Shave of the Day 2015

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Pre-Shave: Occams pre-shave soap, cold water
Razor: RazoRock Stealth Slant V1
Blade: Voskhod (1)
Brush: Whipped Dog Silvertip 24/48
Soap: Barrister & Mann Ferox
Post-shave: Alum, hanese Organic Shea Butter, Stirling Vetiver alcohol free Witch Hazel

Almost forgot what a wonderful razor the slant is - silky smooth and easy shave!
 
Ah Sunday - a day to take real time over shaving, a day to experiment...

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Face Wash - Musgo Real Glyce Lime Oil Soap
Pre Shave - Proraso White
Soap - Valobra Menthol
Brush - Antiga Barbearia De Bairro boar bristle
Razor - Gem Contour SE
Blade - Personna Gem SE
After Shave - Fine Platinum

A totally new shave experience today :eek: All the talk in this thread about SE shaving has been a burr under my saddle the last few days. Then every time I've opened the mirrored glass door on my bathroom cabinet, I've copped an accusatory look from the as yet unused Gem Contour SE. OK, high time to scratch this itch.. The usual silky smooth face wash from the Glyce Lime Oil soap was followed up with a moderate application of Proraso pre-shave. Then a wonderful, glossy and slippery smooth later from the Antiga Barbearia and the Valobra Menthol soap. Wow, this little boar brush has really impressed me ever since I got it - it's a serious member of the inner circle of shaving brushes now :)

Time for the main event - this is the first time I've ever tried a single edged shave. A few seconds groping for the right angle on the razor and away we go. Oh man, I can see why people get attracted by SE - lots of wonderful audio feedback. But in spite of the sound, it doesn't seem to be doing much. Then I ran my hand over my face to check - holy moses! Large swathes of BBS/DFS on the first suspiciously mild pass. Quick re-lather and a second pass concentrating on the usual culprit spots - under the jawline, parts of the neck and the point of the chin. An amazingly good result - very smooth everywhere and no blood at all. Applying the post-rinse alum was the next surprise - in spite of the shave seeming so incredibly close, practically no sting from the alum. A quick couple of drops of emu oil gently massaged into the face, then followed up with a liberal splash of the fantastic Fine Platinum, and my Sunday shave is done (y)

I'm really pleased on reflection : I tried SE for the first time ever, and it was an unqualified success. I was really amazed that such an incredibly close shave could feel so comfortable. It certainly won't be the last SE shave. It seems from what experienced SE users say that the blades shave even better after the first use or two. Definitely looking forward to that...

Thanks to the SE guys for prompting me to have a go :whistle:
 
Lifes a Peach said:
That's a rather nice SE you have got there, @Draco Noir .
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Yes it is a nice razor. Nifty push button too. Doesn't get enough love in SE shaver world. Why?...because it's got a plastic handle. Yet another example of the metalhead dominance paradigm.

Well, I had another go with my GEM 1912. And I didn't like it at all. Although I started SE shaving with one I just don't get on with it any more. I think it's the blade gap and the very open design of the comb. Or maybe it's the handle but I don't feel I've got control over the head at all. Very close second shave with a GEM SS but a few too many scrapes. Oh well, you can't like them all. Just plonked the blade in the Streamline where it will reside until it's done.
 
Sunday 24 May 2015

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Mastro Livi Inox Grifone, 9/8 Full Hollow, Livi Snake Point​

Yet another impeccable shave, yet another luxurious Mastro Livi razor. I must admit I like my RazorGuy Pre Shave Oil quite a lot and I can tell it adds pleasure to pleasure. Not to mention Mastro Livi Inox, super smooth yet effective, with no skin irritation at all. Then a refreshing splash of cold water added to alum block - a pleasure I forgot to use for such a long time and I am glad I am doing this again - my usual post shave oil and then a fragrant splash of this Evolution Ice Line aftershave. Just beautiful!​
  • Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
  • Soap: Saponeria Artigiana Vegetal Almond
  • Brush: Frank Shaving Synthetic Hair Brush - 22mm knot
  • Bowl: Gerby Bowl
  • Strop: Mastro Livi Loom Strop and Hand Palm
  • Razor: Mastro Livi Inox Grifone, 9/8 Full Hollow, Livi Snake Point
  • Post-Shave: Alum Block
  • Post-Shave: Argan Oil
  • After Shave: Edelstein Evolution Ice Line
 
@Draco Noir that was a great write up of your SE experience. I have a Contour and it is a deceptively excellent razor. Very mild but very efficient. You think it isn't actually working but boy it is.


Steve
 
Bloody hell, I am 2 shaves behind.

Birthday shave 20 May.

Razor: Gillette Super Speed Red Tip 1955
Blade: Gillette Super Stainless 1984 (Made in Australia)
Brush: Vie-Long 13061
Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street - Coconut
Alum Bloc: Lucas from India
Aftershave: Aqua Velva Ice Sport

Yesterdays shave.

Razor: Gillette Rocket 'Parat'
Blade: Gillette Super Stainless 1984 (Made in Australia) @2
Brush: Vie-Long 13061
Cream: Nivea Sensitive
Alum Bloc: Lucas from India
Aftershave: Nivea Original Lotion

Hey, I wouldn't want to lose my shave count.
 
The forgotten shave

Razor Red tipped rocket (I think)
Brush Some weird little horsey @SmallYetDeadly piffed me ages ago
Soap La Toja
Blade Modern Gillette platinum
Post Shave Alum
A/S Nivea balm

Having recently rediscovered my Speick stick, and how great the lather is I decided to see what else I had lurking in the shave bag that hadn't seen the light of day for a while I completely forgotten about.
Overall not a bad shave. I wouldn't rush back to use the horse brush, and the nivea balm has now gone in the bin as it just feels too greasy for me, but the other components all did their assigned jobs admirably.
 
eggbert said:
Overall not a bad shave. I wouldn't rush back to use the horse brush, and the nivea balm has now gone in the bin as it just feels too greasy for me, but the other components all did their assigned jobs admirably.
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I'm with you on the Nivea balm. I think it's far too over-rated. There are far better balms available.
 
I've not tried any others as that is what I think balms are like. I think I've used that one, a Natio one (gift) and something else from the supermarket or chemist warehouse, and they all felt like that to me.
Skin feels greasy anyway up here, so haven't wanted to waste much more money trying others when A/S splash just works.
 
Decided to share the love this morning and rest the 1924. A very hard decision but it allowed me to use my Feather Weight this morning and continue extracting the whisker cutting goodness from another SE razor.
Still face lathering and this morning @alfredus I used my #1 Turkish brush and it is brilliant for face lathering. :) Just press hard at the chin and the brush spreads beautifully and covers the entire face. Seriously I was really impressed with the lather and ease of use.
The 1924 requires a considered delicate yet firm hand whereas the FW is like a kid on a skate board. What took just under 2 passes with the 1924 took just under 3 with the FW but in reality the shave result was the same.
The blade is a GEM SS ptfe coated [5] and still sensational.
Face lathered my #4 soap.
Just under 3 passes with cold face shower between passes and a cold wash to finish. A splash of Witch hazel and another great shave.
 
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Brush: Romera Manchurian Badger
Soap: Acqua Di Parma (old formula)
Razor: GEM 1912 SE
Blade: GEM (5)
Aftershave: Thayers Witch Hazel and Acqua Di Parma Colonia

Day 5 with the GEM and still going strong. Using a pre-shave product is making a noticeable difference in terms of comfort and closeness. The blade is holding up quite well with no signs of it giving up.
 
Razor: Feather ASD2
Blade: Feather (3)
Brush: Savil Row 3722
Soap: Pens BB
Aftershave: Old spice
Bowl: G20 scuttle

Nice way to unwind after a long day. I tell you gentleman the Feather razor never disappoints. The 3722 handle is just perfect for bowl lathering. Face feel is second to none as well.
 
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