SOTD 13-19 September 2020

Yaqi Katana SE
1/2 Astra SP
Razorock Lime Soap
Yaqi Moka Express Two Band
Nivea Creme
Razorock Black Bay Aftershave

Date:- 17 September 2020

Pre-shave:- Cold Water straight from the tap
Bowl/Scuttle:- Captain's Choice
Brush:- WCS Two-Tone Tall (Blue & White) Extra Dense Synth. 26/56mm knot
Soap/Cream:- Declaration Grooming ~ Yuzu/Rose/Patchouli
Razor/Blade:- Merkur 34C / Gillette Silver Blue #3
Post/After-shave:- T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel Astringent mixed into the 240ml bottle with Natural Glycerin (20 drops) & Tea Tree Antiseptic (5) / The Stray Whisker Aftershave Balm (Australian made)

SOTD 9.17.20
Pre: Hot Water Splash
Bowl: Captain’s Choice ceramic (the workhorse)
Brush: Morris & Forndran, “chubby 2” style handle w/dense 26 mm bulb
Soap: Ethos, Lisse Collection, “Lavender Supreme” from Grooming Essentials (Thanks Frank)
Razor: Haircut & Shave N075
Blade: Personna Red (1)
Three passes, plus misc. fussing (See below)
Post: Ethos, Lisse Collection, “Lavender Supreme” skin food splash, from Grooming Essentials

Result/Commentary:  Today’s focus is on the Ethos products.  Frank and I had a heck of a time getting this order fullfilled.  The good news is (1) I wasn’t in any hurry, since I have sufficient soap supplies; and (2) the delay was largely due to the fact that Frank is so darn busy; his business is going great guns, and that’ great news for everyone because he offers primo products at very competitive prices for the high-end market segment.  Plus, I got to have a great conversation with him.  He took the time to explain the delay in person, and I found him to be friendly and generous, with long experience, deep expertise and no big ego.  He clearly loves what he’s doing and is committed to seriously enhancing the shaving experience of the WS community.

As for today’s shave, I used a new blade, a fairly mild razor, and multiple passes, plus touch up.  I did this not because I recommend it, but because my technique is still developing and I wanted to see how the soap and splash would serve someone who likes luxury but isn’t very experienced or expert yet.  I was wondering whether a relative newbie could still appreciate and enjoy such high end shaving soap/skin products.  The answer is a definite yes.  Despite the multiple passes, my touch was light enough, the blade was sharp enough, razor was mild enough and the soap was cushy and slick enough.  (In fact the cushion/slick ratio is off-the-charts incredible.  Plus, the lather was really plentiful; what you see in the picture was from an almond-sized scoop, with a 26mm bulb, and after three full passes plus touch up).  The combination resulted in an incredibly close and smooth shave with no irritation.  Moreover, the skin food splash completely addressed any skin disturbance.  As a result, my face felt so good the rest of me felt strangely inadequate.  Aside from the areas I’d shaved, the rest of me felt like a total slob.  The first thing I noticed, emphatically, was that black T-shirt was a total joke!  TOTALLY inadequate.  This shave deserved “black tie.”  Also, I desperately need a decent haircut!  Also, and for the first time ever, I found myself mindlessly contemplating whether cosmetic surgery might actually be a good idea.  I can see room for improvement now!  Quite strange.  This soap and splash actually induced a kind of euphoria that put me right into a Monte Carlo mindset.  Yet the ETHOS products are definitely very reasonably priced and are within reach of many WS enthusiasts.   But, holy crap, I didn’t foresee the attendant “lifestyle” costs.  For example, after this shave, I desperately need a yacht!  Right frickin’ now!  Sheesh!  Thanks a lot Frank!!! 

P.S., Kidding aside, for a relatively modest outlay, the Ethos products raised my shaving experience to a different level.  This stuff is actually that good.

Happy shaves to all....

Thursday, September 17, 2020 - Shave of the Day

Prep  ||  Cremo

Brush  ||  Paladin El Dorado

Soap  ||  Wholly Kaw King of Bourbon

Razor  ||  iKon ShaveCraft Tech / Wizamet Super Iridium (2)

A/S  ||  Wholly Kaw King of Bourbon / Aqua Velva Sensitive 5 in 1 Balm

Growth  ||  38.5 Hours

17/9/2020
Paladin PK47 Tortoiseshell/Joserra Mint Evolution/Muhle R89 Tortoiseshell Perma Sharp/
Joserra Mint Evolution

Felices afeitados.
All the best.

I've been in a why bother with anything else mood this week. Shake Sharp Mk1/ twin Sunekos, AOS Sandalwood.

Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk


Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk

[b]SOTD THURSDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 17[/b]

Day 6 of the G7DC. My late post is due to a shelf collapse that occurred last night. As a result yours truly was caught up in trying to deal with what I felt to be a minor mishap, but my dear SWMBO was convinced the apocalypse was in the offing if I didn’t address things immediately. Well, did that after I shaved, but never had the chance to report results until now. Well, it was not a fluke. The Feather DX delivered the closest shave I’ve ever experienced. In fact the stubble was so slight that I reached velveteen status in two (ATG, XTG) passes. I guess I could have gotten away without a face shave if I wanted, but that’s what we’re all about. I'm beginning to feel very comfortable with the DX. The dome shave was acceptably close, but I used the DX to clean up the same recalcitrant stubble at the bottom of the crevasse in the middle of the back of my head by holding the blade with both hands. The tremors were definitely making themselves known, but I managed, despite one small weep, to clean things up without scalping myself. So, given how well things have developed for me skill-wise with the DX, I’ve decided to complete the focus with a final shave tomorrow! I feel lean, clean and velveteen!

RAZOR; Feather DX Wooden Handle (Mug), Schick Type L Paul Revere (DomeJ
BLADE: Schick B-20 Proline
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by Argan Oil
BRUSH: MrEE Knurled Aluminum Handle Hybrid Knot
CREAM: Nancy Boy Signature
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Osage Rub. Finished with Pre de Provence Bergamot & Thyme Balm.

Thursday AM 2020-09-17
International Country Music Day


Rooney 3/3 Porcelain Finest (26/59)
Floris Verbena shaving soap (tallow)
Carbon Mokume-gane Brass/R2 Copper
Polsilver Super Iridium (2)
Guerlain Vétiver aftershave

Phoenix shaving DOC razor
Apothecary 87 shaving soap
Zenith shaving brush
Elios blade
Reuzel aftershave

Finally, someone else who uses Reuzel aftershave. It's nice stuff, isn't it?

SOTD - 9/17/2020