WetShaving

2023.09.02 SOTD:

• Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser

• Brush: AKA Brushworks Amethyst Watchman with 26mm AP Shave Co G5C

• Razor: Gem Jr. 1912

• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE

• Lather: House of Mammoth Rumble

• Post Shave: Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, House of Mammoth Rumble Aftershave Splash, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry

First shave using a Gem style SE razor. First things first, HoM Rumble is fantastic. Great lather and wonderful smell. For the shave, though, I honestly am unsure about. I think most of that was my own lack of knowledge on how to properly use the razor, and the fact that I went into "stupid" mode trying to get a close shave. I did three passes, then I just kept going over rough spots on my neck. I eventually got to an acceptable state (not quite DFS; nowhere near BBS), but it took a long time. Despite all of that, though, it was an easy shave and comfortable shave. Right up there with my Henson+. 0 nicks or cuts and 0 irritation (as of right now, wouldn't be surprised if I ended up with a couple ingrown hairs due to my exuberance). I'm hoping with a better technique I can get a more efficient shave out of it, but if not I can always try a more aggressive SE (MM24, maybe?). I think I'll give myself a break tomorrow and try again on Monday.

Sample Straightember

• Brush: Zenith B21 (XL chrome-plated copper handle, 28 mm boar with 50 mm loft)
• Razor: Filarmónica 14 Doble Temple (8/8, extra full hollow, red scales)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Vespers
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Lavanille
• Fragrance: Creed – Wind Flowers

A Filarmónica 14 with red scales with a sample tub of BaM Vespers, a bottle of BaM Lavanille splash and a Zenith B21 brush

Ok, this razor is fantastic, I'm really happy I finally pulled the trigger on a Fili 14 and I was lucky with the one I got. The previous owner seems to have maintained a really good edge geometry. Also, it's not pristine enough for me to worry about using it daily.

Great three pass shave today. Vespers is a really nice scent

Sep. 2, 2023

• Brush: PAA 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Karve Overlander
• Blade: Sharp Durablade
• Lather: Spearhead - Sea Ice Lime - Soap
• Post Shave: Spearhead - Sea Ice Lime - Aftershave

Great shave on a very hot day. With a limited amount of nice days ahead I’ll have to make the best of them. This splash sure has some zing quite the blast of menthol.

September 2, 2023

• Brush: Stirling 24mm Synthetic
• Blade: Cien Men 2-Blade Cart (5)
• Lather: Central Texas Soaps - Down By The River - Soap
• Post Shave: allMan - Fearless - Aftershave

Great soap base. Central Texas stayed out of the muck and didn't get mixed up with any particular clique of wetshavers. The description of Down By The River led me to expect something dirtier and darker, but it's almost a fresh scent.

September 2, 2023 - Settantesimo Straightember

• Brush: Wald Nimbus Bloodline 27mm J3

• Razor: Tanifuji Spalding 0411 6/8" Full Hollow (Straight Shave 314)

• Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap

• Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave

• Post Shave: Thayers - Lavender - Toner

• Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
   

3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

First, a note about the Kismet blade that I used for Austere August. I took images of the blade condition and made summary comments in the Losing My Edge album. About all I can say is that the Kismet blade is an amazing performer. I don't see why anyone would use anything else with a Weck.

So what is this Settantesimo Straightember thing?

Well, the Straightember part is @[email protected]'s fault. He told me he was going to do Sample Straightember this year. I enjoy a good monthly theme, especially if it involves open blade shaving, so I was on board for Straightember where I will be using only new (to me) razors (a Tanifuji and a Koraat currently - there's also an Iwasaki that may make it), or razors that I have previously used but with edges from new (to me) finishing stones (Black Shadow, Black Arkansas, Nakayama Mizu Asagi Maruka Shouhonyama).

And what about Settantesimo? Well, after August 31, I have 35 shaves on my tub of Saponificio Varesino 70^th^ Anniversary. It seems fitting to use that tub 70 times in a year that I celebrated a personal 70^th^ anniversary. Conveniently, September has 35 days [unless you follow that crackpot Pope Gregory and his Gregorian Calendar], so I can complete my 70 uses this month!

OK fine, you say, how is that Tanifuji!? The answer is, "Just awesome". Even though it is a full hollow, it is a silent cutter. The edge is completely stable and unmoving. A joy to use.

Prep: Splash of Cool Water
Razor: Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 Open Comb
Blade: Gillette - Nacet (Marathon) (531)
Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
Brush: Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL (56 uses)
Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)

Gear Pic :: Video

䷀ General Notes

The last shave of Austere August for me! I started two days late, so I'm finishing my 31 shaves two days late.

It was a great month, and super fun to play around with the Slurry Lather.

And Stag... is always a winner.

䷀ Razor and Blade Notes

(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Gillette - Nacet - M ‹531 uses›)

Same: a little tuggy on first pass, but other two were just fine and I got a good shave.

Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 2 out of 5 (Okay)

䷀ Soap Notes

(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)

I just love all the aspects of this scent!

Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving.

Lather... Standard slurry lather. super slick and wet on pass one, a mature and still slick one on pass 3, and a mix of the two on pass ... two.

very nice.

Hydration: Perfect (for me)

• 2 sec load with a Very Wet brush
• = 5 passes of lather

Bowl: No Bowl

䷀ Brush Notes

(Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL ‹56 uses›)

As usual with the slurry lather, and this brush, the soft and wide spread of the tips felt great on pass one. Then the rest of the process went great as the lather developed. This method helps the strong core backbone of the brush not see quite so dominant.

During the Shave Feel:
  Cheeks: Felt blade but comfortable
  Neck: Felt blade but comfortable
After the Shave Closeness:
  Cheeks: Close Shave
  Neck: Several hairs are showing some tip length (still a pretty good shave)

Ending of Blades Ledger - entry form and the data spreadsheet