The 2025: 1-Blade, 1-Week, *Daily Shaving Adventure

[m949]

Week 5: BIC Astor

Razor: Yaqi Vostok 1.05 DC on Razorock Superknurl handle
Blade: BIC Astor (4/5)(2)
Brush: Arno 26mm, G5 synthetic, Classic #12 handle
Soap: Fine Accroutements - Platinum (sample)
A/S: Twoface Brothers - Golden Supreme - Everest (sample)
Aftercare: Thayer's Witch Hazel Unscented
EdP: Le Goût De Peau - The Traveler Collection - Lei Gong Mountain (sample)

Wishing all B&B members a Happy Chinese New Year full of health, luck and prosperity !

The BIC Astor is the perfect blade for the Yaqi Vostok, as it feels less aggressive than other blades I've tried in this razor. This is true both for the OC and SB side of this head. I achieved a nice and easy DFS+ in two passes WTG (1x OC, 1x SB) with a few touchups (SB). I had two weepers on the neck, but my styptic pencil was more than sufficient to deal with those injuries.

 

[m949]

Week 5: BIC Astor

Razor: Yates Precision 921-EH solid bar, stainless steel
Blade: BIC Astor (4/5)(3)
Brush: Yaqi synthetic
Soap: Fine Accoutrements - Italian Citrus (sample)
A/S: Westman - Citrus Breeze Aftershave Emulsion Balm (sample)
EdP: Hermes - Le Jardin de Monsieur Li (sample)

Concluding week 5 with the BIC Astor in the Yates 921 with the EH plate. This is quite the efficient razor and Yates' most aggressive plate. As I mentioned before, I wanted to see whether the BIC Astor can provide a better shave on the third use with a highly efficient razor. Sadly, that is not the case.

For me, the Astor just loses performance after shave No. 2, but it doesn't start to deteriorate to the point where the shave would be uncomfortable in any way. In defense of the Astor I have to add that I skipped a full ATG pass today. I did some ATG cleanup though. With the 921-EH being a bit of a beast, a slightly higher rating than DFS+ wasn't worth any possible post-shave irritation. I had a small weeper on the jawline, where I needed the styptic pencil.

As the BIC Astor is a rather smooth blade, it matched quite well with the EH plate. Much sharper blades tend to dial up the aggression of the Yates 921-EH quite a bit.

 

[cranewarrior]

Week 5 Ends - BIC Chrome Platinum

Smooth, sharp, durable (4 shaves with no noticeable signs by me of dulling). A top blade for me.

 

[ShavingPrimate]

Week 5 Ends - BIC Chrome Platinum

Smooth, sharp, durable (4 shaves with no noticeable signs by me of dulling). A top blade for me.

View attachment 1986828

For most people, the BIC CP is everything a Feather is and for a whole lot less money!

 

[1e4]

2025 Week 05:
RazoRock Game Changer 1.05P
Gillette Silver Blue (no. 3 / 5)
D.R. Harris Lavender

2025 Week 04:
RazoRock Game Changer 0.84P
Gillette Silver Blue (no. 2 / 5)
Tabac

The GC 0.84P is a perfectly sufficient do-everything, everyday razor. However, as I often favor high blade gaps, we’ll put it to the test against the 1.05.

2025 Shave Count: 45