Quest for less technology

[blethenstrom]

Morning Shave - 02/27/25
Shave Number: 473
Passes: 2.5
Razor: Yaqi Tile 316
Blade: Personna Viking's Sword (5)
Soap: Palmolive Sensitive Shave Cream
Brush: Omega 50014 Travel Brush
Aftershave: Brut After Shave
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.75/10
Same story as the week goes on. Nice and close shave with no irritation. I am certainly not going to throw a fuss about this. The brush is a bit of a challenge, but it is a travel brush and quite small for my hands. Nice close shave just as it should be.

This morning I decided to face lather with my little travel brush instead. Btw I soaked the brush for 8 hours of so yesterday and towel stropped it and I can see some progress in the breaking in process. It does need more work, but it might not be as difficult of a customer as I thought. After this mornings shave I left it soaking as well so tonight I will take it out and towel strop it again. I can see some evidence that the tips are starting to split. Anyways, face lathering wit this brush is more of a challenge than bowl lathering. It does not hold much lather. If this is due to it not begin fully broken in et or just an effect of being a small brush I do not know.

Anyhow, I managed to get a very similar shave to those I have had earlier during this week. Smooth easy shaves. I have even less short stubble left on my chin so I am getting close to BBS, but not quite yet. I am sure that this razor is capable of it though and will in the near future. I am just impressed with it how little feedback I get from my Alum block post shave. Given the lack of blade feel I would say that this razor is close to neutral in blade exposure. If it is positive exposure it is not much. Yaqi does say the gap is 0.9 mm, but it does not list the exposure. Seems like it is suiting me well.

I am debating with myself if the Palmolive shave cream should be my travel soap. I have been eyeing a couple of travel shave soap sticks that I made a long time ago when I had my semi failed single lye (NaOH) only soap. I have used up all the pucks as bath soap and all I have left is a couple of shave sticks. I put some in these small containers thinking that it would be good for travel and maybe I need to test it out and see if it is. Now when I said it was a failed soap it is a statement that is not completely accurate. It is my normal BSS #1 base, but just using NaOH lye, which makes the soap VERY VERY hard. As a puck and brush loading it was difficult to use. However, I did try a few times to rub the puck on my face and just face lather that way and it works quite well. This means that the sticks I have might be perfect for travel since I would be using them that way. I might have to pull out one and try it.

I also like that this soap was put in these small 0.5 oz push up containers. They take up much less space than a full deodorant twist up container. These small containers should be good for at least 15 shaves, probably even more with the soap being so hard. This is plenty of soap for a pretty long trip. I might try it out.

You all have a wonderful day!

 

[blethenstrom]

Morning Shave - 02/28/25
Shave Number: 474
Passes: 2.5
Razor: Yaqi Tile 316
Blade: Personna Viking's Sword (6)
Soap: BSS #1 (Single Lye)
Brush: RazoRock Hive 24
Aftershave: Clubman VIBR
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.75/10
This razor is a consistency monster! It seems like every shave is identical to the previous. Now we will see if this holds true across razor blades. shave again was plenty close and very close to full BBS. Very smooth and no irritation.

Another fantastic shave by this razor. The razor is certainly growing on me and it has entered top three in my rankings, but we are only 6 shaves into it so I would take that with a grain of salt. Also the blade has been steadily been moving upward this week and I think this combination of razor and blade has done really really well so it does not come as a surprise.

The razor strikes a good balance between being smooth and begin efficient. It seems like it is making easy job of my stubble, but at the same time there has been no issues with shaving everyday and irritation either. I really like this combination. We will see in the coming weeks and months how this razor will fare with other blades. My suspicion is that it will do just fine and land among my top 5 razors longer term.

I spoke yesterday about my single lye (NaOH) shave soap sticks that I made long time ago. I decided to take one of those this morning and use it for my shave. These sticks are like rocks in hardness ......(resist teenage comment Boris...) anyways... I determined I was going to use one. I just used it as any normal shave soap stick. I wet my face and went to town. Yes it is VERY firm soap. It felt a bit rough goin on, but since I have not used it before the end was on the "sharp" side. Then I just used my trusty RR Hive 24 brush and it did not take much work before I had a nice lather. It acts and behaves like my normal BSS #1 but it is rock solid, almost brittle.

This is what happens when you have a very high stearic/palmitic percentage in a soap using only Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Lye. It is very difficult to load a brush from and the only sure way to use it, I have found, is to use it as a shave soap stick. I might try to use this one for a it and see where it goes. At least it should make for a very long lasting soap. I would not be surprised to find that my 15 ml small push-up tubes, that I put it in, will last 30 shaves. Now I need to test it with my travel brush.

You all have a joyous Friday!

 

[BigAlVista]

Im

Morning Shave - 02/28/25
Shave Number: 474
Passes: 2.5
Razor: Yaqi Tile 316
Blade: Personna Viking's Sword (6)
Soap: BSS #1 (Single Lye)
Brush: RazoRock Hive 24
Aftershave: Clubman VIBR
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.75/10
This razor is a consistency monster! It seems like every shave is identical to the previous. Now we will see if this holds true across razor blades. shave again was plenty close and very close to full BBS. Very smooth and no irritation.

Another fantastic shave by this razor. The razor is certainly growing on me and it has entered top three in my rankings, but we are only 6 shaves into it so I would take that with a grain of salt. Also the blade has been steadily been moving upward this week and I think this combination of razor and blade has done really really well so it does not come as a surprise.

The razor strikes a good balance between being smooth and begin efficient. It seems like it is making easy job of my stubble, but at the same time there has been no issues with shaving everyday and irritation either. I really like this combination. We will see in the coming weeks and months how this razor will fare with other blades. My suspicion is that it will do just fine and land among my top 5 razors longer term.

I spoke yesterday about my single lye (NaOH) shave soap sticks that I made long time ago. I decided to take one of those this morning and use it for my shave. These sticks are like rocks in hardness ......(resist teenage comment Boris...) anyways... I determined I was going to use one. I just used it as any normal shave soap stick. I wet my face and went to town. Yes it is VERY firm soap. It felt a bit rough goin on, but since I have not used it before the end was on the "sharp" side. Then I just used my trusty RR Hive 24 brush and it did not take much work before I had a nice lather. It acts and behaves like my normal BSS #1 but it is rock solid, almost brittle.

This is what happens when you have a very high stearic/palmitic percentage in a soap using only Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Lye. It is very difficult to load a brush from and the only sure way to use it, I have found, is to use it as a shave soap stick. I might try to use this one for a it and see where it goes. At least it should make for a very long lasting soap. I would not be surprised to find that my 15 ml small push-up tubes, that I put it in, will last 30 shaves. Now I need to test it with my travel brush.

You all have a joyous Friday!

When I get around to trying an MDC-like soap, I’ll likely try to do it without NaOH at all, just use KOH (like MDC does) and then let it cure for a year to get it hard (I’m really trying to avoid the self-effacing prurient remark here. It’s tough…).

 

[Jay21]

Morning Shave - 02/28/25
Shave Number: 474
Passes: 2.5
Razor: Yaqi Tile 316
Blade: Personna Viking's Sword (6)
Soap: BSS #1 (Single Lye)
Brush: RazoRock Hive 24
Aftershave: Clubman VIBR
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.75/10
This razor is a consistency monster! It seems like every shave is identical to the previous. Now we will see if this holds true across razor blades. shave again was plenty close and very close to full BBS. Very smooth and no irritation.

Another fantastic shave by this razor. The razor is certainly growing on me and it has entered top three in my rankings, but we are only 6 shaves into it so I would take that with a grain of salt. Also the blade has been steadily been moving upward this week and I think this combination of razor and blade has done really really well so it does not come as a surprise.

The razor strikes a good balance between being smooth and begin efficient. It seems like it is making easy job of my stubble, but at the same time there has been no issues with shaving everyday and irritation either. I really like this combination. We will see in the coming weeks and months how this razor will fare with other blades. My suspicion is that it will do just fine and land among my top 5 razors longer term.

I spoke yesterday about my single lye (NaOH) shave soap sticks that I made long time ago. I decided to take one of those this morning and use it for my shave. These sticks are like rocks in hardness ......(resist teenage comment Boris...) anyways... I determined I was going to use one. I just used it as any normal shave soap stick. I wet my face and went to town. Yes it is VERY firm soap. It felt a bit rough goin on, but since I have not used it before the end was on the "sharp" side. Then I just used my trusty RR Hive 24 brush and it did not take much work before I had a nice lather. It acts and behaves like my normal BSS #1 but it is rock solid, almost brittle.

This is what happens when you have a very high stearic/palmitic percentage in a soap using only Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Lye. It is very difficult to load a brush from and the only sure way to use it, I have found, is to use it as a shave soap stick. I might try to use this one for a it and see where it goes. At least it should make for a very long lasting soap. I would not be surprised to find that my 15 ml small push-up tubes, that I put it in, will last 30 shaves. Now I need to test it with my travel brush.

You all have a joyous Friday!

I see the Yaqi Tile, but no GSB loaded into it. The shame.

 

[blethenstrom]

Im

When I get around to trying an MDC-like soap, I’ll likely try to do it without NaOH at all, just use KOH (like MDC does) and then let it cure for a year to get it hard (I’m really trying to avoid the self-effacing prurient remark here. It’s tough…).

Yes a KOH only soap will be great to test. However, please note that MdC is also using salt which will harden the soap. It probably will be softer without, but maybe not too soft either since it is a lot of stearic acid in it. Actually coconut oil will also make for a pretty hard soap.

 

[blethenstrom]

I see the Yaqi Tile, but no GSB loaded into it. The shame.

There is not a blade-that-shall-not-be-named in the tile at the moment. Down the road I will however have to work through my left over ones from the bonanza. It will be a time of lots of prayer, confession and repentance, but I will make it through. I did use one of those horrible blades during the bonanza and it seared my skin with every stroke.

 

[BigAlVista]

Yes a KOH only soap will be great to test. However, please note that MdC is also using salt which will harden the soap. It probably will be softer without, but maybe not too soft either since it is a lot of stearic acid in it. Actually coconut oil will also make for a pretty hard soape

Yep, I noted the salt addition and even went so far as to taste it to get a sense of how much to add. Getting the proportions right will be tricky since I have no idea what the water load is, what the superfat percentage is, nor the ratio of Coconut oil to Stearic acid. I’ve been looking at people’s on-line recipes, but haven’t found one that rings authentic. I think I remember reading that MDC uses a lot of water, but I don’t know if that means 3:1, 4:1, or something else entirely. Noting that the sequence of ingredients is Stearic acid first, then water, then coconut oil, I have some general thoughts, but for now, there are a lot more unknowns than I’d like. Could mean a lot of (wasteful) experimentation, particularly given the cure time.

 

[blethenstrom]

Yep, I noted the salt addition and even went so far as to taste it to get a sense of how much to add. Getting the proportions right will be tricky since I have no idea what the water load is, what the superfat percentage is, nor the ratio of Coconut oil to Stearic acid. I’ve been looking at people’s on-line recipes, but haven’t found one that rings authentic. I think I remember reading that MDC uses a lot of water, but I don’t know if that means 3:1, 4:1, or something else entirely. Noting that the sequence of ingredients is Stearic acid first, then water, then coconut oil, I have some general thoughts, but for now, there are a lot more unknowns than I’d like. Could mean a lot of (wasteful) experimentation, particularly given the cure time.

I think in that thread in the other forum they used like 68% of Stearic acid, 32% of Coconut oil or so. It will not be super critical. Water amount is not super important either, since it will evaporate off during the curing period. If you use too much it will just take longer and shrink the soap more. Salt is pretty far down so they may just add a teaspoon or so per lb of total oils/fats. That is probably 12g salt per 500g fats/oils or thereabouts. Since this is a KOH only soap you can probably add more without adverse effect. 10% glycerin and you are set. Just make small batches to try it out. This combination will certainly work as a shave soap.

 

[thombrogan]

resist teenage comment Boris...

I’m really trying to avoid the self-effacing prurient remark here. It’s tough…

 

[BigAlVista]

I think in that thread in the other forum they used like 68% of Stearic acid, 32% of Coconut oil or so. It will not be super critical. Water amount is not super important either, since it will evaporate off during the curing period. If you use too much it will just take longer and shrink the soap more. Salt is pretty far down so they may just add a teaspoon or so per lb of total oils/fats. That is probably 12g salt per 500g fats/oils or thereabouts. Since this is a KOH only soap you can probably add more without adverse effect. 10% glycerin and you are set. Just make small batches to try it out. This combination will certainly work as a shave soap.

Thank you, Sir. You are a scholar and a gentleman.

 

[Guido75]

Im

When I get around to trying an MDC-like soap, I’ll likely try to do it without NaOH at all, just use KOH (like MDC does) and then let it cure for a year to get it hard (I’m really trying to avoid the self-effacing prurient remark here. It’s tough…).

You don’t have to…my inner dialogue took care of that for you…

 

[spacemonkey42]

Another fantastic shave by this razor. The razor is certainly growing on me and it has entered top three in my rankings, but we are only 6 shaves into it so I would take that with a grain of salt. Also the blade has been steadily been moving upward this week and I think this combination of razor and blade has done really really well so it does not come as a surprise.

I'm thrilled you like it, Boris. I'm very interested to hear what you think of it with a sharper blade. I find it works best with sharper, and the Viking Sword are just barely sharp enough for my whiskers.

 

[blethenstrom]

I'm thrilled you like it, Boris. I'm very interested to hear what you think of it with a sharper blade. I find it works best with sharper, and the Viking Sword are just barely sharp enough for my whiskers.

I do have some BIC Astor coming up in the next months. For me the Viking Sword has been sufficiently sharp. In actuality most blades are sharp enough for me but I fully understand if that is not the case for everyone. YMMV at it's fullest.

It had been a very nice ride with the Tile so far. Hopefully it will continue. Cheers!

 

[Sweeney_]

Boris, I had my first run with BSS#3 Bay Rum/ Tallow this evening.

Chose my Guerrilla with 84 plate and a fresh PolSilver Iridium Super.
This stuff is the Cat's Meow. So creamy and the post-shave face feel was amazing. For background, my go- to soaps are Stirling Unscented w Beeswax, Canada Shaving Soap, Declaration Grooming, A&E, etc. So not exactly the cheap end of the spectrum, but I have to be honest and say this #3 BSS lathers up quicker in the bowl and also stayed on my face longer without drying and dissipating. The scent was very light, my preference since I usually roll with unscented by choice but not always.
I never doubted your skill but find myself a bit surprised that this is right up there with my top tier soaps... dare I say better? I don't want to swell your head too much but man... I am impressed.

I plan to stay with this for a week or so and then try the lard version.
Bravo Sir, bravo!

Thank you for your kindness and sending me the soap.

 

[blethenstrom]

Boris, I had my first run with BSS#3 Bay Rum/ Tallow this evening.

Chose my Guerrilla with 84 plate and a fresh PolSilver Iridium Super.
This stuff is the Cat's Meow. So creamy and the post-shave face feel was amazing. For background, my go- to soaps are Stirling Unscented w Beeswax, Canada Shaving Soap, Declaration Grooming, A&E, etc. So not exactly the cheap end of the spectrum, but I have to be honest and say this #3 BSS lathers up quicker in the bowl and also stayed on my face longer without drying and dissipating. The scent was very light, my preference since I usually roll with unscented by choice but not always.
I never doubted your skill but find myself a bit surprised that this is right up there with my top tier soaps... dare I say better? I don't want to swell your head too much but man... I am impressed.

I plan to stay with this for a week or so and then try the lard version.
Bravo Sir, bravo!

Thank you for your kindness and sending me the soap.

It made my evening that you liked the soap! Thank you for those kind words and the review of it. My tallow soap is one fairly new shave soap base for me so this makes me very happy.

Yes the scent is light and that is how I usually keep my soaps. I prefer lighter and simple scented soaps. Besides I'm suffering from long covid and my sense of smell has become much less sensitive and even have a hard time differentiating smells sometimes. Therefore I usually go pretty safe on them.

Again thank you for testing it out for me and I am looking forward to hear how subsequent shave goes and your take on the other soaps as well. Have a great evening.

 

[Osyri]

There is not a blade-that-shall-not-be-named in the tile at the moment. Down the road I will however have to work through my left over ones from the bonanza. It will be a time of lots of prayer, confession and repentance, but I will make it through. I did use one of those horrible blades during the bonanza and it seared my skin with every stroke.

Movie : GSB-ception 2

Darth Osyris once again enters the dream of Boris and witness him taking a GSB blade from his safe, loaded it up, and SHAVED with it, that satisfying look, that smile, and that hand gestures of running his fingers across his face of pure and true Babybutt Smoothness. Boris notices the Darth, and in order to keep his hidden affection for GSB, will at no cost try all method and ways to keep Darth Osyris silence.

A series of fights and battle with Michael Bay explosions effects will feast your eyes, Will Osyris survive, will Boris keep his secret, Why is Uncle Thom making a cameo in this movie? Find out in the movie coming soon at a GSB temple Threatre near you.

 

[Eric_75]

@Osyri This place isn't the same without you nephew Corey. Please continue to check in with us when you can.

- Uncle Eric

Also, please tell your uncle "the ragin' cajun" we miss him.

 

[blethenstrom]

Movie : GSB-ception 2

Darth Osyris once again enters the dream of Boris and witness him taking a GSB blade from his safe, loaded it up, and SHAVED with it, that satisfying look, that smile, and that hand gestures of running his fingers across his face of pure and true Babybutt Smoothness. Boris notices the Darth, and in order to keep his hidden affection for GSB, will at no cost try all method and ways to keep Darth Osyris silence.

A series of fights and battle with Michael Bay explosions effects will feast your eyes, Will Osyris survive, will Boris keep his secret, Why is Uncle Thom making a cameo in this movie? Find out in the movie coming soon at a GSB temple Threatre near you.

The story continues........ Boris goes to the backroom, where none can see him, removes the blade from the razor just to reveal that he had planted a false label on the blade. The true blade was a Dorco Prime blade and he smiles and looks at the label and the blade and says: "I hope that this will be enough for me to convince those sinners that I am part of them". Boris was trying to infiltrate the cult and expose it for what it truly is and the heinous acts that happens within it's walls. Boris does have a secret indeed, but it is not what Darth Osyris had planned. Boris is trying to take down this abomination from the inside. Boris wakes up from his dream, smiles and realize that this is in actuality not a dream, but a perfect way of exposing the cult and break it down. Boris also understands that this might not end well for him, but he is willing to sacrifice everything to eradicate this stain on the world.

 

[ShavedPeeps]

sacrifice everything to eradicate this stain on the world

You will be sainted and remembered as others shout your name as a battle cry.

 

[Eric_75]

You will be sainted and remembered as others shout your name as a battle cry.

Don't encourage the heretics, my friend.