Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

FWIW - I had a pretty awful experience with the Maggards 70/30 Badger/Boar. They are 24mm BTW.

Easily the dirtiest, worst smelling knot I've ever purchased. Could not get the smell out either. Also shed non-stop and had a rough feel on the face (even after about 20 lathers).

Who knows, maybe I got a dud?

Forewarned is forearmed.  Thx for the 411. (No need to sugarcoat it next time. )

Mike, that made me laugh! And we can all use more good laughter, right!

In the mailbox today, 2 new Semogues to break in for DecemBoar!

In the mailbox today, 2 new Semogues to break in for DecemBoar!

Very nice Eric!

I got the Omega variant of the clear & red brush. Darn soft tips, but I fear it's too loosely filled and won't produce enough lather. Trying it tonight.

Curious to see what you think of the Semogue variant.

In the mailbox today, 2 new Semogues to break in for DecemBoar!

Nice......... Decemboar.......... I like it !

This is part of my post on Paul D`s thread, that I am putting here so I can find it easier!

Both of the Semogue brushes I received are 22mm. They will be the smallest knots I have ever used. After 1 lather each they are feeling good. Tomorrow I am going to to give knot removal with steam a try. I picked up a Stirling boar and I think I got the broom-bristles sweep up version! Other than a bit of a bloom, the bristles are still good for scraping paint off window trim. So I want to reclaim the handle for an actual shave knot.



I siliconed the TGN bigger knot into the Cascadia Line handle, and will start breaking it in tomorrow.

Shave-wise, I have had 2 outstanding shaves with a Schick Hydro-Magic injector. Even with 10 shaves on the sChick blade, it was smooth and close! Makes me wonder why I bother with all the others, you know?! Variety and enjoyment would be my answer. Some mornings I think I could very easily use only single edge razors and be totally happy. And then I come to my senses and realize that I still have to give both the Yates H plate and the Henson AL 13 more consistent time before I do anything rash!

This is part of my post on Paul D`s thread, that I am putting here so I can find it easier!

Both of the Semogue brushes I received are 22mm. They will be the smallest knots I have ever used. After 1 lather each they are feeling good. Tomorrow I am going to to give knot removal with steam a try. I picked up a Stirling boar and I think I got the broom-bristles sweep up version! Other than a bit of a bloom, the bristles are still good for scraping paint off window trim. So I want to reclaim the handle for an actual shave knot.



I siliconed the TGN bigger knot into the Cascadia Line handle, and will start breaking it in tomorrow.

Shave-wise, I have had 2 outstanding shaves with a Schick Hydro-Magic injector. Even with 10 shaves on the sChick blade, it was smooth and close! Makes me wonder why I bother with all the others, you know?! Variety and enjoyment would be my answer. Some mornings I think I could very easily use only single edge razors and be totally happy. And then I come to my senses and realize that I still have to give both the Yates H plate and the Henson AL 13 more consistent time before I do anything rash!

Looks like you are doing pretty well with the knots Eric.  Good luck with the steaming.

I have to agree with you about the Hydro-Magic, and I'm glad you are enjoying yours too.  I just looked at my notes, and for the last nine shaves, I have used nothing but a shavette and/or the Hydro-Magic.  It's not like I'm married to the razor either.  I still plan to use other safety razors, but it's just so easy to pick up the Hydro-Magic and get a glorious shave.  The blades last a long time too, and the razor cost me a modest $44.10 worth of "Who needs a $300 razor anyway?"  What's not to like?  

[snip]
So I want to reclaim the handle for an actual shave knot.


[snip]
Shave-wise, I have had 2 outstanding shaves with a Schick Hydro-Magic injector. Even with 10 shaves on the sChick blade, it was smooth and close! Makes me wonder why I bother with all the others, you know?! Variety and enjoyment would be my answer. Some mornings I think I could very easily use only single edge razors and be totally happy. And then I come to my senses and realize that I still have to give both the Yates H plate and the Henson AL 13 more consistent time before I do anything rash!

The Stirling handle - I have one like that but with the tuxedo knot and the handle is my favourite ever, for retro appearance and grip.

Hydro-Magic - I'm up to 20 or 30-something shaves on a blade in my Type K1 (Lady Eversharp, with Hydro-Magic), and it still feels pretty good.
And yes, keep the Henson.

After reading John's (John Rose) post, I see it might have been better to have clarified that I do own and enjoy some expensive, modern razors.

FWIW - I had a pretty awful experience with the Maggards 70/30 Badger/Boar. They are 24mm BTW.

Easily the dirtiest, worst smelling knot I've ever purchased. Could not get the smell out either. Also shed non-stop and had a rough feel on the face (even after about 20 lathers).

Who knows, maybe I got a dud?

Maybe you got a dud as it can happen or I got lucky (NOT likely ) I didn't like it at first as I had it in another unmentionable brush handle. It was a little scritchy and was shedding (WE all know how I feel about that) I kept it when removed from the handle it was in and it sat. I will say it never had bad funk to it but that can happen. I had to measure it to see if it was a 26 or 24 and while I can't get to the plug I can see this was perhaps a 24. I will say that the shedding stopped and it is for sure softer now. No real scritch to the face but will cut into soap. It has become one of my favorites to use for knot and handle mating. That doesn't mean Eric would feel the same. I can only report my experience. I continued to give it time because I read others posting about how happy they were with it. I had to remind myself it wasn't a badger when I started using it. It was a mix and had some boar and would require a break in period. LOVE the look and feel of this 24mm MONSTER in this handle from Ken Fluffy.

My Stirling Boar has been used for MANY times and is still the sweep up version. Shedding has slowed but not stopped either. Not grabbed much anymore........Only one worse for me was the Boar knots from Shave Forge