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Doug's Journal of Shaving Happiness v2.0
- Thread starter dkeester
- Start date
Done
Good Entries Doug
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
While I agree with @TobyC that real is better than synthetic for many, if not most, things, I just like synthetic brushes more. They tend to be better bowl lathering brushes for me.
Now, I am not going to get rid of any of my boars or badgers. They are wonderful brushes that I really enjoy using. However, I keep going back to the synthetics.
Now, I am not going to get rid of any of my boars or badgers. They are wonderful brushes that I really enjoy using. However, I keep going back to the synthetics.
Synthetics are just easy! And I think many of them are better latherers than some natural hair brushes. I like a well broken in boar every now and then, but just don't find myself reaching for it much. lately I have been reaching for my badgers. But i get a lot of use out of my synthetic brushes. The feel good on the face, get the job done...and for the most part get it done well, and they clean and dry easier than natural hair brushes.
Good Stuff Doug!
Good Stuff Doug!
Another vote here for synthetics. Once I tried one, I haven't gone back to natural bristles. 
TobyC
"I shaved a Tribble once..."
Thank you sir!
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
Journal Entry #666
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 60, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/22/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: L1 Schick Injector
Blade: Chinese Schick (3)
Bowl: JaysClay blue shave bowl
Brush: SV TSC LE Group Buy badger
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (20)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (20)
Fragrance: Banana Republic Icon Series 78 Vintage Green
Overview
Scale victory and a decent shave
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
The lather was too dry again. It seemed like it was good enough, but it was quickly drying on my face. Overall the shave was really good, it is just that I have some irritation left over. Hopefully it fades quickly.
Gear
Next time I am going to grate the Speick stick into a tub.
The Banana Republic 78 Vintage Green is fabulous juice.
Other Thoughts
Hopped on the scale this morning just to check in, since I have been really starting to track my macros again. 215.9! Less than a pound away from my current goal, and that much closer to 200. This makes me happy. The doctor should be at least somewhat pleased when I see her for my yearly physical soon.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 60, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/22/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: L1 Schick Injector
Blade: Chinese Schick (3)
Bowl: JaysClay blue shave bowl
Brush: SV TSC LE Group Buy badger
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (20)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (20)
Fragrance: Banana Republic Icon Series 78 Vintage Green
Overview
Scale victory and a decent shave
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
The lather was too dry again. It seemed like it was good enough, but it was quickly drying on my face. Overall the shave was really good, it is just that I have some irritation left over. Hopefully it fades quickly.
Gear
Next time I am going to grate the Speick stick into a tub.
The Banana Republic 78 Vintage Green is fabulous juice.
Other Thoughts
Hopped on the scale this morning just to check in, since I have been really starting to track my macros again. 215.9! Less than a pound away from my current goal, and that much closer to 200. This makes me happy. The doctor should be at least somewhat pleased when I see her for my yearly physical soon.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
Congrats on the battle of the excess energy storage Doug. You and I are of the same mind on brushes. It is good to have at least one Good boar and badger brush in your den. But synthetics are very nice these days.
Strong work, homie! You're just about there, keep up the good work.
nice Read Doug
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
Journal Entry #667
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 61, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/23/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Valet Auto Strop (not sure which model)
Blade: GEM PTFE - despined (1)
Bowl: Fine Accoutrements lather bowl
Brush: SV TSC LE Group Buy badger
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (21)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (21)
Fragrance: Versace Signature Pour Homme
Overview
A killer shave and a great scent
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
I forget how good some razors can be. It takes some doing to get the spine off the GEM and to get it installed in the razor. But, the results are worth the risk to your fingers. The shave was top notch. BBS without too much irritation afterwards. The lather was amazing today to boot.
Gear
The Valet Auto Strop is an excellent shaver. It looks a little scary, but it gives an amazingly good shave. This one was a PIF at the old neighborhood, in fact it was the very first PIF that I ever won. I don't use this one often enough.
The TSC SV brush works very well with the Fine lather bowl. The wide, flat bowl shape gives the brush plenty of room to work. The Speick lather that I got today was killer, probably the best lather that I have had with this soap. Speaking of Speick, it follows the standard rule of tallow soaps: If you think you have given it enough water, give it a little more. It is kind of a pain to load the bowl and brush from the stick, but it works out in the end.
Versace Signature Pour Homme... What can I say about this one that hasn't already been said? There are a metric ton of reviews on YouTube. Go watch a few, then buy it. It may be one of the safest blind buys ever.
Other Thoughts
Happy hump day.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 61, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/23/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Valet Auto Strop (not sure which model)
Blade: GEM PTFE - despined (1)
Bowl: Fine Accoutrements lather bowl
Brush: SV TSC LE Group Buy badger
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (21)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (21)
Fragrance: Versace Signature Pour Homme
Overview
A killer shave and a great scent
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
I forget how good some razors can be. It takes some doing to get the spine off the GEM and to get it installed in the razor. But, the results are worth the risk to your fingers. The shave was top notch. BBS without too much irritation afterwards. The lather was amazing today to boot.
Gear
The Valet Auto Strop is an excellent shaver. It looks a little scary, but it gives an amazingly good shave. This one was a PIF at the old neighborhood, in fact it was the very first PIF that I ever won. I don't use this one often enough.
The TSC SV brush works very well with the Fine lather bowl. The wide, flat bowl shape gives the brush plenty of room to work. The Speick lather that I got today was killer, probably the best lather that I have had with this soap. Speaking of Speick, it follows the standard rule of tallow soaps: If you think you have given it enough water, give it a little more. It is kind of a pain to load the bowl and brush from the stick, but it works out in the end.
Versace Signature Pour Homme... What can I say about this one that hasn't already been said? There are a metric ton of reviews on YouTube. Go watch a few, then buy it. It may be one of the safest blind buys ever.
Other Thoughts
Happy hump day.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
I need to revisit Speick soap and splash. It's been years. Maybe next year.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
Journal Entry #668
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 62, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/24/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Valet Auto Strop (not sure which model)
Blade: GEM PTFE - despined (2)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (22)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (22)
Fragrance: Lucky Brand Lucky You for Men
Overview
Decent all around
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
The shave was a little rough, but serviceable. The second time around with the Valet was not as good as the first, but the results were DFS without too much residual irritation. I am not disappointed.
Gear
I like the heft of the Parker brush handle. It feels good while using it.
Lucky You is an okay fragrance. The combination of it being a light summery scent and the EdC concentration makes it hard to pick up even on my shirt.
Other Thoughts
Getting the templates for the new counters done today.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 62, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/24/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Valet Auto Strop (not sure which model)
Blade: GEM PTFE - despined (2)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (22)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (22)
Fragrance: Lucky Brand Lucky You for Men
Overview
Decent all around
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
The shave was a little rough, but serviceable. The second time around with the Valet was not as good as the first, but the results were DFS without too much residual irritation. I am not disappointed.
Gear
I like the heft of the Parker brush handle. It feels good while using it.
Lucky You is an okay fragrance. The combination of it being a light summery scent and the EdC concentration makes it hard to pick up even on my shirt.
Other Thoughts
Getting the templates for the new counters done today.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
Never tried the Valet Auto-Strop. Innovative design for its time.
dkeester
"TSC's Master of Bourbon"
Journal Entry #669
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 65, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/25/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (1)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (23)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (23)
Fragrance: Azzaro Chrome Legend
09/26/2020
No Shave
Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme
09/27/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (2)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (24)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (24)
Fragrance: Burberry for Men
09/28/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (3)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Yaqi 26mm Rainbow Handle, Brown Hair Synthetic
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (25)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (25)
Fragrance: Armaf Craze
Overview
Several good shaves with a day off for facial recovery
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
Friday's shave was good, but left my skin feeling roughed up in a few spots. My face needed a day off, so it got one on Saturday. Yesterday's shave and today's shave were both smooth and low irritation BBSes in two passes. This is a great razor+soap combination.
Gear
All good with the hardware.
The frags have been really wonderful also.
Today's frag (Armaf Craze) is particularly good.
Other Thoughts
Things are good around here, everything considered.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.
2020 Shaves (DE: 175, SE: 65, Straight: 14, Cart: 0, Skipped: 16)
09/25/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (1)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (23)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (23)
Fragrance: Azzaro Chrome Legend
09/26/2020
No Shave
Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau Intense Pour Homme
09/27/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (2)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Parker 3-band Pure Badger from @jbreakfield
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (24)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (24)
Fragrance: Burberry for Men
09/28/2020
Pre: Hot shower/splash of cool water
Razor: Colonial Razors The General v1
Blade: Feather Pro (3)
Bowl: JaysClays lather bowl from @jbreakfield
Brush: Yaqi 26mm Rainbow Handle, Brown Hair Synthetic
Soap/Cream: Speick Stick (25)
AS 1: Thayer's Rose Petal Facial Toner
AS 2: Nivea Sensitive ASB & Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
AS 3: Speick AS Splash (25)
Fragrance: Armaf Craze
Overview
Several good shaves with a day off for facial recovery
SOTD Pics
None
Shave Quality
Friday's shave was good, but left my skin feeling roughed up in a few spots. My face needed a day off, so it got one on Saturday. Yesterday's shave and today's shave were both smooth and low irritation BBSes in two passes. This is a great razor+soap combination.
Gear
All good with the hardware.
The frags have been really wonderful also.
Today's frag (Armaf Craze) is particularly good.
Other Thoughts
Things are good around here, everything considered.
Thank you for reading and commenting on my journal. I hope you have a great day and stellar shaves, Cadre.