The Shaving Cadre
Welcome to The Shaving Cadre, a forum dedicated to gentlemanly discourse about wet shaving and other topics of common interests. Membership is always free so register today and join in the fun
There and Back Again, A Wet-Shaver's Tale
- Thread starter Smattayu
- Start date
Thanks Chris!Edges might need some more experimenting but everything looks pretty dang great at least!
2/23 SOTD
Razor: Filarmonica Novodur 13
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/Gelousy knot
Soap: SV 70th Anniversary
Aftershave: SV 70th Anniversary
EDP: Banana Republic 78 Vintage Green
Got a decent 3 pass DFS off the freshly honed Fili today, but paid for it with some irritation. The alum bar let me know that the edge was not quite up to snuff and I was a bit heavy handed with it. Ahh well, it'll go back to the stones and I'll see if I can make any improvements. The fantastic scent of 70th capped off with BR Vintage Green helped mitigate any disappointment. Vintage Green is some great juice, and can be found on the cheap with minimal searching. Not the best longevity but it has good projection, and the name pretty much says it all. It evokes memories of some of the older green frags, though it still has it's own modern touches.
This was my first try with the AP Gelousy knot that is temporarily set in this handle. The ferrule is squeezing it tightly enough that I didn't both using adhesive to keep it in, and it stayed in just fine. The loft is currently too low and it was not really holding a lot of lather, so I tossed a spacer in there to add some height and I'll try it again tomorrow before switching to the Gelousy fan. Then I'll pick my favorite and set it in permanently.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Filarmonica Novodur 13
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/Gelousy knot
Soap: SV 70th Anniversary
Aftershave: SV 70th Anniversary
EDP: Banana Republic 78 Vintage Green
Got a decent 3 pass DFS off the freshly honed Fili today, but paid for it with some irritation. The alum bar let me know that the edge was not quite up to snuff and I was a bit heavy handed with it. Ahh well, it'll go back to the stones and I'll see if I can make any improvements. The fantastic scent of 70th capped off with BR Vintage Green helped mitigate any disappointment. Vintage Green is some great juice, and can be found on the cheap with minimal searching. Not the best longevity but it has good projection, and the name pretty much says it all. It evokes memories of some of the older green frags, though it still has it's own modern touches.
This was my first try with the AP Gelousy knot that is temporarily set in this handle. The ferrule is squeezing it tightly enough that I didn't both using adhesive to keep it in, and it stayed in just fine. The loft is currently too low and it was not really holding a lot of lather, so I tossed a spacer in there to add some height and I'll try it again tomorrow before switching to the Gelousy fan. Then I'll pick my favorite and set it in permanently.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
MilkCrate
"I am a Milk Crate with Dreams"
I am curious about this also. I was trying to find some nylon washers, but couldn’t find the right size, so a quarter got shoved in there instead.
I found some scrap black walnut when I had access to my BIL's insanely well equipped wood shop, and I turned it to about 1" and cut about 40 1mm-2mm spacers from it specifically for this purpose. Most are buried in storage at the moment, but I found a few while going through a couple of boxes last week. I'll either coat them in CA or dip them in polyurethane before I put them in permanently, but I've used them before in one or two of my other handles and they've held up for a long time so far.
Quarters work great as well. My only issue with them is that if you ever decide to scrap a knot but keep the handle, the best way is to drill the knot out, and they can kill the bit.
2/26 SOTD
Razor: Filarmonica Sub-Cero 14 JMP
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/APshave Gelousy fan
Soap: Vintage Old Spice
Aftershave: Avon Spicy
Cologne: Vintage Old Spice
A shave with a few firsts in it today. First time using this Fili, which I put on the stones this morning. The natural stones were skipped in favor of an all synthetic progression, and it was finished on .3 lapping film over paper and 50 each on the TM Roughout and TM Notovan Strops. It sat perfectly flat on the stones, and was a joy to hone. This was also my first time using this mug of Old Spice shaving soap and the Gelousy Fan knot. I've used the Gelousy bulb knot for the last couple of shaves.
What a fantastic shave! I understand why people go after these vintage soaps. There was some scent in this puck and it is an excellent performer. The Gelousy fan blows it's bulb counterpart away in every category and it will be permanently set in this handle, though I'm going to experiment with the loft first as it could be a bit lower. It whipped up an excellent lather, and felt so good that I didn't want to stop face lathering. The Fili might have the sharpest edge I've ever put on a razor, though it still lacks the smoothness that I have only been able to get from natural stones, so I might give it a few hundred laps on the surgical black Arkie and see if that helps. Three passes with minimal clean up gave me my first BBS since returning to traditional straights. There was some sting with the alum block, but it was plenty worth the tradeoff. A hefty glug of Spicy(that was for you @dangerousdon), and another hefty glug of the vintage OS cologne and I was on top of the world, filling the house with old-school masculine awesomeness.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Filarmonica Sub-Cero 14 JMP
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/APshave Gelousy fan
Soap: Vintage Old Spice
Aftershave: Avon Spicy
Cologne: Vintage Old Spice
A shave with a few firsts in it today. First time using this Fili, which I put on the stones this morning. The natural stones were skipped in favor of an all synthetic progression, and it was finished on .3 lapping film over paper and 50 each on the TM Roughout and TM Notovan Strops. It sat perfectly flat on the stones, and was a joy to hone. This was also my first time using this mug of Old Spice shaving soap and the Gelousy Fan knot. I've used the Gelousy bulb knot for the last couple of shaves.
What a fantastic shave! I understand why people go after these vintage soaps. There was some scent in this puck and it is an excellent performer. The Gelousy fan blows it's bulb counterpart away in every category and it will be permanently set in this handle, though I'm going to experiment with the loft first as it could be a bit lower. It whipped up an excellent lather, and felt so good that I didn't want to stop face lathering. The Fili might have the sharpest edge I've ever put on a razor, though it still lacks the smoothness that I have only been able to get from natural stones, so I might give it a few hundred laps on the surgical black Arkie and see if that helps. Three passes with minimal clean up gave me my first BBS since returning to traditional straights. There was some sting with the alum block, but it was plenty worth the tradeoff. A hefty glug of Spicy(that was for you @dangerousdon), and another hefty glug of the vintage OS cologne and I was on top of the world, filling the house with old-school masculine awesomeness.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Thanks Chris! That Fili is pretty darn big, and I’m loving it!
Love the Old Spice. 
It is an amazing classic. I'll be sad when my vintage stuff is gone.Love the Old Spice.
3/1 SOTD
Razor: Simmons Hardware No 8 Special
Brush: TSC Legacy
Soap: The Club Hemingway 1898+1
Aftershave: The Club Hemingway 1898+1
EDP: Bulgari Man in Black
It's been ages since I broke this soap/as out, but @NurseDave's use if the renamed version the other day had me itching to enjoy it again. The razor is new to me, and was advertised as shave ready, so I decided to give it a go after a quick stropping on the Tony Miller Notovan.
A fantastic shave overall, though I did manage a couple of nicks on my upper lip. The razor was indeed shave ready, one of the few that kept such a promise. The guy said that it was finished on an Escher, and if that is an example of such an edge then I'd love to get one, as It was uncommonly smooth and a bit sharper than most of the edges I've been able to pull off. It had a unique feel on my face, and overconfidence in it's smoothness almost made me forget that it is an open blade which probably led the the nicks. Nothing that a little liquid styptic couldn't take care of, and a three pass BBS was achieved. A few drops of the aftershave and a couple sprays of MIB and I was good to go.
I had mentioned that the soap required a name change, and I think it was due to the fact that another company acquired the use of Hemingway's name in it's products. This soap is now called The Novelist. The scent was based off of Histoire de Parfums 1899. Think a more elegant version of Spicebomb or Man in Black(two frags that are close enough to be interchangeable IMO). I picked up a sample of it when I got this soap, and it's really good juice.
In other news, I'm still working 3rd shift, 10pm-6am, and my body usually doesn't know whether it should be asleep or awake lol. My left foot has been giving me a lot of trouble due to a heel spur and plantar fasciitis. I've been to the podiatrist a few times, and have gotten some good custom orthotics. They are helping, but I think I'm probably going to have to learn to deal with the foot and lower back issues that go along with putting in 5-6 miles a day on a concrete floor. All things considered it's a minor inconvenience and I still wake up every day grateful for my life.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Simmons Hardware No 8 Special
Brush: TSC Legacy
Soap: The Club Hemingway 1898+1
Aftershave: The Club Hemingway 1898+1
EDP: Bulgari Man in Black
It's been ages since I broke this soap/as out, but @NurseDave's use if the renamed version the other day had me itching to enjoy it again. The razor is new to me, and was advertised as shave ready, so I decided to give it a go after a quick stropping on the Tony Miller Notovan.
A fantastic shave overall, though I did manage a couple of nicks on my upper lip. The razor was indeed shave ready, one of the few that kept such a promise. The guy said that it was finished on an Escher, and if that is an example of such an edge then I'd love to get one, as It was uncommonly smooth and a bit sharper than most of the edges I've been able to pull off. It had a unique feel on my face, and overconfidence in it's smoothness almost made me forget that it is an open blade which probably led the the nicks. Nothing that a little liquid styptic couldn't take care of, and a three pass BBS was achieved. A few drops of the aftershave and a couple sprays of MIB and I was good to go.
I had mentioned that the soap required a name change, and I think it was due to the fact that another company acquired the use of Hemingway's name in it's products. This soap is now called The Novelist. The scent was based off of Histoire de Parfums 1899. Think a more elegant version of Spicebomb or Man in Black(two frags that are close enough to be interchangeable IMO). I picked up a sample of it when I got this soap, and it's really good juice.
In other news, I'm still working 3rd shift, 10pm-6am, and my body usually doesn't know whether it should be asleep or awake lol. My left foot has been giving me a lot of trouble due to a heel spur and plantar fasciitis. I've been to the podiatrist a few times, and have gotten some good custom orthotics. They are helping, but I think I'm probably going to have to learn to deal with the foot and lower back issues that go along with putting in 5-6 miles a day on a concrete floor. All things considered it's a minor inconvenience and I still wake up every day grateful for my life.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Hmmmmm.. May have to get some of that.
It isn't as tough as it was the last time I was on midnights, but I am looking forward to being back on days.Nice shave Eric!
Yikes on that shift though...that’s rough!
3/2 SOTD
Razor: Genco Easy Aces
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/APShave Gelousy fan
Soap: Stirling Texas On Fire
Aftershave: CBL After Shave Tonic
EDP: Imaginary Authors A City on Fire
First time using Texas on Fire, and I loved it! I know the scent is polarizing, much like that of the EDP used after this shave, but I really enjoyed the waves of sweet and smoky that permeated the shave den and the scent strength was way up there. First time using this Genco Easy Aces as well. I'm thrilled that I was not only able to find one in such pristine condition, but also for a great bargain. It was honed on lapping film last week, and the edge was one of my better ones. Three passes and a bit of clean up for a delightful DFS+ with a hint of stubble at the point of my chin that I wasn't really interested in going after. Not even a whisper from the alum block, and a few drops of CBL tonic capped things off nicely. A City on Fire is one of my two favorite scents from IA. A very little goes a very long way, and it needs to be used sparingly unless I'm actually trying to clear a room. One spray took care of business and I could still smell it when I left work 12 hours later.
It is official. After a few uses I can easily say that this APShave Gelousy fan is by far the finest badger knot that has ever touched my face. It checks every box for me. Insanely, ridiculously soft tips, just the right combination of backbone and splay, and it has only lost a couple hairs in the beginning while I was breaking it in. I thought that I would be permanently setting it in this handle, but it is deserving of my best, and I'm going to turn a special handle for it once I get the shop back up and running.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Genco Easy Aces
Brush: Rubberset 400 knockoff w/APShave Gelousy fan
Soap: Stirling Texas On Fire
Aftershave: CBL After Shave Tonic
EDP: Imaginary Authors A City on Fire
First time using Texas on Fire, and I loved it! I know the scent is polarizing, much like that of the EDP used after this shave, but I really enjoyed the waves of sweet and smoky that permeated the shave den and the scent strength was way up there. First time using this Genco Easy Aces as well. I'm thrilled that I was not only able to find one in such pristine condition, but also for a great bargain. It was honed on lapping film last week, and the edge was one of my better ones. Three passes and a bit of clean up for a delightful DFS+ with a hint of stubble at the point of my chin that I wasn't really interested in going after. Not even a whisper from the alum block, and a few drops of CBL tonic capped things off nicely. A City on Fire is one of my two favorite scents from IA. A very little goes a very long way, and it needs to be used sparingly unless I'm actually trying to clear a room. One spray took care of business and I could still smell it when I left work 12 hours later.
It is official. After a few uses I can easily say that this APShave Gelousy fan is by far the finest badger knot that has ever touched my face. It checks every box for me. Insanely, ridiculously soft tips, just the right combination of backbone and splay, and it has only lost a couple hairs in the beginning while I was breaking it in. I thought that I would be permanently setting it in this handle, but it is deserving of my best, and I'm going to turn a special handle for it once I get the shop back up and running.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Purrty Genco you got there. They are always safe bets (Genco's) have yet to be disappointed with them.
If you want to check out the Rawr soap scent. Just PM your address to me. And I'll pop a sample in the mail.
Fluffy
If you want to check out the Rawr soap scent. Just PM your address to me. And I'll pop a sample in the mail.
Fluffy
The pics on that one weren't the best, but the price made me willing to take the chance. I was floored when it showed up with just some tarnish on the blade, and a quick run on the buffing wheel at work took care of almost all of that. My first two vintage straights were a Genco and a Torrey(not sure which actually came first as they were within a couple days of each other). I've since picked up several examples of both, and have yet to be unhappy with one. They are my two favorite U.S. straight manufacturers.
Thanks Tim! I might pull the trigger on another fan just to have a backup.
3/3 SOTD
Razor: Jernbolaget
Brush: Switchback w/APShave Gelousy fan
Soap: Musgo Real
Aftershave: Vintage Skin Bracer
Decided to go with a couple classics for yesterdays shave. Musgo Real is a good shave soap with a fantastic masculine old-school scent. The puck shows no signs of wear even after numerous shaves with it, and is solid enough to be used as an impromptu weapon should someone attempt to attack me while I'm shaving. I know, I have a straight razor in my hand, why would I use a puck of insanely dense soap to deal with an intruder? Well, for one I love this Jernbolaget and would not want to risk damaging it. Two, bludgeoning someone with hostile intent into submission(or unconsciousness, whichever comes first) with soap would probably be fantastically cathartic. Ok, strange thought of the day printed for the world(or..you know...the 5 or so people who read this rambling nonsense journal) to see. On to the shave!
Got a very nice lather whipped up with little effort with the Gelousy knot. The soap is pretty mediocre in performance, though it more than makes up for it in scent. It is certainly good enough to get a nice shave off of, and the Jernbolaget delivered a three pass DFS+ without irritation or bloodshed. A very hefty glug of Skin Bracer topped it all off, and I chose to go fragless.
The edge on this razor is better than I thought it would be, but I am really tempted to send it to to Alfredo for honing. I've heard too many good things about his edges, and this razor deserves the best. There are a couple others that might go with it, including the King of the Den, which needs to come out to play again soon. Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Jernbolaget
Brush: Switchback w/APShave Gelousy fan
Soap: Musgo Real
Aftershave: Vintage Skin Bracer
Decided to go with a couple classics for yesterdays shave. Musgo Real is a good shave soap with a fantastic masculine old-school scent. The puck shows no signs of wear even after numerous shaves with it, and is solid enough to be used as an impromptu weapon should someone attempt to attack me while I'm shaving. I know, I have a straight razor in my hand, why would I use a puck of insanely dense soap to deal with an intruder? Well, for one I love this Jernbolaget and would not want to risk damaging it. Two, bludgeoning someone with hostile intent into submission(or unconsciousness, whichever comes first) with soap would probably be fantastically cathartic. Ok, strange thought of the day printed for the world(or..you know...the 5 or so people who read this rambling nonsense journal) to see. On to the shave!
Got a very nice lather whipped up with little effort with the Gelousy knot. The soap is pretty mediocre in performance, though it more than makes up for it in scent. It is certainly good enough to get a nice shave off of, and the Jernbolaget delivered a three pass DFS+ without irritation or bloodshed. A very hefty glug of Skin Bracer topped it all off, and I chose to go fragless.
The edge on this razor is better than I thought it would be, but I am really tempted to send it to to Alfredo for honing. I've heard too many good things about his edges, and this razor deserves the best. There are a couple others that might go with it, including the King of the Den, which needs to come out to play again soon. Thanks for reading and have a great day!