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For the Love of Old Spice - Illini's Shave Journal

Happy Monday, Cadre.

This weekend was a pretty standard one for us here. Got some small things done around the house, continued to babyproof, etc. MOST IMPORTANT was my Fighting Illini winning the Big 10 tournament for the first time since 2005 and getting a 1 seed in the Big Dance. Winning the B1G tourney while watching Michigan go down to OSU is a bit of salt in the "we deserve a share of the regular season title" wound, but no use crying over spilled milk. Now this squad has to take care of business on a stage they've never been on before. Can't say I like the potential matchup with Loyola or OKST with the Underwood history, but this is what the whole season marched towards and to say I'm pumped would be an understatement.

Spent a decent amount of the little guy's nap time playing Witcher 3 this weekend as well. Almost done with the base game campaign and I have to say I can see why people love this game so much. I am fully invested in the characters and story line, and am glad this complete edition contains both expansion packs as I can tell I will want to keep playing. Not that there's a lack of side quests within the base game!

GearNoir said:
I remember when the very first one came out! Sadly I never delved into the series (even more unlikely now that kids are always around the house lol). Have you watched the Netflix series?
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I actually do too - back in my high school days I did a lot of PC gaming and it came out right before I went away to college. Didn't get into it and we gravitated towards console gaming in college. Never made it back to PC and now with a kid I only find small bits of time here and there to drop into a game. In that sense, the Switch has been a great console as it's even easier to quickly boot up and play anywhere in the house when I have a few minutes. I haven't watched the Netflix series yet, and not sure it's something SWMBO would be into, so might have to watch that one on my own!

Smattayu said:
I've never played the game, but have a couple friends that are always trying to get me into it. I only have time for one video game at a time, and it's WoW Classic, probably for some time to come lol.
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Ha! I hear you there. That is Witcher 3 for me right now, have already renewed once from the local library and will probably do it again as long as it's not on hold!

Shaves this weekend were simple but efficient, which is just what the doctor ordered. The second shave on the new Lab Blue I did side-by-side with the old one illustrated to me that I wasn't getting any less of a comfortable or efficient shave on the old one, so it continues on until I feel it's not delivering me acceptable shaves! Needed a quick shave yesterday so grabbed Barbasol for the first time in a while. There is just something about that Barbasol Original scent that gets me every time. I know CaD is out there, but it hasn't been in my den since it was called Barberpole by HTGAM.

Saturday March 13th, 2021
Razor : '56 "Grungy" Gillette Blue Tip SS
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (38) & Personna Lab Blue (2)
Brush : Omega Proraso Bar
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Arko & Palmolive Lemon
Post : AV Original Sport (🇨🇦)

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Sunday March 14th, 2021
Razor : '56 Gillette Flair Tip SS
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (39)
Brush : Fingers
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Barbasol Original
Post : Barbasol Brisk

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"Fool's Spring" is definitely over this morning, and with snow in the forecast for the afternoon it's feeling more like Christmas here than almost true Spring. Probably one of the last winter blasts for us until next winter, so was feeling like a perfect time to bring out the Stirling Christmas Eve set for this morning's shave. It also marked the 40th shave on this Lab Blue - truly something amazing to someone who normally pitches a blade after 5 shaves!

Have a great Monday, everyone!

Monday March 14th, 2021
Razor : '55 Gillette Red Tip SS
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (40)
Brush : Stirling Boar
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Stirling Christmas Eve
Post : Stirling Christmas Eve

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Another day, another dollar, am I right?

Last night SWMBO and I watched the Bachelor, as is tradition in our home while these seasons are on air. Lots of drama, and not the typical type you see on this show, but rather centered around race. Much heavier than the normal season, that much is certain. Spent much of the show playing Witcher 3, though, and finished the base game campaign. Onto the included expansions!

I haven't been following along in the weight loss thread, but I'm officially back to the weight I started college at 13 years ago. That is a great feeling. And I'm in better shape now than I have been, probably since JV sports ended in high school. We've really been enjoying the Peloton rides on our cheapo spin bike and it has kept both of us doing active cardio significantly more than we ever have. Amazing what having a child can do to your perspective on life!

This morning's shave was back to a lemon lime superlather. I can see the green of the Stirling tub poking through the middle of the Arko so I'm thinking this will be done in the next week or so. Can't wait to get another soap on the kill list.

Tuesday March 16th, 2021
Razor : '59 Gillette Fat Boy
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (41)
Brush : Omega 11575 Boar
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Arko & Godrej Lime Fresh
Post : PAA Sundown

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Happy St. Patrick's Day, Cadre! As someone who has a decent chunk of Irish ancestry, its been a holiday I've always enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, going to a Catholic parochial school 1st through 8th grade meant we always had a big celebration, so it's something that's been engrained in me from the get-go. ☘️🇮🇪

Filled out a couple of March Madness brackets yesterday. It's harder for me this year because although I want my team to go all the way, I'm also superstitious that picking them will jinx it! That said, it's a situation I'd much rather be in, compared to the last decade where we've just missed the big dance completely!

I don't have any GIT scents in the den, but I reached for a couple of products that are heavy in the green notes for this morning's shave. B&M Sunny Lane is such a unique scent, and while I'm not sure I know what "Sweet Clover" smells like but it definitely smells like both my childhood as well as the outdoors. Just a great profile that I don't see much about! Chased with something special, SCS Fairway. An unmatched scent that I'll forever mourn the loss of. I generally only bring it out for Master's Week, but felt like it was a great match for a St. Patrick's Day shave too.

🇮🇪 Wednesday March 17th, 2021 🇮🇪
Razor : Gillette Prewar Ball-end Tech
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (42)
Brush : Whipped Dog HM
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : B&M Sunny Lane
Post : SCS Fairway

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GearNoir said:
Great report Ryan! Congrats on the health goal!
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Thank you Chris! It's a fantastic feeling - I need to get back to the work out thread...
 
Today is the last work day of the week for me. I took tomorrow off, mostly to get stuff done around the house but also to watch my Illini play in their first Big Dance game in 8 years. Needless to say I'll be enjoying a few beverages despite it being at noon!

Had a lovely St. Paddy's Day evening, and while I don't have any Irish whisky in the house, I did enjoy a dram of my IB Laphroaig again. I anticipate the cold nights of winter to be over in short order, in which I won't have as much a desire to drink Laphroaig and it'll go back into the basement bar cabinet until next autumn.

Another dark and gloomy day here in Chicagoland, and I was feeling a bit of a mashup of shaves this morning. The hole continues to grow in the Arko, and I chased with the Seaforth Spiced aftershave toner as my skin is a little drier again with the cold weather that has set in for a bit. Lab Blue powers on through another shave as well - when will this one give up?!

Thursday March 18th, 2021
Razor : '66 Gillette Slim
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (43)
Brush : Razorock Beehive
Pre : Barbasol Sensitive
Soap : Arko
Post : Seaforth Spiced

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MilkCrate said:
Cadre Friday!
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I’ll join you in a Cadre Friday tomorrow as well! So nice to have a weekday off now and then!
 
Smattayu said:
That Seaforth Spiced sounds fantastic.
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The soap / post shave combo is truly one of my favorites in the den right now. It's a great blend of citrus (mandarin) and spicy notes that doesn't lean too far in either direction. Truly a homerun scent in my book - one that I can use year-round.

Took Friday off from work and enjoyed getting some stuff done around the house before catching a decent amount of the tourney. Illini wiped the floor in the first round, but it would be all for not come Sunday. Saturday was fairly relaxed too, more chores but got to enjoy a movie with the wife after the little guy went down. It's the little things like movie night that are keeping me sane right now! Yesterday was marred by my Illini absolutely crumbling against, of all teams, Loyola Chicago. The disappointment is something I've just had to become accustomed to as an Illini fan. But it was a truly heartbreaking loss in a year where it felt like we could actually do something big.

Don't have any photos of shaves from the weekend. Was really feeling my Krona though. Can't remember the last time I used the same razor three days in a row!

Friday March 19th, 2021
Razor : Schick Krona
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (44)
Brush : Omega 11575
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Arko
Post : Nivea Cooling

Saturday March 20th, 2021
Razor : Schick Krona
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (45)
Brush : Ever Ready 100T with Plisson
Pre : Barbasol Extra Moisture
Soap : Arko
Post : Captain's Choice Tropical "Sample A"

Sunday March 21st, 2021
Razor : Schick Krona
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (46)
Brush : Razorock Beehive
Pre : Barbasol Sensitive
Soap : CBL Master Barber Back Alley Barber
Post : Soap Commander Endurance

Like Tim @MilkCrate I received a couple of prototype samples from Scott over at Captain's Choice for a new tropical scent they're working on. I've used "A" twice now and while it's definitely extremely tropical, I'm not sure it's in my wheelhouse. I get BIG piña colada notes both out of the vial as well as after applied. Just huge sweet pineapple and coconut notes. Might be fun for a vacation set up but not sure I want to smell like this for any length of time. Looking forward to trying out "B" tomorrow as it doesn't smell quite as strong out of the vial.

Monday March 22nd, 2021
Razor : '56 Gillette Flair Tip SS
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (47)
Brush : Razorock F400
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Arko
Post : Nivea Cooling & Captain's Choice Tropical "Sample A"

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Weather yesterday was pretty much to-die-for here in Chicagoland. Mid-60s and sunny. Took the little guy for a nice long walk around the neighborhood. Smells and feels like mid to late Spring. Looks like temps are going to normalize back into the 50s tomorrow with rain in the forecast today. Was very nice while it lasted, and will probably be winterizing the snow blower in a couple weekends. That's something I look forward to every spring!

With my 3017 of Arko on its last legs, looking for my next tub to kill. Want it to be a quicker one since once mid-April rolls around I'll be in the mood for some springtime scents. Thinking my tub of CBL Tonsorial Barber's Chair fits that mold. Took it for a test drive this morning since it's been a while since I've reached for it. Simply a fantastic soap, no if's, and's or but's about it. With a 3017 mindset I think I could kill this tub off in under a month as it already has some 15 or so shaves on it.

Tuesday March 23rd, 2021
Razor : '52 Gillette Bakelite Tech
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (48)
Brush : Omega 11575
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : CBL Tonsorial Barber's Chair
Post : PAA Sundown

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Yesterday was pretty quiet around here, both on the work front as well as personal. Little guy has upper teeth poking through now, so he's been a little cranky.

Used the second CC sample of his new tropical scent betas and I enjoyed this one much more. Not as "one trick pony" as the first, as well as much longer lasting after dry down. Still some tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut but I also get a lighter wood scent on dry down. Teak maybe? Not sure but I like this one. Would I use it a lot? I don't think so. But definitely fits the tropical profile and I could see myself reaching for it during the summer.

Also used a sample of the Land Ho shave soap today. While I love the aftershave, I wasn't super excited about the scent while lathering today. Will be interested to see if it grows on me at all or if maybe this is one to remove from the potential purchase list.

Wednesday March 24th, 2021
Razor : '53 Gillette Super Speed
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (49)
Brush : Rudy Vey Custom with Plisson Knot
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Captain's Choice Land Ho!
Post : Nivea Cooling & Captain's Choice Tropical "Sample B"

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Wife and I caught up on the "This Is Us" TV show last night. We don't watch many TV shows these days, but enjoy this one quite a bit. Very similar to Parenthood which I also enjoyed while it was airing. Also got most of the family room babyproofed, which feels good.

The 3017 of Arko is officially done. Still a bit of soap left in the tub but I'm not one who wants to deal with chasing remnants around while loading the brush. 1.64g / shave is ultimately where the usage settled, which is surprisingly low for me. I always felt like I was loading it like I hated it, and had PLENTY of excess lather left at the end. Shaves themselves were fantastic. While I do find the lemon scent a little industrial, it does mild itself out once pushed into a tub and aired out. With how great the lathers were, how low the usage per shave was for this 75g stick, and how cheap you can get this soap, I do think this is probably one of the absolute best values in shave soap if that's something your chasing. Will I ever pick up a 12 pack of Arko? No, I enjoy variety. But this is one value soap that is really hard to screw up in the lather department. I've always kept a couple sticks in the den to give to new wetshavers or throw in as a PIF "enhancer." The smiling Arko Man with a beard of lather definitely knows his soap is a value performer!

Up next I think will be a mini 3017 of CBL Tonsorial Barber's Chair. Not sure how much I'll go through before wanting to switch to some springtime scents but we'll see!

This was also the 50th shave with this Lab Blue, thanks to @Spider 's February blade challenge. I cannot believe this blade has made it through 50 shaves. And still going strong! Beginning to wonder if I'm going to make it to the century club with this guy - sure doesn't show signs of stopping any time soon!

Thursday March 25th, 2021
Razor : '55 Gillette Red Tip SS
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (50)
Brush : Stirling Kong
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : Arko
Post : Soap Commander Endurance

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Happy Friday, Cadre! It's been a LONG week, but glad we finally made it.

Wife and I booked our first vacation as a family of 3 last night, we'll be driving up to VT in October to do some foliage peeping. It's something that has been on our list for a while now, and are very excited. Decided that making our way over to Acadia National Park was a lot to attempt in a week with an 18 month old, but will still stop at Cuyahoga Valley in OH on the drive from Chicago up to the Northeast. Knocking another NP off our list!

This morning's shave looks pretty basic on paper, but man oh man was it a good one. Just one of those shaves where everything clicked. I think I'm going to enjoy giving this Barber's Chair the 3017 treatment. The question is will I get it done before I feel like shifting gears into springtime scents? Time will tell.

Friday March 26th, 2021
Razor : Maggard MR3
Blade : Personna Lab Blue (51)
Brush : Proraso Boar
Pre : Hot Shower
Soap : CBL Tonsorial Barber's Chair
Post : Clubman

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