Damn Comfortable Shave

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Friday's shave was very nice.

This is not the photo I took this morning, but it is today's kit. This morning's photo is currently unavailable because my phone is updating (slow as growing a beard).​

My OliBlade setting was #2 throughout the entire shave.

Willy's (2), flipped. The Tube at the sink and in the shower.

This is my only "fully Mozingo" brush meaning it is my only brush with a Mozingo knot and also a Mozingo handle. I like it a lot. Great knot of course. The handle is quite attractive to my eyes but I'll admit my wife doesn't like it. She seems to prefer very plain handles in certain colors although I've not tried to determine exactly what colors.

Shave mail today delivered my newest razor, the M3teorite. It is a beautiful razor, to my eyes, and appears to be a great bargain for such a nice looking piece of gear. I purchased the stand and all three baseplates. I suspect I will use the mild baseplate the most, based on my experiments with its sibling adjustable over the last several days.

​

My initial impression of the M3teorite handle said it's fatter than the OliBlade handle, but my calipers say they're almost exactly the same. The two handles look different and are different in their grip patterns which must have thrown off my visual impression. Both are perhaps a smidgeon under 13 mm. The handles are the same length by my eye.

It's not a WR2, but the fit and finish are quite impressive. I see machine marks and such on the stand. The stand could be polished a bit better, but, for $25, it is a great stand. I can always polish the stand a bit more, but doubt that I ever will. The razor itself is very good looking. If anything, it looks even better than its handsome sibling.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[flask28]

Friday's shave was very nice.

This is not the photo I took this morning, but it is today's kit. This morning's photo is currently unavailable because my phone is updating (slow as growing a beard).​

View attachment 1933352

My OliBlade setting was #2 throughout the entire shave.

Willy's (2), flipped. The Tube at the sink and in the shower.

This is my only "fully Mozingo" brush meaning it is my only brush with a Mozingo knot and also a Mozingo handle. I like it a lot. Great knot of course. The handle is quite attractive to my eyes but I'll admit my wife doesn't like it. She seems to prefer very plain handles in certain colors although I've not tried to determine exactly what colors.

Shave mail today delivered my newest razor, the M3teorite. It is a beautiful razor, to my eyes, and appears to be a great bargain for such a nice looking piece of gear. I purchased the stand and all three baseplates. I suspect I will use the mild baseplate the most, based on my experiments with its sibling adjustable over the last several days.

​

View attachment 1933370


My initial impression of the M3teorite handle said it's fatter than the OliBlade handle, but my calipers say they're almost exactly the same. The two handles look different and are different in their grip patterns which must have thrown off my visual impression. Both are perhaps a smidgeon under 13 mm. The handles are the same length by my eye.

It's not a WR2, but the fit and finish are quite impressive. I see machine marks and such on the stand. The stand could be polished a bit better, but, for $25, it is a great stand. I can always polish the stand a bit more, but doubt that I ever will. The razor itself is very good looking. If anything, it looks even better than its handsome sibling.

Happy shaves,

Jim

We can't wait to hear your impressions of the M3teorite.

I think that Mozingo handle is fantastic. It's nice to have a splash of wild color on the brush shelf!

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

We can't wait to hear your impressions of the M3teorite.

I think that Mozingo handle is fantastic. It's nice to have a splash of wild color on the brush shelf!

Thank you, Adam.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Saturday's shave was very good.

This was my first shave with the M3teorite razor.

Mine was ordered with all three baseplates and the stand. Why not get the complete kit?

If you do the math, you'll see immediately which baseplate I used. I've tried setting #2 on the OliBlade a few times, trying to figure out which M3teorite baseplate I might like best. I've pretty much ruled out the medium and the aggressive baseplates, using the OliBlade, but only because they don't suit my preference for a Damn Comfortable Shave on my upper lip when shaving ATG S-N.

Most of my posts with the OliBlade indicate I use setting #2 or setting #~2 when shaving ATG S-N on my upper lip. I think mostly I use a setting lower than #2 and probably higher than #1.5. I was a little bit concerned that the M3teorite mild baseplate might be a tad too much for me on my upper lip.

One shave doesn't make me an expert reviewer of the M3teorite, but..

Wow! Just Wow!

This is a terrific razor.

I installed the same blade I've been using, transferring it from the OliBlade, so my blade today was the Willy's (3), flipped. I also used the Tube in the shower and as a preshave.

The M3teorite was used at the same steep angle I always use. I pretty much threw the razor around on my face with reckless abandon. I found it very smooth, very comfortable, and quite easy to use. There was no drama at all. No blood. Just a smooth and close feeling shave.

It was comfortable everywhere. I'll reserve final upper lip judgement for later, but I believe it will be at least a Daily Driver Contender.

I have no illusions here that today's shave will be as long lasting as an OliBlade shave on setting #3.5 or #4, but for a me, a daily shaver, setting #2 on the OliBlade and the mild plate of the M3teorite do the trick.

One shave does not constitute a complete review of course, but I am very impressed.

Speaking of impressed, how 'bout this Polo 12 overstuffed with an extra dense Mozingo knot? If it looks huge, your eyes are not deceiving you. It is significantly more dense than my other Mozingo knots. Don't hear this as a criticism of the knot because I like it a lot, but it is my least favorite Mozingo knot. Still, I'm very glad to have it, and would be in hog heaven if it were my only brush.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Sunday. Another good shave.

Willy's (3), flipped. The Tube. M3teorite, mild baseplate.

Very nice shave.

Happy shaves to you,

Jim

 

[Eric_75]

Have a great week ahead, Jim.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Have a great week ahead, Jim.

Thank you, Eric. You, too.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Monday morning's shave was good.

I am very much enjoying using the M3teorite with the mild baseplate. It is a terrific razor.

Willy's (4), flipped. The Tube. My wonderful Zenith three band silvertip. A great Mike's soap.

What's not to like.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Shave mail...

This is from Oumo. It is their Kirin natural super badger knot, supposedly totally untreated. Upon initial examination it is a very nice brush with a very nice knot. Of course, it's brand new and hasn't even gone home with me or taken a bath.

The nominal size is 27 mm. At exit, my calipers measure it at 29 mm.

To me, it looks like a three band. I wonder how it compares with a Simpson brush of the same name.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Tuesday's shave was nice.

Willy's (5), flipped, and going strong, but I will probably discard it in favor of a new blade.

The Tube, in the shower and at the sink.

This is my newest brush, an Oumo Kirin. It is my first time using the brush. The brush was washed with Dawn yesterday afternoon, and has bloomed. It's pretty dry this morning, but probably not 100%.

It is a rather huge knot for a nominally 27 mm.

I'm going to use it a few times before offering anything like a review.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Wednesday. Another good shave.

This morning I changed to a new Willy's blade. I have only one more of these blades (that I can find). I know I ordered more from Hendrix. I know they sent me the wrong blades. I know Pete told me he would send the blades I ordered and make it right. What I don't remember is if he sent me the blades nor do I remember, if he did send them, where I put 'em.

Digging around a bit with the search function on B&B, I found this post. Apparently, Pete sent the blades, but where did I put them?

I also found my email to Pete thanking him for sending the Willy's blades, and that I'd received them, so the blades are waiting for me to find them in the last place I will look for them!

On the other hand, I'm far from short on Polsilver SI blades, etc.

I used this brush for a second time in a row which is very unusual for me unless I'm traveling. I want to learn the knot.

When mashing the splayed knot into my skin, which is a regular part of my routine, it displayed some pokiness, not a whole lot, but some. Not enough to disqualify it, but enough to notice. I hope that goes away or lessens over time. Other than that, it is very soft, quite dense, but not objectionably so.

It performs in a somewhat different manner from most brushes I generally use, particularly in how it loads, but it loads well enough, so I'm not complaining, but merely noticing something I want to document. It seems like it doesn't have enough loaded soap to face lather, but actually it has plenty.

This is a huge 27 mm knot!

The Tube was used in the shower and as a preshave.

Plenty good shave.

Happy shaves to you,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I should be able to find the lost Willy's blades now.

Why? Well, you know why...





Yes, I just ordered a hundred from Hendrix.

Which should work its magic, right?





Also, I ordered a hundred Vi-John yellows. I tried the tuck Pete sent me with a previous order and liked them very much.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Balin]

When mashing the splayed knot into my skin, which is a regular part of my routine, it displayed some pokiness, not a whole lot, but some. Not enough to disqualify it, but enough to notice. I hope that goes away or lessens over time. Other than that, it is very soft, quite dense, but not objectionably so.

I am a bit of a face masher too and experienced the pokiness, as you put it. I don't know if I became used to it or if it loosened up a little. I haven't used this brush in over a week so I will give it a go again today to see if the 'pokiness' remains.

It performs in a somewhat different manner from most brushes I generally use, particularly in how it loads, but it loads well enough, so I'm not complaining, but merely noticing something I want to document. It seems like it doesn't have enough loaded soap to face lather, but actually it has plenty.

I noticed this too! I think the knot density plays some tricks on your perception. I had expected my Kirin to be a lather hog, but it gives up the lather in the knot well.

Overall I do like the Kirin knots, but it is unlike my denser Simpsons Supers and Shavemac D01 Silvertips and I can't quite put my finger on why.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I am a bit of a face masher too and experienced the pokiness, as you put it. I don't know if I became used to it or if it loosened up a little. I haven't used this brush in over a week so I will give it a go again today to see if the 'pokiness' remains.

I will be very interested in your findings.

Thanks.

I noticed this too! I think the knot density plays some tricks on your perception. I had expected my Kirin to be a lather hog, but it gives up the lather in the knot well.

I've not noticed any hog tendencies either.

Overall I do like the Kirin knots, but it is unlike my denser Simpsons Supers and Shavemac D01 Silvertips and I can't quite put my finger on why.

I have only one Shavemac D01 three band. I wouldn't say it's much like the Kirin. It's also a much smaller knot, and a flattop, so I wouldn't expect an easy apples to apples comparison in any case.

I've not used a Simpson Super Badger. However, I used a Vulflix Silvertip Badger, and I have a CH3 which is similar. Notes, comments, and rabbit holes here and here; I posted numerous times about the very interesting Vulflix and ultimately decided not to buy it partly because it was a big time shedder.

The Kirin reminds me a bit of my CH3 in Best, but I've not used that brush in awhile.

I can put my finger on things either.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Thursday my shave was quite nice.

I am kinda sorta trying to compare the Kirin knot with this CH3 in Best Badger.

I have both the CH2 and the CH3 in Best. Most everyone knows knots in Best can be very dissimilar. Mine exemplify that. I go back and forth on which of my Chubbies in Best I like better. Neither are used all that much, and I've forgotten the details of CH competition. I'll maybe use the CH2 tomorrow.

Anyway, the CH3 is, like the Kirin, a huge knot. I probably should have measured the loft of my CH3, but I didn't. I believe its loft is significant higher than the loft of the Kirin. I also believe the Kirin is a more dense knot than my CH3 in Best.

I noticed almost zero scritch or pokiness while using the CH3 this morning. It splays much easier than the Kirin. It has far less scrub. It also subjectively loads easier. I'd say maybe it lathers (face lathers) easier than the Kirin, or more readily, or faster, but maybe it was more heavily loaded with soap.

My CH3 in best is less similar to the Kirin (at this point in the Kirin's breaking in process) than I thought it might be.

Willy's (2), flipped. The Tube.

The M4teorite was used with its mild baseplate. It performed quite well.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[flask28]

Good morning Jim!

Since I've been in a purchase "pause" for the year I'd halted the ritrual morning review of the Mike's Natural stock list . But I checked out the site this morning, just for old time's sake, and noticed a scent I hadn't seen in my years of watching:

Do you have this in your prodigious Mike's collection? It sounds interesting for sure. Maybe it's new? Or perhaps a throwback.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Good morning Jim!

Since I've been in a purchase "pause" for the year I'd halted the ritrual morning review of the Mike's Natural stock list . But I checked out the site this morning, just for old time's sake, and noticed a scent I hadn't seen in my years of watching:

View attachment 1936416

Do you have this in your prodigious Mike's collection? It sounds interesting for sure. Maybe it's new? Or perhaps a throwback.

Hi, Adam.

Someone brought it to my attention a few days ago. I ordered it immediately. I have not received it yet.

I've been checking Mike's site pretty regularly albeit not daily or even weekly because I am running low on Coconut. It is a bit surprising that I missed finding the Honey & Grapefruit myself, but I did.

I suspect it should arrive pretty soon. Tomorrow would be soon enough. The scent sounds intriguing.

Does Mike remove scents and bring them back? I have no idea.

Thanks, Adam, for giving me this heads up. Probably I wouldn't have known about Mike's but for you, my friend.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Shave mail...

Oumo Fortress Light Pink 29 mm M5 Manchurian. Brand new/never used. From the BST.

My wife likes the color. So do I. I'm looking forward to trying the knot, but I'm also in no hurry to do so. I have a few brushes I've never used. Perhaps this will join that group. Perhaps, not.

I have a good many Manchurian brushes but haven't tried an Oumo Manchurian.

Happy shaves,

Jim