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Ramblings of a MilkCrate

DBCA3AF8-0B5F-41D9-837C-A48AA192591C.jpeg
Shave Count (DE: 384 SE: 9 SR: 451)

Pre Shave-
Strop: TM Plain Vanilla
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: J Allen SR
Blade: None
Brush: Zenith Boar
Soap: CC Venture

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: CC Venture
Frag: none

The Process-
Just a quick entry today and a DFS shave. I tried to put a little more edge on this razor last night and failed. The shave was not up to par and I already have stubble coming back. Grrrrrrrr.

Back to the stones for that one. Don’t know, I may try the Flitz tonight on something. Just kinda in a funk this week.
 
I usually avoid trying to hone. If I'm not "feeling" in a good mood and focused. And definitely don't start if I know I will have to rush.
Fluffy
 
6D8F1261-797F-4B44-A6FA-F614EA0FF182.jpegShave Count (DE: 384 SE: 9 SR: 452)

Pre Shave-
Strop: TM Plain Vanilla
Splash and go


Shave-
Razor: F Reynolds SR
Blade: None
Brush: Vulfix Badger
Soap: LNHC Barber Shoppe

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: LNHC Barber Shoppe Elixer
Frag: none

The Process-
Early morning shave and I was interested to see what this shave held. More on that in a minute. Well, now that it's Thursday, I guess I didn't keep one setup for the week ... hm. So Barber Shoppe sounded like a good choice for the day. I also thought I would use a Badger brush again, so the Vulfix got the nod. I worked up a nice lather, that was low volume and threw water at it as I went. I ended up with a nice, wet slick lather. The scent on this soap is not loud and in your face, but I dig it.

10 laps on cotton and 40 on leather and it was go time. I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. I did score a BBS for the win, but it was short lived. This was #2 of 3 razors that I tried to refresh the other day. This one is sharper then the last one, but still not there yet. I probably won't bother with #3 and will just assume that I need to correct that one as well. Oh well ... reasons or something. The shave on this one wasn't too bad and the edge felt a smidge better, so there is that. I did enjoy the lather and trying to see how much water the soap would take, which seemed to be a bit. I even had enough for a post shave lather while I cleaned the shave gear.

Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. A dab of the ASB and everything was right as rain! This is one ASB that I do like. It seems to go on just a bit thick but it absorbs real quick and leaves a great post shave feel. It also matches the soap without any surprises, which is nice. Nice start to the day. Life is good.
 
I love the scent of Lisa’s Barber Shoppe, it hangs around surprisingly long for me which is nice.
Have you used the Naniwa 12k super stone? I’m thinking about picking one up to try my hand at touching up my edges.
 
DeepSea said:
I love the scent of Lisa’s Barber Shoppe, it hangs around surprisingly long for me which is nice.
Have you used the Naniwa 12k super stone? I’m thinking about picking one up to try my hand at touching up my edges.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have the Naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k & 12k set. I had freshened up edges @ 12k and they were nice. I wanted sharper and got a surgical black ark, but they didn’t feel as sharp. The ark may need more breaking in, or my skillset might 🤪
 
MilkCrate said:
Yes, I have the Naniwa 1k, 5k, 8k & 12k set. I had freshened up edges @ 12k and they were nice. I wanted sharper and got a surgical black ark, but they didn’t feel as sharp. The ark may need more breaking in, or my skillset might 🤪
Click to expand...
Hey Tim.
FWIW Much has been posted online about breaking in a Arkansas hone. I went with the conventional wisdom. Of 'Dressing/prepping one side of my translucent with a one inch wood chisel. I used firm pressure and lots of elbow grease. When I was satisfied the surface had hazy glass like appearance. The feel when putting a razor to it is "waxy"
When I began to use it. I experimented with water, lather, wd40 and oil. Also I experimented with my pressure and strokes. Some may say I'm wrong but the last year or so I have finished my razors on it going from plain water with pressure. For a fair amount of laps. Till tree topping hair well. Then strop the razor. Scotchbrite the hone. And then a fair amount of dry laps with medium pressure ending in light WOTB laps. Also note I hone with tape. So sometimes the tape leaves residue which you can feel/see. Thus the scotchbrite treatment.
Not saying my way is the best. It's just what I do. YMMV. Many ways to sharp. Have fun with it.
Fluffy
 
Also FWIW my method, after the coti or any stone try the Smith's Honing solution 10 laps, add a drop of water 10 laps, then a trickle of water and lap unitl the blade literallt sticks to the stone then 10 spine leading laps and onto the stroppage for 100 linen 100 leather. I do this on either the trans or Black. I use just the arks for touch up
 
@Maryland998 and @BarberDave, thanks for the detailed processes, good info. I guess part of it may be the school of thought on dressing the stone. Some say burnish, some say SIC to 600 and some say use it till it breaks in. I had chosen option number 3, but may want to revisit that.

That and/or I may not have stretched my laps out enough. The method on lapping film focuses on a lap count. When I switched to stones, I was using a method by Lynn Abrams, that also reinforces lap counts. I have been trying to shake that and go by feel, but I may have had an “off” session. Thanks again guys for the feedback!
 
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