Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

And that look that says,

Great shave this morning with the polished Yates 921-M, Noble Otter Bare, the Israeli Red (3), and the Fluffy Industries 86S with an AP Luxury mixed badger/boar bulb. 

I have two brushes with that AP mixed bulb, the 86S and the Trotter Supernova. Both feel great, but the one in the 86S is set just a bit higher and has opened up huge! I have been going back and forth to see if I note any difference, and once I am lathering my face, I don't believe I do detect any difference. This week has been those two brushes as well as 2 shaves with the SOC Mistura. Razors have been the Vector and the Overlander until this morning. 

Next week, I am thinking of going shiny.   That is, using my two shiny DEs, the polished Karve Christopher Bradley and the Yates. And I will be trying to finish off the Bare soap, but MWF as well as vintage Williams may make an appearance. Who knows, there are no rules! I have tended to stick with a set up for a week to 10 days in the past. But since Decemboar, I have been enjoying mixing things up again as well as enjoying the variety. Until Dave mentioned it in the Damn Fine Restraint thread, I don't think I realized that the new to me items appearing in the mail this month were either pass around items, loaner items, or returning items! I think it will help me restrain my impulses if I mix things up and not be so structured as to daily shaves. Right now that feels right, whereas other times, having the fixed four feels right. In any event, it's all good as long as we are enjoying this "chore" and having fun getting presentable every day! #firstworldproblems

Have a great day, folks!

Shiny and Boaring!



Razors: Yates 921-M for workday shaves and the Karve CB with B plate for days off
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome
Soap: still working on the Bare, but Williams and Mitchell's are making guest appearances
Brushes: some "vintage" boars; the JR341/Maggard knot, Ever Ready/Maggard knot, and Stirling/AP boar


To keep myself from buying more shave gear, and keep my goal of no purchases in March, I am tweaking the weekly shaves from a fixed four format. By limiting the "daily rotation" I can keep some variables constant, which gives me variety without feeling too restricted and the variety keeps my eye from looking for something new to buy. I had 3-4 months of indulging in brushes, soaps, and an expensive razor, and now I need to dial it back, enjoy, and stop the accumulation.

You got this Eric !!

You got this Eric !!

Thanks Dave! A little over 2 weeks to go.

Shiny and Boaring!



Razors: Yates 921-M for workday shaves and the Karve CB with B plate for days off
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome
Soap: still working on the Bare, but Williams and Mitchell's are making guest appearances
Brushes: some "vintage" boars; the JR341/Maggard knot, Ever Ready/Maggard knot, and Stirling/AP boar


To keep myself from buying more shave gear, and keep my goal of no purchases in March, I am tweaking the weekly shaves from a fixed four format. By limiting the "daily rotation" I can keep some variables constant, which gives me variety without feeling too restricted and the variety keeps me eye from looking for something new to buy. I had 3-4 months of indulging in brushes, soaps, and an expensive razor, and now I need to dial it back and enjoy and stop the accumulation.

Great selection of brushes. I love the shape of the Stirling brush. So comfortable and classy looking. In fact, I just used mine this morning (Eric - Smattayu - made this for me).

Shiny and Boaring!



Razors: Yates 921-M for workday shaves and the Karve CB with B plate for days off
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome
Soap: still working on the Bare, but Williams and Mitchell's are making guest appearances
Brushes: some "vintage" boars; the JR341/Maggard knot, Ever Ready/Maggard knot, and Stirling/AP boar


To keep myself from buying more shave gear, and keep my goal of no purchases in March, I am tweaking the weekly shaves from a fixed four format. By limiting the "daily rotation" I can keep some variables constant, which gives me variety without feeling too restricted and the variety keeps me eye from looking for something new to buy. I had 3-4 months of indulging in brushes, soaps, and an expensive razor, and now I need to dial it back and enjoy and stop the accumulation.

Great selection of brushes. I love the shape of the Stirling brush. So comfortable and classy looking. In fact, I just used mine this morning (Eric - Smattayu - made this for me).

Thanks, Paul! The handle is definitely a great shape. I am still on the fence regarding the knot I put into it. The knot is a flat top boar from the AP Shave Co's Sale pages. Andrew thought it shed too much to be listed on his knot pages, but I haven't had much shedding. I am looking to remind myself of its feel and see if it makes the grade or gets replaced.

And another Thank You for the Ever Ready you so kindly sent my way! It is on deck for tomorrow's Mitchell's Monday shave!

Shiny and Boaring!



Razors: Yates 921-M for workday shaves and the Karve CB with B plate for days off
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome
Soap: still working on the Bare, but Williams and Mitchell's are making guest appearances
Brushes: some "vintage" boars; the JR341/Maggard knot, Ever Ready/Maggard knot, and Stirling/AP boar


To keep myself from buying more shave gear, and keep my goal of no purchases in March, I am tweaking the weekly shaves from a fixed four format. By limiting the "daily rotation" I can keep some variables constant, which gives me variety without feeling too restricted and the variety keeps me eye from looking for something new to buy. I had 3-4 months of indulging in brushes, soaps, and an expensive razor, and now I need to dial it back and enjoy and stop the accumulation.

Great selection of brushes. I love the shape of the Stirling brush. So comfortable and classy looking. In fact, I just used mine this morning (Eric - Smattayu - made this for me).

Thanks, Paul! The handle is definitely a great shape. I am still on the fence regarding the knot I put into it. The knot is a flat top boar from the AP Shave Co's Sale pages. Andrew thought it shed too much to be listed on his knot pages, but I haven't had much shedding. I am looking to remind myself of its feel and see if it makes the grade or gets replaced.

And another Thank You for the Ever Ready you so kindly sent my way! It is on deck for tomorrow's Mitchell's Monday shave!

I'm glad you are enjoying the Ever Ready Eric. It was my pleasure.

They say soak a boar for 5 minutes? I found it is a bit softer if you give it a good long soak (15?). Perhaps start off with a longer, healthier soak to give it the best chance or keeping itself in the den? If it turns out to be unworthy, Maggards knots are absolutely awesome, imo. Likely an easy and cheap swap out?

In fact, I have to say, even the highly regarded Semogue SOC is having trouble competing with the new Maggards Boar knot. My Fluffy Industries brush (with a Maggards knot) rules the Boar's Roost by a longshot!

I'm glad you are enjoying the Ever Ready Eric. It was my pleasure.

They say soak a boar for 5 minutes? I found it is a bit softer if you give it a good long soak (15?). Perhaps start off with a longer, healthier soak to give it the best chance or keeping itself in the den? If it turns out to be unworthy, Maggards knots are absolutely awesome, imo. Likely an easy and cheap swap out?

In fact, I have to say, even the highly regarded Semogue SOC is having trouble competing with the new Maggards Boar knot. My Fluffy Industries brush (with a Maggards knot) rules the Boar's Roost by a longshot!

Yes, those MR boar knots are primo! I do have a couple of MR faux boar, if anyone is interested?!   They feel almost entirely unlike the boar knot, so there?! (Hey, you win some and you lose some. Maybe if a person couldn't or didn't want a boar, the faux would probably be fine.)

I should do a back to back SOC to Maggard boar comparison. Maybe even this week, and I can chime in on this topic.