SOTD 15-21 May 2016

...Paul, sorry to hear about the shave. Unrefined shea butter would help your irritated skin, greatly. Good luck.  

I hear this often, but I've never tried it.  Is there a particular brand recommended?  Any particular specs I should look for?  I don't usually have a problem with irritation, but the product sounds intriguing.

...Excellent photo and a great review. Thanks.

Thanks!  Too bad the razor is a '76 (instead of '77), but it was as close as I could get.  Also, I wonder if anyone noticed why I chose the Kent.  (Hint:  it's a V8  ) I actually drive a Trans Am, but alas it's a 1998. I love my car, but I would trade it in a heartbeat for a running '77 Special Edition TA complete with gold screamin' chicken and the works.

Freddy,

How did you achieve that colour in your photo?

Was it the lighting???

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Oh yes.  Shaving.

The Featherweight has given me some trouble. I am still trying to get it right.
The Open Comb Is one of my favourites. Never a bite. Not even a nibble.

I think the trouble that I and you and tdmsu and others have is how the blade is inserted. Some GEMS (I have experienced two) give problems.) I do not know why but I suspect there may be a subtle difference with today's blades from yesteryear's.

Mickey

Mickey, I have a program called PhotoScape X that is both free and also has a paid edition.  I upgraded to the paid edition but don't honestly remember if what I used is in the free edition or not.  In the Editing part of the program, under Adjustments, is something called Curves.  I just use trial and error in Curves to get the effect.

As for our GEM razors, the blades may or may not be different but I really think it has more to do with the razors themselves and the techniques we use.  I haven't used my OCMM in a few years so don't remember blade insertion on it but in the Featherweight I find it pretty intuitive so I don't know if that's it or not.

Paul, sorry to hear about the shave. Unrefined shea butter would help your irritated skin, greatly. Good luck.  

This is some of the best post-shave irritation advice anyone can use! celestino, I read this suggestion from you to another shaver on another forum over a year ago. I have shared this tip with others. You, my kind sir, have saved me(and others) much discomfort with this bit of knowledge you've shared!

I know I sound a bit over the top, but when a lad is just starting out his traditional wet shaving journey, there is bound to be some irritation(sometimes a lot) and after trying unrefined shea butter suggested by celestino, I was convinced. It can work wonders for razor burn and even irritation from some ingredients(after said ingredients are thoroughly washed off) that don't agree with my skin. The unrefined shea butter instantly soothes the skin and IMHO even helps to heal the damage. I am not a doctor. I just know how the results feel.

SOTD-19may16:
Rocnel SE / Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus
Vintage Blades 24mm 2-Band Finest Shaving Brush
Fine American Blend Shaving Soap
Fine American Blend AS

SOTD 20th May 2016:

Razor- Darwin Deluxe
Blade- Voskhod
Soap- MWF
Brush- Simpson Chubby 2 Super
EDT- Penhaligon's English Fern

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Rubberset 400-3 w/ TGN HMW
King Cobra
Feather Pro
SV Felce
SV Felce splash
. 
.

EJ Head + iKon Bulldog II Handle
Feather Hi-Stainless
Romera 2nd Anniversary Buffalo Horn Marbled Manchurian
AoS Sandalwood (tallow)
Italian Floïd Amber "The Genuine" AS

Three weeks ago, a good friend was saying how after 4-5 years of wet shaving, he decided to revisit his first razor with an EJ head. This is one of the most highly recommended starter DE razors, but mild, also. He said he was surprised just how good the razor was after all these years, and gave a smooth, close shave.
I, too, learned with an EJ razor, 6 years ago, and although I sold it long ago, I came across a spare EJ head I had obviously bought at the time. This morning, matched with a Feather blade and an iKon handle, I decided to put it to the test, myself. I am predominantly a straight razor user but have a Merkur 1904(42) for back up and occasional use. Whilst I would still class this head as more aggressive than the EJ, the smoothness of the EJ over the Merkur was very much apparent. Result - a very close but, also, a very comfortable shave. I guess with a few more years' experience, the EJ was likely to perfom better than in those earlier days, but I was surprised just how much better it seems to be, compared to back then.

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05/20/2016
Mongoose B2 with Hempel Ti
Feather Pro Super (9)
Zenith Pro B02 Boar
Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange
Whipped Shea Butter

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The Zenith Boar made short work of lathering up the Route 66 Twisted Tweed this morning. The scent of the Twisted Tweed is inspired by Green Irish Tweed. I have never used the original so I can not say if they are a close match or not. I can say that it a very crisp light Fougere scent that opens up as I lathered. I find it to be a very clean and fresh scent perfect for this time of year. With a base of nice slick lather the Mongoose made short work of removing the stubble in 2 passes. After some clean up along my jaw line, I ended with a near BBS shave. A splash of Fine L'Orange and I am so ready for Friday. I hope everyone has a fantastic day.

Alumigoose
Feather Pro
Boucher Brushes Amber 26mm Envy White
Barrister and Mann Velvet
Thayers Lavender
Chatillon Lux Catalans Prairie Toner
New York Intense

Razor: Gillette Aristocrat
Blade: Dorco St 301 (4)
Brush: Tres Amigos Desert Ironwood w/ Sunrise Synthetic
Soap: Route 66 Twisted Tweed
A/S: Folsom & Company Shady Past

DFS tonight.

Nice setup Doug!

Thank you Guy.