Shave of the day?

Too late to try now, I loaded up a new derby for the next shave already. Once I kill this one maybe then. I have to say for some reason I really liked the Dorco's the best so far. Very gentle and a decent shave, I could see them becoming my day to day blade the Precisions were ok but not as nice as the Astras. I really didn't like the Derbys but theywere the first ones I tried so I can't really judge them on that because it could have been all me and not the blade. If I still don't like them I will leave the second package sealed and wait for someone who is looking for some blades that is just starting and give them away.

Never know 2000 post is coming up fast, its not like I will be giving away another knife at that time but I might do a blade sampler giveaway to the big group in here:p
 
unky_gumbi said:
Too late to try now, I loaded up a new derby for the next shave already. Once I kill this one maybe then. I have to say for some reason I really liked the Dorco's the best so far. Very gentle and a decent shave, I could see them becoming my day to day blade
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I, too, found the Dorco blades to be one of the gentlest on my face. The other blade that surprised me is the Gillette 7O'clock blade. It gave me almost no razor burn when I didn't get too crazy with it and cut quite well. I will say, though, that it only lasted for 3 shaves before it quickly began pulling. The Dorco blades lasted about 6 shaves for me, with gradual reduction in shaving sharpness.

Go ahead and try the Feathers. They aren't as forgiving as Dorco or Derby but they shave the hairs really well. I've noticed that they will give about 5 incredible shaves, but the very next one is painful. There is no gradual reduction in cutting power. Nice effortless shave day one - five, and day six is obviously time to replace the blade.

If you find the Feathers too intimidating at first, you might be interested in Bic blades. I know they've been making disposable razors for decades, but I still picture them as "the pen company." The blades were amazingly smooth, yet aggressive. They had gradual reduction in sharpness, lasting about 5 shaves. Not much razor burn, either.

I get razor burn no matter what, but then Fusion and Quattro Titanium cartridges gave me bad razor burn. The Dorco, Gillette 7O'clock, and Bic blades gave me the least razor burn. I have some Lord, Crystal, Merkur, and Tiger blades left to try, but so far Dorco and Bic are at the top of my list next to Feathers (for when my technique improves, too).

I need to remember to post tomorrow's shave. I've got three days' worth of growth and a new Lord blade to try out. I just have to decide what razor to use it in...
 
Dorcos are great... and very consistent. Also, a pack of 100 is ten bucks at westcoastshaving.com. I, personally, think that even if your regular blade is Feather, you should keep a pack or two of Dorcos around because there may be times when you need a milder shave. For example, if you forget your sunscreen on a bright day, you might appreciate Dorco for a few days, a very fine shave an very mild.

In fact, in my opinion, the three essential blades which everyone should experience are Dorco, Derby, and Feather.

By the way, don't confuse mild with dull. Dorco blades are razor-sharp. They just have a less agressive angle. They are plenty sharp to give a great shave.
 
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So I revisited the Derby blades today, and ended up with similar results to the first time, my neck is red and irritated the pre/post shave knocked it down but looks like derby blades are not for me. I may give the Feathers a try in a couple days. Think I will go back to the Dorco blades for a couple of days till my face smooths back out.
 
So I think I'm actually allergic to the aftershave. It must have some kind of flower extract in it that makes me sneeze. interesting. Guess I'll give it to my Dad and try prorasso pre/post, or aquavelva.
 
Munky88 said:
So I think I'm actually allergic to the aftershave. It must have some kind of flower extract in it that makes me sneeze. interesting. Guess I'll give it to my Dad and try prorasso pre/post, or aquavelva.
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The Proraso Pre/Post cream is like Vick Vapor Rub, it works but it actually makes my eyes water and nose run a little bit when I first put it on. If you are just looking for something to sooth your face give The Gentlemens Refinery The Standard After Shave Balm a try, a little goes a long way. Although they say the sent doesn't last my friends can smell it a couple of hours after I put it on. I like the smell of it BTW
 
Pre: hot shower
Lather: C.O. Bigelow shaving cream (made by Proraso)
Blade: Lord Super Chrome
Razor: 1960 Fat Boy set at 4 for WTG, and 3 for ATG and XTG
Brush: An "Essex" by Sekine vintage boar brush
Mug: vintage Old Spice mug
After: C. O. Bigelow Elixir Green aftershave balm

Took a hot shower while my brush soaked in some really hot water in the mug, which was sitting in really hot water in the sink. I lathered up some of the C.O. Bigelow and went to town on my face. 1 Pass WTG and 2 passes ATG and XTG (total of 3 passes) left me with very little razor burn. I have never been free from razor burn, but this was one of the mildest shaves I've had. Rinsed off with hot water followed by cold water and then rubbed in some of the aftershave balm. Part of it is technique, I think, as I tried not to go overboard when going ATG to get a BBS shave. The Lords were about the same as the Dorco blades, but I have to see if I can get them to work in my SuperSpeed, tech, and Super Slim Adjustable before they'll make it into my rotation.
 
Having used a Merkur 38C Barberpole for a while, I started today off with my Futur. I tried it with a new blade to me, the Iridium Super.

The shave was very nice indeed - I stayed with two passes as I think it felt alright and I wanted to give the new blade the benefit of the doubt for a few outings anyway.

The shave consisted of,

Preshave: Shower, hot water and towel then Truefitt and Hill preshave oil
Razor: Merkur Futur at number 1 setting
Blade: Iridium Super
Cream: Castle Forbes Lavender
Brush: Rooney 3/1
Aftershave: Alum block followed with Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood aftershave gel balm and then later, Arran Aromatics Moisturiser.

Generally, I wouldn't bother with a moisturiser but after changing my usual set-up I wanted to give my skin a good chance and it has went alright with no burn or irritation :D

Mark
 
Roefisher, How do find the Castle Forbes? I've heard a lot of positives about it, but it is costly.

Today:

Taylor Shaving Shop

Bic blade for a change from Feather, OK but 'weaker'

Vulfix Badger

Nivea After Balm. Fast shave today but generally very good.
 
willgoy said:
Roefisher, How do find the Castle Forbes? I've heard a lot of positives about it, but it is costly.
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Hello :)

I think that it's a superb cream. There's no question that it's expensive but I don't really mind as it's a big 200ml tub and takes a small amount for a shave. I keep a small spoon in the bathroom and scoop out about a thumbnail sized amount which has no bother giving me enough lather for two or three passes. At that rate, it'll last for months and months. I took a picture earlier just after making my last post here but didn't show it as it's poor quality but I'll show it now to let you see the tub size after maybe a dozen shaves out of it -

100_6517.jpg


But back to the question, I think it makes a beautiful lather which is both rich on the face and kind afterwards with good feeling skin and no dry tightness. One thing I would bear in mind about it is that it's a lot firmer in the tub than other creams I've used and needs a fairly stiff brush to get it whipped up properly. It is worth the small amount of extra effort though as it shaves wonderfully. I have the Lavender and my next purchase will include the Lime which, although I have never tried it to have first hand information, is also well reviewed.

Mark
 
Thanks:thumbup:

Impressive range of gear you've got there, like that brush a lot.

When the Taylor runs out I will look into the Castle Forbes,any other 'flavours' apart from Lavender and the Lime? What with Gollnick posting a link earlier about some decent shaving soaps (hope they ship outside the US) I'll be in the poor house:D
 
willgoy said:
Thanks:thumbup:

Impressive range of gear you've got there, like that brush a lot.

When the Taylor runs out I will look into the Castle Forbes,any other 'flavours' apart from Lavender and the Lime? What with Gollnick posting a link earlier about some decent shaving soaps (hope they ship outside the US) I'll be in the poor house:D
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Cheers,

I'm the classic case of all the gear and no idea :D

I've only just got into wet shaving again to tell you the truth after years of using electric razors. I started my wet shaving again a few months back with my father's Gillette Rocket and then went onto the Wilkinson Sword Quattro for a while before being disgusted with razor burn and rash irritation and coming back to DE's with Merkur.

I'm going through a bit of a change at the moment trying to get a balance between razor time on my face and increases in irritation. I'm trying to get all the info I can on board before starting to make any changes. My reason for this is that I have a skin disorder and it means that I have small coin sized dry rash patches everywhere. In relation to my shaving, at the moment there are a couple on my face - cheek and lip and one on each side of my neck at my ears and a final one below my chin. If my shave is too aggressive they can flame up red or even bleed and they're deep so need along time to heal. That's my boring story.

On the positive side it gives me a chance to experiment with razors and blades and the Futur is new to me. I'm really in two minds on my opinion of it at the moment - while I love and appreciate the design, it's a bit of a monster in use and I fancy going back to the 38C Barberpole or maybe even splashing out on a knife sale and getting one of these new stainless steel Feathers :rolleyes:

About your Castle Forbes plan - go for it, sir.

You can get the cream in the Lavender, Lime and Sandalwood. I've just used the first but intend to get around the others, given plenty of time!

Mark
 
willgoy said:
When the Taylor runs out I will look into the Castle Forbes,
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I never really thought until now...

Shoot me a PM or email and I'll send you some Castle Forbes cream to try out, if you fancy a sample of the stuff before buying a full tub :)

Mark
 
Roefisher, do you find that the shaving creams and soap help with your skin condition? I found that my complexion improved greatly when I switched over from canned creams to shaving soaps, not that my complexion was overly bad, but I noticed a difference in the first week
 
unky_gumbi said:
Roefisher, do you find that the shaving creams and soap help with your skin condition? I found that my complexion improved greatly when I switched over from canned creams to shaving soaps, not that my complexion was overly bad, but I noticed a difference in the first week
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Hello :)

That's a difficult one. My skin problems come and go so it's difficult to shout blame and name the causes. I've been attending clinics and specialists for more years than I can remember. I grew up on goat products as that was all the rage at that time. It's a complaint which run on my father's side of the family and I have had poor skin all my life. Several times I couldn't write, my hands were so badly hacked and sore and other times I had to walk on different areas of my feet, they were the same. Anyway, point made!

I'll still agree with you entirely and say without any doubt that the canned shaving stuff, be it gel or foam, was definitely bad for my skin - the main problem was drying out which sometimes made my rashes worse because they left my skin so exposed. To be fair, these new shaving soaps and creams I'm using now are a real pleasure and I have had no problems coming from their use. The trick to knowing that is when there's no reaction on my skin patches and I don't get that stretched tight feeling afterwards. I couldn't say that I prefer cream or soap, either, as I think they work into a similar lather for me which feels mild and fresh during the shave and later too.

Mark
 
Roefisher said:
I never really thought until now...

Shoot me a PM or email and I'll send you some Castle Forbes cream to try out, if you fancy a sample of the stuff before buying a full tub :)

Mark
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Thank you, e-mail sent:thumbup:

Regards, W
 
Its been awhile since I posted a "shave of the day" because my shaves haven't changed that much lately but today I tried something new.

Pre-shave: Long hot shower followed by some Proraso pre/post shave cream
Razor: EJ89L
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum
Soap: L'Occitane shave soap
Brush: Omega Boars Hair
Post shave: Proraso pre/post shave cream, TGR Standard After Shave Balm

With my good shave days being numbered, 15 till I lose the use of my left arm for a bit, I decided to give myself a treat and try out a more expensive shaving soap. A L'OCCITANE en Provence store opened up at a local mall and I had been reading reviews on their shave soap so I decided to give it a try. At $16 a puck it's a little more expensive then what I normally willing to spend and while I was at it I bought some of their Shower Gel for men. Once again $22 for a 8.4oz bottle is on the steep side for me, but I deserve a treat once and awhile:o. So I jumped into a nice hot shower and lathered up with the shower gel, nice sent, decent lather, and no soapy residue. After the shower I wet my face down with hot water and applied the Proraso pre shave cream. The brush and bowl were sitting in the sink filled with hot water during the shave and I had put some hot water on top of the cake of soap while in the shower too. The soap was soft and the brush loaded easily. With about a teaspoon of water in the bowl I started to make my lather, this stuff takes a little more effort then the Proraso I normally use, but I got a nice fluffy think lather with it. While to the hand the lather didn't feel as slick as the Proraso, the razor glided over my face with no resistance. I did my normal s-n, 2X diagonal, and n-s passes, followed by a blade buffing and then a bit of touch up around the scar and jaw line. Then rinsed with cold water, a little more Proaso pre/post shave cream, another rinse with cold water and finally the TGR after shave balm. The result and silk smooth BBS shave no irritation and soft smooth skin. Guess it pays to treat yourself once and awhile. I should not that of all the reviews I read on L'OCCITANE en Provence shaving soaps and creams everyone seemed to agree that the soap was good and the cream wasn't. I can't say if the cream is no good but I can say that the soap was great:thumbup::thumbup:

Now I have to find a really good fancy soap to try out for when I can shave again with the DE, 3 weeks after my surgery. I will be using an electric till I get my left arm moving again:mad: I already tried shaving with my right, I almost needed a new styptic pencil and a blood transfusion so I wont be trying that again:o
Who ever suggests the next soap I pick to try after I start proper shaving again will get an unopened package of 5 Black Feathers. I will say this will be a special shave so I will bump my price limit up to $35 Cnd for a single puck.

Make your suggestions over here, no limit to number of suggestions because it will be the reasoning you give that will make me choose
 
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Prep: Hot shower
Lather: TGQ lime margaretta face-lathered with a Merkur Futur-style brush
Razor: Merkur Futur @ 2.5
Blade: Feather (brand new today)
Shave: two pass, N2S and S2N
Aftershave: Splash of drugstore rubbing alcohol

Result: Feather blades are almost always great. My everyday shave with Feathers is all but perfect. But this Feather? This blade is extraordinary. This specific one blade is above all other blades I have had. This blade is amazing. This is the best shave I've ever had. I don't really even think that I needed the second pass. Of course, it's a fleeting thing, so I enjoyed it today. I don't expect tomorrow to be as good.
 
Last night I had a quick honing session, so today I shaved with a nice and smooth 6/8 full hollow Solingen blade by "Xavier." This is a fairly unknown maker, but the shave was silky smooth.

Here's the routine for today

  • Quick shower
  • Built lather on face with a vulfix silvertip (in a redwood lace burl handle I turned) with SRD patchouli soap
  • 40 laps on a TM heirloom latigo strop
  • nice clean 1 1/2 pass shave (with the grain, then against the grain on my trouble spots)

Have fun guys
 
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