Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

quick update before heading out:

The Zenith from Tim got its first use. And another first: dissipating lather! I should have prepared for this. Tim had thoroughly cleaned the knot, and I should have done some lathers ahead of time. I got a great first pass, then that knot just ate and ate my lather, lol! But it has stupendous splay, and is very soft with just a smidge of pokiness. The later could very well be me, pushing too hard to get the elusive lather from the knot!

I predict great things, once I prep better! Thanks again, Tim!!

quick update before heading out:

The Zenith from Tim got its first use. And another first: dissipating lather! I should have prepared for this. Tim had thoroughly cleaned the knot, and I should have done some lathers ahead of time. I got a great first pass, then that knot just ate and ate my lather, lol! But it has stupendous splay, and is very soft with just a smidge of pokiness. The later could very well be me, pushing too hard to get the elusive lather from the knot!

I predict great things, once I prep better! Thanks again, Tim!!

Anytime my friend.

I’m sure the cleaning interfered with the lather. I usually use a Williams puck and lather heavy a few times to get brushes to hold lather.

OCtober: The Friendship Shave


I am not a fan of open comb razors, as I don't like nor do I enjoy the feeling of the "teeth" of the comb.

BUT.......

I have found some open combs that work for me. 

Today's shave earned a title. I don't usually name my shaves, as I am usually waking up (the shower helps!) and am focused on enjoying my morning whisker whacking. The set up is already picked and ready to go. But today, I had my phone and I snapped a quick shot, as I realized everything in the shave barring the blade was from a friend!
Months ago, Paul mrdoug gifted me the wonderful NEW Long Comb. During my early Gillette vintage days, I had steered clear of this razor, as the long comb surely had to feel weird, and as a daily shaver, I couldn't imagine having whiskers that long that needed the Long Comb to get through them! So I procured a short comb, which I liked, but felt it wasn't as smooth as I'd like. It was very efficient, but not gentle. This Long Comb is then the Gentle Giant! I need to use this more, as today was just a fantastic shave, no long teeth poking me, just smooth and efficient. 

The soap was a mystery package delivered by that company that started out as the world's largest book store and now is world's largest, everything. There was supposed to be a note, but the great computer ordering system dropped the note somewhere or just ignored Paul's request! This unscented soap is really working out well, I couldn't be happier! Even more so when I posted the mystery package and found that Paul thought I'd like it so generously sent it to me! Thanks, Paul!

And the brush is from a friend on B&B, Ben (aka bjm over there) [Edit: Ben is qwerty over here! Welcome, Ben!]. Ben had a new in box Semogue Owner's Club boar, which he believed was one of the softest boars he owns. As this one was "extra" (back up is what we prefer to call it, right?!), he sent it to me to give an honest try and see that I think. Well, I think I like broken-in boars! My old Omega Pro '49 either moved to a new home, got misplaces, or maybe purged when I was going through a box of stuff I kept for no good reason (empty boxes, pieces of packing cloths, empty containers, and the like). But even after many uses over many years, I didn't care for the scritch or poking. This SOC, after 10 lathers, was fantastic, so I started using it daily this week. 

So the shave itself was also memorable other reasons. I face lathered for the first time with the SOC, instead of bowl lathering (not my fave, unless it's a scuttle). Absolutely no issues. Fantastic, less clean up in the morning! And the NEW LC only needed 2 passes with a Personna Platinum Chrome (4)! What?! I know, that can't be right, but it was. I did just a little ATG on the neck (gotta have a smooth turkey neck!) and that was it. RCS* and Refreshed! Ready for a rainy day of rest before heading into my work weekend.  Have a great day, everyone!

*RCS=Really Comfortable Shave. This is my goal, smooth and comfy, which mild but efficient razors, like the NEW LC, can do well for me.

So was it an extra, a backup or an extra backup ? All that aside, great friendship shave !

Today had the Damaskeene GEM Cutlery razor arrive, safely ensconced in bubble wrap, from the oh-so generous Dave in KY!




This and the GEM Jr will be the razors on deck for next week, if I can hold out that long! 

Today's shave was.....


Yesterday's shave experience was repeated today! Tomorrow, it's back to the Henson AL-13 medium.

I have a BST listing of some items, so if you are looking for an injector or GEM, I have a few posted, as well as some AP Shave Co brushes, a Yaqi, and a Razorock.

Synthetic boar knots in the mail yesterday. I ordered these before I used the SOC boar Ben qwerty gifted me. Andrew at AP Shave Co had just announced them, so I ordered a 26mm (left) and 28mm (right). One of the benefits of setting your own knots with silicone is, as Paul Stubble Daddy pointed out, you can swap them out fairly easily. So next week Northeast Ice will try out a synthetic boar. Andrew states that these are not springy and splay easier than the "S" synthetics (I figure he is referring to the Omega S knots). We shall see.

Also, my interest in boar knots has me curious about the TGN knots. I think Tim MilkCrate has some brushes with those knots. Across the forums, they seem to be well regarded. So for ten bucks I think I may get one or two of those and see. But the SOC is performing and feeling so good, maybe I just need to reel in the buying!



In this morning's shave, the new to me Damaskeene from Dave in KY made its debut with a new Personna GEM. Holy Smokes! Close, comfy, no drama, even got under the schnoz fairly well (coming in at a slight angle). I see why Brian ShadowsDad and others rated them so high! Thanks to both gents for opening my eyes (the latter) and gifting me one  (the former)! My face and I thank you!

Hope you all have a restful weekend, and if like me, you have to work, let's hope it is as stress-free as possible, and do some good for folks!

Hey Eric, have you ever seen these “treated” boar knots:

https://etsy.me/3mFfn00

I haven’t tried one, but have heard good things!

Hey Eric, have you ever seen these “treated” boar knots:

https://etsy.me/3mFfn00

I haven’t tried one, but have heard good things!

I just looked at the knots. Why, why do you folks keep finding me stuff that I have to try?!

Hey Eric, have you ever seen these “treated” boar knots:

https://etsy.me/3mFfn00

I haven’t tried one, but have heard good things!

I just looked at the knots. Why, why do you folks keep finding me stuff that I have to try?!

Lol, I hear ya. I may try this if my AP Synth Boar isn't any good.

Have you used it yet Eric? Mine is arriving Monday (maybe).

Sent from my Speak and Spell using Tapatalk.

Hey Eric, have you ever seen these “treated” boar knots:

https://etsy.me/3mFfn00

I haven’t tried one, but have heard good things!

I just looked at the knots. Why, why do you folks keep finding me stuff that I have to try?!