GIVEAWAY! Challenge PIF - Vikings At The Gate

[hugosf]

Razor: Blackbird TI

Brush: SOC Finest Badger

Soap: B&M Passiflora

Blade: Vikings Sword (1)

The Vikings Sword blade is so smooth. It’s a nice surprise.

Thank you @Grundi @Space_Cadet and @mikey for the opportunity to try these Israeli blades

 

[BigJ]

Viking‘s Sword blade #1, shave #4

Razor: Wolfman WR1
Brush: Graydog palm wood 2-band
Soap: Fine Italian citrus
Splash: Pinaudi clubman

Comment: Comfortable 9.5/10 shave today!! This is a very fine blade!!

 

[TheBigL]

I was running a bit late this morning and I took a short cut. Hot face wash scrub with a bit of Arko stick, then lathered Barbasol. It wasn't great, but acceptable. I did manage to nick myself on the cheek, I felt it when I did it, and it's not a common thing. Finished with Barbasol Pacific Rush AS. This was not a shave for the memory books.

 

[helicopter]

I was running a bit late this morning and I took a short cut. Hot face wash scrub with a bit of Arko stick, then lathered Barbasol. It wasn't great, but acceptable. I did manage to nick myself on the cheek, I felt it when I did it, and it's not a common thing. Finished with Barbasol Pacific Rush AS. This was not a shave for the memory books.

Put Cremo on your wet face under the Barbasol next time you are in a rush.

 

[mikhou]

Razor: Karve Overlander
Blade: Crystal #1 (1)
Soap: Pre de Provence No. 63
Brush: N/A
Aftershave: Old Spice followed by Nivea Sensitive balm

The end result was a very good shave. Honestly, it started a little rough, but then it seemed to smooth out. I’m looking forward to the second shave as they tend to be the best for me with almost any blade. I’ll do 4 shave with this blade before comparing with the Viking blade. Then I’ll do a second round.

 

[Tathlum]

Razor- TGS Syntesi
Blade- Crystal blade1 shaves 3-7
Soap- Mama Bear's Gentlemen
Brush- APShaveCo 5GA
Four more very nice shaves from the Crystal blade. These Israeli blades may not be the sharpest tools in the shed but I'm getting some really nice shaves with them! No tugging no irritation just smooth close comfortable shaves. Shame there out of production.

 

[AndyPanda]

Crystal (1)
Got a very nice shave with this blade in the Masamune. Feels very similar to the Viking's Sword and the Personna blue. Nice and smooth and pairs really well with the Masamune. 3 pass plus some ATG buffing in my trouble spots for a BBS without any irritation.

 

[fast shaver]

Crystal Blade #1 Shave #4
Tools: R41 Razor, PdP #63 soap, Disruptor brush & Bay Rum Aftershave.
Good 3 pass shave this A.M. = DFS.
The Crystal blade is still working great.
Got some slight irritation on my neck in spots but the Lustray Bay rum took care of it.

 

[BigJ]

Viking’s Sword blade one, shave #6

Razor: Wolfman WR1
Brush: Simpsons 57 best
Soap: Cella red
Splash: Proraso green

Comment: DFS+ which is very fine on day 6 (9/10 on the 10 point scale)!!

 

[IBieberhoff]

Posting for yesterday’s 10/11/24 morning pre-work shave, will probably post today’s shave a little later.

Pre: Shower
Soap: La Toja Stick
Brush: Simpson Duke D2 in Best Badger
Razor: Game Changer .68
Blade: Viking’s Sword (4)
A/S: Gentleman’s Nod Juniper Reverie
Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel

Face: 2.8/3
Neck: 2.7/3
Nicks/irritation and weepers: 3/3
Zen: 1/1
9.5/10

Shave #4 with the Viking’s Sword blade was still really good, not quite to the level of#2 and 3 on this blade. DFS face/CCS neck. This was a straight 2 pass shave - WTG/ATG, no buffing or cleanup.

 

[IBieberhoff]

10/12/24 Saturday morning shave

Pre: Shower
Soap: Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic
Brush: Simpson Duke D2 in Best Badger
Razor: Game Changer .68
Blade: Israeli Crystal Super + Platinum (1)

A/S: Gentleman’s Nod Juniper Reverie
Moisturizer: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel
Face: 2.9/3
Neck: 2.7/3
Nicks/irritation and weepers: 3/3

Zen: 1/1

9.6/10

First time shaving with a Crystal blade today for the Vikings at the Gate PIF/challenge. Pretty strong first impression. The blade started out feeling a little rough but quickly smoothed out for a nice, close, comfortable shave. DFS++ face/above average on the neck. My Saturday standard 2.5 pass shave - WTG/ATG, cleanup pass XTG on chin/jawline.

Really glad to get a chance to try these blades.

 

[hugosf]

Razor: Blackbird TI

Brush: SOC Finest Badger

Soap: B&M Passiflora

Blade: Vikings Sword (2)

Second shave, DFS+. Nice blade.

 

[AndyPanda]

Crystal (2)
Paired it with the Masamune again and had another very nice shave. 3 pass plus touch ups and no irritation.

The three flavors (Crystal, Viking's Sword and Personna blue) all shave very similarly to me. They are not as sharp as a Personna USA Comfort Coated but sharp enough and very smooth and they seem to last for several shaves without losing much of their sharpness.

 

[kirbyg]

Viking's Sword Blade #2 - Shave #2
Razor - 1969 Super Speed
Blade - Viking's Sword(2)
Brush - Proraso/Omega Boar
Soap - Arko
A/S - Thayers Facial Toner, Nivea Balm
Rating - 9/10 DFS+

I went with my newly acquired 1969 Super Speed today and achieved yet another excellent shave. I think for the rest of the shaves with this blade, I'm going to move it around to some of my lesser-used razors and see how it works with those.

 

[Filudo]

Head shave
Personna Plat #6 (split in 2)
Leaf Thorn
Prep pre-shave
Prep canned shave cream
AS Proraso

It was a smooth DFS shave.

I am sure this blade can probably keep shaving well but I'll start with a Viking soon.

 

[fast shaver]

Crystal Blade #1 Shave #5
Tools: Hone Razor, Dr. Selby soap, Disruptor brush & Clubman aftershave.
Good two pass shave = DFS.
Blade is starting to slow down some though.

 

[BigJ]

Viking’s Sword blade one, shave #7

Razor: Wolfman WR1
Brush: ShaveMac beagle 2-band (fan)
Soap: Fine platinum
Splash: Fine platinum

Comment: DFS/DFS+ on day 7 with this fine blade (9/10)!! Time for a change after a good run!!

 

[Filudo]

Face shave
I used the other 1/2 Personna Plat
Thorn razor
Jabones Joserra
Brush (mixed mighty midget) ate half my lather
AS LandOho

2+ pass, feels good, no drama. This Personna is much better than the "comfort coated" I have last used.

 

[JWCowboy]

 

[AndyPanda]

Crystal (3)
Paired it with the Masamune again. Got another great shave!