late to the party, making up for lost time

[bartje-p]

It is about time that I started writing my own experiences with wet shaving. Certainly since I have been doing that since 2020. On a Dutch forum, I posted my list of razors I have owned, and it would be good to have it all in a topic, that is, from now on ;-) Perhaps I will write down the list here as well, but not now. Something about me: male ;-) nearly 53 years old, Dutch, married, working, love padel and tennis.

I started back in 2020 with an EJ DE89, an EJ best badger brush, some Proraso white, Nivea after shave balm. From then on, I was lost. Tried quite a few DE razors, experimented a lot with Schick injector razors, as well as with some AC type razors. Since about a year or so, I have gone back to just 1 platform of classical razors, the DE. Also gone from badger to boar to synthetic brushed. Since this month, I have 1 boar brush again, next to my synthetics.

I also went from mild (EJ DE89), to more efficient (Fatip Grande, Lupo95, Blackbird), to even more aggressive (like R41), but now I have come back to the start. With my improved technique, I noticed I like the milder razors better. I also upgraded in the soap department, although I still like Proraso (or other cheaper soaps) as well.

That's me and my journey in a nutshell so far. Will periodically post here to keep you guys updated on my shaves and my experiences with some of the products used.

For now, I will end with the (few) products I currently own and all use. I am not a collector, so everything I have is being used or sold / exchanged.

Razors:
Tatara Masamune with SB and OC plates
Karve Overlander
Karve Christopher Bradley with SB-C and OC-B plates
Razorock Game Changer .68 -P and -OC . I also have an .84-P plate, but don't use that one anymore
Mühle R106 (a R89 with a black handle). I only use(d) this one on holidays.

The Lupo has left, the Mühle is not in the photo.

Brushes:
Razorock Plissoft (synth)
Frank Shaving - Pur-tech (synth)
Mühle - Silvertip Fibre (size M, synth)
Omega - 10108 (boar)

Soaps:
Martin de Candre - Nature
Martin de Candre - Vétyver
Saponificio Varesino - Mirto di Sardegna
Proraso - Eucalyptus & menthol
Stirling - Naked & Smooth
Stirling - Sheep

And a photo of my last shave (from today), which included the last December buys (Omega and SV soap):

 

[Eric_75]

Welcome to the Journals and Diaries, sir.

I don't have one myself but I'm a regular around these parts.

I used to love playing tennis but since I tore the MTP joint in my right foot it just isn't possible anymore.

One of my heroes.

 

[bartje-p]

thanks @Eric_75 and I can only imagine how it must be to not play tennis anymore, so sorry for you. Though I must admit I am more into padel than tennis recently, but both are great sports.

btw, I love your PIF's for the community, very generous every time!

 

[Eric_75]

thanks @Eric_75 and I can only imagine how it must be to not play tennis anymore, so sorry for you. Though I must admit I am more into padel than tennis recently, but both are great sports.

btw, I love your PIF's for the community, very generous every time!

Thank you for your kind words, friend.

I look forward to following your journal.

 

[thombrogan]

Thank you for sharing your journal, @bartje-p !

Your writings in the BORG club thread may have inspired me to try a 0.68OC cap, but Sinterklaas makes non-Dutch people wait until 25 December to see if that will happen.

 

[bartje-p]

Since new stuff gets more use, I used the SV soap again today. This time with the trusty Mühle STF brush.

wow…… lather explosion. I only do 2 passes, but I think I had enough lather for 3+ today. This soap is right in my wheelhouse, very nice scent, classical, fresh. All in all, very glad with my Sinterklaas gifts (soap and Omega brush).

I mostly bin my blades after a max of 5 times. Today I used the Feather for the 6th time. Still comfortable in the brass Overlander, but could be better. So my rule-of-5 stands strong.

 

[Goblin]

Hi, @bartje-p! (Do we call you Bart?)

I am very interested to read your journal. I realised the other day from looking at some of your posts that our collections of modern CNC razors will soon be almost identical. I think we have both owned and sold a few of the same modern razors too.

Razors:
Tatara Masamune with SB and OC plates -I have the OC Masamune and a complete Nodachi
Karve Overlander - On order
Karve Christopher Bradley with SB-C and OC-B plates - On order
Razorock Game Changer .68 -P and -OC . I also have an .84-P plate, but don't use that one anymore - A 0.68 OC complete razor should arrive at Goblin Towers today, and I already have the same 0.68 and 0.84 SB plates as you.
Mühle R106 (a R89 with a black handle). I only use(d) this one on holidays. - I owned and sold an r89 but I still have a de89 head I use on SS handles sometimes.

I still have my Lupo 0.72 (sold the 0.95) and I have a bunch of zamak razors, Fatips and vintage razors too, but there is definitely a lot of similarity here.

Congratulations on your excellent taste!

 

[Teutonblade]

Welcome!

 

[bartje-p]

Thanks @Goblin . Since these are quite popular razors - with a reason - I assume there are more guys with more or less the same collection. But good to read I’m not the only

 

[Flanders]

I was afraid you might become less active here until I saw one of your posts recently, I probably just don’t watch the threads that you post on. I am glad to have an easy place to find your posts!

 

[bartje-p]

And @Goblin yes, my name indeed is just Bart, doesn’t get more Dutch than that

 

[bartje-p]

I was afraid you might become less active here until I saw one of your posts recently, I probably just don’t watch the threads that you post on. I am glad to have an easy place to find your posts!

I indeed am less active, but that is mainly because I am hardly working from home anymore, so barely have the opportunity to take pics with daylight. But I’ll try to come back more regularly. But certainly visit almost daily and still love to read all topics of the others!

 

[bartje-p]

I was going for a no-nonsense shave today, and that worked out fine ;-) The GC is a very friendly razor with heavier handles, but with this lighter vintage thin bar it feels like a Tech (weight wise). Very easy shaver. Personally, I think this razor benefits from a bit heavier handle, like the HD or Super Knurl, with which I normally use it.

The Omega has opened up nicely already and is very soft. Still loses a few hairs with each shave, but I think that will stop shortly. If not, at least I have a handle left ;-)

Razorock - Game Changer 0.68-P
Gillette - Perma-sharp stainless (1)
Omega - 10108
Stirling - Naked & Smooth
Speick - Active AS
Balea - Men Ultra Sensitive ASB

 

[MaineYooper]

Welcome, and I look forwardd to your entries.

 

[bartje-p]

Today I took out the Karve Christopher Bradley again, this time with the SB-C plate. In my notes, I see I have used the OC-B plate more often than this one, but after today I am not sure anymore why. This could easily be the only razor I have, it ticks all the boxes for me. I tried it with another handle today as well, but the balance with the original one (3.5") is better. The Perma-sharp I used was doing fine too on it's second use.

Absolutely effortless, comfortable and smooth shave.

Furthermore, I have some other quite expensive soaps (MdC and SV), but the Proraso green from a tube I used again today amazes me every time I use it. For €3,99 (in the Netherlands) it gives you probably the best value for money. Or at least very good value for money.

I read a lot of love for the Overlander here and there, but I still believe this Christopher Bradley is at least as good as its brother. And it looks better imho.

 

[MaineYooper]

And it looks better imho.

Them's almost fightin' werds!! Luckily I've had coffee and 'tis the season of good will and all!!
The Christopher Bradley was The One for me, B plate and on occasion the C plate, until I tried the Overlander. Like a silly goof, I sold my CB. A new iteration has been added now, to right that wrong, a stainless CB with the G-Tech handle. I have a B plate and wide-body cap on order from Chris, so maybe in 2025 I will get them?!

 

[bartje-p]

Don’t worry @MaineYooper you are not alone. I also owned a Karve CB with both plates, as well as a Masamune with both plates before and sold them. This year, the regret got the better of me, and luckily I was able to buy them again from fellow Dutch forum guys. And not a minute regret, both razors will probably never leave the house again.

But hey…. In my case, never say never…..

 

[bartje-p]

3rd time for this soap, and what a pleasure it is. This scent is exactly right for me, fresh, classical, subtle. Love it. And the skin feels great after the shave. No regrets buying this soap, that is for sure.

Took out the GC again today, this time with the OC plate (which was kindly pif-fed to me by @nlife earlier this year) and the super knurl handle. Somehow I like this handle best on the GC. Also tried it with a Lupo earlier, but didn't feel as good as with the GC. I like the Lupo better with the HD or Ufo handle (and the vintage thick and thin ones).

I bought this brush from a fellow Dutch guy in a facebook group. It has been in my rotation ever since, very comfortable, soft, but strong enough to easily load from a hard puck. I believe FS doesn't make this one anymore, but he has plenty of others.

All in all a lovely shave today, certainly smooth enough to skip tomorrow. And after that, it is time for a short break (nearly 2 weeks) from work, which I am really looking forward to.

 

[nlife]

It's nice to see you're still grabbing the OC every now and then. I was shaving with the 68P for the longest time, but then picked up a Lupo .58. The relationship started off a bit rough since I had to change my habits from being able to whip the 68P around with near reckless abandon to finding a blade combination and new shave angle. I seem to be honing in on the technique though.

 

[bartje-p]

It's nice to see you're still grabbing the OC every now and then. I was shaving with the 68P for the longest time, but then picked up a Lupo .58. The relationship started off a bit rough since I had to change my habits from being able to whip the 68P around with near reckless abandon to finding a blade combination and new shave angle. I seem to be honing in on the technique though.

in the meanwhile I also acquired a Lupo 58, as well as the DC baseplate. But sold both again. The 58 was a great shaver too, but it didn’t bring anything new for me compared to my other razors. Except some more bladefeel (though still remaining comfortable, but I just like less bladefeel. Hence I prefer the GC 68 over the Lupo 58.