Gillette (the all things Shaving Thread)

[ajaxlepinski]

I have been riding the cap on my Hawk and found it to be very agro... I ass-u-me-d that it should be wielded like a DE.
Tomorrow morning, I'll try riding the bar and provide a sitrep.

[ajaxlepinski]

SOTD:

Interesting one today.
Razor: Mamba 70 again. Just like before; it feels like it's not doing anything, but it is. kind of. It worked fine. I think I gravitated to mild this weekend to give my chemically burned cheek time to heal.
Blade: shave 2 on Russian Gillette Platinum standard. Worked fine.
Brush: RR 400, awesome.
Soap: Grooming Dept Coat tails Redux. Hmmmmm. Best lather ever. great shave performance......[b]gut wrenching, stomach-turning scent. Imagine the smell of the Road Warrior movie. Burning rubber on fire. a generations old leather jacket. dog food. a dog. people who don't shower. an oil rig. REALLY cheap beef jerkey, yep. Wretched. I'm going to see if I can air this one out, because it's truly the best base I've ever seen. This is the Lusso milk tallow formula.[/b]
Aftershave: Tiki Salty Air. I used this cloyingly sweet summer aftershave to try to mask the scent of post apocalyptic Australian desert outback oil refinery fire. It worked!

Overall: 7/10, because i wanted to seriously throw up.

Hahaha!!! Laughing at your descriptiveness, not your suffering!
Me thinks I will avoid this Red Coat Tail!!!

[Steinmetzify]

Love that stuff man, it’s just great. Can’t thank you enough for the rec.

Far as angles go yeah I think I’m riding the top cap. I’ve tried different angles but that seems to work best, even tho it cuts the shit out of me.

Think I just don’t have enough experience to know how to use it effectively. I’ll try to buff with it and just slice the hell out of myself.

Piccolo SE tomorrow tho, stoked for that!

[Steinmetzify]

Fatip showed a day early. This thing is tiny but mighty.

[Steinmetzify]

Screw it, had to do it

sotd



This is a nice razor....smaller than I was expecting, but easy to use because of that. I dig the angles I can get with it. I went pretty hard just because of the comb and the fact that I can with the SLOC, paid for that a bit. Pretty serious weeper because I buffed my jawline with it. Gentile plate next time, just to see the difference. Can't go as hard/fast with it as you can the SLOC, but this feels more solid. I'm gonna spend some time with it this week.

Size comparo with the SLOC (which I don't really consider a 'big' razor):

[BroSlinger]

Awesome! Fatips are awesome.

[Steinmetzify]

Awesome! Fatips are awesome.

Right?! Good call man, this thing is a badass. Thanks!

[BroSlinger]

SOTD:

weird one today.
Razor: Occam's OREN. Kind of sucks. I still get better shaves from the standard, non-OREN, with the bigger safety bar. My sideburns ended up being a disaster. Had to touchup post shower with a fatip grande open comb.
Blade: Kai Titan Mild. Felt weird in this razor. I'm beginning to hate single edges too. It's the power of suggestion, Stein.
Brush: RR 400
Preshave: Took the plunge, used the lemon brother of the face burner. Worked great. didn't burn me. Coumarin is the only ingredient in the other one that's not in this one.
Soap: Barrister & Mann 42. I have no experience with HHGTTG, nor do I have time to become familiar. I just found out it's like an old sci fi thing with a cult following with numerous books, movies, and shows about it. This soap lathers great. Seems to shave great. Scent is fine, but not great. Kind of smells like bergamot, tea, and a candle store.
Aftershave: Big surprise here. Masters Cannabis Sativa. Excellent! This is cheap shit. Smells like floral citrus bay rum ,sort of????? face feels great. I smell great!

8/10 because of the crappy performance of the razor and blade, but great luck with everything else.

[BroSlinger]

Screw it, had to do it

sotd



This is a nice razor....smaller than I was expecting, but easy to use because of that. I dig the angles I can get with it. I went pretty hard just because of the comb and the fact that I can with the SLOC, paid for that a bit. Pretty serious weeper because I buffed my jawline with it. Gentile plate next time, just to see the difference. Can't go as hard/fast with it as you can the SLOC, but this feels more solid. I'm gonna spend some time with it this week.

Size comparo with the SLOC (which I don't really consider a 'big' razor):

What a fuckin cool picture. Kick ass.

BTW, I feel like saying random shave thoughts right now.

1. Looking through 100 SOTD pics of mine, I've used at least one crappy item in nearly all of the pics. I can look back and know EXACTLY why I got a shitty shave. On one hand, it's cool to know one's own face, but the regret is terrible. We only get so many thousand shaves before we die. This is why I tend to throw stuff into a long term storage bin at the office. Eventually, I need to mail out PIF GIFTS again.

2. This Master Cannabis kicks butt. My face has felt good all day, and this was like $10 for 16 oz at Atlanta Barber Supply.

3. I've had a bad streak with single edge razors after being on a joyride of great shaves with nearly all of my single edges. Not sure what went wrong. Maybe there's a bad batch of Kais floating around???

4. I don't know when I'm going to find time to get my brush project started. I need to nail down the lathe operator, and figure out how my wife can watch both kids since she's letting me go to Buckethead by myself and I'm playing out this Friday evening.

[Steinmetzify]

What a fuckin cool picture. Kick ass.

BTW, I feel like saying random shave thoughts right now.

1. Looking through 100 SOTD pics of mine, I've used at least one crappy item in nearly all of the pics. I can look back and know EXACTLY why I got a shitty shave. On one hand, it's cool to know one's own face, but the regret is terrible. We only get so many thousand shaves before we die. This is why I tend to throw stuff into a long term storage bin at the office. Eventually, I need to mail out PIF GIFTS again.

2. This Master Cannabis kicks butt. My face has felt good all day, and this was like $10 for 16 oz at Atlanta Barber Supply.

3. I've had a bad streak with single edge razors after being on a joyride of great shaves with nearly all of my single edges. Not sure what went wrong. Maybe there's a bad batch of Kais floating around???

4. I don't know when I'm going to find time to get my brush project started. I need to nail down the lathe operator, and figure out how my wife can watch both kids since she's letting me go to Buckethead by myself and I'm playing out this Friday evening.

Thanks man!

1. I get where you're coming from, but as a noob I've been lucky enough to have you guys (and you in particular Gene) watching my back on purchases. It isn't the gear for me, it's the shitty technique. I REALLY need to spend some time with one razor and really get to know it with all my stuff, in order to just get this shit down. I had like 5-6 excellent shaves right after the SLOC showed up and it's been rough as fuck since, just because I think I'm rushing it with new shit. I know April is over two weeks in, but I'm gonna stick with the Piccolo for the rest of the month and take it easy, just try to focus on DFSs and no weepers.

I kinda wanna see what's in your office storage; think that'd be a huge pic.

2. Nice, I'll have to check it out after Old Salt and the Kraken shit are done.

3. Dude I don't know WTF...that thing seriously bites me every single time. I'm attributing it to again shitty technique rather than a bad batch of blades; I had two sets of those come in and used one of each and it looked like a murder scene each time. I'm gonna try to get better with it after this coming month and ride the bar more like you said and see if that makes a difference.

4. Fuck. I was stoked to see these; hopefully you get some time before too long, but life with kids/wife is more important, always.

SOTD:



Favorite uncle showed up to play with the Piccolo.

You were right on the Gentile plate, this is easier on my face than the comb. Nice DFS in two passes, couple weepers cause I was riding it hard and buffed my fucking jawline again, but whaddaya gonna do. I'm just going to have to use less pressure.

Overall, dig this razor, only thing I DON'T like is how loose the blade sits; there's more showing on one side than the other, that'll take some getting used to. I think maybe I could get it exact, but who knows.

UW and Kraken dope as usual.

[BroSlinger]

Ahh, the dreaded Fatip blade alignment issue.

You just have to keep moving it around, and loosening it back up if it's not right. Don't settle for the blade being uneven. It CAN be adjusted to be even, it just isn't as brainless as most razors. They expect you to get it right because of the looser fit of the blade.

[Steinmetzify]

Gotcha, I'll mess around and get it right.

[BroSlinger]

SOTD:

Some issues today.
Razor: Fatip Gentile faux horn. Had to fiddle with the blade for 5 minutes to get it straight after talking about this yesterday.
Blade: New Asco Platinum. Made in Egypt by Lord. Kind of sucked. GOod thing I have 99 more.
Pre-shave: Rasozero Agrumella. After being great yesterday, it gave me a chemical burn on my cheek. I think. Kind of wondering if it was my soap, but I'm thinking no. This was too similar to the other day with the Barbacca pre shave shit show.
Soap: Shannon's LAdy Luck. Smells like a cookie. Lathers like yogurt. Seriously nice stuff. This is a level above other artisan soaps in the <$15 market.
Aftershave: Shannon's Lit. Didn't want to risk alcohol aftershave after the problem shave.
Had to put cortizone cream on the spot where my cheek burned.

4/10 based on overall lack of pleasure.

[ajaxlepinski]

SOTD:
Black Hawk
Kai Mild blade.
Uncle Walter
RazoRock Beehive Synth
Kraken AS
7.5/10

I tried riding the bar but, gave up immediately.
I believe, what makes the Back Hawk so aggro is, the slope of the cap....
Most DE caps have a rounded edge above the blade that allows you to push the cap against your skin, causing your skin to ride up (in a controlled way) in front of the blade. When the skin rises up, ahead of the blade, more stubble is exposed from below the skin, allowing the blade can slice through without doing too much damage to the skin.
The Black Hawk cap has a flat, wedge shape and the cap is very narrow above the blade - this means that you MUST use as little pressure as possible.
The sharp angle, of the cap, makes it more aggressive because, you can't get the skin to rise up, ahead of the blade like you can with a razor that has a rounder cap.... your skin must remain flat (while using the Black Hawk) which makes it harder to shave.
It was also more difficult to shave around the adams apple, corners of my chin and where my under jaw meets my neck.
This is why the most popular razors have rounded cap profiles.

GOOD POINTS: The Black Hawk removes the majority of stubble with one pass.

This morning, I used several very light passes in different directions and got a decent shave but, not without a touch of razor burn.
I'll give it another try tomorrow, to see if I can get a good shave without any burn.

[Steinmetzify]

Dude lame on that preshave. That’s a bunch of $ if they’re all gonna burn you.

[BroSlinger]

Dude lame on that preshave. That’s a bunch of $ if they’re all gonna burn you.

Yeah, it sucks, but 6 cans at 4.95 Euro a piece isn't the biggest mistake I've ever made. I'll get over it. Cheaper than an amp that sucks.

[Steinmetzify]

True story.

You tried Murphy and McNeil yet?

[BroSlinger]

True story.

You tried Murphy and McNeil yet?

no. Is that the one with the Celtic artwork? I see it on Amazon periodically.

[Steinmetzify]

Yeah, they have one called Ouroboros I’m really intrigued by.

They have the soap, balm, AS and bar soap for like $60, free shipping in the US too.

[Steinmetzify]

Yeah, they have one called Ouruboros I’m really intrigued by.

They have the soap, balm, AS and bar soap for like $60, free shipping in the US too.

Screw it, boughted. Dig the idea that everything I'll use is part of one set/scent. Was almost out of man soap anyway and I PIFd a few things and my soap cabinet was looking empty.

Not really.

I just wanted new soap and stuff.

[BroSlinger]

SOTD:

Some new stuff
Razor: My Trusty Razorock milled Steel Wunderbar Slant. Great razor. nothing iffy about it. Not the smoothest shave ever today. I have a feeling I still have some scarring from yesterday's chemical burn. Not bad though. Couple of weepers, which is weird for me.
Blade: New Gillette Blue Platinum. Didn't feel as smooth as usual, but fine.
Preshave: Back to my trusty Proraso green.
Soap: Barrister & Mann Tuesday. Violet + Lavender. NICE.
Aftershave: Barrister & Mann Reserve Cool Sample. This stuff GLOWS blue. Amazing. I liked it more than I expected, since in general, all FLoid Blue clones smell/work the same. This stuff is awesome.
Actually had to use some Alum today.
Ehh, still an 8/10 since there were no disasters, and everything smelled nice. Face is smooth.

[Steinmetzify]

SOTD:



Razor: Fatip Piccolo with Gentile plate....getting the hang of this; let face sit and heal up and today was 2 days' growth. Cut right thru that shit no problems. Got blade even, worked well.
Blade: Derby Extra...this was fine. Not too sharp, not too dull, no complaints. Might have to try more of their stuff. I liked it in this razor.
Soap: Mickey Lee Soapworks Kraken...I really like this stuff, it's a nice clean scent and the later once you learn to add water works great.
Aftershave: Kraken again. Dig on this stuff, burns just long enough, scent is different that the soap but equally good.

I'd call this a 7.5/10....missed a few spots and had to go back over more than I'd like. Plus side was no irritation, no cuts or weepers, no burn. I'll take a DFS with none of that over a BBS with any kind of wound especially after the shit that started last week with the Hawk. Starting to realize when I chase the super close shaves is when I'm injured.

Interested to see how this blade holds up.

[BroSlinger]

Stein,

Interesting you liked the Derby. Back when I started, they were a well-respected blade, then something changed, and people started hating them at B&B.

Fast-forward.....I've tried all of the Turkish blades, and they go from mediocre to really good. That said, I haven't used a normal Derby in years. I have a few tucks in different colors. Not sure if they are different from each other. That said, I would rank the Turk blades as such. (I think they all come from the same factory)

Best to worst:
Derby Premium
Diamonds Excel - a close 2nd
Bluebird
concord
Usta - a touch better than regular derby
Derby and Lion and Lamix - shavable
Zaza at dead last

BTW, I'm rocking my Bruce brush. I think I like it. Same knot as the 400 and the 24 barrel. Getting used to the handle.

[Steinmetzify]

Might have to find the Premiums when I’m in need then.

Shavable is good word to describe this. Wasn’t the best, wasn’t the worst by a long shot.

Glad you're digging that brush, mine changed my shave game completely.

[BroSlinger]

BASOTD:


Good one today. I think my face changes when the weather changes. Decided to go ultra mild on my razor today because I didn't want a weeper, and I was kind of in a hurry.
Razor: RR Mamba 70. I'm starting to love this, and I'm starting to see why I used the regular Mamba as my daily driver for months at a time.
Blade: Gillette Blue Platinum. My new gold standard.
Soap: Australian Private Reserve. I don't care if the owner is allegedly a dick. This soap is the shit. Awesome. Lathers like donkey milk. Smells kind of like Uncle Walter. Shaves great. Smell stayed with my longer than my aftershave today.
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw Fern Concerto. not as much bang as the Fougere Bouquet. also, not as much menthol as I expected. Still very good though. Smells like Pinaud Citrus Musk, but feels nice on my face.

9/10 Great shave.