Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Orange Soap
Lather: Prairie Creations Walters Shaving Soap
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ASCO Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum, and Krampert’s Finest LE 80 Below
Monthly Archives: June 2013
Shaving videos
My favorite wetshaving forum has it’s own YouTube channel – why not check it out?
Plenty of instructive videos, lots of tips to pick up.
Shave of the day 12th June
Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Orange Soap
Lather: Mike’s Natural Lime
Brush: Vie Long 14033
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a ASCO Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum, and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Pondering shavettes
I am seriously considering dipping my toes in the pool of straight razors, despite the possibility of reenacting scenes right out of Sweeney Todd in my own bathroom. Just to be clear up front; I’m not planning to give up on DE-razors – just pondering the possibility of expanding my horizon a bit. With that in mind I’m looking at shavettes, in particular the ‘butterfly’ ones from Parker (SR-series).
I raised the issue in a thread on my favorite shave forum, and it seems shavettes is the redheaded stepchild of the shaving world… double so the cheaper ones. It is hard to make up ones mind on the suitability and quality of a razor when no one talks about it – even if the few and far between reviews I’ve found online seems generally favorable towards the Parkers shavettes.
One suggestion – from a fellow shaver I respect quite a bit – was that I should go full out and head straight for, er, straights; complete with the honing, stropping and the whole nine yards.
Another suggestion – again from shavers I respect – was to invest in a Feather SS shavette; which looks good, has raving reviews and costs five to eight times more than the Parkers.
As much as I want to “embrace the colourful ritual” (which is nice turn of phrase by the way) it’s impractical for me; perhaps when I’m retired I can devote that time, but as things stand now I can’t. It’s a bit of a bummer to realise that, admittedly.
I really cant justify spending a hundred US or more on a proper straight and strop, since even the cheapest option at Whipped Dog runs to 80USD for a straight and a strop – plus shipping and VAT. Double so when I don’t know if I’ll like it or not… By the same logic, I can’t justify spending that amount on a Feather SS either – at least not until I know I can use and get a good shave out of a shavette.
I guess that for now I keep pondering.
Shave of the day 10th June
Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Mama Bear’s Awakening
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a fresh ASCO Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum, and Krampert’s Finest Prototype Menthol
Shave of the day 7th June
Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Lavender Soap
Lather: Col Conk’s bay Run
Brush: Turkish No7
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a Laser Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Gillette Toggle
A short video about a rare but interesting razor – well worth watching:
Shave of the day 5th June
Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Lavender Soap
Lather: Razorock XXX
Brush: Vie Long 14033
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a Laser Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, and Aubrey Men’s Stock North Wood After Shave (sample)
Things to remember about traditional wetshaving as a hobby
Experiment.
Find what works for you.
Enjoy the journey.
Shaving is most enjoyable when it is about the process, not the goal.
Shave of the day 3rd June
Pre-shave: Dr Bronners Liquid Peppermint Soap
Lather: Mike’s Peppermint & Cedarwood Soap (sample)
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Razors: Merkur 39C slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a Laser Super Stainless
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum and Krampert’s Finest Prototype Menthol