Shaving adventures of a Milkcrate

Shave Count (DE: 471 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Torrey SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson Berkley
Soap: SV Stella Alpina

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: SV Stella Alpina

The Deets-
So ... yesterday the shave was simply a DFS-. I think that edge needs a bit of a touch up, so I'll bang it on the SB Ark and see what comes of it.

Today was another DFS shave, but I'll take it. I seem to remember that I got the same shave last time I used this razor, but left it in rotation to see if I just had an "off shave" ... nope. So back to the stones for this one as well. I have been using the brush warmer the last couple of days and that warm lather is nice. I think I could make an everyday thing of that.

For this shave, I kept my typical 30 second load time and it whipped up a nice lather. 10 laps on cotton and then 50 on leather and it was go time. I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. Smeared on a nice warm post shave lather while I cleaned the gear up. Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. A splash of the aftershave and everything was right as rain! I'm digging this SV set also. I will keep it for the work week, but I need to find a razor. That and hone a few.

Home Front-
So the meat cleaver that I had acquired with the folding handle, was sent back to the maker. He received it on Friday and seemed truly excited to have it back.

And then Eric had to show us his Max Sprecher razor ... oh man that thing is beautiful. Wife walked by and asked about it. I had been on Max's site and ballparked the cost and I thought she was going to choke on her soda. She said that was crazy money for a razor and wouldn't spend anything near that. I explained that they are completely hand made and customizable when ordered. I then showed her the site. She browsed the site, uh and ah-ing for about 20 minutes and then she said "I would spend that for a razor". Hook set ... but then I balked at the price. I'm an idiot. But I know that in the future, I could talk my way into one of his razors. Maybe one of these days.

Shave Count (DE: 471 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Torrey SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson Berkley
Soap: SV Stella Alpina

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: SV Stella Alpina

The Deets-
So ... yesterday the shave was simply a DFS-. I think that edge needs a bit of a touch up, so I'll bang it on the SB Ark and see what comes of it.

Today was another DFS shave, but I'll take it. I seem to remember that I got the same shave last time I used this razor, but left it in rotation to see if I just had an "off shave" ... nope. So back to the stones for this one as well. I have been using the brush warmer the last couple of days and that warm lather is nice. I think I could make an everyday thing of that.

For this shave, I kept my typical 30 second load time and it whipped up a nice lather. 10 laps on cotton and then 50 on leather and it was go time. I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. Smeared on a nice warm post shave lather while I cleaned the gear up. Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. A splash of the aftershave and everything was right as rain! I'm digging this SV set also. I will keep it for the work week, but I need to find a razor. That and hone a few.

Home Front-
So the meat cleaver that I had acquired with the folding handle, was sent back to the maker. He received it on Friday and seemed truly excited to have it back.

And then Eric had to show us his Max Sprecher razor ... oh man that thing is beautiful. Wife walked by and asked about it. I had been on Max's site and ballparked the cost and I thought she was going to choke on her soda. She said that was crazy money for a razor and wouldn't spend anything near that. I explained that they are completely hand made and customizable when ordered. I then showed her the site. She browsed the site, uh and ah-ing for about 20 minutes and then she said "I would spend that for a razor". Hook set ... but then I balked at the price. I'm an idiot. But I know that in the future, I could talk my way into one of his razors. Maybe one of these days.

She's a keeper and you'll do it when your ready. Very cool!

Shave Count (DE: 471 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Torrey SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson Berkley
Soap: SV Stella Alpina

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: SV Stella Alpina

The Deets-
So ... yesterday the shave was simply a DFS-. I think that edge needs a bit of a touch up, so I'll bang it on the SB Ark and see what comes of it.

Today was another DFS shave, but I'll take it. I seem to remember that I got the same shave last time I used this razor, but left it in rotation to see if I just had an "off shave" ... nope. So back to the stones for this one as well. I have been using the brush warmer the last couple of days and that warm lather is nice. I think I could make an everyday thing of that.

For this shave, I kept my typical 30 second load time and it whipped up a nice lather. 10 laps on cotton and then 50 on leather and it was go time. I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. Smeared on a nice warm post shave lather while I cleaned the gear up. Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. A splash of the aftershave and everything was right as rain! I'm digging this SV set also. I will keep it for the work week, but I need to find a razor. That and hone a few.

Home Front-
So the meat cleaver that I had acquired with the folding handle, was sent back to the maker. He received it on Friday and seemed truly excited to have it back.

And then Eric had to show us his Max Sprecher razor ... oh man that thing is beautiful. Wife walked by and asked about it. I had been on Max's site and ballparked the cost and I thought she was going to choke on her soda. She said that was crazy money for a razor and wouldn't spend anything near that. I explained that they are completely hand made and customizable when ordered. I then showed her the site. She browsed the site, uh and ah-ing for about 20 minutes and then she said "I would spend that for a razor". Hook set ... but then I balked at the price. I'm an idiot. But I know that in the future, I could talk my way into one of his razors. Maybe one of these days.

She's a keeper and you'll do it when your ready. Very cool!

Thanks Dave!

She has put up with me for 30 years, she is definitely a keeper.

Very nice Tim! I want to get one of Max’s razors one of these days, but I keep hesitating to hit the “purchase” button. Every time I think I am ready to buy one Frank comes out with new products...

Shave Count (DE: 472 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Gillette Slim 
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Simpson Berkley
Soap: SV Stella Alpina

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: SV Stella Alpina

The Deets-
Way overslept today so ... a DE shave it is. Nothing wrong with that, it was a very nice shave. Went with my standard routine and scored a BBS for the win! Life is good!

Mike HighSpeed was kind enough to send me some samples to try. Thanks Mike! I received them today and look forward to trying them. Not sure which will be on deck tomorrow, but we shall see.

Shave Count (DE: 473 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: none
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia Badger
Soap: Seaforth Heather sample

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: Dickinson’s With Hazel

The Deets-
Today I used one of the samples that Mike sent me. The Seaforth Heather smelled good on the sample, but I couldn’t describe it. So ... smeared a bit into the copper bowl and whipped up a nice lather. It started out a bit slow, but I kept working it and it came around. And the scent ... oh my gosh, it really opened up when lathered. This stuff smells really nice: it smells old school (but not outdated) and familiar. Good stuff.

I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. Those were three nice, slick passes too. Slickness and residual slickness are very good. A very enjoyable shave and I am BBS for the win! I also enjoyed a post shave lather while I cleaned my shave gear.

Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. Followed that up with a splash of the Witch Hazel and everything was right as rain. Yes it was. I think I could add this set to the rotation once I use up a few other soaps. Life is good!

I'm glad the Seaforth worked so well for you.  I did not have Seaforth when I sent the other samples.  It was Ken (Fluffy) who turned me on to Seaforth when he sent me a sample of their Spiced - also a great soap.  I liked the Spiced so much that I grabbed a jar of it and the Heather too.  I didn't have the Briuega or Old School either, so maybe it worked out that yours got sent later.  (USPS vs Milkcrate & HighSpeed; 'nuff said.)   I hope the others work well for you too.

I'm glad the Seaforth worked so well for you.  I did not have Seaforth when I sent the other samples.  It was Ken (Fluffy) who turned me on to Seaforth when he sent me a sample of their Spiced - also a great soap.  I liked the Spiced so much that I grabbed a jar of it and the Heather too.  I didn't have the Briuega or Old School either, so maybe it worked out that yours got sent later.  (USPS vs Milkcrate & HighSpeed; 'nuff said.)   I hope the others work well for you too.

All of these scents are missus approved too. Can’t wait to try the others.

Missus approved is a must!

Learnt that the hard way. Once. Lesson learned!

Shave Count (DE: 474 SE: 9 SR: 674)

Pre Shave-
Strop: none
Scuttle: PAA Brush Warmer
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Astra SP (3)
Brush: Vulfix Badger
Soap: Grooming Department Aion sample

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: Dickinson’s With Hazel