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There and Back Again, A Wet-Shaver's Tale
- Thread starter Smattayu
- Start date
SteveChuckFrank
Close Enough*
Thanks Ken!
I’m happy you enjoyed the razors and look forward to your imminent Vector purchase.
Love that movie lol.
Thanks Tim! I pulled my little tabletop bandsaw and belt sander out of storage, and used them to cut it and do the rough shaping. I did the final shaping and polishing with sandpaper, starting with 100 grit and going up to 2k, then a final pass with some Mother's for a bit of shine.
Ok, got a couple of shaves in since the last post. What do these two shaves have in common? Both have razors with an edge provided by Alfredo. Yup, I've thought about sending razors for him to hone over the years and finally got around to it. More on the edges in the post-pic section.
The soap for the first was a PIF from @dangerousdon. Anyone that knows Storybook Soapworks knows their soaps are excellent performers. This one is a straight coffee smell, and just what I needed as the insomnia hit pretty hard the night before.
3/18 SOTD
Razor: David Issard Samson Razor
Brush: Sorrentino Turquoise
Soap: Storybook Soapworks Coffee Spoons
Aftershave: Storybook Soapworks Coffee Spoons
EDP: Robert Graham Valour(not shown)
3/19 SOTD - Clubman Friday!
Razor: Ragg Paragon
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: PAA Clubguy
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman
I had to give this aftershave the nod in Don's "What is your favorite GLUG!!!" thread. It smells so good, and is nice and inexpensive to boot. It comes in a plastic container which seems to add an unpleasant note to it, so I'd recommend decanting it into glass which makes the smell go away after 2-3 weeks(ish).
Ok, so shaving with one of Alfredo's edges makes me think of honing the same way I thought about playing guitar when I would listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan's cover of Little Wing. It would simultaneously make me want to pick my guitar up and never put it down again, and put my guitar down and never pick it up again. The edges on these razors are magnificent. Super sharp and plenty smooth. I took a look at them under the loupe and they have that signature hazy Jnat edge with no discernable scratch pattern. Just amazing. Two stellar BBS shaves, and now I want to master my Jnat even more, and also sell it and never look at another hone again.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
The soap for the first was a PIF from @dangerousdon. Anyone that knows Storybook Soapworks knows their soaps are excellent performers. This one is a straight coffee smell, and just what I needed as the insomnia hit pretty hard the night before.
3/18 SOTD
Razor: David Issard Samson Razor
Brush: Sorrentino Turquoise
Soap: Storybook Soapworks Coffee Spoons
Aftershave: Storybook Soapworks Coffee Spoons
EDP: Robert Graham Valour(not shown)
3/19 SOTD - Clubman Friday!
Razor: Ragg Paragon
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: PAA Clubguy
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman
I had to give this aftershave the nod in Don's "What is your favorite GLUG!!!" thread. It smells so good, and is nice and inexpensive to boot. It comes in a plastic container which seems to add an unpleasant note to it, so I'd recommend decanting it into glass which makes the smell go away after 2-3 weeks(ish).
Ok, so shaving with one of Alfredo's edges makes me think of honing the same way I thought about playing guitar when I would listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan's cover of Little Wing. It would simultaneously make me want to pick my guitar up and never put it down again, and put my guitar down and never pick it up again. The edges on these razors are magnificent. Super sharp and plenty smooth. I took a look at them under the loupe and they have that signature hazy Jnat edge with no discernable scratch pattern. Just amazing. Two stellar BBS shaves, and now I want to master my Jnat even more, and also sell it and never look at another hone again.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Never had an edge done by Alfredo. But hot damn he makes a helluva sauce. 
Lol no doubt. I volunteer!
It's nice to know I wasn't alone there lol. I kept playing, but resigned myself to the fact that hard work + lots of talent beats trumps hard work. I liked playing, but didn't have much natural affinity for music.
And now I'm hungry.Never had an edge done by Alfredo. But hot damn he makes a helluva sauce.
A little catching up.
3/21 SOTD
Razor: Rockwell 6c
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: TSC Legacy
Cream: Hemingway Supreme Shave Cream
Aftershave: Hemingway Aftershave Tonic
EDP: Mugler Pure Havane
Broke out the 6c for an easy shave. For a while I kept thinking I wanted to pick up a high end DE, but I find it hard to believe there is anything better for me than the 6c. I get a stellar BBS consistently with it, and will save my money for more important things. This the second use of this cream and it is some great stuff, A subtle tobacco, slightly boozy, scent with really good performance. It paired very nicely with Pure Havane, probably my favorite tobacco frag. This juice is sweeter than I usually prefer, but smells just amazing.
3/22 SOTD
Razor: Kraut & Dohnal
Brush: TSC Legacy
Soap: Big Easy Soaps & Tincture Cafe Orleans
Aftershave: Big Easy Soaps & Tinctures Cafe Orleans
EDP: Robert Graham Valour
First shave with this soap that was PIFed to me by @dangerousdon, and there will be many more. It smells like I'd imagine a New Orleans cafe would smell like, and I'm digging it! Finally put the newly rescaled Kraut & Dohnal on the stones yesterday, and the result was a very sharp, though not as smooth as I prefer, blade. Got a great feeling BBS after three passes and a bit of clean up, but it looks like I went a little too far on the clean up, and there was some neck irritation that showed up about 20 minutes after the shave. Still, the edge is good and I can probably strop out the harshness. A couple sprays of the precious Valour capped the shave off beautifully, and my day was good.
It really seems like there are less hours in the day when you're on midnights lol. I know that isn't the case, but I just can't seem to get enough done with the time that I have. I'm supposed to go back on days on April 5th, and I'm praying that they will stay true to that and not extend my stay on third shift again.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
3/21 SOTD
Razor: Rockwell 6c
Blade: Wizamet
Brush: TSC Legacy
Cream: Hemingway Supreme Shave Cream
Aftershave: Hemingway Aftershave Tonic
EDP: Mugler Pure Havane
Broke out the 6c for an easy shave. For a while I kept thinking I wanted to pick up a high end DE, but I find it hard to believe there is anything better for me than the 6c. I get a stellar BBS consistently with it, and will save my money for more important things. This the second use of this cream and it is some great stuff, A subtle tobacco, slightly boozy, scent with really good performance. It paired very nicely with Pure Havane, probably my favorite tobacco frag. This juice is sweeter than I usually prefer, but smells just amazing.
3/22 SOTD
Razor: Kraut & Dohnal
Brush: TSC Legacy
Soap: Big Easy Soaps & Tincture Cafe Orleans
Aftershave: Big Easy Soaps & Tinctures Cafe Orleans
EDP: Robert Graham Valour
First shave with this soap that was PIFed to me by @dangerousdon, and there will be many more. It smells like I'd imagine a New Orleans cafe would smell like, and I'm digging it! Finally put the newly rescaled Kraut & Dohnal on the stones yesterday, and the result was a very sharp, though not as smooth as I prefer, blade. Got a great feeling BBS after three passes and a bit of clean up, but it looks like I went a little too far on the clean up, and there was some neck irritation that showed up about 20 minutes after the shave. Still, the edge is good and I can probably strop out the harshness. A couple sprays of the precious Valour capped the shave off beautifully, and my day was good.
It really seems like there are less hours in the day when you're on midnights lol. I know that isn't the case, but I just can't seem to get enough done with the time that I have. I'm supposed to go back on days on April 5th, and I'm praying that they will stay true to that and not extend my stay on third shift again.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
I know I missed an SOTD in here somewhere, but this was yesterdays:
3/25 SOTD
Razor: O.R.E.N.
Blade: ProGuard
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Murphy and McNeil Naid
Aftershave: Murphy and McNeil Naid
I haven't used this soap much, but every time I do I'm impressed with it's performance. Great stuff for sure, and the apricot and freesia scent is outstanding for a warm spring day. I'll pull the trigger on the EDP one of these days. This is the O.R.E.N. that was sent to replace the incomplete one I originally received and it is a really nice shaver, though the medium head with the ProGuard is a bit more mild than I prefer and it took some serious blade buffing to get BBS on my trouble spots. I'm going to try the aggressive head with the same blade next to see how it does.
I broke my s-word and ordered a couple things. Some LNHC Somali Rose shave soap and post shave elixir(only had a sample and had to pull the trigger now that it's on the endangered list), and a Parker adjustable injector. The injector got here today and will be on deck for tomorrow's shave, and the Somali Rose is in usps limbo.
Also ordered a new phone. My IPhone 8 Plus is getting a little beat up and long in the tooth, and the charging port has been really iffy for the last month or so. I thought about splurging for the 12 Pro or the XS, but went with the more affordable(if that word can apply to IPhones) XR instead. It should be here Monday.
It was confirmed by my supervisor that I will be going back on day shift on April 5th, so yay!
3/25 SOTD
Razor: O.R.E.N.
Blade: ProGuard
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: Murphy and McNeil Naid
Aftershave: Murphy and McNeil Naid
I haven't used this soap much, but every time I do I'm impressed with it's performance. Great stuff for sure, and the apricot and freesia scent is outstanding for a warm spring day. I'll pull the trigger on the EDP one of these days. This is the O.R.E.N. that was sent to replace the incomplete one I originally received and it is a really nice shaver, though the medium head with the ProGuard is a bit more mild than I prefer and it took some serious blade buffing to get BBS on my trouble spots. I'm going to try the aggressive head with the same blade next to see how it does.
I broke my s-word and ordered a couple things. Some LNHC Somali Rose shave soap and post shave elixir(only had a sample and had to pull the trigger now that it's on the endangered list), and a Parker adjustable injector. The injector got here today and will be on deck for tomorrow's shave, and the Somali Rose is in usps limbo.
Also ordered a new phone. My IPhone 8 Plus is getting a little beat up and long in the tooth, and the charging port has been really iffy for the last month or so. I thought about splurging for the 12 Pro or the XS, but went with the more affordable(if that word can apply to IPhones) XR instead. It should be here Monday.
It was confirmed by my supervisor that I will be going back on day shift on April 5th, so yay!
GearNoir
“The Disney Princess’s Apprentice”
Looking forward to your thoughts on the Parker injector! I like mine a lot. I have it cranked all the way up to max on 5 and it still feels super mild but it seems to give a super long lasting BBS anyway.
The XS is what I’ve had the last two years and it’s still going pretty strong. I’m passing mine off to the eldest though and did a mini upgrade to the 11 Pro. Not the biggest and best but still a worthy upgrade and a great deal.
The XS is what I’ve had the last two years and it’s still going pretty strong. I’m passing mine off to the eldest though and did a mini upgrade to the 11 Pro. Not the biggest and best but still a worthy upgrade and a great deal.
Right?!?
I'm looking forward to trying the Parker. And I'm excited to get the new phone. I'll have the case and the tempered glass screen protector before I get the phone lol.
3/26 SOTD
Razor: Filarmonica Sub-Cero 14 JMP
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: PAA Clubguy
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman
Fragrance: More Pinaud Clubman
I can't stay away from this Fili! I see why these go for a premium, though I really wish they were more affordable. The 14 seems to be the perfect size for me, and it is a joy to shave with. It is probably the most geometrically perfect razor I have ever honed and has of the best edges I've ever put on a razor. Three passes and some clean up netted me a lovely BBS, though I did lose attention for a moment, which resulted in a nice little chunk being taken out of my philtrum.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Filarmonica Sub-Cero 14 JMP
Brush: TSC 2nd Anniversary
Soap: PAA Clubguy
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman
Fragrance: More Pinaud Clubman
I can't stay away from this Fili! I see why these go for a premium, though I really wish they were more affordable. The 14 seems to be the perfect size for me, and it is a joy to shave with. It is probably the most geometrically perfect razor I have ever honed and has of the best edges I've ever put on a razor. Three passes and some clean up netted me a lovely BBS, though I did lose attention for a moment, which resulted in a nice little chunk being taken out of my philtrum.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Fili's are a special breed. The premium they command while frustrating. IMHO it is deserved/earned. They never disappoint.
Wish they were as plentiful as others. Thus lower in price. I do not have a Sub Cero Example. A little jellie here.
Wish they were as plentiful as others. Thus lower in price. I do not have a Sub Cero Example. A little jellie here.
Thanks Rich! It's good to see you on here.
If this one is any indication, then you are entirely correct about their deserved reputation. I'll definitely keep an eye out for more that can be found at reasonable prices, and would break my s-word if such a thing popped up on the radar. I'm pretty envious of your World Master so we're in the same boat lol.Fili's are a special breed. The premium they command while frustrating. IMHO it is deserved/earned. They never disappoint.
Wish they were as plentiful as others. Thus lower in price. I do not have a Sub Cero Example. A little jellie here.
3/27/21 SOTD
Razor: Robeson New Science Concave
Brush: Switchback 400 w/Gelousy fan
Soap: B&M Hallows
Aftershave: B&M Hallows
EDP: B&M Hallows
Grabbed a new to me razor from a brand that was recommended by @Maryland998. It looked good in the online pics when I pulled the trigger on it and it polished up easily, but there was pitting right on the edge that was only visible with the loupe. Honing this guy ended up being a personal challenge that took a few different sessions on the bevel set. Finally got that done last night, and was impatient enough to run it through a quick synthetic/lapping film progression instead of my preferred Jnat.
It feels more like fall than spring outside, so Hallows was called up. This is one of those scents that people seem to either love or hate with little to no middle ground. I happen to love it, so if you hate it you might want to stay out of Michigan for a while, since I go heavy on the aftershave and it is some potent stuff.
The edge on the razor was good, but not great. Got a three pass DFS out of it, but since it's a day off this shave was more about the scent than the hair removal. A hefty glug of aftershave and a couple sprays of EDP and I was ready to head out and clear a room or two.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!
Razor: Robeson New Science Concave
Brush: Switchback 400 w/Gelousy fan
Soap: B&M Hallows
Aftershave: B&M Hallows
EDP: B&M Hallows
Grabbed a new to me razor from a brand that was recommended by @Maryland998. It looked good in the online pics when I pulled the trigger on it and it polished up easily, but there was pitting right on the edge that was only visible with the loupe. Honing this guy ended up being a personal challenge that took a few different sessions on the bevel set. Finally got that done last night, and was impatient enough to run it through a quick synthetic/lapping film progression instead of my preferred Jnat.
It feels more like fall than spring outside, so Hallows was called up. This is one of those scents that people seem to either love or hate with little to no middle ground. I happen to love it, so if you hate it you might want to stay out of Michigan for a while, since I go heavy on the aftershave and it is some potent stuff.
The edge on the razor was good, but not great. Got a three pass DFS out of it, but since it's a day off this shave was more about the scent than the hair removal. A hefty glug of aftershave and a couple sprays of EDP and I was ready to head out and clear a room or two.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!