Old Sarge's Shaving Journey

On a soap note, Phoenix and Beau made one of the best unscented soaps I ever tried. Sadly, they didn't sell enough so stopped marketing it. I have had very good luck asking Stateside soap makers if they would sell me a tub of soap before adding any scent, but P&B declined when I asked several years ago. I suspect a one off for overseas is too cost prohibitive or something. The UK has more stringent rules for soapers than we do.

I made a recent purchase at Connaught Shaving, primarily to get some Gem SS PTFE blades at the best price. With free shipping being at 60 GBP, of course I had to spend that much and a little bit more. When I began my wet shaving adventure, I started with the usual soaps/creams that are inexpensive and easily acquirable; Proraso, Col. Conk, Arko. Eventually I splurged on MWF and Tabac in ceramic and just two Artisans; Stirling and Mike's. When considering what soaps to buy from Connaught's, I struggled on whether to go old school traditional British (D.R. Harris, TOBS) or with UK artisans. In the end, the artisans won out. Below is some purchase porn for your entertainment! 

Menthol Micromatic Monday!

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gem Micromatic Flying Wing/Bullet Tip (w/ Guiding Eye)
Blade: Personna PTFE Injector (1st Use)
Brush: Yaqi Green Obsidian Two Band Badger
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. (Glacial Electric Sheep), Face Lathered
Post: Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Jeris Osage Rub, Nivea Sensitive Cooling Balm

A successful two pass shave; first ever use of an injector blade.

I had been provided a great description with images on how to use an injector blade in a Micromatic by a member in another neighborhood. I took my time when loading the blade, as there is very little margin for error where the back of the blade connects the tabs (that push the blade forward) located on the underside of the top cap and where the cutting edge contacts the blade stops. I was warned no to over tighten the TTO knob. I can't tell you how many times I paused to eyeball the blade alignment. Fortunately I did not have any issues with the blade moving during the shave!

I've only recently started face-lathering as the preferred method. The last time I used the Stirling's Glacial Electric Sheep, I had issues with loading too much product to the brush then not adding enough water for proper hydration. I'm still working out how much soap to load. Today, I used considerably less soap and I spent a lot of time adding water. This worked well for me and I had more than enough soap in the brush for a third pass if I had needed it. Stirling's glacial soap is really something (Frigid!) and perhaps it wasn't a wise to combine it with using an injector blade for the first time!

I am planning for a much less worrisome shave tomorrow!

Beautiful setup Bryan. That razor is in AMAZING condition !

I agree, what a great looking razor!

That's a coooooold shave with Glacial soap AND Osage Rub. Great looking set-up, though.

Have you tried Stirling's Glacial Post Shave Balm? It's just about all I use. It's awesome, IMO. I actually use it for pre and post shave.

It’s great to see the Osage Rub! I love that stuff… except for when its gets in my eyes :o

That's a coooooold shave with Glacial soap AND Osage Rub. Great looking set-up, though.

Have you tried Stirling's Glacial Post Shave Balm? It's just about all I use. It's awesome, IMO. I actually use it for pre and post shave.

This soap is my only Stirling, but they sure seem to be popular for their wonderful products at a reasonable price. I've not gone too far down the rabbit hole yet on the post shave. I'm mostly using common, big box store type stuff. Except for the one trip to the Atlanta Barber and Beauty Supply where I picked up some traditional Clubman/Jeris after shaves.

I got lucky finding the minty MMFW/BT. It was my first and only Ebay bidding victory. If you look close at the blade bank in the case, you can see that it came with the cardboard insert. I love that it says, Hold "Guiding Eye" Flat Against Face!

Atlanta Barber has some nice stuff. At fair prices like them a lot.

Tabac Tuesday!

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre: Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor: Gillette Parat (German Made)
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1st Use)
Brush: Semogue SOC Boar in Taj Resin
Lather: Tabac, Face Lathered
Post: Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Clubman Pinaud After Shave, Nivea Sensitive Balm

A successful, easy peasy two pass shave. I've been so focused on shaving with vintage SE razors lately that it takes a bit of remembering proper DE technique...assuming I've ever had proper DE technique!   Nacet blades are one of my favorite DE blades along with the Feathers, but the GSBs run right up there as having a great combination of sharp and smooth.  The dreamy feeling of the Semouge SOC boar against my face was matched perfectly with the creamy goodness of Tabac. I didn't load too much to the brush, but spent a good deal of time adding water to get proper hydration. The more I think about it, when I was bowl lathering I would spend a good bit of time adding water and agitating to get the just right lather. Why would it take any less time on my face? I need to continue to practice increased patience while face lathering!

While yesterday's MMFW was my one and only successful Ebay bidding victory, today's Gillette Parat is probably my best BIN score. I just happened to be looking on the bay when the post for this razor popped up. I didn't exactly know what it was, but knew I had to act quickly due to a ridiculous low price. When I looked at the listing's photos, I thought British Rocket. But, then I looked at the case and thought TV special. But where there should have been a TV on the case, there was a G. I pulled the trigger and started researching, to include reaching out to Dave for some help. It was determined to be a Parat, either British or German. Once it arrived, the bottom of the case says Made in Germany, while the underside of the blade tray has no "Made In ...", so it is German. If British, it would have said "Made In England". The razor is in perfect condition and I can't tell you how much I love the feeling of the TTO mechanism! The only issue with the case is some serious crazing, I think that is the term, on the end of the clear top...right in the spot where someone would have repeatedly placed their shaving soap covered thumb to open it up. If I was made to choose between my 1947 no notch Super Speed and this German Parat...I'd have a difficult time deciding! Fortunately, nobody is holding a gun to my head at this time!