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.