I found early on that shaving tentatively lead to problems. Shaving with confidence works much better.
GC.68OC, GOLD GRANDE, YAQI CHROME MELLON - A JOURNEY
- Thread starter JoWolf
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I found early on that shaving tentatively lead to problems. Shaving with confidence works much better.
- Thread starter
- #82
I am going to start shaving with the Grande exclusively. Big confidence booster. Eleven months into DE shaving. Brush rotation in order, Gold Grande locked in. Soaps are just getting better. What could go wrong?
- Thread starter
- #83
Tying it off and moving forward. When I begin trying to figure out how to make two razors shave like the third razor. Obviously we have an undisputed champion from my point of view. How did I think it would end when I started. First place GC.68OC, Second place Yaqi Chrome Mellon, Third Place Gold Grande.
GC.68OC with HD handle. By a week or so, the first open comb razor I purchased. The GC is a stainless steel three piece. The razor head covers the razor tabs. The blade alignment and tolerances are tight and spot on. With this handle (there are options) the razor is handle heavy. This razor was my favourite starting out and thought it would not be bested in any category. I do not favour handle heavy razors anymore. I will look into a titanium handle between 70 & 80mm length, before I would want to explore this razors potential. I do not like covered razor tabs anymore, extra width equals, extra weight which equals extra mass. The sixth pass into the face and head shave on the back of my head. Did I feel the extra weight and mass of the head and handle compared to the other two razors, absolutely. It did not feel good or nice comparatively. GC.68OC teeth are the third place for comfort. They even look sharper and uncomfortable compared to the other two. This is a very efficient razor which repeatedly delivered BBS face and head shaves with varying degrees of comfort. If I can find a Ti handle I will revisit this razor. My SECOND PLACE razor.
Yaqi Chrome Mellon with chrome plated brass handle. The GC.68OC is the most expensive of the three and the Yaqi is the lowest priced and half the price of the Gold Grande. The head is probably that z-metal chrome plated. I purchased the head and handle separately. This razor is handle heavy, I do not like handle heavy razors anymore. More weight, more mass, is uncomfortable in the last passes of my shave. Yaqi’s lathering channels are the best for shallow angle shaving. That should be perfect but...this is the least efficient of the three. Extra touch up passes and extra buffing required for BBS. This is a mild shaving razor and I have and do recommend it for sensitive skin because of the lather handling. The razor shaves mild both steep and shallow with great comfort. A good beginners razor who would be satisfied with a comfortable two pass DFS. My limited experience and opinion of course. I will keep this handle for possible future considerations. The head will be sold or traded off. THIRD PLACE razor.
Fatip Gold Grande. WOW is how I described my first DE shave eleven months ago. WOW by a factor of ten would be in the neighbourhood of my last Grande shave. It was not a one off or a fluke, it was the first of many magnificent shaves to follow. I finally released the dogs. Shaved with my instinctive reflexes and quit trying to shave carefully (if there is such a thing). Having medium heavy to heavy growth is my preferred and most comfortable shave. The first face pass I shave steep angle. The Grande glides through a five day growth smooth and effortlessly. My second and third face passes are exclusively shallow angle strokes. I prefer and use short quick strokes, with a locked wrist. My first head pass is a combination of shallow and steep angle strokes. Sometimes half and half. The second and third head passes are exclusively shallow angle. I just morphed into the strokes instinctively and naturally. Of the dozen or so razors I’ve tried the Grande stands alone. Second or third stroke into the shave I actually lose or really don’t seem to feel the razor in my hand. I feel and sense an acute connection to the blade edge. The shave stroke regardless of angle both being very intuitive are efficient and comfortable. This shave required some extra cleanups on and around the chin. Completion of the face shave and I knew the shave was noticeably quicker than usual. The comfort was the best I’ve had and the alum block verified that. I paid special attention to how I felt with the third pass on the back of my head. This is where I usually feel a little strained and tired with arm and wrist fatigue. Not this time. The sublime balance of the Grande stays melted into my hand, no strain, no fatigue, no weight. Just the blade edge quickly and precisely finishing my first ever head shave, no extra passes no buffing. Solid BBS. FIRST PLACE razor.
Going forward I’ll be refining my Grande technique. Enjoying magnificent Gold Grande shaves. I will continue to use the same brush and soap for three consecutive shaves. This helped in getting improved performance out of brush and soap. Changing after three gives me variety, a chance to try new and different soaps. I look forward to using badger, boar and horse hair brushes in rotation. Trying to achieve maximum performance from each brush.Their different dynamics are interesting and challenging. My DE journey to this point has been intense given that it’s eleven months and I covered a fair amount of variables. I don’t have any RAD left in me unless it’s open comb Gold and made by Fatip. Since I only shave five or six times a month I’m only going to purchase soap samples, which I really like using. You can have a lot of them in very little space. I definitely lean towards the usual stars MWF, Tabac and enjoy both. The intensity is really dialed back. The Gold Grande has elevated my shave in efficiency, comfort and pure enjoyment.
GC.68OC with HD handle. By a week or so, the first open comb razor I purchased. The GC is a stainless steel three piece. The razor head covers the razor tabs. The blade alignment and tolerances are tight and spot on. With this handle (there are options) the razor is handle heavy. This razor was my favourite starting out and thought it would not be bested in any category. I do not favour handle heavy razors anymore. I will look into a titanium handle between 70 & 80mm length, before I would want to explore this razors potential. I do not like covered razor tabs anymore, extra width equals, extra weight which equals extra mass. The sixth pass into the face and head shave on the back of my head. Did I feel the extra weight and mass of the head and handle compared to the other two razors, absolutely. It did not feel good or nice comparatively. GC.68OC teeth are the third place for comfort. They even look sharper and uncomfortable compared to the other two. This is a very efficient razor which repeatedly delivered BBS face and head shaves with varying degrees of comfort. If I can find a Ti handle I will revisit this razor. My SECOND PLACE razor.
Yaqi Chrome Mellon with chrome plated brass handle. The GC.68OC is the most expensive of the three and the Yaqi is the lowest priced and half the price of the Gold Grande. The head is probably that z-metal chrome plated. I purchased the head and handle separately. This razor is handle heavy, I do not like handle heavy razors anymore. More weight, more mass, is uncomfortable in the last passes of my shave. Yaqi’s lathering channels are the best for shallow angle shaving. That should be perfect but...this is the least efficient of the three. Extra touch up passes and extra buffing required for BBS. This is a mild shaving razor and I have and do recommend it for sensitive skin because of the lather handling. The razor shaves mild both steep and shallow with great comfort. A good beginners razor who would be satisfied with a comfortable two pass DFS. My limited experience and opinion of course. I will keep this handle for possible future considerations. The head will be sold or traded off. THIRD PLACE razor.
Fatip Gold Grande. WOW is how I described my first DE shave eleven months ago. WOW by a factor of ten would be in the neighbourhood of my last Grande shave. It was not a one off or a fluke, it was the first of many magnificent shaves to follow. I finally released the dogs. Shaved with my instinctive reflexes and quit trying to shave carefully (if there is such a thing). Having medium heavy to heavy growth is my preferred and most comfortable shave. The first face pass I shave steep angle. The Grande glides through a five day growth smooth and effortlessly. My second and third face passes are exclusively shallow angle strokes. I prefer and use short quick strokes, with a locked wrist. My first head pass is a combination of shallow and steep angle strokes. Sometimes half and half. The second and third head passes are exclusively shallow angle. I just morphed into the strokes instinctively and naturally. Of the dozen or so razors I’ve tried the Grande stands alone. Second or third stroke into the shave I actually lose or really don’t seem to feel the razor in my hand. I feel and sense an acute connection to the blade edge. The shave stroke regardless of angle both being very intuitive are efficient and comfortable. This shave required some extra cleanups on and around the chin. Completion of the face shave and I knew the shave was noticeably quicker than usual. The comfort was the best I’ve had and the alum block verified that. I paid special attention to how I felt with the third pass on the back of my head. This is where I usually feel a little strained and tired with arm and wrist fatigue. Not this time. The sublime balance of the Grande stays melted into my hand, no strain, no fatigue, no weight. Just the blade edge quickly and precisely finishing my first ever head shave, no extra passes no buffing. Solid BBS. FIRST PLACE razor.
Going forward I’ll be refining my Grande technique. Enjoying magnificent Gold Grande shaves. I will continue to use the same brush and soap for three consecutive shaves. This helped in getting improved performance out of brush and soap. Changing after three gives me variety, a chance to try new and different soaps. I look forward to using badger, boar and horse hair brushes in rotation. Trying to achieve maximum performance from each brush.Their different dynamics are interesting and challenging. My DE journey to this point has been intense given that it’s eleven months and I covered a fair amount of variables. I don’t have any RAD left in me unless it’s open comb Gold and made by Fatip. Since I only shave five or six times a month I’m only going to purchase soap samples, which I really like using. You can have a lot of them in very little space. I definitely lean towards the usual stars MWF, Tabac and enjoy both. The intensity is really dialed back. The Gold Grande has elevated my shave in efficiency, comfort and pure enjoyment.
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Your review of the razors is awesome. I’m sorry this was the sentence that lit up my brain.
- Thread starter
- #85
View attachment 1105993View attachment 1105994View attachment 1105995
[/QUOTE] I finally released the dogs.
[/QUOTE] I finally released the dogs.
Your review of the razors is awesome. I’m sorry this was the sentence that lit up my brain.
I think I meant to say hounds. Love hounds, dogs, all canines. Once I started shaving as I can and should that is exactly how it felt. The leash was pulling and tugging I just let go of the leash and relaxed. I quit wearing watches and jewelry a few decades back. A gold razor satisfies any bling lust. I’m a relatively new study to the Fatip offerings. The Grande specifically, with it’s hollowed brass handle brings a balance and total weight unmatched. Until I had experienced this luxury in late passes I had not realized the criticality of it to my shaves. It reduces late pass fatigue which may not be as apparent to a two or three pass shaver. A cut, nick or weeper is an unusual event for me. Eighty percent of these happen behind the ears in the back forty. Fatigue errors. The Grande handle eliminates the fatigue with light weight and perfect balance. Any razors on the light or heavy side of 69 grams would not get me too excited.
Thank you for your compliment and razor porn. I almost licked the Gold Picolo. Must be the dog in me
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Someone showing you Joris razors like those above maybe lol. Joris/Plisson razors are made by Fatip then supposedly perfected with finer polishing, plating of different materials and with different handle choices.
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- #87
They are all beauties.
JoWolf said:
Except the lust for two gold razors.
- Thread starter
- #89
Most definitely a given.
- Thread starter
- #91
My Ten Month Razor Hop To Gold
June will be my eleventh month DE shaving. I did not find the transition from carts to DE dificult. I did however watch a gaziillion shave videos. Haunted shave forums and devoured as much information as possible. Some people might call that obsessive. My second momentous breakthrough was locked wrist short stroke shaving. I got that from a Mantic video. My shaving became very instinctive, I don’t know why it just happened. In the eighties I started cart shaving my head in the shower no mirror. Even now with DE razors it is not unusual for me to close my eyes while I’m shaving the front part of my head. Since the back of my head is all shaved by feel and I prefer shaving my head by feel. I saw a short video of a guy holding a hand mirror shaving the back of his head with a straight razor. That looked very scary to me. Merkur Progress 1st razor,( also tried two slants 37C and ABS slant) Rockwell 6S 2nd razor, (picked up 3 Gillette razors, shaved once with the gold one) Mamba70 3rd razor. GC.84SB, GC.68OC, Yaqi Chrome Mellon. Fatip Gold Grande my twelth DE razor purchase. Once I started shaving with the Mamba70 I figured I was a Stainless Steel dude. Especially coming off the 6S. I was frustrated with the Mamba steady DFS+ with only the odd BBS. The GC.84SB and GC.68OC both delivered BBS first shave and following shaves. I was waiting for the Yaqi from China. I kept reading about the love and devotion laid on the Fatip. Beautiful looking razor. The first time I saw it I would have purchased it on looks alone. It might be to lofty to think or say I had goals. I did have hopes though. I hoped that I would be able to find a blade and a razor that would deliver comfortable BBS shaves, maybe in a years time. The Gold Grande and Voshkod exceeded my expectations in under a year. It has only been recently that I stretched my shaves from every third to every fifth day. To me this is where my journey is starting. I have my brush rotation in order. I have my razor and blade. The brush and the soap rotation will keep my interest piqued and challenged. I know I am definitely an open comb dude. The Gold Grande squelched the razor hunt.
June will be my eleventh month DE shaving. I did not find the transition from carts to DE dificult. I did however watch a gaziillion shave videos. Haunted shave forums and devoured as much information as possible. Some people might call that obsessive. My second momentous breakthrough was locked wrist short stroke shaving. I got that from a Mantic video. My shaving became very instinctive, I don’t know why it just happened. In the eighties I started cart shaving my head in the shower no mirror. Even now with DE razors it is not unusual for me to close my eyes while I’m shaving the front part of my head. Since the back of my head is all shaved by feel and I prefer shaving my head by feel. I saw a short video of a guy holding a hand mirror shaving the back of his head with a straight razor. That looked very scary to me. Merkur Progress 1st razor,( also tried two slants 37C and ABS slant) Rockwell 6S 2nd razor, (picked up 3 Gillette razors, shaved once with the gold one) Mamba70 3rd razor. GC.84SB, GC.68OC, Yaqi Chrome Mellon. Fatip Gold Grande my twelth DE razor purchase. Once I started shaving with the Mamba70 I figured I was a Stainless Steel dude. Especially coming off the 6S. I was frustrated with the Mamba steady DFS+ with only the odd BBS. The GC.84SB and GC.68OC both delivered BBS first shave and following shaves. I was waiting for the Yaqi from China. I kept reading about the love and devotion laid on the Fatip. Beautiful looking razor. The first time I saw it I would have purchased it on looks alone. It might be to lofty to think or say I had goals. I did have hopes though. I hoped that I would be able to find a blade and a razor that would deliver comfortable BBS shaves, maybe in a years time. The Gold Grande and Voshkod exceeded my expectations in under a year. It has only been recently that I stretched my shaves from every third to every fifth day. To me this is where my journey is starting. I have my brush rotation in order. I have my razor and blade. The brush and the soap rotation will keep my interest piqued and challenged. I know I am definitely an open comb dude. The Gold Grande squelched the razor hunt.
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- Thread starter
- #92
Sunday May 31
SHAVE #10
Gold Grande
Voskhod (3)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block (new first use)
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
My last open comb shave with the Yaqi was significant. It was the first time in over a dozen and a half open comb shaves that I did not try to shave, carefully, safely, conservatively. In my ten months of DE shaving that was the absolute dumbest thing I’ve done. Why? I wasted all those shaves. Sure they were BBS. I didn’t know they came so hard. My first Real Shave with my Gold Grande. it’s four hours since my shave and I’m grinning as I run my hand over any part of neck, face, head. It feels like wet slippery glass, very slippery glass. I‘m seventy-three and I cannot remember ever having a shave this smooth and this close.
My six day growths feel and look closer to three or four day growths, that I have been used to. I was shaving my neck on my first pass and I kept saying slow down, why is this shave so fast. It seemed to be over in a blur, I was stunned. The Mitchell‘s and the Chubby were flawless. Nice lather and a very slick coat under the lather. I could not feel anything except a little deep vibrating resonance through some of the whiskers. Second and third passes seemed even quicker and I just relaxed with it. I do not know which words to describe the smoothness of the Grande‘s teeth. I started water buffing and quickly going over most areas with the residue glide left from the Fat and cold water. I kept saying to myself this is insane your going to tear your skin off. It just felt right and again I couldn’t understand how quickly it went. I ran the Osma Alum over face and neck. Zero feedback. Smooth as wet glass. I have never wet buffed before. The Grande almost leads you through it. The head shave was a repeat with less buffing. Using the razor and switching hands on the back of my head felt so comfortable and natural. I must have a half dozen grips that I used. I also found myself with the razor loose in a fist gripped hole and still stroking with it. The face and head shaves were so quick to what I’m used to it seems like I’m watching it rather than doing it. A very weird feeling. I feel like a gunslinger or something. As I come to know my beautiful Gold Grande razor. It is only going to get better. How can that happen? The same way the Gold Grande keeps amazing me.
SHAVE #10
Gold Grande
Voskhod (3)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block (new first use)
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
My last open comb shave with the Yaqi was significant. It was the first time in over a dozen and a half open comb shaves that I did not try to shave, carefully, safely, conservatively. In my ten months of DE shaving that was the absolute dumbest thing I’ve done. Why? I wasted all those shaves. Sure they were BBS. I didn’t know they came so hard. My first Real Shave with my Gold Grande. it’s four hours since my shave and I’m grinning as I run my hand over any part of neck, face, head. It feels like wet slippery glass, very slippery glass. I‘m seventy-three and I cannot remember ever having a shave this smooth and this close.
My six day growths feel and look closer to three or four day growths, that I have been used to. I was shaving my neck on my first pass and I kept saying slow down, why is this shave so fast. It seemed to be over in a blur, I was stunned. The Mitchell‘s and the Chubby were flawless. Nice lather and a very slick coat under the lather. I could not feel anything except a little deep vibrating resonance through some of the whiskers. Second and third passes seemed even quicker and I just relaxed with it. I do not know which words to describe the smoothness of the Grande‘s teeth. I started water buffing and quickly going over most areas with the residue glide left from the Fat and cold water. I kept saying to myself this is insane your going to tear your skin off. It just felt right and again I couldn’t understand how quickly it went. I ran the Osma Alum over face and neck. Zero feedback. Smooth as wet glass. I have never wet buffed before. The Grande almost leads you through it. The head shave was a repeat with less buffing. Using the razor and switching hands on the back of my head felt so comfortable and natural. I must have a half dozen grips that I used. I also found myself with the razor loose in a fist gripped hole and still stroking with it. The face and head shaves were so quick to what I’m used to it seems like I’m watching it rather than doing it. A very weird feeling. I feel like a gunslinger or something. As I come to know my beautiful Gold Grande razor. It is only going to get better. How can that happen? The same way the Gold Grande keeps amazing me.
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- Thread starter
- #94
Friday June 5
SHAVE #11
Gold Grande
Voskhod (3)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
I have one razor in the den and a back up on the way. My other other razors are on BST. I have no desire or interest in any other razors. I just completed another face and head BBS glass smooth shave. My confidence, technique, relaxation improves with every shave. Skin comfort this evening best I’ve had. Very relaxed and gently tingling, my skin is so comfortable. My efficiency continues to improve very little face buffing no head buffing. I just have never had shaves this good ever, sorry for being so gushy.
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm This brush is fully broken in. The knot is very full and dense. Of my four boar hair brushes this hair is the finest or thinnest. Damp and drying knot measured at handle lip 30mm. The brush does not have a prominent bloom and for its size the footprint stays very tight. It feels and maneuvers like a 26mm knot. Brush splay is very comfortable and easily controlled. The measured loft from glue bump is 46mm. The badger soft tips paint with buttery smooth comfort. The acrylic handle is comfortable, little effort needed to control any scrubbing. Zero scritch with this brush and the scrub is a very pleasant medium soft. The backbone is a medium hard to me, very nice. The hair and handle to me are above average quality. This is a high performance boar hair brush.
Osma alum block the second time using. I will discard all my other alum bocks. It looks more like crystal than any of my three other blocks. It feels smoother going on and I would say the other blocks almost feel gritty in comparison.
Mitchell’s Wool Fat great lather performance with a good slick undercoat. Good cushion and nice post shave lanolin on my skin, feels good. I will always have MWF in my soap rotation.
SHAVE #11
Gold Grande
Voskhod (3)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
I have one razor in the den and a back up on the way. My other other razors are on BST. I have no desire or interest in any other razors. I just completed another face and head BBS glass smooth shave. My confidence, technique, relaxation improves with every shave. Skin comfort this evening best I’ve had. Very relaxed and gently tingling, my skin is so comfortable. My efficiency continues to improve very little face buffing no head buffing. I just have never had shaves this good ever, sorry for being so gushy.
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm This brush is fully broken in. The knot is very full and dense. Of my four boar hair brushes this hair is the finest or thinnest. Damp and drying knot measured at handle lip 30mm. The brush does not have a prominent bloom and for its size the footprint stays very tight. It feels and maneuvers like a 26mm knot. Brush splay is very comfortable and easily controlled. The measured loft from glue bump is 46mm. The badger soft tips paint with buttery smooth comfort. The acrylic handle is comfortable, little effort needed to control any scrubbing. Zero scritch with this brush and the scrub is a very pleasant medium soft. The backbone is a medium hard to me, very nice. The hair and handle to me are above average quality. This is a high performance boar hair brush.
Osma alum block the second time using. I will discard all my other alum bocks. It looks more like crystal than any of my three other blocks. It feels smoother going on and I would say the other blocks almost feel gritty in comparison.
Mitchell’s Wool Fat great lather performance with a good slick undercoat. Good cushion and nice post shave lanolin on my skin, feels good. I will always have MWF in my soap rotation.
Fatip does it again.
- Thread starter
- #96
I’m working on a Piccolo trade right now. If I end up with three Fatip’s I’ll be forced to get the T- Shirt. Do you know where there at?
Paging @Raven Koenes. If there is one, he'll likely know where to find them. If there arent any, he may be able to talk them into offering one. He convinced them to make the slant, so a T shirt should be easy! haha.
- Thread starter
- #99
Thursday June 11
SHAVE #12
Gold Grande
Voskhod (1)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
The Fatip Gold Grande ain’t your Daddy’s Camaro it’s Uncle Guido’s Ferrari. I know I’ve said this razor continues to amaze me. I wasn’t ready for today. The Chubby and the Fat were doing their job in the most excellent way. Lathered up looking into those cold steel blue eyes. I thought a high performance razor. Why not a high performance shave? ATG right off the line. What could go wrong? You can’t do your neck. it’s too sensitive but everything else. All hair above the shoulders leave the eyebrows on.
The six day old whiskers were trying to peak through the lather. They never saw the Voskhod coming. ATG both cheeks to sideburns. If I were a DFS dude, I’m done. My first pass is always steep there was the slightest, tiniest, increased resistance from what I’m used to WTG. Moustache area was WTG first pass. Looking at the neck, I’m feeling saucy. Why not ATG. I have a Grande. Under the chin down to the Adams apple would be XTG, the rest of the neck ATG. The second ATG pass the Grande quietly gilded over the lanolin with no resistance. A small third pass strip under the left chin line pushed the shave into a solid BBS. This is not the glass smooth BBS. This shave is probably going to bring me from six days down to five days between shaves. I’m going to make a bold statement. I’m a two pass shaver. I will never try to rush through a shave but this one was noticeably quicker. This was the first time using any type of shave device that I went ATG first pass. Now this will be my new shave. One less pass more skin left on my head post shave. Noticeable improvement in skin comfort. Two pass head shave a little buffing on two areas which I’ll improve on next couple of shaves. Another shave another Grande first for me. This was not a planned two pass shave. I put the Grande in my hand and the shave happens.
SHAVE #12
Gold Grande
Voskhod (1)
Zenith Chubby Scrubby Boar B27 - 28mm x 55mm
RazoRock Pre - Shave Soap - Charcoal Lime
Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Osma Alum Block
Hyaluranoic Acid
Thayers Aloe Vera Witch Hazel
Lucky Tiger After Shave & Face Tonic
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
The Fatip Gold Grande ain’t your Daddy’s Camaro it’s Uncle Guido’s Ferrari. I know I’ve said this razor continues to amaze me. I wasn’t ready for today. The Chubby and the Fat were doing their job in the most excellent way. Lathered up looking into those cold steel blue eyes. I thought a high performance razor. Why not a high performance shave? ATG right off the line. What could go wrong? You can’t do your neck. it’s too sensitive but everything else. All hair above the shoulders leave the eyebrows on.
The six day old whiskers were trying to peak through the lather. They never saw the Voskhod coming. ATG both cheeks to sideburns. If I were a DFS dude, I’m done. My first pass is always steep there was the slightest, tiniest, increased resistance from what I’m used to WTG. Moustache area was WTG first pass. Looking at the neck, I’m feeling saucy. Why not ATG. I have a Grande. Under the chin down to the Adams apple would be XTG, the rest of the neck ATG. The second ATG pass the Grande quietly gilded over the lanolin with no resistance. A small third pass strip under the left chin line pushed the shave into a solid BBS. This is not the glass smooth BBS. This shave is probably going to bring me from six days down to five days between shaves. I’m going to make a bold statement. I’m a two pass shaver. I will never try to rush through a shave but this one was noticeably quicker. This was the first time using any type of shave device that I went ATG first pass. Now this will be my new shave. One less pass more skin left on my head post shave. Noticeable improvement in skin comfort. Two pass head shave a little buffing on two areas which I’ll improve on next couple of shaves. Another shave another Grande first for me. This was not a planned two pass shave. I put the Grande in my hand and the shave happens.
I started shaving directly ATG first pass with my Grande on shave #7 and continued shaving like that for over a year refining my technique and testing blades. Polsilver and Gillette Yellow work the best for me.
Its a pretty easy shave for me given my beard map is very easy to follow directly ATG.
The only areas I need to shave in more than one direction are my two swirl growth patterns and even those are quick and easy.
I've done that shave with a single Polsilver blade through 20 shaves, only needing an extra light clean up from blade wear after shave 12 or so.
I've also done that shave at 78 hours growth without issue. My Grande consistently, no matter the direction I start a shave in, gives me a 12 hour BBS finish.
If you enjoy that type of shave, the thicker SE blades may give you an advantage. Using my MMOC, even at 100 hours growth directly ATG first pass, my strokes are twice as long and quicker. It also shaves me closer with a BBS finish that lasts from a high of almost 19 hours to a low of 14 hours.
A rigid blade is what makes shaving like that, easily and comfortably, possible. Using my R41, even with a fresh Feather blade, I couldnt shave directly ATG until my third pass and even then, only cautiously. The main difference between those two razors is the amount of blade support given to the blade by the baseplate.
I can use any of my razors like that, from my Gillette post war Tech, NEW SC and Old Types and even my Slim. Smoothness of the blade remains a constant only the efficiency and comfort of the shave differs. The more blade exposure, the higher the efficiency and the less gap the more comfortable and easier the shave is.
There arent many of us that shave like that, but there are a few.
Its a pretty easy shave for me given my beard map is very easy to follow directly ATG.
The only areas I need to shave in more than one direction are my two swirl growth patterns and even those are quick and easy.
I've done that shave with a single Polsilver blade through 20 shaves, only needing an extra light clean up from blade wear after shave 12 or so.
I've also done that shave at 78 hours growth without issue. My Grande consistently, no matter the direction I start a shave in, gives me a 12 hour BBS finish.
If you enjoy that type of shave, the thicker SE blades may give you an advantage. Using my MMOC, even at 100 hours growth directly ATG first pass, my strokes are twice as long and quicker. It also shaves me closer with a BBS finish that lasts from a high of almost 19 hours to a low of 14 hours.
A rigid blade is what makes shaving like that, easily and comfortably, possible. Using my R41, even with a fresh Feather blade, I couldnt shave directly ATG until my third pass and even then, only cautiously. The main difference between those two razors is the amount of blade support given to the blade by the baseplate.
I can use any of my razors like that, from my Gillette post war Tech, NEW SC and Old Types and even my Slim. Smoothness of the blade remains a constant only the efficiency and comfort of the shave differs. The more blade exposure, the higher the efficiency and the less gap the more comfortable and easier the shave is.
There arent many of us that shave like that, but there are a few.
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