Razor: Ronson Shaves & Sharpens
Blade: Schick Platinum Plus Injector
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Copaiba Rose
Brush: Simpson Commodore X2 best
Post: Thayers, Shannon's Copaiba Rose
Ten. Always a great shave with this razor.
What did you use today? +Rate the shave 1-10 (10 best)
- Thread starter Bleedrunner
- Start date
Razor: Ronson Shaves & Sharpens
Blade: Schick Platinum Plus Injector
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Copaiba Rose
Brush: Simpson Commodore X2 best
Post: Thayers, Shannon's Copaiba Rose
Ten. Always a great shave with this razor.
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: Yaqi The Final Cut
Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (2)
Brush: Yaqi synthetic
Soap: Cella red
AS: Old Spice Classic
Balm: Nivea Sensitive Skin Post Shave Balm
Scent: Prada L’Homme
Rating: 7
I struggled on my rating of this shave. On one hand, I got one of the closest shaves of my life. On the other hand, I got a large nick and it just was generally uncomfortable. I started at 1 for the first pass, 3 for the second and 5 for the third. Maybe my technique will improve and it won’t be so scary, lol.
Worth noting is I used Col. Conk Bay Rum soap on my first pass. It’s awful. Try as I might, I could not get the lather right on my face. It seemed ok, but would thin out after 10 seconds. I tried more/less water and it just wouldn’t cooperate, so I moved on to the Cella.
Razor: Yaqi The Final Cut
Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum (2)
Brush: Yaqi synthetic
Soap: Cella red
AS: Old Spice Classic
Balm: Nivea Sensitive Skin Post Shave Balm
Scent: Prada L’Homme
Rating: 7
I struggled on my rating of this shave. On one hand, I got one of the closest shaves of my life. On the other hand, I got a large nick and it just was generally uncomfortable. I started at 1 for the first pass, 3 for the second and 5 for the third. Maybe my technique will improve and it won’t be so scary, lol.
Worth noting is I used Col. Conk Bay Rum soap on my first pass. It’s awful. Try as I might, I could not get the lather right on my face. It seemed ok, but would thin out after 10 seconds. I tried more/less water and it just wouldn’t cooperate, so I moved on to the Cella.
Pre-Scrub: "Erase Your Face" Foaming Face Wash, and "CW Beggs and Sons" Face Scrub
Brush: RazoRock 400 Synthetic with Noir Plissoft Knot
Lather: Barrister and Mann 42
Razor: Karve Bison
Blade: Gillette London Bridge
AS: Clubman Reserve Whiskey Woods
And, one of my all-time favorite tunes...
Brush: RazoRock 400 Synthetic with Noir Plissoft Knot
Lather: Barrister and Mann 42
Razor: Karve Bison
Blade: Gillette London Bridge
AS: Clubman Reserve Whiskey Woods
And, one of my all-time favorite tunes...
Thanks!
Thank you so much, Dave!
1934 Aristocrat
Nacet
Captain's Choice Copper Lather Bowl
Rudy Vey Shavemac 26mm 2 Band
MdC Rose
Lucky Old Man
10/10
Nacet
Captain's Choice Copper Lather Bowl
Rudy Vey Shavemac 26mm 2 Band
MdC Rose
Lucky Old Man
10/10
SOTD: 04/04/2025
Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium, 1st use
Brush: Oumo Immersion Gold ST-1
Bowl: Cayuen Dark Nebula Bowl
Soap: Goodfellas Smile Shibusa 2
Aftershave: Goodfellas Smile Shibusa 2
Balm: PAA Mysterium Serum
Additional Care: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented)
My first time using Shibusa 2 and I absolutely love it. A deliciously sweet fragrance bursting with vanilla, almond and ylang-ylang. What I love most about the TiBird is its control. The long handle, light weight, and high efficiency give you an almost surgical precision. BBS
Wishing you a great weekend!
Razor: Blackland Blackbird Ti
Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium, 1st use
Brush: Oumo Immersion Gold ST-1
Bowl: Cayuen Dark Nebula Bowl
Soap: Goodfellas Smile Shibusa 2
Aftershave: Goodfellas Smile Shibusa 2
Balm: PAA Mysterium Serum
Additional Care: Thayers Witch Hazel (Unscented)
My first time using Shibusa 2 and I absolutely love it. A deliciously sweet fragrance bursting with vanilla, almond and ylang-ylang. What I love most about the TiBird is its control. The long handle, light weight, and high efficiency give you an almost surgical precision. BBS
Wishing you a great weekend!
Pre-Shave: scalding shower with B&M Cologne Russe soap
Bowl/Scuttle: PAA Spacescape Lather Scuttle 4.0
Soap: Wholly Kaw - Man from Mayfair
Brush: Parker Premium Handmade, 3-Band Pure Badger with Rosewood Handle
Razor: Rockwell 6C
Blade: Feather
Post-Shave: Wholly Kaw - Man from Mayfair aftershave
DFS
Bowl/Scuttle: PAA Spacescape Lather Scuttle 4.0
Soap: Wholly Kaw - Man from Mayfair
Brush: Parker Premium Handmade, 3-Band Pure Badger with Rosewood Handle
Razor: Rockwell 6C
Blade: Feather
Post-Shave: Wholly Kaw - Man from Mayfair aftershave
DFS
April 4
Razor: Gillette New LC (replated in nickel)
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (1)
Brush: Semogue 620 boar
P/S: AoS Lemon shaving cream (diluted)
Soap: Speick
A/S: Dickinson's witch hazel
A/S: Homemade lemon+lemongrass+eucalyptus+menthol
DFS++
Razor: Gillette New LC (replated in nickel)
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (1)
Brush: Semogue 620 boar
P/S: AoS Lemon shaving cream (diluted)
Soap: Speick
A/S: Dickinson's witch hazel
A/S: Homemade lemon+lemongrass+eucalyptus+menthol
DFS++
First Gem Shave Back to the NZ travelling box for a relaxing and meditative shaving experience.
I applied Floid pre-shave oil after a hot shower. Proraso Single Blade Wood and Spice shaving cream never disappoints! However, the unnamed, tiny little piglet brush wasn't a standout performer. It needed to be reloaded between passes.
The Gem is certainly an interesting razor. This one is very top heavy due to the aluminium handle. I started off with gentle strokes, and the audible feedback sounds like pulling two pieces of Velcro apart. I tentatively shaved withaying close attention to the angle, The shave was quite smooth, and three full passes left me with a DFS+ finish. However, the AV Musk hit me with a vengeance... a lot of sensitivity, attesting to a fair few nicks on the jawline.
Would I do it again? Probably, because I enjoy exploring the variety of shaving kit out there. Would I use the Gem as a daily driver? Definitely not!
Face: 2.9/3 Neck: 2.7/3
Irritation, Nicks, Weepers: 2/3 Zen: 1/1
Score: 8.6/10
Last edited:
Brush: Black Eagle “Cheetah” 2020 Covid 25mm HT2
Blade: Perma Sharp
Soap: GD “Vetevert” Kairos SE, still one of my favorites
Razor: WR2 Ti SB 1.25 w/ Timeless Ti Crown
Handle
Doug
Blade: Perma Sharp
Soap: GD “Vetevert” Kairos SE, still one of my favorites
Razor: WR2 Ti SB 1.25 w/ Timeless Ti Crown
HandleDoug
...Would I do it again? Probably, because I enjoy exploring the variety of shaving kit out there. Would I use the Gem as a daily driver? Definitely not!
As you practice more with the GEM razors, things usually improve a lot. Hopefully, you're using the 3-facet PTFE coated stainless blades! If you maintain the angle suggested by the razor, use very little pressure, soon you'll find yourself going into autopilot mode.
Used a Gillette Bostonian and a Perma-Sharp Stainless blade. With a light touch I got a 10.
Friday 20250404
Razor: Gillette England Red Tip
Blade: Kai (Shaves: 6, Passes: 18)
Brush: Wild West Brushworks Invasion (TNS 26mm Original BOSS Fan)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Taconic Bay Rum Shave Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Clubman Pinaud Special Reserve
Another outstanding shaving experience with the English Red Tip!
Superb 3-Pass DFS
Razor: Gillette England Red Tip
Blade: Kai (Shaves: 6, Passes: 18)
Brush: Wild West Brushworks Invasion (TNS 26mm Original BOSS Fan)
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper
Lather: Taconic Bay Rum Shave Cream
Post-shave Balm: Nivea
Aftershave: Clubman Pinaud Special Reserve
Another outstanding shaving experience with the English Red Tip!
Superb 3-Pass DFS
The Cube
Parker Variant, 2
Treet Durasharp, Blue
Omega Boar
Proraso Blue
Alum/Thayers
Nivea ASB/Clubman Special Reserve
9/10
Three for three. Three nights in a row near BBS shaves. Tonight I'm probably being a little picky but I can feel a little stubble still near my adams apple. All in all, another great shave. I probably could have done a bit more clean up but I didn't want to risk irritation. The Treet Durasharp was so smooth I was tempted to chase the BBS. The Bic Chrome Platinum, Gillette Nacet and Treet Durasharp Blue have all been excellent. I'm glad the Treet's worked out. I got 200 of them for 10 bucks. Lol
Parker Variant, 2
Treet Durasharp, Blue
Omega Boar
Proraso Blue
Alum/Thayers
Nivea ASB/Clubman Special Reserve
9/10
Three for three. Three nights in a row near BBS shaves. Tonight I'm probably being a little picky but I can feel a little stubble still near my adams apple. All in all, another great shave. I probably could have done a bit more clean up but I didn't want to risk irritation. The Treet Durasharp was so smooth I was tempted to chase the BBS. The Bic Chrome Platinum, Gillette Nacet and Treet Durasharp Blue have all been excellent. I'm glad the Treet's worked out. I got 200 of them for 10 bucks. Lol
Razor: Rocnel Sailor
Blade: Nacet
Brush: Captains Custom synthetic Fiber
Bowl: Captains Choice Commander
Pre-shave: Proraso Blue Protective
Soap: SV 80th Anniversary
Aftershave: SV 80th Anniversary
First up of the adjustable playoffs tonight is the Rocnel Sailor which is the most beautiful of the adjustables in my den. It's been a while since I used it last so I set it on 2 for a head shave. One pass WTG. Turned it down to 1 for a single pass ATG, a little buffing and done. I forgot how well this razor shaves. It has a different feel. Efficient and smooth. Hold a light touch and let the heft of the razor do the work. For the face shave I left the setting on 1 since I have been face shaving daily and just looking for a mild shave tonight. One pass each WTG, ATG and XTG and done. Nice close shave. No drama. No nicks or irritation and BBS. 10/10
Blade: Nacet
Brush: Captains Custom synthetic Fiber
Bowl: Captains Choice Commander
Pre-shave: Proraso Blue Protective
Soap: SV 80th Anniversary
Aftershave: SV 80th Anniversary
First up of the adjustable playoffs tonight is the Rocnel Sailor which is the most beautiful of the adjustables in my den. It's been a while since I used it last so I set it on 2 for a head shave. One pass WTG. Turned it down to 1 for a single pass ATG, a little buffing and done. I forgot how well this razor shaves. It has a different feel. Efficient and smooth. Hold a light touch and let the heft of the razor do the work. For the face shave I left the setting on 1 since I have been face shaving daily and just looking for a mild shave tonight. One pass each WTG, ATG and XTG and done. Nice close shave. No drama. No nicks or irritation and BBS. 10/10
Thursday morning April 3, 2025
Friday evening, April 4, 2025
| Razor: | Henson AL13+ |
| Blade: | Feather Platinum (2) |
| Soap: | Shannon's Bay Patchouli Grapefruit |
| Brush: | Simpson's Duke 2 Best Badger |
| Pre Shave: | CELLA Pre-Shave Gel and jojoba oil |
| Post Shave: | Cold water, Thayers, Proraso Rinfrescante Balm |
| Sharpness: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 |
| Face/Neck: | BBS/BBS- |
| Superb shave. |
Friday evening, April 4, 2025
| Razor: | Henson AL13+ |
| Blade: | Feather Platinum (3) |
| Soap: | House of Mammoth: Alive |
| Brush: | Muhle STF 25mm |
| Pre Shave: | CELLA Pre-Shave Gel and jojoba oil |
| Post Shave: | Cold water, Thayers, Proraso Rinfrescante Balm |
| Sharpness: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 |
| Face/Neck: | BBS-/DFS |
| Didn't shave as closely tonight as it is the 2nd of 3 events over 3 nights. Still a very good shave. Have a great weekend, everyone! |
Prep: Hot Shower & HB Snake Oil  |
Razor: HLS Taiga OC Polished Titanium  |
Blade: Wilkinson Sword  |
Soap/Cream: CF1445  |
| Lather Bowl: SN Metal Light Blue |
| Brush: HLS 24mm WT Finest 2band Badger in Polished Titanium |
| Aftershave: CF 1445 |
| Quality: Slick BBS |
| Comments: 2 day growth on sensitive skin/coarse beard. Amazing shave! Forgot that I had Castle Forbes 1445 laying around and forgot how great the cream and the scent were. Wow. True gentleman’s scent; the lather was plenty and thanks to the SN shaving bowl there were still some cream left at the bottom that I’ll use next time. Taiga OC performed amazingly well and the German made Wilkinson Sword was not behind Rapira SS by that far. Rapira still felt a bit softer while Wilkinson Sword felt more ‘smoothly sharp.’ Finished off with CF 1445 balm and my skin really appreciated the moisturizer effect, the scent is long lasting and quite pleasant. Rating 9.7/10. |
Attachments
Preshave: Glycerine Facewash with warm water splashes
Razor : Parker SoloEdge SE Razor
Blade : Polsilver Super Iridium Blade (D4)
Soap : Stirling Eucalyptus Mint
Brush : Shavemac 3-Band Silvertip Badger
Aftershave : Alum Block + Cold water splashes + D R Harris Arlington AS Lotion
Close and effortless BBS in 3 passes !!
Rating : 9.81/10
Razor : Parker SoloEdge SE Razor
Blade : Polsilver Super Iridium Blade (D4)
Soap : Stirling Eucalyptus Mint
Brush : Shavemac 3-Band Silvertip Badger
Aftershave : Alum Block + Cold water splashes + D R Harris Arlington AS Lotion
Close and effortless BBS in 3 passes !!
Rating : 9.81/10
