Shave Off Challenge

**noahpictures** · 04-21-2012, 10:00 PM

Yesterday's shave: Comfortable BBS shave with some razor burn in 4 passes. Here is a link to my detailed straight razor journal.

Passes: 4 (WTG, XTG, ATG, ATG)
Razor: Merkur 38C
Blade: Ladas SS (1)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Irisch Moos shave stick
AS: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Floid Suave

**noahpictures** · 05-03-2012, 01:49 PM

Comfortable BBS shave in 3.5 passes. Here is a link to my straight razor journal.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (6)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: AOS Lavender cream
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Rose of Bulgaria aftershave

**noahpictures** · 05-10-2012, 04:15 PM

Comfortable BBS shave in 3.5 passes. Here is a link to my straight razor journal.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Lada (1)Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 9

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: EJ Sea Buckhorn soap
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Rose of Bulgaria aftershave

**noahpictures** · 05-24-2012, 05:42 PM

A perfect shave! Comfortable BBS shave in 3.5 passes. Here is a link to my straight razor journal.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (1)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Irisch Moos soap stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Ogalalalala Bay Rum

**noahpictures** · 06-19-2012, 12:19 PM

I had two weepers.

Have my DE skills have depreciated?

Or maybe I need to change the blade. Edit: most likely because I didn't use glycerin as a pre-shave; glycerin also protects face against the blade. I finally ordered a Fatip razor. It should arrive in two weeks from Britain. Here is a link to my straight razor journal.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna Med Prep (4)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 9
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 9
Time: N/A
Pre: Washed face with regular body soap (shea butter, glycerin) instead of using pure glycerin
SS/SC: AOS Lavender cream

Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme
Fragrance: Burberry Brit

**noahpictures** · 06-24-2012, 11:37 AM

After 3.5 passes I had a BBS shave with three small nicks. Unlike with a straight razor, it is not wise to shave over un-lathered areas with the R41.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (1)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 9
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 9.5
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Palmolive shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 06-26-2012, 09:37 AM

BBS shave with a couple of small nicks that closed after cold water rinse.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (2)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 9.5
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 9.5
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Irisch Moos shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 06-26-2012, 09:40 AM

After 3.5 passes I swiped clean 48 hour growth and has a comfortable BBS shave. Used no pressure, least aggressive angle, didn't shave over un-lathered areas.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (3)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Washed face with body soap, rinsed and applied glycerin as a pre-shave
SS/SC: Bigelow (Proraso) cream
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Skin Bracer Cooling Blue

**noahpictures** · 07-17-2012, 09:37 PM

Shaved 48 hour beard in 3.5 passes and had a very comfortable BBS shave. I have been washing face with bar soap prior to applying glycerin as a pre-shave with great results.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (6)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Washed face with bar soap, rinsed and applied glycerin as a pre-shave
SS/SC: TOBS Avocado
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 07-21-2012, 11:24 AM

Shaved a three day beard in 3.5 passes and had a great shave.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (7)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: MWF and Proraso cream (superlather)
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 07-22-2012, 10:02 PM

Comfortable BBS shave.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (8)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Palmolive shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Ogallalalala

**noahpictures** · 07-28-2012, 01:51 PM

Comfortable BBS shave.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (9)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Tabac shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 07-28-2012, 01:54 PM

Blade felt slightly dull. Comfortable DFS in four passes.

Passes: 4 (WTG, XTG, ATG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna RP (10)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 9.5
Comfort: 10
Durability: 9.5
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: Wilkinson shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

**noahpictures** · 07-28-2012, 01:56 PM

New blade. Comfortable BBS shave.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Washed face with soap then applied glycerin
SS/SC: Irisch Moos shave stick
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Aqua Velva

**noahpictures** · 08-09-2012, 07:29 PM

Comfortable BBS. Proraso aftershave is great for hot weather.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG, ATG)
Razor: Muhle R41
Blade: Personna Lab (2)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: Glycerin
SS/SC: MWF soap and AOS Lavender cream
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme/Proraso aftershave splash

**noahpictures** · 08-17-2012, 10:16 PM

A few days ago. Three day beard. Used hair conditioner as a pre shave. Comfortable BBS shave.

Passes: 3.5 (WTG, XTG, ATG)
Razor: Merkur 38C
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Ever Ready TGNFF
Lather: 10

Here are the results:

Closeness: 10
Comfort: 10
Durability:10
Feedback: 10
Enjoyment: 10
Time: N/A
Pre: hair conditioner
SS/SC: Palmolive shave stick and Proraso cream
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented/Alcohol Free)/Nivea Creme

One of the best shaves ever. Unfortunately the next two shaves were uncomfortable. I blame the blade.

**noahpictures** · 09-02-2012, 06:38 PM

Lately I have been using hair conditioner and/or Noxzema as a pre-shave.

I sold my Merkur Futur about a year ago; now I miss it

.

**Codfish** · 09-02-2012, 06:54 PM

Of the many DE razors I've owned, I only keep two in my rotation currently--an R41 and a 38C. The Merkur was one of my earliest purchases, and has always been a favorite. It is my best "tester" of new blades, and I feel it highlights the characteristics of different blades like no other razor for me.

I still use it once or twice a week, and sometimes for longer if I have a blemish or irritation from a too-quick shave with the Muhle.

**noahpictures** · 09-02-2012, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Codfish

Of the many DE razors I've owned, I only keep two in my rotation currently--an R41 and a 38C. The Merkur was one of my earliest purchases, and has always been a favorite. It is my best "tester" of new blades, and I feel it highlights the characteristics of different blades like no other razor for me.

I still use it once or twice a week, and sometimes for longer if I have a blemish or irritation from a too-quick shave with the Muhle.

Great men think alike.

My only two DE razors are R41 and the 38C.