Doug's Journal of Shaving Happiness v2.0

[Graybeard57]

One of my favorites.

 

[dkeester]

One of my favorites.

I love that one.

This one is also one of my all-time favorites:

 

[GearNoir]

Yes, we could all use a little more Queen!

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #607
2020 Shaves (DE: 143, SE: 34, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/18/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Merkur Progress @1
Blade: Sputnik (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary brush
Soap/Cream: RazoRock Acqua (33)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: RazoRock Acqua (33)
Fragrance: Original Penguin Iconic Blend


Overview
Great shave for my Saturday

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
I finished the tub in style today. With the Progress on the mildest setting I got a two pass BBS. Puffing out my cheeks and stretching my neck both really seemed to help. Looking forward to tomorrow's shave.

Gear
The Progress is great. The Sputnik works well in it.

The RazoRock soap was a great performer. I have a few other tubs of it in different scents that I am looking forward to 3017ing. On to the next soap!

I am really enjoying the Original Penguin Iconic Blend. It is not expensive smelling, but it is very enjoyable.

Other Thoughts
Got a few more interesting bottles at the rack stores today. It feels good to find a decent deal.


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

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #608
2020 Shaves (DE: 143, SE: 35, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/19/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Stick Shick
Blade: Chinese Schick (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Fine Stout 24mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (1)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (1)
Fragrance: Kenneth Cole Reaction


Overview
A very nice Single Edge Sunday

SOTD Pics


Shave Quality
The Maca Root cream makes a nice lather. It was not quite as dense as the RazoRock Acqua lather. I probably just need to dial it in. However, it was slick and protective. I am not sure whether to put it in Tier 1 or 2. I am really going to enjoy emptying this tub. The shave was close, but didn't leave any lasting irritation.

Gear
Injectors, when used properly, give amazing shaves.

The Maca Root left my face feeling good. I need to play around with the water ratio to see if I can get a thicker lather.

Kenneth Cole Reaction is a melon-y, fresh, and uplifting. Apple combined with different melons makes for a great fragrance.

Other Thoughts
Need to find some motivation for house cleaning projects.


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

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #609
2020 Shaves (DE: 144, SE: 35, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/20/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: EJ DE87RC14bl
Blade: Crystal Super+ Platinum (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Vie-Long 12705 horse
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (2)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (2)
Fragrance: Antonio Puig Quorum


Overview
Working on that lather

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
The lather isn't quite as slick and protective as the RazoRock soap was. I think I may need to use more product. I snurdled a bit from the tub into my lather bowl. It made enough lather, but it wasn't as shiny and hydrated as I am used to. It worked well enough, but my face is feeling a tiny bit rough. More product and more water seems to be in order.

Gear
EJs are great razors. They are kind of effortless. I get slightly better results from Merkur, but these work very well too.

The Maca Root smells nice, but I haven't dialed it in yet. This is going to take a bit of time.

Quorum smells great, but definitely not modern.

Other Thoughts
PI planning this week, which means meetings rather than productivity.


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

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #610
2020 Shaves (DE: 145, SE: 35, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/21/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Fine Marvel DE
Blade: Crystal Super+ Platinum (2)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: Maggard 24mm Plissoft
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (3)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (3)
Fragrance: Burberry Brit for Men


Overview
Feeling that lack of postshave performance

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
The shave is BBS-. There is one small spot that could be more smooth, but most of my face is feeling very smooth. The lather was good. The razor didn't scrape me up too much. There was a little tenderness afterwards, but that is gone now. It was a great shave overall.

Gear
The Marvel is a good razor. It feels nice in the hand, with good heft and decent knurling on the handle. The plating is good. Overall it is a quality product, just one made from pot metal. So, it may not be an heirloom piece, but it is functional.

The Crystal blade is decent. I have better performing blades, but this one works well enough. It isn't one that I feel the need to buy in quantity.

I love the fragrances from the house of Burberry. Every one that I have smelled so far has been a winner. Burberry Brit for Men is no exception. It starts out with a wonderful citrus and ginger blast that leaves a powdery rose behind with hints of cardamom. It is old-school in that powdered wig and lace kind of way. I wish I had more than a 30ml bottle of it.

Other Thoughts
Bacon and coffee makes a good breakfast.


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

 

[Patelliott]

Great read Doug!

 

[MilkCrate]

Pass on powdery Rose, but in for bacon and coffee.

 

[GearNoir]

Bacon makes good anything!

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #611
2020 Shaves (DE: 146, SE: 35, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/22/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Gillette no date code British Tech
Blade: Derby Extra (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: The Tech Hive Synthetic Tuxedo Beehive 26mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (4)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (4)
Fragrance: Bath & Body Works Graphite Men's Collection Cologne


Overview
Surprisingly good but it lacked closeness

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
I think the last time I used a Derby blade was 2016 or so (i.e. when I was just starting into wetshaving). I got better results today with it than I did back then. However, the shave was not close. The performance of the Maca Root is getting better. I used a little more product and a more water and I got better lather. Overall it was a great shave with no residual irritation. I am calling it DFS due to the lack of closeness.

Gear
British Techs rock! Need I say more?

Derby blades suck, but that is common knowledge. I do think that the QC is better on them these days, however.

I am enjoying the Maca Root. It has reasonable performance and the scent is pleasant but provides a neutral canvas for fragrance application.

B&BW Graphite is mostly bergamot with a bit of sage. It is a pleasant fresh scent, but isn't going to knock anyone's socks off.

Other Thoughts

Zoomin' tonight.


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

 

[Graybeard57]

The RazoRock soap was a great performer. I have a few other tubs of it in different scents that I am looking forward to 3017ing. On to the next soap!

Ah, the pleasures of 3017ing!

 

[dkeester]

Journal Entry #612
2020 Shaves (DE: 147, SE: 35, Straight: 10, Cart: 0, Skipped: 11)

07/23/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Merkur 42c
Blade: Dorco ST300 (1)
Bowl: Fine lather bowl
Brush: The Tech Hive Synthetic Tuxedo Beehive 26mm
Soap/Cream: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Shave Cream (5)
AS 1: Thayer's Coconut Water Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: The Body Shop (old formula) Maca Root Aftershave Balm (5)
Fragrance: Mercedes-Benz for Men


Overview
Better than yesterday

SOTD Pics
None

Shave Quality
The shave today was much closer than yesterday's shave. There is a tiny bit of irritation that I think won't hang around long. The lather was really good. It still isn't as slick as most of the premium soaps out there, but it gets the job done well and has good skin conditioning. I would call it BBS- today. I am darn smooth except for the irritation.

Gear
Merkur 42c. A closed comb three piece razor. It shaves similarly to the 34c. There are some weight differences. It is a great shaver.

Dorco ST300. Decent blade. Not as smooth as other Platinum blades that I have, but it does give a serviceable shave.

Mercedes-Benz for men is quite enjoyable. It feels very masculine to me with its heavy violet open. I haven't tried Dior Fahrenheit, but if it is anything like this I need to get a bottle.

Other Thoughts
The conversation during the Zoom call last night was deep. I can't say it was always fun, but it was interesting and thought provoking.


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

 

[TobyC]

You've got gobs of beautiful vintage brass razors and you're shaving with a Merkur 42c ?



What's up dude?

 

[dkeester]

You've got gobs of beautiful vintage brass razors and you're shaving with a Merkur 42c ?



What's up dude?

Dude!! It is good to see you here! Welcome!

I still have the vintage razors, and still use them. But, the Merkur is also a classic, even if it is made of pot metal these days.
Tell you what. I will pull out something suitably vintage and brass just for you when I shave tomorrow morning.

Things are reasonably good in my area of the world, all things considered. I hope that you are safe, healthy, and happy.

 

[1savvyRogue]

Very nice read.... I do enjoy the detail. Being a noob I still struggle with blade choice you guys seemed to be dialed in, in that department. Keep up the great entries

 

[1savvyRogue]

... by the way if your how about " El Duderino " in case your into the whole brevity thing ...

 

[dkeester]

@1savvyRogue, checkout this thread for more good blade information:

Chad Uses BAD blades!

Alright so I have been wetshaving with DEs, SEs, and Straights for almost 5 years! In the beginning I bought a lot of blades in 5 packs and some singles etc. Alot or them I blamed for providing bad shaves. But now 5 years later my 100 packs that I bought of Astra SP, Personna Lab Blue, Rapira...

theshavingcadre.com

 

[TobyC]

Dude!! It is good to see you here! Welcome!

I still have the vintage razors, and still use them. But, the Merkur is also a classic, even if it is made of pot metal these days.
Tell you what. I will pull out something suitably vintage and brass just for you when I shave tomorrow morning.

Things are reasonably good in my area of the world, all things considered. I hope that you are safe, healthy, and happy.

Things are amazingly normal around here, (knock on wood) and I'm on top of the world, as always.

 

[1savvyRogue]

@1savvyRogue, checkout this thread for more good blade information:

Chad Uses BAD blades!

Alright so I have been wetshaving with DEs, SEs, and Straights for almost 5 years! In the beginning I bought a lot of blades in 5 packs and some singles etc. Alot or them I blamed for providing bad shaves. But now 5 years later my 100 packs that I bought of Astra SP, Personna Lab Blue, Rapira...

theshavingcadre.com

Thanks for the heads up @dkeester... good read. In my Blackbird I would put Silver Blues above Bolzano though I have 100 pack of bothmore like 300 haha and a couple 100 Feathers...