- Thread starter
- #2,361
Thanks Mitch - looks fine from my side...weird. I have not changed anything - especially not when using my tiny iPhone.
A newbie’s journey into DE shaving
- Thread starter Guido75
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #2,362
Although I will say that that Yaqi is a BIG brush which might explain the sudden change in font size too!
The fonts look fine on my computer and larger on my phone (a Google Pixel 6a). Odd.
That sounds like an accessibility setting got turned on either in the browser or for the whole phone. I have that turned on for my father and it does make the font larger, but also messes with formatting.
- Thread starter
- #2,365
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Gillette Prewar Canadian Tech | Gillette Silver Blue (2) | Semogue Cherry Finest |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Kox Dutchy Bergamot | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 9/10 (Minor red spots) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 9/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - Another superb shave with the GSB blade. And the Tech wasn’t too bad either
Razor and blade - I think I have read somewhere that the GSB on the second shave is better than the first shave. Maybe - this morning was at least splendid. Soft and smooth with a little edge of harshness. Is this the one blade to rule them all I wonder? And why are these blades not more in the known? Or was I just blissfully ignorant? The razor pairing was excellent as well. Less blade feel compared to the GC2 obviously, but still quite effective overall. This is one of the Techs that I got when I failed GRUME in October (or September! Haha!) and I like having it as an addition. I like all my Techs actually. The Canadian Tech is an effective razor that pops up now and again in the well known places.
Brush and lather - Total bliss. Period. This is an amazing brush and it behaves like a boar during loading but feels like a badger during lathering (and no it’s not a Mistura knot). Excellent lather painting today.
Technique - The Tech is a featherweight compared to the GC2 of yesterday and hence manoeuvrability was better as well. Consistency was present, although I had the sense that I did some other moves because of the lightness of the razor - but I had to pay with a couple of very minor red spots on the neck.
Enjoy your shave!
lasta
Blade Biter
GSBs were a mainstream around these parts for many years.They frequently top the list for "blade recommendations", "sharp and smooth", "your top 3" etc...So, I haven't been advocating an inferior product!
But I suspect P&G rotates their production runs and GSBs haven't been made for a few years (just like Wizamets were once rare, but now pretty much everywhere). So they are less trendy now.
But I suspect P&G rotates their production runs and GSBs haven't been made for a few years (just like Wizamets were once rare, but now pretty much everywhere). So they are less trendy now.
- Thread starter
- #2,367
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Gillette Flat Bottom Tech | Gillette Silver Blue (3) | Omega Super Badger |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Kox Dutchy Bergamot | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 9/10 (Minor red spots) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 8/10 (DFS+) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - I decided to end my final shaves for NOCvember in Tech-style so today I went for my first vintage: the Flat Bottom Tech. Paired with the GSB an excellent shave ensued. Smooth as a baby, but less than yesterday.
Razor and blade - The razor that kicked off my RAD is always a pleasure to use. It is comfortable to use, easy to manouvre and delivers a great shave. There is some dependency on the blade in use to achieve that, but the GSB is very up for that task. I have noticed that the aftershave sting is more intense with the GSB blade than it was with the Lord Platinum - which almost had no real sting at all. I don't think I am using more pressure with this blade or at least it must be outside of my awareness. Which then actually makes it likely that I am using more pressure. Compared to yesterday’s results I would have to say that the Canadian Tech appears to be more effective.
Brush and lather - skipping the boars in my rotation and went for the next in line. A nice balance between pillow soft and something with a bit more scritch. I like this badger very much even though the knot is definitely on the smaller side in my brush collection at 19-20mm. Soap is still going and will make Decemboar - but it will meet its maker in that month.
Technique - I basically repeated the pattern I have used consistently throughout the month. Did pay attention to the neck area as I incur red spots in that area using this blade so far.
Enjoy your shave!
I haven't used a GSB in years. I should revisit them. I liked them. I stopped using them when I discovered Gillette Platinum. There was less feedback applying aftershave than with GSB without sacrificing smoothness.
- Thread starter
- #2,370
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Gillette Prewar Tech | Gillette Silver Blue (4) | Razorock 400 |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Kox Dutchy Bergamot | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 9/10 (Minor red spots) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 8/10 (DFS+) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - The Prewar Tech outperformed yesterday’s Flat Bottom by a mile. Excellent Thursday shave!
Razor and blade - Mitch @mgweatherly was so very kind to arrange for this razor to come to the Netherlands. It is simply fantastic. Slight positive blade feel (I think), but oh so smooth in operation. Of course a daily driver and everybody should really have one. Or at least one!
The blade is still smooth, but I had the impression that yesterday’s results lasted less than the days before that. Is performance on the decline? Well not today! Great shave with a great razor - I would say that the Prewar is more effective than the Flat Bottom. At least this week.Brush and lather - A great swirls and BOOM! Lather! I laugh when Mike says that in his YT videos. But with the 400 Lather King it’s true!
Technique - Similarity throughout. Paid extra attention on the neck as the blade overhang on the Techs caused a small cut yesterday.
Enjoy your shave!
- Thread starter
- #2,371
Where to begin...ok, so I have a thread up as you know called Mühle Mondays where we come together to enjoy all the fine hardware and software Mühle has provided us with. I usually post with my R41, because that is actually the only Mühle I had. Ever since starting DE shaving I have been eyeing the Mühle Rocca. Gorgeous design, solid build, mid aggression - ticks all the boxes. However, being a beginner I also was still learning the tricks of the trade and so I put it on the backburner for future reference.
Earlier this year Guido @JAHE was very kind to lend me his Rocca so I could test drive it for the first time. And it were wonderful shaves. Easily a daily driver and splendid results. And it has the same water fountain effect as the Athena has. Slurping Beauty as Guido calls it. So after having tested it I knew I wanted it as well - but not in a hurry soon. Come Black Friday I was going back and forth of getting one myself. In my thread I mentioned my indecisiveness whether or not to include the Rocca in my Black Friday order (which by the way did not survive transportation so DHL notified me that they will send it back!
). @Mike M chipped in with a full blazing story about his love for the Rocca. And that's when it happened. A very fine gentleman whose avatar reminds me of my highschool days (I drank almost nothing else than 7UP in highschool so everyone called me Fido Guido) reached out and said the Rocca wasn't working for him and wanted to know if I would be interested in having his.
I usually have my wits and words readily available, but this aspect of B&B is something I don't think I will ever be totally comfortable with. End of the story is that he send over his Rocca and it arrived today. Hmm...that's a rather large package for a razor...also quite heavy for just a razor. I opened the package and out came a Mühle box. In it I found this:
WHAT!? He send me the Rocca brush as well - a Silvertip no less!! Pffff...talking about feeling uncomfortable (which is a Dutch thing every time someone gives you a gift)...Talking about what wonderful shaves will follow from now on.
So I am going back and forth between:
and
Dear, dear, @Trollky - I am not even sure if you want me to mention you or not, but I think I cannot not mention you. This is above and beyond any of my (wildest) expectations. Thank you for this mega generous gesture. I will always know where this set came from and I think I will be giddy every time I use it.
Cheers,
Guido.
Earlier this year Guido @JAHE was very kind to lend me his Rocca so I could test drive it for the first time. And it were wonderful shaves. Easily a daily driver and splendid results. And it has the same water fountain effect as the Athena has. Slurping Beauty as Guido calls it. So after having tested it I knew I wanted it as well - but not in a hurry soon. Come Black Friday I was going back and forth of getting one myself. In my thread I mentioned my indecisiveness whether or not to include the Rocca in my Black Friday order (which by the way did not survive transportation so DHL notified me that they will send it back!
). @Mike M chipped in with a full blazing story about his love for the Rocca. And that's when it happened. A very fine gentleman whose avatar reminds me of my highschool days (I drank almost nothing else than 7UP in highschool so everyone called me Fido Guido) reached out and said the Rocca wasn't working for him and wanted to know if I would be interested in having his.I usually have my wits and words readily available, but this aspect of B&B is something I don't think I will ever be totally comfortable with. End of the story is that he send over his Rocca and it arrived today. Hmm...that's a rather large package for a razor...also quite heavy for just a razor. I opened the package and out came a Mühle box. In it I found this:
WHAT!? He send me the Rocca brush as well - a Silvertip no less!! Pffff...talking about feeling uncomfortable (which is a Dutch thing every time someone gives you a gift)...Talking about what wonderful shaves will follow from now on.
So I am going back and forth between:
Dear, dear, @Trollky - I am not even sure if you want me to mention you or not, but I think I cannot not mention you. This is above and beyond any of my (wildest) expectations. Thank you for this mega generous gesture. I will always know where this set came from and I think I will be giddy every time I use it.
Cheers,
Guido.
Guido, How wonderful! I look forward to shaving reports. I'm like you about receiving gifts. I find it uncomfortable when someone wants to pay for my meal at a restaurant. Do I owe them to get the bill next time? It's easier when everyone pays for their meal. It avoids awkwardness. My ideal gift is giving someone a catalog so they can choose exactly what they want to get for themselves, lol. Now, I text the website. All kidding aside, Trollky gave you a wonderful gift. Enjoy it in the spirit it was given!Where to begin...ok, so I have a thread up as you know called Mühle Mondays where we come together to enjoy all the fine hardware and software Mühle has provided us with. I usually post with my R41, because that is actually the only Mühle I had. Ever since starting DE shaving I have been eyeing the Mühle Rocca. Gorgeous design, solid build, mid aggression - ticks all the boxes. However, being a beginner I also was still learning the tricks of the trade and so I put it on the backburner for future reference.
Earlier this year Guido @JAHE was very kind to lend me his Rocca so I could test drive it for the first time. And it were wonderful shaves. Easily a daily driver and splendid results. And it has the same water fountain effect as the Athena has. Slurping Beauty as Guido calls it. So after having tested it I knew I wanted it as well - but not in a hurry soon. Come Black Friday I was going back and forth of getting one myself. In my thread I mentioned my indecisiveness whether or not to include the Rocca in my Black Friday order (which by the way did not survive transportation so DHL notified me that they will send it back!
I usually have my wits and words readily available, but this aspect of B&B is something I don't think I will ever be totally comfortable with. End of the story is that he send over his Rocca and it arrived today. Hmm...that's a rather large package for a razor...also quite heavy for just a razor. I opened the package and out came a Mühle box. In it I found this:
WHAT!? He send me the Rocca brush as well - a Silvertip no less!! Pffff...talking about feeling uncomfortable (which is a Dutch thing every time someone gives you a gift)...Talking about what wonderful shaves will follow from now on.
So I am going back and forth between:
View attachment 1756478 and View attachment 1756479
Dear, dear, @Trollky - I am not even sure if you want me to mention you or not, but I think I cannot not mention you. This is above and beyond any of my (wildest) expectations. Thank you for this mega generous gesture. I will always know where this set came from and I think I will be giddy every time I use it.
Cheers,
Guido.
P.S. You deserve it.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #2,373
Thanks Rave - you bring a great hybrid view as you know from heritage what my sensations are, but you can also bring in different cultural angles. Thanks.Guido, How wonderful! I look forward to shaving reports. I'm like you about receiving gifts. I find it uncomfortable when someone wants to pay for my meal at a restaurant. Do I owe them to get the bill next time? It's easier when everyone pays for their meal. It avoids awkwardness. My ideal gift is giving someone a catalog so they can choose exactly what they want to get for themselves, lol. Now, I text the website. All kidding aside, Trollky gave you a wonderful gift. Enjoy it in the spirit it was given!
P.S. You deserve it.
I love doing it to others especially fellow Dutchies and see them trying to deal with those events! Haha!
Guido
Guido, Graag gedaan. I may be American, but I'm Dutch, where it matters. 
Rave
Rave
Last edited:
It is my pleasure and no biggy.Where to begin...ok, so I have a thread up as you know called Mühle Mondays where we come together to enjoy all the fine hardware and software Mühle has provided us with. I usually post with my R41, because that is actually the only Mühle I had. Ever since starting DE shaving I have been eyeing the Mühle Rocca. Gorgeous design, solid build, mid aggression - ticks all the boxes. However, being a beginner I also was still learning the tricks of the trade and so I put it on the backburner for future reference.
Earlier this year Guido @JAHE was very kind to lend me his Rocca so I could test drive it for the first time. And it were wonderful shaves. Easily a daily driver and splendid results. And it has the same water fountain effect as the Athena has. Slurping Beauty as Guido calls it. So after having tested it I knew I wanted it as well - but not in a hurry soon. Come Black Friday I was going back and forth of getting one myself. In my thread I mentioned my indecisiveness whether or not to include the Rocca in my Black Friday order (which by the way did not survive transportation so DHL notified me that they will send it back!
I usually have my wits and words readily available, but this aspect of B&B is something I don't think I will ever be totally comfortable with. End of the story is that he send over his Rocca and it arrived today. Hmm...that's a rather large package for a razor...also quite heavy for just a razor. I opened the package and out came a Mühle box. In it I found this:
WHAT!? He send me the Rocca brush as well - a Silvertip no less!! Pffff...talking about feeling uncomfortable (which is a Dutch thing every time someone gives you a gift)...Talking about what wonderful shaves will follow from now on.
So I am going back and forth between:
View attachment 1756478 and View attachment 1756479
Dear, dear, @Trollky - I am not even sure if you want me to mention you or not, but I think I cannot not mention you. This is above and beyond any of my (wildest) expectations. Thank you for this mega generous gesture. I will always know where this set came from and I think I will be giddy every time I use it.
Cheers,
Guido.
I got four excellent soaps in exchange and managed to rehome a razor with someone who will actually use it
As far as the brush is concerned, I couldn't very well split up a matching pair
- Thread starter
- #2,376
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Mühle Rocca R94 | Gillette Silver Blue (5) | Mühle Rocca R94 Silvertip |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Alpha Men 2.0 (Aventus clone) | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 10/10 (Clean) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 8.5/10 (DFS++) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - Superb maiden head shave with the Rocca razor and brush. Absolutely wonderful.
Razor and blade - The GSB on 5 (although I didn't have heavy stubble - about a days worth) was ever so smooth as I have come to know this blade since Monday. Never ever is it harsh and all butterysmooth. Very nice. The Rocca razor is very comfortable to use. I was able to easily find the best angle and audio feedback did the rest. Highly effective. Free of clogging throughout the shave with water sprouts while rinsing. Laughing all the way to DFS! This is a fenomenal razor! Or I should say - because your mileage may vary - it just works for my technique and face.
Brush and lather - This brush is amazing! Being a German brush I can say its übersoft while also being a soap killer (I am almost done with my Aventus dupe). It loads like a boar, but compared to my only other badger brush it feels like a synthetic brush. And it lathers like crazy! During lathering I noticed that it also blooms and fans out to such an extent that I could paint my face in almost one go. Absolutely amazing!
Technique - Usual head patterns. It felt comfortable and as if I have had this razor for forever.
Enjoy your shave!
Wow man!!Where to begin...ok, so I have a thread up as you know called Mühle Mondays where we come together to enjoy all the fine hardware and software Mühle has provided us with. I usually post with my R41, because that is actually the only Mühle I had. Ever since starting DE shaving I have been eyeing the Mühle Rocca. Gorgeous design, solid build, mid aggression - ticks all the boxes. However, being a beginner I also was still learning the tricks of the trade and so I put it on the backburner for future reference.
Earlier this year Guido @JAHE was very kind to lend me his Rocca so I could test drive it for the first time. And it were wonderful shaves. Easily a daily driver and splendid results. And it has the same water fountain effect as the Athena has. Slurping Beauty as Guido calls it. So after having tested it I knew I wanted it as well - but not in a hurry soon. Come Black Friday I was going back and forth of getting one myself. In my thread I mentioned my indecisiveness whether or not to include the Rocca in my Black Friday order (which by the way did not survive transportation so DHL notified me that they will send it back!
I usually have my wits and words readily available, but this aspect of B&B is something I don't think I will ever be totally comfortable with. End of the story is that he send over his Rocca and it arrived today. Hmm...that's a rather large package for a razor...also quite heavy for just a razor. I opened the package and out came a Mühle box. In it I found this:
WHAT!? He send me the Rocca brush as well - a Silvertip no less!! Pffff...talking about feeling uncomfortable (which is a Dutch thing every time someone gives you a gift)...Talking about what wonderful shaves will follow from now on.
So I am going back and forth between:
View attachment 1756478 and View attachment 1756479
Dear, dear, @Trollky - I am not even sure if you want me to mention you or not, but I think I cannot not mention you. This is above and beyond any of my (wildest) expectations. Thank you for this mega generous gesture. I will always know where this set came from and I think I will be giddy every time I use it.
Cheers,
Guido.
- Thread starter
- #2,378
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Mühle Rocca R94 | Gillette Silver Blue (6) | FNX Barber Boar |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Kox Dutchy Bergamot | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 10/10 (Clean) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 9/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - First maiden face shave with the latest addition to the den. I am so over the moon. Excellent Friday shave. Indeed Wow! as @JKaboom said.
Razor and blade - The blade is on its 6th outing (although the head shave wasn’t that impactful I think) and is still very much alive - it does also still have that zing/sting sensation after the shave. Whatever it is, no match for this fantastic razor. Excellent blade clamping, on the slightly heavier side but still very easy to steer around the face. All boxes ticked. Finding inspiration from @Cal I will do a seven day shave with only this razor to help me get a better sense on what I have on my hands, although I have admit that a fixed four is likely not to happen as I only have one GSB blade. I already know the razor is great so no need to convince myself of that, but just finding the best angle, shaving patterns, that type of stuff.
Brush and lather - the soap survived November (110 shaves with this 75g soap puck!) but it will see its make this month. Particularly when the FNX loads from the puck. It literally covers the entire puck which gives a new dimension to the words “swirl around”.
Technique - My usual routine. Some stray stubble, but I am calling this a BBS nonetheless.
Enjoy your shave!
- Thread starter
- #2,379
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Mühle Rocca R94 | Gillette Silver Blue (7) | Zenith 502B XSE |
| Preshave | Soap | Postshave |
| Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave | Kox Dutchy Bergamot | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Passes | WTG XTG ATG and touch up |
| Efficiency (details here) | Quality / My process |
| 8/10 (~20m) | 9/10 (Weeper) |
| Effectiveness | Comfort / Blade condition |
| 8.75/10 (DFS+++) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Summary - Second shave with the Rocca and again superb. A very well needed start of the weekend.
Razor and blade - GSB on 7 shaves and still feeling smooth. With the Rocca there is some blade feel. Just. But the GSB sort of compensates that almost.
Brush and lather - smoother soap destroyer and still a wonderful soft brush. This one really opened me to boar brushes. And I love the butterscotch handle. Expect lather today! Great hydration and three wonderful passes. Now to find what I did exactly so I can replicate the results!
Technique - Consistently shaving along. The XTG on the neck (which I have been doing S-N) are slightly less comfortable with an effective razor as the Rocca is. So again my XTG is the one needing attention with this particular razor. Using Gillette Slides on the neck seemed a better way to go. Good thing I am using this for 7 shaves straight.
Enjoy your shave!
- Thread starter
- #2,380
NOCvember evaluation.
Two themes for December: DecemBOAR and DEcember. And I can always be found in the monthly GRUME thread - whether I am in or out.
- NOCvember was the theme for this month shaving with safety bar razors only.
- November saw 30 shaves with an average effectiveness score of 8.3 (OCtober: 8.6) - which equates results at mostly DFS++ level on the way to BBS. Slightly less than October mainly as a result of using milder razors (namely the KCG and a quick two pass shave with the Fatip Piccolo Gentile).
- I took a vintage PolSilver to 20 shaves. Excellent blade! A Lord Platinum lasted 16 shaves and currently entertaining a GSB blade (4 shaves in NOCvember)
- Lowest score this month was a 5 on effectiveness with the Fatip Piccolo Gentile. This months top shave goes to the Greencult 2.0 II paired with a GSB blade. Amazing - near Marble.
- Razor usage in NOCvember:
- Lambda Athena (13%)
- Ti95 (10%)
- Matador Deluxe (10%)
- Rocket HD500 (10%)
- Razorine Flatboy, Tech FB, Swing and Canadian Tech (each 7%)
- Although the razor stand is fully packed and my overflow to my brush stands also I found a couple of nice additions: Gillette Rocket HD500 and Gillette Single Ring Standard. And on the verge of November a Mühle Rocca
- Soap of the month was Dutchy Bergamot which I took to 110 shaves. I am nearing the end, but the number of shaves for a 75g puck is truly amazing.
Two themes for December: DecemBOAR and DEcember. And I can always be found in the monthly GRUME thread - whether I am in or out.
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