Mumblings of a 20-year-old shaver

[Letsgoalready]

Today’s shave 10/17/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (2)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Song of the Shave: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters

Rating: 8 CCS

Used the Tech again today, still taking some getting used to. I feel like I am getting no feedback from my face, like I can't feel like I've got the right angle like I do with my other razor. Overall a really smooth shave on my neck and face but didn't get it all around my jawline. Lather was better today. Same gear as yesterday.

 

[Goblin]

I find that the Tech is very angle sensitive, but when you get it right it's deceptively efficient for what is usually considered a "mild" razor.

I have other razors that work better for me and routine, but if I had to nominate a razor for "best design ever" I think the pre-war Tech is a strong contender!

 

[Phoenixkh]

Welcome to the B&B community from Gainesville, Florida.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Today’s shave 10/20/24:

Pre-Shave: Wiping my face down with a hot towel
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gentleman Jon DE
Blade: Vikings Sword Stainless Blade (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

Song of the Shave: Personality by Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers

Rating: 9 CCS+++

I had received these blades from a PIF and I read that some people didn't like them, well that couldn't be me. This blade gave me the closest shave I have had in recent memory, as close to a BBS as I have ever been. Some stubble only ATG on my jawline. I loved how it felt against my stubble. I could hear it slicing through it, I even enjoyed the tugging sensation as I felt like it was cutting every hair and not my skin. Maybe it was the lather too? It was really silky smooth. I find I like to almost wring the lather out of my brush as a final step and paint it on, on top of the current lather. I currently don't really have a good bowl to do bowl lather but a beautiful Captain's Choice bowl is going to be my next purchase. I used my Gentleman Jon DE because I am just more familiar with it. I had 3 days of stubble so that might have played into it. As a broke college student, any opportunity to try blades is a good one, and this blade is one I want to add to my arsenal. Can't wait to see how it holds up. I'll be posting my review there too.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Today’s shave 10/21/24:

(Didn't have time to post last night)

Pre-Shave: Wiping my face down with a hot towel
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gentleman Jon DE
Blade: Vikings Sword Stainless Blade (2)
After-Shave: Nivea sensitive balm

Song of the Shave: NOID by Tyler the Creator

Rating: 7.5 DFS

Last nights shave was rough, blade had a lot more tug and scrape. Still got good results but felt a little more aggressive. Will try one more shave with the blade but might get a new one. Will update tonight.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 10/23/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (3)
After-Shave: Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

Song of the Shave: Come Fly with Me by Frank Sinatra

Rating: 9 CCS

Went back to the usual as I just wanted an easy shave. Passes WTG, XTG, and ATG. Small little weeper on my chin that closed up quickly. Still getting used to the tech over my old razor and it is getting better. Still feel like the right angle is hard to get and I cant find the feedback from the blade. I'll get it down. Great lather today. Overall a pretty good shave

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 10/27/24:

Pre-Shave: Splash of water on the face
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Astra Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Deep Vanilla Bourbon

Song of the Shave: None

Rating: 7

Been a long week and had a rushed shave last night. Only did one WTG pass but still smooth. Went ATG up my chin and had a few tiny tiny red spots. Didn’t get to shave much last week or have time to post. Here’s to a better week!

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 10/28/24:

Pre-Shave: Splash of water on the face
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Gentleman Jon Badger
Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Astra Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Sensitive Balm

Song of the Shave: Baby Come Back by Player

Rating: 8.5 CCS

Good shave, Im liking my badger brush a lot for face lather because it’s smaller and softer. I dropped my old blade as I was cleaning it so I just grabbed a new one. Very close very nice shave with no irritation. I was just too tired to post haha. Using a different razor and blade tonight.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 10/29/24:

Pre-Shave: Steaming Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Astra Platinum (2)
After-Shave: Nivea Vanilla Bourbon.

Song of the Shave: How Long by Ace

Rating:9 CCS

Really silky smooth lather yesterday, soft smooth shave with good glide. No weepers or irritation. Mostly WTG and ATG in some places on top of that. XTG on my jawline but still cant seem to get it all. Overall great shave

 

[Letsgoalready]

Yesterday’s shave 11/3/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (3)
After-Shave: Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

Song of the Shave: True Fine Love by Steve Miller Band

Rating: 9 CCS

6 days of growth to chop down. What a shave it was, smooth glide and with zero weepers and irritation. Good lather and face felt nice and soft. A little bit left XTG on my jaw. Took a trip to New York City over the weekend, was a great time!

 

[Letsgoalready]

I’m trying to plan for Christmas as my mom keeps bugging me for a list even as an adult, please drop any recommendations for soaps, aftershaves, and blades! I’m looking at a Henson Razor for the list but I’m in between the AL13 and the AL13M so if you have a strong opinion one way or another let me know! I’m also possibly looking at a new badger brush too. Thank you in advance!

List of what I already own:
Omega Boar Brush
Starter Set Badger Brush
Astra SP Blades
Gentleman Jon DE
Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Cella Aloe Vera Cream
Nivea Sensitive shave balm
Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

 

[bk200006]

I’m trying to plan for Christmas as my mom keeps bugging me for a list even as an adult, please drop any recommendations for soaps, aftershaves, and blades! I’m looking at a Henson Razor for the list but I’m in between the AL13 and the AL13M so if you have a strong opinion one way or another let me know! I’m also possibly looking at a new badger brush too. Thank you in advance!

List of what I already own:
Omega Boar Brush
Starter Set Badger Brush
Astra SP Blades
Gentleman Jon DE
Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Cella Aloe Vera Cream
Nivea Sensitive shave balm
Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

Rather than buying full tubs of soap, it may be worth sending her a list of samples you'd like to try. Maggards razors has tons of samples available on their website. A few bucks per sample and you get ~5 shaves out of each. Not a huge investment and you're not stuck with a $20 tub of soap you won't use.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Rather than buying full tubs of soap, it may be worth sending her a list of samples you'd like to try. Maggards razors has tons of samples available on their website. A few bucks per sample and you get ~5 shaves out of each. Not a huge investment and you're not stuck with a $20 tub of soap you won't use.

Thank you for the idea! Any soaps from them you would recommend?

 

[bk200006]

If I had to choose one maker to grab a handful of samples from it would be Barrister and Mann. However, i'm partial. They're top tier for me and I own several full tubs of their soap. The next maker I will pick up 7-8 samples of will be Declaration Grooming. I have a sample of fake yellow light right now and it provides the best post-shave feel of any soap i've ever tried. Up to 12-15 hours after shaving my face still feels soft and baby like .

These are the ones i recommend trying from B&M. All fantastic.

Seville (every wet shaver should try this scent at least once)
Waves
Muir(e) Wood
Bay Rum
Spice
Le Grande Chypre (i didn't love this one but a lot of people do so it's worth a go)

 

[Goblin]

My recommendation - don't get a Henson, get a Razorock. Gamechanger 0.68 will be similar to your Tech, or you can go a bit more efficient with the 0.76.

 

[spacemonkey42]

I’m looking at a Henson Razor for the list but I’m in between the AL13 and the AL13M so if you have a strong opinion one way or another let me know!

I'd suggest the Henson medium. They are pretty similar and the medium will get you done faster and better. If you buy from Henson directly, you can also have a 100 day return policy if you don't like it, so no risk.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Today’s shave 11/6/24:

Pre-Shave: Hot Shower
Soap: Cella Aloe Vera Shaving Cream
Brush: Omega 48 Boar
Razor: Gillette Tech Made in Canada
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (1)
After-Shave: Nivea Vanilla Bourbon

Song of the Shave: None

Rating: 7

Quick shave today as I was in a hurry, under 8 minutes today. Lather was fine, little bit of irritation on my neck and chin. Hopefully a better shave tomorrow. Please keep dropping your recommendations!

 

[Letsgoalready]

I'd suggest the Henson medium. They are pretty similar and the medium will get you done faster and better. If you buy from Henson directly, you can also have a 100 day return policy if you don't like it, so no risk.

Love that return policy thank you!

 

[Letsgoalready]

My recommendation - don't get a Henson, get a Razorock. Gamechanger 0.68 will be similar to your Tech, or you can go a bit more efficient with the 0.76.

What makes you more partial to the Razorock? I like my tech but sometimes I feel like I'm missing feedback from it.

 

[Goblin]

What makes you more partial to the Razorock?

Honestly, pretty much everything - materials, design, ergonomics, weight, efficiency, etc. The Henson is a very good design, but I feel that the marketing overstates the benefits compared to traditional razors. As someone who was already using conventional DE razor for >10 years I didn't get on with it all. Their huge popularity seems mostly driven by their success marketing to young folks who are transitioning from cartridges.

Of course, the ideal solution is to try both and decide for yourself!