Raithskar's shave Journal

**Raithskar** · 05-15-2012, 06:56 AM

This morning was my first shave with a Le Grelot. Paul (Easttexasman) let me borrow it. I mush say it is one smooth shaver. 1/4 hollow shoulderless, and one tough blade! I really enjoyed it. It needs some touching up so i am going to put it on the La veinette. I let him borrow my Puma, and I think he liked it due to his WTB thread in the BST lol.

The major breakthrough for me has been pressure, and how much better the razor shaves when it is as minimal as possible. I don't go for BBS, I am just enjoying the ride. I figure if I am going to get to a BBS it will come, I don't need to chase it.

Despite needing a touch up, the Le Grelot still gave me a DFS! Can't wait to see what it is like with a fresh edge.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-17-2012, 07:31 AM

This morning I was test shaving a 5/8 dovo special that was sent to me by eneyman to hone . This razor was new in the box.

I was suprised to find that it had a fairly decent edge on it for a factory blade. Not good enough to shave with, but the bevel had a nice catch with the TPT. So I went to the La Grise and honed away.

I lathered some P-160 with my Semogue 2000 and went to town. The edge was very mellow. It felt like I was slowly wiping the whiskers off. 3 pass WTG, XTG and ATG.
Closest shave I have had to date.

I really paid close attention to stretching this morning and it made a world of difference. No sting from the Floid Blue and I am highly impressed with this razor. The fit and finish were very good.

Only problem I had was the burning feeling on my face. It had to be from back to back use of the P-160. I think there is something in it that will prohibit me from using it frequently. I will see if it subsides, I hope it does because the performance is stellar.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-18-2012, 05:12 AM

Have some small patches of irritation on my neck from yesterday. Just did a one pass cleanup this morning. I did not want to push things.

Have a great day everyone.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-21-2012, 05:52 AM

First shave since previous post. Thick growth.

Chose DRH Lavender. Love the smell of that stuff. My razor was a real treat. It was a vintage 13/16 #52 Puma in Pristine condition, and was also my early B-Day present from my Grandmother.

It was sent shave ready and performed flawlessy. I had some operator error. I failed to apply my Proraso PPC before the first pass. I think this was a good thing though, as it made me realize just how much that stuff helps with glide and softening.

2 pass WTG ATG and ended with some Thayers Lavender and some Floid Blue. DFS, and my skin feels great!

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-22-2012, 05:31 AM

No shave this morning. The stubble on my cheeks was just starting to come back this morning. First time I have been that smooth for 24 hrs! That Puma is an increbible shaver! Thanks Scott!

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-23-2012, 01:11 PM

This Morning I shaved with my Schlieper 13/16. It was honed by the previous owner of my new 8x3 La Dressante. He hone it on that coticule, and it is one wicked keen edge.

Regretfully I used too much pressure. I did not chance aftershave as I knew it would burn like the dickens from the way my face felt. I will not be suprised if I have some rash come up tomorrow. But a 2 pass WTG ATG had me near BBS.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-24-2012, 06:01 AM

Turns out that yesterdays shave was just right, pressure was great, and lather was great. The edge on that Schlieper is very brisk. It gave my face some major exfoliation. Woke up this morning and not a bit of itch, or irritation!

This morning was a great shave as well.

Boker Red Injun 101
MWF
Scrupleworks 20/50

I had a good stubble this morning, and the lather combinde with the Boker was just an excellent pairing. The edge of the razor was engaging for sure, and while not as keen as yesterdays I still got a close comfortable 2 pass shave WTG ATG. a slight sting from the floid blue, but i did a fool's pass and atg on the chin. I seldom do that. Cheeks and neck there was no sting and I have that nice tingle that an engagaging edge from a coticule gives.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-29-2012, 05:04 AM

This morning was a great shave!

I was on a short vacation and had 5 days growth this morning.

I preped with a shampoo and conditioner in the shower

I applied my Proraso and lathered up, stropped then re lathered.

My coice of kit this morning was as follows:

MWF
B&B 2012 LE Brush
13/16 Carl Schlieper honed on a La Dressante
Thayers Lavender WH
Alt Innsbruck

I had to really slow my stroke with the heavy growth, but the Schlieper had no trouble working it's way through that forest. 2 pass WTG ATG w/cleanup, near BBS, and absolutley no sting from the Alt Innsbruck.

A great refreshing shave!

Jon

**Raithskar** · 05-31-2012, 08:20 AM

I keep wondering how the shaves can be any better, but they just keep on doing it.

This Morning was no exception!

I chose my 13/16 Carl Schlieper as the weapon of choice for my surgical strike on the beard. I did not like the edge it had so I rehoned it last night on my little La Dressante. Tried a new finishing method and it seems to have worked wonderfully!

Lathered some DRH Marlborough, stropped and went at it.

For the first time since using the straight I was able to make one smooth stroke from sideburn to jawline. Oh my how this razor shaved! It was butter smooth, very mellow and felt like I was just wiping my beard away! A truly Magnificent shave! 2 pass WTG ATG and a DFS.

Finished with some cold water, Thayer's Lavender and Floid Blue. I had a little sting with the Floid but it was from passing over some very mild Irritation I had from test shaving a razor the day before.

I was in question of the steel quality in this razor, but no longer. Quality is right up there with my Swedish blade and my Pumas. It lives up to the gold etch on the blade of "High Class Razor"

Jon

**EvilZeg** · 05-31-2012, 09:06 PM

Awesome.

**Raithskar** · 06-01-2012, 05:42 AM

Thanks Jim!

This Morning I chose my 13/16 Puma 52, a near perfect vintage blade. I stropped about 50/50 lathered some DRH Lavender and went to work. A sublime pleasure. The razor was smooth and effortless to use. 2 passes atg wtg, small cleanup, an engaging edge and my face feels refreshed and damn near BBS.

I paid special attention to stretching this morning. What a differient good stretching makes for mowing down a beard. Problem areas were not so much of a problem this morning.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 06-04-2012, 05:37 AM

This Mornings shave went well.

I chose my new (to me) Puma 63 5/8 INOX. I wast told this Razor had been honed by Bart from coticule.be about a year ago. I usually dont shave on the weekends so I had 2 days growth. Seamogue 2000, and MWF were the selections this morning for lathering. I thought the razor might need a touch up, but it may have just been the engaging edge it had on it. It felt like a good mix between mellow and brisk. 2 passes WTG ATG, DFS and comfortable too!

Jon

**Raithskar** · 06-06-2012, 04:20 AM

After a bad night at the hones I was needing a good shave. Picked my Red Injun 101, some La Toja Manantiales and went after it.

Man I tell ya......there is nothing like shaving with a dull razor (insert sarcasm). Did 1 pass WTG and said the hell with it. Back to the hones with this one.

When it rains, it pours

Jon

**Doc226** · 06-06-2012, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Raithskar

Man I tell ya......there is nothing like shaving with a dull razor (insert sarcasm)

True, I don't even try, if it starts to pull, then I stop.

**cameraflier** · 06-06-2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Raithskar

Did 1 pass WTG and said the hell with it.

Smart move. I've been there. No shame.

**Kentos** · 06-07-2012, 12:34 AM

Always have a favorite back ready in wings...saved me many a times.

**Raithskar** · 06-07-2012, 05:13 AM

I will from now on Kent.

Jon

**Raithskar** · 06-07-2012, 05:17 AM

Struggled this morning. Lather kept drying out. Half ass 2 pass. Highlight was the soap. Mystic Water Lily of the Valley......WOW! Smells great, and nice creamy lather.

Any suggestions on getting through the passes without the damn lather drying? Really getting to be a PITA.

Jon

**Doc226** · 06-07-2012, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Raithskar

Struggled this morning. Lather kept drying out. Half ass 2 pass. Highlight was the soap. Mystic Water Lily of the Valley......WOW! Smells great, and nice creamy lather.

Any suggestions on getting through the passes without the damn lather drying? Really getting to be a PITA.

Jon

Start with a wetter lather, I found that it almost needs to be thin and wet. Much different than with a DE. Also it goes without saying, but shave faster

**Raithskar** · 06-07-2012, 06:49 AM

Yeah it was pretty slick & wet AL. Afraid if I get too much more water in it it will break down. You are right I need to shave faster. I am taking too many strokes.

Jon