Shaving notes of the MaineYooper

From Tuesday, 1/21/25



Monday was the Medium plate and Setting 3.5, although I did part of a pass at 3. Brush was the Fluffy Industries 86S with a 24mm AP Cashmere knot. Pure heavenly feel! Yesterday was the Aggressive plate (blue!) above, and setting 5. Wald Nimbus Deep Blue did the lathering, wonderful again! I did need to be a bit more attentive, but there was no white-knuckling of the razor or grip on the counter top!

Since the lathers on the last 3 days have been what I expected and wanted with the MWS, I decided to use the AP Luxury Mixed knot (70/30 badger to boar) today. And I only used the Oliblade adjustable set to 4 today. Another fine shave, but the lather was just a little less creamy than with the synthetics. I spent more time building up lather on my face, and did achieve a nice lather with close to the creaminess I wanted, but like I said, it wasn't yogurt-like, but also wasn't runny, either. Overall, an excellent shave, again with one red spot on my jawline after the 2nd pass that was absent by the final rinse.

A while back, my good friend Paul mrdoug sold me a brush handle from Sawdust Creations Studio, along with a Pure Bliss knot from APSCo. I just love this handle and went looking for another, because I don't know when to stop 



I wasn't have any luck on Etsy finding something like the Cosmic handle (shown above) that connected with my inner shaver. Then I went to Murphy & McNeil's site and found Deep Blue Sea in the size desired (24mm)!


It came to my mailbox yesterday and I verified the socket size, then went the badger knots I'd already scoped out online. My favorite badger knot is a Shave Forge 22mm High Mountain White. I did some comparison shopping and decided to go with the 24mm version. Badger knots seem to expand a lot, which is why I wanted a 24mm knot. I've had 26mm knots in the past and they are too big for my tastes (in badger; I love them in synthetics).

Another wait of a week or so and I will be able to try out this new brush. For the curious, I'd looked at some TGN options as well as Maggard's super high-density knots. However, while reviews mention soft tips, there is also mention of good backbone. I find that my experience with backbone differs from others, similar to folks who say aggressive razors don't irritate their skin; it is quite different for me and that was enough for me to decide against an SHD knot.

Here's hoping the new brush will be everything you wished for Eric!  

Eric, is it that you don’t know when to stop or that you don’t want to stop?  (Notice how well shaved Ozzy is)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_Bu1r-Ov...IHN0b3A%3D

Eric, is it that you don’t know when to stop or that you don’t want to stop?  (Notice how well shaved Ozzy is)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_Bu1r-Ov...IHN0b3A%3D

The vid got blocked but I believe I know what song in Ozzy's catalog you mean. And I think Ozzy was the only clean-shaven one of the four!

Eric, is it that you don’t know when to stop or that you don’t want to stop?  (Notice how well shaved Ozzy is)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_Bu1r-Ov...IHN0b3A%3D

The vid got blocked but I believe I know what song in Ozzy's catalog you mean. And I think Ozzy was the only clean-shaven one of the four!

That’s funny, I can play it. Maybe you’re behind on your ISP payments! It’s I Don’t Wanna Stop. Rocks

Eric, is it that you don’t know when to stop or that you don’t want to stop?  (Notice how well shaved Ozzy is)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_Bu1r-Ov...IHN0b3A%3D

The vid got blocked but I believe I know what song in Ozzy's catalog you mean. And I think Ozzy was the only clean-shaven one of the four!

That’s funny, I can play it. Maybe you’re behind on your ISP payments! It’s I Don’t Wanna Stop. Rocks

I haven't been paying close attention, but could the difference be being located in Canada vs USA?

It's not viewable to me either. Has happened before due to another country and blocked for copyright laws.

A while back, my good friend Paul mrdoug sold me a brush handle from Sawdust Creations Studio, along with a Pure Bliss knot from APSCo. I just love this handle and went looking for another, because I don't know when to stop 



I wasn't have any luck on Etsy finding something like the Cosmic handle (shown above) that connected with my inner shaver. Then I went to Murphy & McNeil's site and found Deep Blue Sea in the size desired (24mm)!


It came to my mailbox yesterday and I verified the socket size, then went the badger knots I'd already scoped out online. My favorite badger knot is a Shave Forge 22mm High Mountain White. I did some comparison shopping and decided to go with the 24mm version. Badger knots seem to expand a lot, which is why I wanted a 24mm knot. I've had 26mm knots in the past and they are too big for my tastes (in badger; I love them in synthetics).

Another wait of a week or so and I will be able to try out this new brush. For the curious, I'd looked at some TGN options as well as Maggard's super high-density knots. However, while reviews mention soft tips, there is also mention of good backbone. I find that my experience with backbone differs from others, similar to folks who say aggressive razors don't irritate their skin; it is quite different for me and that was enough for me to decide against an SHD knot.

You gotta go with what you know and like. In this hobby there is so much to try, so many options, you can easily lose track of the point... A comfortable, enjoyable shave. Glad you have a go-to Badger.

Great choice on the handle... That looks stunning. The finished product should be a sight to behold, especially when the badger is bloomed. For all of my love of synthetics, and I am quite biased, they can't hold a candle to the visual appeal of a badger. Look forward to seeing the final results.

For the next week I'll be using a razor that is new to the market. This is the Colonial Razors CR7, an aluminum DE razor. It is available with three base plates.