Shaving adventures of a Milkcrate

Shave Count (DE: 466 SE: 9 SR: 647)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla 
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Kropp SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson 46 Badger 
Soap: MWF

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: GTB

The Process-
Great late morning shave today. Stayed with The Fat to give it some love and it returned the favor. It whipped up a really nice lather and the Simpson is breaking in well. Hopefully it will last for years.

On the strop, 10 laps on cotton and 40 on leather was all it took. I went with my standard three passes of WTG, XTG and ATG with no drama to report. That was a fantastic shave and I am BBS for the win! Man I’m still digging The Fat. Even had lather left for a post shave.

Wrapped everything up with a quick rinse and pat dry. Followed that up with a splash of the aftershave and everything was right as rain. Yes it was! I always forget that GTB hits you with menthol, but it will perk you. Life is good!

Home Front-
Just working on some Spring cleaning, going through closets and what-not. Loaded up a bunch of stuff and ran it down to the thrift store. Then the normal honey-do stuff. Now it’s time to chill.

Shave Count (DE: 466 SE: 9 SR: 648)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Kropp SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson 46 Badger
Soap: HeV Duc De Santal

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: HeV Duc De Santal

The Process-
Another nice, late morning shave. I had been using The Fat as a benchmark soap for some razor testing, but another got the nod today. Eric Smattayu, Gerry Fenster and I are participating in a pass around to test and critique each other’s edges. The purpose of the exercise is not to compare stone edges, although that could be a benefit. The point is to help us refine our own honing technique

I think everyone is familiar with my shaving routine, it’s pretty basic: Load soap, whip up lather, shave and finish with an aftershave. I usually don’t do a lot of the luxury bits: like pre-shave, hot towels, talc and what-not. So there ya go. I started the testing with the soap I was already using, which was Krokus. On that shave I did not strop , I just used the edge that Eric had sent. The WTG and XTG passes were smooth, but could have been a touch smoother. The ATG pass was very crisp feeling and I had to focus a bit more to avoid irritation.

For the second shave, I switched to MWF to eliminate the soap as a possible culprit for the crisp edge. I did my typical stropping for this shave and was rewarded with a smoother edge. The edge I am testing is a JNat, so I did a head to head with one of Alfredo’s JNat edges. Not a fair comparison, but it put things in perspective. It was a good shave, but I got a closer longer lasting shave with Alfredo’s edge. His edge also picked up my trouble spots on the jawline easily. Eric’s edge did not completely cleanup my trouble spots. I used the Ethos aftershave to wrap it up and it was a good test.

Yesterday I stayed with The Fat and changed up my aftershave. Started my shave the same way and used my typical stropping. Had a nice shave and the edge seemed a bit smoother still. This shave was just Eric’s edge to stay focused on that. I didn’t notice any issues during the shave, but I may have done too much buffing because my aftershave made my face tingle just a bit.

That brings us to today’s shave. I did change up the soap and aftershave just because of my random kit stuff that I try and do on the weekends. Anyway I had another very nice shave and didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. When I hit the aftershave I knew I had some irritation though. Did I work the brush too hard? Not sure because the Simpson is not completely broke in yet. Still a very good shave and the burn didn’t last too long. Tomorrow we are going back to The Fat and a different brush. I know I have been mixing my kit up a bit during this testing, but the edge should work with whatever kit I bring to the sink.

At the moment, I think this edge needs to be sharper. But that’s just my opinion and I like a smooth, very sharp razor. Let’s see what tomorrow’s shave holds for us. Life is good!

Shave Count (DE: 466 SE: 9 SR: 648)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Kropp SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson 46 Badger
Soap: HeV Duc De Santal

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: HeV Duc De Santal

The Process-
Another nice, late morning shave. I had been using The Fat as a benchmark soap for some razor testing, but another got the nod today. Eric Smattayu, Gerry Fenster and I are participating in a pass around to test and critique each other’s edges. The purpose of the exercise is not to compare stone edges, although that could be a benefit. The point is to help us refine our own honing technique

I think everyone is familiar with my shaving routine, it’s pretty basic: Load soap, whip up lather, shave and finish with an aftershave. I usually don’t do a lot of the luxury bits: like pre-shave, hot towels, talc and what-not. So there ya go. I started the testing with the soap I was already using, which was Krokus. On that shave I did not strop , I just used the edge that Eric had sent. The WTG and XTG passes were smooth, but could have been a touch smoother. The ATG pass was very crisp feeling and I had to focus a bit more to avoid irritation.

For the second shave, I switched to MWF to eliminate the soap as a possible culprit for the crisp edge. I did my typical stropping for this shave and was rewarded with a smoother edge. The edge I am testing is a JNat, so I did a head to head with one of Alfredo’s JNat edges. Not a fair comparison, but it put things in perspective. It was a good shave, but I got a closer longer lasting shave with Alfredo’s edge. His edge also picked up my trouble spots on the jawline easily. Eric’s edge did not completely cleanup my trouble spots. I used the Ethos aftershave to wrap it up and it was a good test.

Yesterday I stayed with The Fat and changed up my aftershave. Started my shave the same way and used my typical stropping. Had a nice shave and the edge seemed a bit smoother still. This shave was just Eric’s edge to stay focused on that. I didn’t notice any issues during the shave, but I may have done too much buffing because my aftershave made my face tingle just a bit.

That brings us to today’s shave. I did change up the soap and aftershave just because of my random kit stuff that I try and do on the weekends. Anyway I had another very nice shave and didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. When I hit the aftershave I knew I had some irritation though. Did I work the brush too hard? Not sure because the Simpson is not completely broke in yet. Still a very good shave and the burn didn’t last too long. Tomorrow we are going back to The Fat and a different brush. I know I have been mixing my kit up a bit during this testing, but the edge should work with whatever kit I bring to the sink.

At the moment, I think this edge needs to be sharper. But that’s just my opinion and I like a smooth, very sharp razor. Let’s see what tomorrow’s shave holds for us. Life is good!

Let me try that again.

Shave Count (DE: 466 SE: 9 SR: 648)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Kropp SR
Blade: none
Brush: Simpson 46 Badger
Soap: HeV Duc De Santal

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: HeV Duc De Santal

The Process-
Another nice, late morning shave. I had been using The Fat as a benchmark soap for some razor testing, but another got the nod today. Eric, Gerry and I are participating in a pass around to test and critique each other’s edges. The purpose of the exercise is not to compare stone edges, although that could be a benefit. The point is to help us refine our own honing technique

I think everyone is familiar with my shaving routine, it’s pretty basic: Load soap, whip up lather, shave and finish with an aftershave. I usually don’t do a lot of the luxury bits: like pre-shave, hot towels, talc and what-not. So there ya go. I started the testing with the soap I was already using, which was Krokus. On that shave I did not strop , I just used the edge that Eric had sent. The WTG and XTG passes were smooth, but could have been a touch smoother. The ATG pass was very crisp feeling and I had to focus a bit more to avoid irritation.

For the second shave, I switched to MWF to eliminate the soap as a possible culprit for the crisp edge. I did my typical stropping for this shave and was rewarded with a smoother edge. The edge I am testing is a JNat, so I did a head to head with one of Alfredo’s JNat edges. Not a fair comparison, but it put things in perspective. It was a good shave, but I got a closer longer lasting shave with Alfredo’s edge. His edge also picked up my trouble spots on the jawline easily. Eric’s edge did not completely cleanup my trouble spots. I used the Ethos aftershave and it was a good test.

Yesterday I stayed with The Fat and changed up my aftershave. Started my shave the same way and used my typical stropping. Had a nice shave and the edge seemed a bit smoother still. This shave was just Eric’s edge to stay focused on that. I didn’t notice any issues during the shave, but I may have done too much buffing because my aftershave made my face tingle just a bit.

That brings us to today’s shave. I did change up the soap and aftershave just because of my random kit stuff that I try and do on the weekends. Anyway I had another very nice shave and didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. When I hit the aftershave I knew I had some irritation though. Did I work the brush too hard? Not sure because the Simpson is not completely broke in yet. Still a very good shave and the burn didn’t last too long. Tomorrow we are going back to The Fat and a different brush. I know I have been mixing my kit up a bit during this testing, but the edge should work with whatever kit I bring to the sink.

At the moment, I think this edge needs to be sharper. But that’s just my opinion and I like a smooth, very sharp razor. Let’s see what tomorrow’s shave holds for us. Life is good!

Shave Count (DE: 466 SE: 9 SR: 649)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Plain Vanilla 
Scuttle: PAA Brush Scuttle 
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Kropp SR
Blade: none
Brush: Knothead Boar 
Soap: MWF 

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: Stirling Nag Champa

Great shaves Tim! How does the Duc de Santal smell?

Shave Count (DE: 467SE: 9 SR: 649)

Pre Shave-
Strop: none
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Feather
Brush: Yaqi Sagrada Familia 
Soap: HeV Duc De Santal 

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: HeV Duc De Santal

A quick three pass shave this morning and I was running for the door. Was running a bit late and had to go into the office. Great shave and smelling good!

I received a Tony Miller rough-out strop in a pass around. It came in yesterday and I was really looking forward to trying it today. Hm ... I’ll have to give it a go tomorrow. Life is good!

Great shaves Tim! How does the Duc de Santal smell?

This one is blended really well and nothing stands out to me. It’s a nice scent, but a bit muted. Sorry I can’t describe it better. I need to order some more sample containers and I can send you a sample.

The Tech is always a good shaver on those running late days! No muss, no fuss, no drama!

Shave Count (DE: 467SE: 9 SR: 650)

Pre Shave-
Strop: Tony Miller Horsehide Rough-out
Scuttle: none
Splash and go

Shave-
Razor: Waterville SR
Blade: none
Brush: Graydog Boar
Soap: WAP Gaelic Tweed

Post Shave-
Post shave lather
AS: WSP Gaelic Tweed 

Had a very nice shave today and I wasn’t rushed. I lucked into a couple of things recently. First, I am participating in a pass around of a Tony Miller Horsehide rough-out strop. It’s a very nice strop, softer and more pliable than the one I currently have. It also has a flax linen component, which is oh so soft. Man, this is a nice strop. I should have my testing wrapped up in a couple of days and will be shipping it to the next person on Friday.

I also lucked into evaluating a new tropical aftershave scent from Scott at Captain’s Choice. I have been able to evaluate two other products in the past, from him as well. The first was the NorEaster aftershave that he was developing. From there he developed the rest of the product line. More recently, I was able to test and evaluate his leather razor cover. A very nice, simple yet elegant design. It’s very nice and is wrapped around the head of my Gillette Tech in my dopp bag. I can’t wait to try this upcoming tropical scent. Life is good!