation. The alum had almost nothing to say to me after the shave. It was two passes that led to a lovely BBS-.

Gear
I decided to do a bit of a comparison between the 15c and the OLD Type.

Pictured, left to right, is my Single Ring (from @Spider's mystery box passaround), my Ivory Soap OLD Type, and the 15c. While the 15c is not a direct copy of either version of the OLD Type, it does appear to be similar in design. It holds the blade at a similar, if not identical, angle due to the shape of the base plate. Also, it appears that the blade exposure is similar. The handles also have similar dimensions.

I really like this razor. If you are a fan of the OLD Type, I would suggest giving the Merkur 15c a good look for a similar shaving experience.


Today's AS splash is one that I don't use very often. Royal Copenhagen is very 1970's. I think it smells great, but it is more cologne than AS due to strength of scent. A little goes a long way. It is heavy and definitely masculine. I think it is totally worth a try, although it appears to only be available in an 8oz. bottle.

Other Thoughts
Sometimes knitting can be frustrating. Last night I somehow managed to drop a stitch and didn't see an easy way to backup and pick it up. I ended up frogging three rows of knitting: the row that I was working, the row with the dropped stitch, and the row below. I lost the row below because I needed to make sure I was getting it back on the needles correctly and pulling out the row above too quickly had left things in a not so good state. There is probably a better way to fix a dropped stitch, but I didn't think to research it first. Maybe I will hit YouTube today to find some helpful techniques. At least I was able to fix the problem and save most of my progress.


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

 

[BarberDave]

Very nice Read, although you ruined my day with your news about English Fern. I was happy living in denial HEHE. Secondary Market here I come LOL

 

[dkeester]

Very nice Read, although you ruined my day with your news about English Fern. I was happy living in denial HEHE. Secondary Market here I come LOL

Yeah, sorry about that. I hope you are able to resupply for a reasonable price.

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #539
2020 Shaves (DE: 99, SE: 17, Straight: 6, Cart: 0, Skipped: 6)

05/09/2020
TSC Straight Shave #34
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Piacenza pre-shave oil
Straight: C. V. Heljestrand #7
Shavette Blade: none
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Chocolate Strop (25 laps on linen, 50 on leather)
Razor: Merkur 15c Open Comb
Blade: Gillette Platinum (3)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: PAA Solar Flare 24mm
Soap/Cream: Bluebell Select Shaving Soap Peppermint (19)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Fragrance: none

Overview
A straight up BBS for my Saturday

SOTD Pic


Shave Quality
Well, my neck wasn't quite BBS after three passes with the straight and one cleanup with the 15c, so it wasn't the glass smooth shave that I was hoping for. But, it was close. It was three straight passes with one DE cleanup of smooth and bloodless shaving. I had a small touchdown high on my left cheek, but it ended up just being a tiny scratch that did not bleed. This razor has a wicked edge courtesy of @BarberDave. The truly excellent Bluebell lather really helped cushion the blade and kept it skating across my face. The residual slickness was great for a bit of blade buffing as well.

Gear
The CVH #7 is a solidly good piece of steel. I need to pick up a few more of them.

Oh, Aqua Velva... What do I need to say about it, except that I love the scent. Now that I have it in glass it does smell a bit different, which I like even more. I don't use this stuff often enough.

Other Thoughts
It has been a really great Saturday for me. I hope yours was good too.


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

 

[Graybeard57]

AV is a quality splash with a time-tested scent. BTW, loved your background for last Wednesday's Zoom.

 

[bentheduck]

It's amazing what a change in container material will do for splashes. Your software triggers the Texan in me, Blue Bell. I might make a run to the freezer now.

 

[BarberDave]

Good Stuff Doug and English Fern Disaster 2020 Averted, Pallet is forth coming LOL

 

[uacowboy]

It's amazing what a change in container material will do for splashes. Your software triggers the Texan in me, Blue Bell. I might make a run to the freezer now.

Have you tried the banana pudding blue bell?

 

[bentheduck]

Have you tried the banana pudding blue bell?

I'm not crazy about bananas. I think I've eaten maybe two bananas since 1999. I think it's a texture thing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[uacowboy]

I'm not crazy about bananas. I think I've eaten maybe two bananas since 1999. I think it's a texture thing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

But have you tried banana pudding? I know multiple people that don't like Bananas but love banana pudding.

 

[bentheduck]

But have you tried banana pudding? I know multiple people that don't like Bananas but love banana pudding.

Oh. Yeah. You asked a question didn't you. No, I haven't. I'll try it someday. Maybe I'll steal some from Venessa if she ever gets a pint.

 

[MilkCrate]

It's amazing what a change in container material will do for splashes. Your software triggers the Texan in me, Blue Bell. I might make a run to the freezer now.

I also kept thinking “ice cream”.

 

[Dave in KY]

I'm not crazy about bananas. I think I've eaten maybe two bananas since 1999. I think it's a texture thing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Pineapple and now Bananas ?!?! Someone check his vitals......................

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #540
2020 Shaves (DE: 100, SE: 18, Straight: 6, Cart: 0, Skipped: 6)

05/10/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Piacenza pre-shave oil
Razor: Supply 2.0 SE razor w/1-dot plate
Blade: Personna Injector (2)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: PAA Starcraft 24mm
Soap/Cream: Bluebell Select Shaving Soap Peppermint (20)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Fragrance: none

05/11/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water/Stirling Piacenza pre-shave oil
Razor: Merkur 41c Open Comb
Blade: Gillette 7O'Clock SharpEdge - i.e. Yellow (1)
Bowl: Fine Lather Bowl
Brush: PAA Starcraft 24mm
Soap/Cream: Bluebell Select Shaving Soap Peppermint (21)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Fragrance: none

Overview
Sticking with the Aqua Velva for a bit

SOTD Pic
None

Shave Quality
Two stunningly good shaves in a row, both for BBS- with little residual irritation. This just goes to show you that focusing on technique pays off. I have been focusing on using less pressure and it is paying off large dividends. The lather with the Starcraft brush is perhaps the best that I have produced with any of the PAA brushes that I have been using for the past few weeks. It has been ultra thick and luxurious, not to mention very protective and highly slick. Happy camper right here. I am still getting a bit of redness on my neck, but that may be unavoidable. I am just going to keep my focus on getting closer shaves with less pressure.

Gear
The Supply razor is perhaps the best Injector razor ever produced. It is a nicely made stainless chunk of a razor. It has a very solid feel in the hand and provides that effortless Injector shave. Injector fans should definitely consider acquiring one.

Today's shave with the 41c was great. The head appears to be identical to the 15c and shaves similarly. The handle, however is heavier so it makes for a slightly more aggressive shave, but not too much. Merkur razors really hit the sweet spot for DE razors, IMO. They are comfortable to hold. Their heads are mild and efficient on my face. And I don't have to worry too much about nicking my ears on the blade tabs since they are mostly covered. All the models that I have used have been great performers for me.

The Gillette 7O'Clock SharpEdge is a decent blade. I think it is a little bit rougher on my face than an Astra SP or Gillette Platinum, but I got excellent results from it. RazorBladesClub.Com lists these as being Platinum coated, but I haven't found anything to support that yet. Regardless of coating, this is an excellent blade.

Other Thoughts
Back to the salt mines... Maybe tonight I will spend some time honing some straights... We will see.


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

 

[NurseDave]

Nice to hear you caught a couple of good shaves

 

[BarberDave]

nice Doug, however I see the pepermint and.......