A newbie’s journey into DE shaving
- Thread starter Guido75
- Start date
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- #5,402
The conspiracy is even bigger than that. If you read carefully Guido @JAHE wrote ARCO with a C rather than a K. Which of course we all know stands for Always Remember Cream On - whoever it is, they are trying to nudge us away from soaps and to creams and goo!
But then again, I asked Copilot for explanations and it also mentioned that it could mean A Really Close Oops. So maybe we are trying to cover something that should have remained unseen!
The conspiracy of it all! Deep. State. Conspiracy!
Not if you build immunity!Mind you, that's the symptoms to be expected when lathering ARCO
Uh. Well spotted.
But I vow immediate improvement. And I have a mnemonic that will remind me of the correct spelling.
ArKo with a K - like in NowitschoK
- Thread starter
- #5,406
| Date | 26.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 085/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Ares V2 Executive Shaving Outlaw Classic | Nacet (10) | Razorock Beehive |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (29+30) Bowl lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 8.75/10 (BBS-) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Had to assist in economics homework test prep yesterday (eldest) and today (youngest), so a little later than usual with posting perhaps. The shave with the Outlaw was superb. Glide was fantastic and without any special effort stubble was eliminated resulting in a very close shave. The accents by the Ares made it all the better.
The Beehive is of course a humongous razor. Very fitting for bowl lathering actually so that was much fun. And resulted in much left over soap at the end of the shave of course. Just awesome.
For technique I am still using the Classic pattern style, but I did incorporated my back and forth XTG pass without intermediate regathering. It gives my cheeks just that notch of extra closeness. Other than that all good. It feels I am slowly transitioning back to my Modern pattern style, which is basically what I did and then with Gillette Slides on the WTG. That‘s the main difference between the two styles for me at the moment.
| Date | 27.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 086/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Ares V2 Blackland Blackbird | Nacet (11) | Razorock Beehive |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (31) Bowl lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 9.00/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
I might even be tempted to rate this one towards marble. Just an amazing shave with a clear distinction between the Blackbird and the Ares in terms of blade feel while results were pretty much on par. I wonder if the Blackbird Lite baseplate would be even better than the standard plate for me. I am betting that will bring the Blackbird into the same range as the Outlaw aka GOAT levels. I am good for now, but I might start looking for a lite plate when time comes. A continuation of the Classic pattern style with the added back and forth XTG. I only had to do 2.5 passes today - or chose to do so as I felt the smoothness and closeness after the 2nd pass already and that was without going ATG. The Nacet blades are still in comfortable performance mode and I expect little mishaps taking these blades to at least 14 shaves. My intent is to use them until end of March actually so I can start April with a fresh blade.
Only a couple of days left for Vintage April commences!! We are almost at 90 participants so this year is going to be a blast for sure!
Enjoy your shaves today!
Next year for me on Vintage April, Guido.
- Thread starter
- #5,408
Pourquoi? I saw your new acrylic drawers (which are amazing by the way) and there were some vintage razors in there!
Yep. Torn between desires!
I really want to finish pairing the bonanza blades to my (modern) rotation razors. A month of vintage use will interfere with that.
Cést la vie
I also just ordered an H4 Slim. Next April will be fun!
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- #5,410
How many days left of testing you reckon?
13 weeks left
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- #5,412
| Date | 28.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 087/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Ares V2 Yaqi Space Blue | Nacet (12) | Razorock Beehive |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (32) Face lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 9.00/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Excellent and quick shave today as I headed of to work early. The Space Blue is a R89 on steroids and it made for a very effective first pass. I was researching the new Razorock GOAT razor when I came across the MJ90 - I think this Yaqi has the same goal as the MJ90 albeit that that one is in stainless steel. It does place these Razorocks on my wanted list to be honest. Anyway, the Yaqi was very effective and still sufficiently smooth although I will admit that the DLC coating Yaqi used also feel dragging now and again. The Ares, as usual, meant business again and XTG and ATG were fantastic. Very very smooth. It is now some 12 hours past my shave as I am writing this and I still feel socially acceptable.
It was really early, so I opted for face lathering to save myself some extra cleaning time. Lather was good, dryer perhaps on the second pass so I drizzled some extra water for the final pass. Very very nice.
Technique started out as a carbon copy of yesterday and I quite liked it. I was also thinking about my beard map and the fact that WTG my right side is not a mirror image from my left side, so I altered my pass somewhat there. I think I will revisit my modern pattern style tomorrow to see if that pattern is still the king of the castle. Slowly honing in is what it feels like.
Enjoy your shave today!
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- Thread starter
- #5,413
| Date | 29.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 088/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Ares V2 DS Cosmetic 1.55 AX | Nacet (13) | Razorock Beehive |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (33) Bowl lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 9.00/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Fabulous face and head shave today with the AX mowing away and the Ares being the silent killer and finisher. Very smooth and comfortable in all directions. I was a bit more cautious using the AX on my head with that gap, but it was smooth sailing.
Bowl lathering was fantastic today with 20 counts of loading to make sure I had enough for 6 passes - which I did. Really enjoyed that.
Technique was transitioning from Classic Style to Modern Style. I divided my cheeks into two halfs. The upper was done from ear to nose while the lower part was done from mouth to ear with a slight follow through on the neck by tucking in my chin. Good effectiveness and comfortable in execution.
Enjoy your shave today!
- Thread starter
- #5,414
| Date | 30.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 089/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Lambda Ares V2 Razorock Game Changer .84P OC | Nacet (14) | Razorock Beehive |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (34) Face lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 8.75/10 (BBS) | 9.50/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
Very enjoyable shave this morning using the Game Changer on the first pass with the Adjusted Modern Pattern - close to the CB Curve Style I have used for quite a while, but without the curved stroke from cheek to neck. Other than that actually quite similar. I started out with horizontal strokes in the side burns area and then went diagonal. Effective, but I was expecting more to be honest. The GC combined with the Nacet blade felt harsh. Especially after following up XTG with the Athena. That was all smoothness and comfort. Excellent razor ATG as well. Counterintuitive the head shave with the GC was nothing short of fantastic. WTG and ATG on the back of my head and it was smoothness all the way. Really interesting and I might have discovered a perfect use for the OC baseplate.
Lather was as expected so nothing much to report there other than this is a fantastic soap to use. Very enjoyable indeed. Master soap maker our Mark.
One day of modern razors left and then it is all Vintage Galore, baby!
Enjoy your shave today!
- Thread starter
- #5,415
| Date | 31.03.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 090/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Mühle Rocca R94 Razorock Game Changer .84P OC | Vintage Wizamet Iridium (1) | Razorock 400 Ali |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (35) Face lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 9.00/10 (BBS) | 10/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
An absolutely brilliant shave this morning! Wow! I started with the Game Changer and used my CB Curve Pattern Style. The CB Curve is the nickname I have given to the style used by YT CBShaves. His pattern is pretty much the same as mine and I have had really comfortable shaves using that pattern. Today was no different. Barely any aftershave feedback and smooth like a dolphin. This is in part also accredited to the rather splendid - nay outstanding - Wizamet blade. This blade is fantastic! I am sure I also have modern Iridium blades, but these vintage ones, courtesy of John @Tanuki, are extremely comfortable yet super sharp and effective. A real pleasure!
For brush I have selected my trusty and king of the den: the Razorock 400 in aluminium. I will be using this brush together with its butterscotch sibling for April’s Brush Chronicles. Of course I already know the outcome: there isn’t a soap that these brushes cannot handle and the lather is superb every time. So it will be immensely enjoyable for sure!
Enjoybyour shave today!
- Thread starter
- #5,416
| Date | 01.04.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 091/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Gillette ABC Pocket Edition Gillette Rocket HD | Vintage Wizamet Iridium (2) | Razorock 400 Alu |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Mark’s Wonderful Fierce 1 (36) Bowl lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 8.75/10 (BBS) | 9.5/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
A very satisfying shave today as we kick off Vintage April. I went for something old and something new. Very comfortable and very smooth. Went with my CB Pattern Style and it again was very effective for me and my growth map. Aftershave feedback was slightly higher than yesterday which I attribute to the open comb closeness of the ABC. The blade was again very effective yet comfortable. Superb experience. To me the ABC is a little smoother than the Old Type and Single Ring razors.
Bowl lathered with a 15 counts loaded 400 brush. Slightly underloaded, contrary to my liking. Enough for my face and head shave, but a little more would have been better. The 400 delivered of course and could have done a better job with better loading on my part. Other than that splendid as ever. The Brush Chronicles for this month will cover the 400 more extensively.
Enjoy your shave today!
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- Thread starter
- #5,417
| Date | 02.04.2025 |
| 365 daily shaves | 092/365 |
| Razor | Blade | Brush |
| Gillette ABC Pocket Edition Souplex OC | Vintage Wizamet Iridium (5) | Razorock 400 Alu |
| Pre | Soap/Method | Postshave |
| Cold splash Mastro Miche preshave | Tabarko (104) Bowl lathered | Cold splash Aftershave Balm |
| Effectiveness | Facial Impact Score FIS™ |
| 8.75/10 (BBS) | 9.5/10 (GlideFest) |
| Notes: |
A Souplexive shave. Meaning very satisfying! Vintage April is well underway - we are on fire and it’s just day 2! The blade felt more present today compared to the previous days. Maybe two open combs is a little too much even for me, but no mishaps or troubles today.
The CB Pattern Style combined with 3.25 passes is extremely satisfying and joyful. Aftershave feedback was similar yesterday hence the similar scoring for facial impact.
Bowl lathered with a 15 counts loaded 400 brush. I mentioned yesterday that I needed to load more counts, but with Tabarko and the Lather King (Brush Chronicles) that is so not necessary! Kaboom! I was painting the bathroom with lather flying all over. Great lather and slickness.
And I like the upgrade I have given my soap mug. Thanks @Fordfather for these wonderful B&B stickers!
Enjoy your shave today!
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What is the bowl on the far right? I’ve been looking for a good solution for warm shaves in the winter that won’t break if it falls on the ground. how do you find it? How practical is it?I also love bowl lathering, particularly if I can keep the lather warm. I've been looking for the holy grail of shaving bowls for two years, and I think I finally found it. Guess which one?
View attachment 2018290
It's a 2-qt double boiler. It's 6.5" across the top. Though it was not designed as one, it's the best "scuttle" I've found so far:
Pros:
- Keeps the lather warmer far longer than any scuttle or bowl I've tried.
- Suitable for brushes from 26mm to 34mm
- Sturdy... Be careful you don't damage your sink or faucit if you get a heavily clad one.
- Low maintenance
- You will go through more soap
- Depending on what brand you get, it can look awful or pretty fancy. I went sort of high-end with a clad Williams Sonoma. If you want elegant, you can probably find one in copper. At the other extreme, you might be able to find something similar on-line for under $50
- Takes up more counter space than a 4.5 bowl or a small scuttle
- It's Vertically taller than a scuttle
- Does not hold a brush. You'll either leave your brush lying on its side in the lather, or, you'll need something on the side for your soapy brush.
- Does not fit a bathroom's decor. You will need LOTH approval, which you may not get
- You will go through more soap.
The diameter is about 1cm greater than a large CaYuen bowl:
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