Wow! (first DE shave and Chelsea's Garden soap)

[Gymea]

Hi everyone,

Well, as a relative newbie to the site (though not to wetshaving), I have been following the various threads on the site with great interest and pleasure. It's quite enjoyable being able to vicariously share in each member's experience with a product, technique, etc.

Anyway, a couple of days ago, I received some soaps from Paulette at Chelsea's Soap Garden. (I'd also ordered from Bubble Sue, Mama Bear Sue and Honeybee Sue, but Pauline's were the first to arrive out of the bunch). For the last couple of days, I've been using the Chelsea's Soap Garden Burberry scent -- I'd also ordered the Ginger Lime and Bay Rum scents, but Burberry had intrigued me enough to gamble the US$3.75 on it. The scent rocks -- on her site, Paulette describes it as "Woodsy and Citrus" and that's a much better description than I can come up with.

Anyway, my first shave with the Burberry was using a Gillette Sensor (used the same Sensor with eShave Lavender soap the day before). It rocked, even with the Sensor. Now, don't get me wrong, I like the Sensor and the Mach3, but then if one's never had anything else...

Well, last night, my Parker 84 arrived. I also have a Gillette SuperSpeed (date code B2), a 1959 Gillette Fat Boy (sorry to those who I sniped this from) and a Merkur travel razor on their way -- but, the Parker 84 arrived first out of the bunch. This morning, I loaded it with a Derby blade (from LetterK's sample pack -- wanted to try the Derby over the 7 a.m. blades that were included with the razor), prepped my Savile Row B3 badger brush (I'm eyeing the silvertips these days, but the B3 Pure is what I'm using at the moment), lathered up the Chelsea's Soap Garden Burberry soap (LOVE that scent!), whispered a quick prayer, and started shaving with the Parker 84.

My first impression was, "eh? Nothing's happening!" It felt as though I'd forgotten to remove some plastic cover off the head of the razor as I didn't feel the scraping sensation that I was used to. It seemed as though I was merely squeegeeing the cream off my face. I shrugged, took a few more passes, and then realized that something was happening all along! Holy badger poop , that was the smoothest sensation that I've ever felt on my face! (er, from a razor, that is) Didn't quite get BBS, a lot closer to BBS than I've gotten in a long time with the Sensor or Mach3! And nary a nick, either!

Anyway, dunno if I should credit Chelsea's Soap Garden soap, the Derby blade, the Savile Row brush, the Parker 84, or my beginner's luck, but it sure did rock! I love it all!

Cheers,
Jimmy, who will try one of the other soaps and razors next chance he gets!

[ead]

Very nice intro man
Great story, I think there are many things you can learn in this site and you will get BBS soon

[chop-chop]

Welcome, Jimmy!

It sounds like you've been paying attention to details, and it paid off handsomely with a good shave! Congrats!

You're well on your way to becoming properly addicted!

We'll look forward to hearing more from you!

Tchau,
chop-chop

[Gymea]

Thanks, ead, Bruce. I'm already an addict, I'm afraid. If my significant other only knew how much I've spent on shaving products lately (almost, but not quite as bad as when I was heavily into vintage fountain pens and inks)!

Latest incomings received today are the Honeybee Sue soaps, the SuperSpeed (heh, almost typed "Speedline", which is a type of filling mechanism on the old Parker Vacumatic pens), and a couple of Palmolive shaving sticks. Iching to try out the Honeybee Vetyver, but the Chamomile, Lilac, Lavender, Sandalwood and Bay Rum scents are tempting also...

*blissful sigh*

Jimmy, who wonders why there isn't a "babybutt" smiley...

[ouch]

Close enough?

[ClockworkOrange]

Congrats on a great intro and a great shave!

Looking forward to seeing you around the board!

[Leisureguy]

Sounds like a very positive first experience. Which Honeybee Spa soap(s) did you get? I've been making shaving sticks from her soaps---works quite well.

Welcome.

[galpman]

Congrats on your experience. Great post. Look forward to updates.

[Gymea]

Close enough?

Y'know, that might work! I did see on the list, but thought that it was more of a mooning gesture. Kind of like and being a bird-flipping gestures (which I only do when I drive. )

But (heh...butt), it just might work...

Jimmy.

[Gymea]

Sounds like a very positive first experience. Which Honeybee Spa soap(s) did you get? I've been making shaving sticks from her soaps---works quite well.

Welcome.

Hey Leisureguy,

Actually, the list that I provided wasn't hypothetical -- those were the scents actual that I had received: Vetyver, Chamomile, Lilac, Lavender, Sandalwood and Bay Rum. I did get the chance to unwrap the Vetyver, and it smelled a lot stronger in its "new dry soap" state than any other soap I've smelled in a long time -- almost worried about that.

How do you go about making the shaving sticks, out of curiosity? I've been reading about the microwave and double-boiler methods, depending on the composition of the soap...

Jimmy.

[Leisureguy]

Here's my method: I buy the containers from Mama Bear's site. I rub the inside of the container with silicone grease (hardware store has it)---otherwise, the soap will grab hold of the side.

A Pyrex measuring cup is a handy melting container, since it has a pour spout. Put it in a pan of hot water and heat the water to 150-160 degrees, not more. Let it sit and stir the soap occasionally with a rubber spatula. Soap will eventually melt, and you can pour it into the container. The container will ALMOST hold a complete Honeybee Spa puck, but not quite---so be ready to pour the surplus into a little bowl so you can use it.

The shaving stick is really a fine way to use soap, IMHO.