Well, it's been over a month since I last posted here. Things got stupid crazy and honestly, my journal was the last thing that I thought about. In a week or so I will be going back to work full time, so maybe a bit more routine will help me add to the section of the forum a bit more.
Instead of posting a bunch of SOTDs or even the last one...let me just kind of go over the things that I have been using and comment on each of them.
Razors: So I have used two different razors over the last month or so. My Gillette Super Adjustable 107 (Black Beauty) circa 1972...and my modern Merkur Progress Adjustable Razor. My shaves with the Progress (typically my go to) was nut really giving me smooth shaves. So I decided to change it up a bit. I know I am in the minority when I say that I am more inclined to less aggressive to outright mild razors. Sometimes I will use a more aggressive razor or setting to change it up...but it's mostly super mild. Anyway, switched from the Progress to the Super Adjustable (SA) and was getting some very enjoyable, albeit not the closest, but very enjoyable shaves. No hassles...no worries...no blood! After a while, I decided that the SA was okay, but I wanted a closer shave. So back to the Progress and man did I get great shave again! It's just funny how it works like that. Lesson learned....something not going as well? Change it up and then go back to it after a while.
Blades: So I used a few different blades...Feather, Voskhod, Vi-Yut(?), Personna Platinum, and Gillette 7O'clock Super Platinum (Black). Of all these...my favorite is the 7 O'clock Super Platinum. It's sharp and smooth...does the trick...it's some good stuff. I think the one I am using has had about six or seven shaves on it...and it seems like it is still going strong. This is my last one so I will have to get more. I think these are under $20 for 100 of them. If it's more...it's not much more.
Shaving Soap: So I have used three soaps. A Somali Rose sample from Lisa's Natural Herbal Creations (
@LNHC ) and a couple samples that Chris
@CBLindsay Sent me from CBL (
@CBLSoap.com ).
First the Somali Rose...Okay now I understand why a lot of people like this scent. It is nice and sophisticated without being overly powerful. But it isn't overly complex either. It's one of those unique scents that you immediately like. At least I did. The soap is Lisa's newest soap version. I have tried just about every version of her soap over the last three three or four years now, and they are all still good and were likely one of the best soap formulations out there at the time. This latest version of her soap well exceeds all of those in performance. It is definitely her best formulation by far! Between the scent and the formulation...this one will find its way into my den...and likely sooner rather than later.
Next, the CBL Soaps...So...don't know how much I really can say about these. Both samples are tallow based soaps and I think one of them is actually going to make it into the market on Chris' site. The first one I tried was really soft...I mean really soft. Chris said that he thinks it was actually the stuff he added for scent that made it soft. Either way, I only needed about a pea sized drop to produce an incredibly slick and wonderful lather. I used both synthetic and natural fiber brushes and had no problem with either of them. This softer soap was easy to load, easy to lather, and a joy to shave with. The scent is very pleasant. The next sample is much more firm. Like a regular puck or tub of soap. Chris said that the scent was supposed to be strong...but I found it very pleasant and mild also. This sample I just smooshed into my Captain's Choice lather bowl and load from that. It will last me a bit since it was a big sample. So like the first sample...easy to load and easy to lather. It's really good stuff. So good in fact, I think I like it better (slightly) than the first sample. It just seems to agree with my face a lot. Post shave feel on this soap is amazing. Both soaps however, I don't think you have to have an aftershave if you don't want. It's that good in the post shave feel. Sadly, I think Chris said that this particular soap will not be available for public consumption. Oh, well, I guess I will enjoy what I have until it is gone. Just for reference...I really like the CBL Orion base a lot...both of these soaps are better.
Brushes: Quick note on the brushes...I have used several over the last month...but the three I used the most were my Graydog brush (thanks again
@Graydog ) with a Maggards Badger/Boar Hybrid knot; the TSC/SV Brush in High Mountain Badger; and the Tech-Hive Synthetic brush (thanks
@Techichi ). All three are wonderful, but I have to say...man that Tech-Hive Synthetic is a really amazing brush!
Aftershaves: So...I have been prohibited from using anything strongly scented (bummer) by the wife. She says it bother's the baby. I may have lost this battle, but the war still rages! Anyway, I was using a couple of serums and elixirs from A&E and LNHC...I love these, but I needed and unscented aftershave. Good news...CBL had one. Now...I can't say enough good stuff about the CBL After Shave Tonic. Seriously...might be the best aftershave out there. I like it that much. I also received from Chris a sample of a potential new aftershave product. So I have been using both. The sample I received does a great job at toning and then doing all the other stuff you want in an aftershave. But to be honest...I think I like the current version of the After Shave Tonic Better. Makes my face feel amazing!
Okay...with that, I think I have rambled on enough. I will see what I can do to be more present in the journals.
I hoe the Cadre has an absolutely wonderful day!