primotenore
Shave Member
Good morning TSC,
Encouraged by my friend and fellow TSC member, @Bill M, yours truly, Primo is starting his own shave journal.
Quick bio, I have been shaving with traditional gear since 2014. In the 40+ years prior, I, like many of you, hated shaving and only shaved when it was necessary.
For my humble beginnings using my grandfather's Norelco electric (two heads, power cord required) then the typical succession of razors, Trac II, Sensors, 5-bladed carts, etc.
All that has changed since 2014, when I purchased the Chinese Weishi, sold under the moniker "Micro-touch One", and the rest is shaving history. I was afflicted with BAD, RAD, SAD, like many, but these are now, more or less,
under control. My most recent "acquisition disorder" is fragrances. I have become a real "frag-head", finding myself posting and perusing sites like basenotes.net and Fragrantica.com
My lathers must be shiny and well-hydrated. My brushes must have great flow-through and buttery-soft knots. I tend to Russian steel for my DE's and for my straights, I am all over the place.
Vintage gear is near and dear to me as well.
As this journal evolves, I hope to educate and inform and with a little "primo-luck", entertain.
Let's get started:
Monday, October 11
AoS Oud~~Simpson CH3~~Gustave Lalune Mon Fier Destrier~~Montale Aoud Cuir d'Arabie
I was just discussing this razor with Bill yesterday, so that inspired me to whip it out...(easy there...)
The razor is "drop-forged". This was a term I had heard of, but never associated with straight razors.
The process involves (and this is very crudely explained) literally dropping a weighted form onto the blank
over and over, until the shape has been formed.
It's a hefty razor and is one of my largest.
Prep for the razor included some laps on a CrOx-charged linen strop, followed by 40 laps on my SRP 3" and 20 on my Slavin 2".
I have a few creams remaining in my rotation, and IMO, the AoS creams are outstanding.
Today's oud has a distinct pencil shaving scent, subtile, but aromatic.
The brush that whipped the cream into some gorgeous goo is a Somerset era Chubby 3 in Best Badger.
Best badger knots from this era completely outshine what Simpson currently offers.
The cream easily evolves into a slick 'n shiny lather.
First WTG pass with skin stretched removed most of the stubble. I have learned since learning to use a straight razor,
is never to "chase the baby". I have also learned to be satisfied with a DFS shave on my neck.
The hair there grows darn-near sideways towards my ears and to perform a true ATG pass on my lower neck (with a straight)
is almost impossible, due to my limitations finding the correct grip. I can, without issue, perform a true ATG pass
with a DE razor, but try as I may, cannot achieve that with a straight.
I stopped after two passes with excellent results. BBS on cheeks and DFS on neck.
Post-shave routine is fairly consistent, I rinse with cold water, followed by a healthy rinse with Witch Hazel
(I prefer Thayer's), then an unscented aftershave balm.
FOTD is a polarizing Oud (Aoud) scent from the house of Montale.
This juice has a nice, barnyard opening and the Oud is very animalistic.
I tend to choose scents that please me and wear them proudly.
Now, Dr. Mrs. Primo (SWMBO) has a very sensitive nose, so when we are spending time together,
especially if we are driving somewhere, I will use discretion when choosing my cologne and limit my spritzes.
Not today, as I over-sprayed with abandon.
I think I have taxed you all sufficiently with this inaugural post.
Have a great day and thanks for allowing me to go on this journey with you.
Encouraged by my friend and fellow TSC member, @Bill M, yours truly, Primo is starting his own shave journal.
Quick bio, I have been shaving with traditional gear since 2014. In the 40+ years prior, I, like many of you, hated shaving and only shaved when it was necessary.
For my humble beginnings using my grandfather's Norelco electric (two heads, power cord required) then the typical succession of razors, Trac II, Sensors, 5-bladed carts, etc.
All that has changed since 2014, when I purchased the Chinese Weishi, sold under the moniker "Micro-touch One", and the rest is shaving history. I was afflicted with BAD, RAD, SAD, like many, but these are now, more or less,
under control. My most recent "acquisition disorder" is fragrances. I have become a real "frag-head", finding myself posting and perusing sites like basenotes.net and Fragrantica.comMy lathers must be shiny and well-hydrated. My brushes must have great flow-through and buttery-soft knots. I tend to Russian steel for my DE's and for my straights, I am all over the place.
Vintage gear is near and dear to me as well.
As this journal evolves, I hope to educate and inform and with a little "primo-luck", entertain.
Let's get started:
Monday, October 11
AoS Oud~~Simpson CH3~~Gustave Lalune Mon Fier Destrier~~Montale Aoud Cuir d'Arabie
I was just discussing this razor with Bill yesterday, so that inspired me to whip it out...(easy there...)
The razor is "drop-forged". This was a term I had heard of, but never associated with straight razors.
The process involves (and this is very crudely explained) literally dropping a weighted form onto the blank
over and over, until the shape has been formed.
It's a hefty razor and is one of my largest.
Prep for the razor included some laps on a CrOx-charged linen strop, followed by 40 laps on my SRP 3" and 20 on my Slavin 2".
I have a few creams remaining in my rotation, and IMO, the AoS creams are outstanding.
Today's oud has a distinct pencil shaving scent, subtile, but aromatic.
The brush that whipped the cream into some gorgeous goo is a Somerset era Chubby 3 in Best Badger.
Best badger knots from this era completely outshine what Simpson currently offers.
The cream easily evolves into a slick 'n shiny lather.
First WTG pass with skin stretched removed most of the stubble. I have learned since learning to use a straight razor,
is never to "chase the baby". I have also learned to be satisfied with a DFS shave on my neck.
The hair there grows darn-near sideways towards my ears and to perform a true ATG pass on my lower neck (with a straight)
is almost impossible, due to my limitations finding the correct grip. I can, without issue, perform a true ATG pass
with a DE razor, but try as I may, cannot achieve that with a straight.
I stopped after two passes with excellent results. BBS on cheeks and DFS on neck.
Post-shave routine is fairly consistent, I rinse with cold water, followed by a healthy rinse with Witch Hazel
(I prefer Thayer's), then an unscented aftershave balm.
FOTD is a polarizing Oud (Aoud) scent from the house of Montale.
This juice has a nice, barnyard opening and the Oud is very animalistic.
I tend to choose scents that please me and wear them proudly.
Now, Dr. Mrs. Primo (SWMBO) has a very sensitive nose, so when we are spending time together,
especially if we are driving somewhere, I will use discretion when choosing my cologne and limit my spritzes.
Not today, as I over-sprayed with abandon.
I think I have taxed you all sufficiently with this inaugural post.
Have a great day and thanks for allowing me to go on this journey with you.
