Rolling the Bones

[4and20blackbirds]

Monday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: Dr. Jon's Runaway
Brush: Ever-Ready F40
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #1
Blade: Astra SP, #1
Post: alum -> DJ Runaway aftershave

As expected, a very large weight difference with this aluminum razor, but it feels great and is very well constructed. I like the all black, too. Two passes only resulting in DFS face, CCS on my neck, and SAS on my chin. Not much feedback from the alum. Not super comfortable, but far better than the R89.

Tuesday shave

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: Lather Bros. No Probllama
Brush: Vie-Long Silvertip
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #2
Blade: Astra SP, #2
Post: alum -> LB No Probllama aftershave

Two passes for DFS face and a mix of CCS (mostly) and DFS on my neck. A little more feedback tonight, but not bad. Some irritation on my neck afterwards.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Wednesday shave

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: NO The Noir et Vanille
Brush: B&B boar
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #3
Blade: Astra SP, #3
Post: alum -> NO TNeV aftershave

Two passes and some cleanup for mostly DFS, but it wasn't worth it. Lots of feedback and irritation afterward.

Friday shave

Prep: Neutrogena Razor Defense face scrub
Soap: SV 70th
Brush: SOC badger
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #4
Blade: Astra SP, #4 and banked
Post: alum -> Dior Dune aftershave

A steep first pass didn't give great results so finished with a typical angle. DFS minus on my face and a mix of CCS and SAS on my neck. Not not much alum feedback, which was a nice change from Wednesday.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Saturday shave

Prep: Noxzema
Soap: CBL Grape Soda
Brush: Omega Mixed Midget
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #5
Blade: Gillette Sputnik, #1
Post: alum -> Aqua Velva aftershave

Two passes only. DFS face and CCS neck.

Sunday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: NO Rawr
Brush: EJ Silvertip
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #6
Blade: Gillette Sputnik, #2
Post: witch hazel

Two passes only for DFS face and a mix of CCS and SAS on my neck. I'm finding the blade to be okay, but not as good as an Astra for me.

I've decided to move the Rawr out of the den. Great performance, but not wild about the scent--which is why I used witch hazel for the post.

Monday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: ToBS Royal Forest
Brush: Simpson Astor A1 in Best
Razor: Standard Razors Deep Black, #7
Blade: Gillette Sputnik, #3
Post: Clubman Reserve Brandy Spice

Two passes resulting in mostly DFS with a small patch of CCS on my neck. Not too much feedback from the alum. Probably the best shave I've had with this razor, but not enough for me to want to keep it and that's a wrap.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Seven shaves with the Standard Razors Deep Black was enough: overall, it was decidedly mediocre for me. Usually uncomfortable and never a close cut, but I did like the look and the weight of it. I’m going to place it just above its (I presume) muse, the R89, with a slightly higher 4 on comfort (which I attribute to the lighter weight) and the same 3 on efficiency.

	Rank	Razor	Comfort	Efficiency
Tier 1 - Keepers	1	Gillette Slim	10	6
	2	Schick Type L1	10	5
	3	RazoRock German 37	9	7
	4	Fine Marvel	9	6
	5	Parker Semi-slant	9	6
	6	Yaqi Beast
	7	Gem Junior	8	6
Tier 2 - In Consideration	8	iKon X3	8	6
	9	Timeless .95	8	6
	10	RazoRock Mamba	8	4
	11 (tie)	1940s Gillette Super Speed	8	5
		1947 Gillette Aristocrat Junior	8	5
	12	Gillette fat handle Tech	8	5
	13	Merkur 34C HD	8	6
	14	Gem MMOC	5	6
Tier 3 - Not for me	15	Timeless .68	7	5
	16	Parker 24C	7	6
	17	Karve Christopher Bradley, D Plate	6	5
	18	Karve CB, C Plate	7	5
	19	Karve CB, B Plate	7	4
	20	RazoRock Mamba 70	5	3
	21	Wilkinson Sword TTO
	22	Schick Injector Type E3	3	6
	23	Fatip Open Comb Slant	3	4
	24	Standard Razors Deep Black	4	3
	25	Mühle R89 Grande	3	3

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Tuesday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: MdC Rose
Brush: Shavemac badger
Razor: Gem MMOC
Blade: Gem PTFE
Post: alum -> Florida Water aftershave

Two passes only for an all-over DFS. Pretty significant feedback, though, and not at all comfortable. I've decided to move this one out of the den, which means an update to the league table. It's a neat razor, shaves well, but I don't find it gives a comfortable shave.

	Rank	Razor	Comfort	Efficiency
Tier 1 - Keepers	1	Gillette Slim	10	6
	2	Schick Type L1	10	5
	3	RazoRock German 37	9	7
	4	Fine Marvel	9	6
	5	Parker Semi-slant	9	6
	6	Yaqi Beast
	7	Gem Junior	8	6
Tier 2 - In Consideration	8	iKon X3	8	6
	9	Timeless .95	8	6
	10	RazoRock Mamba	8	4
	11 (tie)	1940s Gillette Super Speed	8	5
		1947 Gillette Aristocrat Junior	8	5
	12	Gillette fat handle Tech	8	5
	13	Merkur 34C HD	8	6
Tier 3 - Not for me	14	Gem MMOC	5	6
	15	Timeless .68	7	5
	16	Parker 24C	7	6
	17	Karve Christopher Bradley, D Plate	6	5
	18	Karve CB, C Plate	7	5
	19	Karve CB, B Plate	7	4
	20	RazoRock Mamba 70	5	3
	21	Wilkinson Sword TTO
	22	Schick Injector Type E3	3	6
	23	Fatip Open Comb Slant	3	4
	24	Standard Razors Deep Black	4	3
	25	Mühle R89 Grande	3	3

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Catching up:

Thursday and Saturday shaves

Prep: Water
Soap: Barbasol Original
Brush: none
Razor: Gillette Sensor
Blade: Gillette Sensor Excel
Post: none

Took a couple of days off for a family get together out of town. Took my usual kit: Sensor and Barbasol. One pass each shave for mostly DFS, no post needed. The Sensor was my favorite razor back in the day and it still gives great shaves.

Sunday

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: Cella
Brush: Vulfix Grosvenor
Razor: 1947 Gillette Aristocrat Jr.
Blade: Lord Cool, #1
Post: alum -> Suavecito Bay Rum

Two-passes, mix of DFS and CCS. First use of a Lord Cool and it was serviceable, but nothing special.


Monday

Prep: Noxzema
Soap: ToBS Grapefruit
Brush: Omega 10290
Razor: Timeless .95
Blade: Lord Cool, #2
Post: alum -> Clubman Reserve Gent's Gin aftershave

Bit of a rough shave tonight. Two passes with a weeper on my chin and, later, a bloody patch on my neck, that I thought was just irritated initially. I mostly blame the blade because I've had really good shaves with the Timeless before. Nevertheless, I've decided to move this one out of the den--mainly due to its heavy weight. I might try a titanium Timeless.95 in the future.

Wednesday shave

Prep: Water
Soap: Barbasol Original
Brush: none
Razor: Gillette Sensor
Blade: Gillette Sensor Excel
Post: none

On the road again, usual setup. I need to go back and figure how many uses I've got on this blade, but it's still going like a champ. One-pass DFS with a small bit of CCS. And, surprisingly given I skipped a night, the area on my neck that I roughed up with the Timeless was still a bit painful to shave. No blood though.

 

[thombrogan]

I’m sorry to read about the rough time with the 0.95 Timeless. Wondering whether more repeated uses would make it “better” or if it’s going to fly away from Casa de Blackbirds

 

[4and20blackbirds]

I’m sorry to read about the rough time with the 0.95 Timeless. Wondering whether more repeated uses would make it “better” or if it’s going to fly away from Casa de Blackbirds

@thombrogan , I really do think the blade was the main culprit on that particular shave. I do still very much like the Timeless .95 head, just find the weight a bit much for my preference. Also, it’s in a set with the .68 (which I would not keep) and a stand and I’d rather leave all that together for the next owner. Then, at some point, I’ll be looking for a .95 in titanium. I suspect that one will be the “just right” one for me!

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Friday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: CBL Back-Alley Barbershop
Brush: Vulfix Grosvenor
Razor: RazoRock German 37
Blade: Lord Cool, #3 and banked
Post: alum -> Aqua Velva aftershave

Got back in late from our trip to drop our oldest off at college for her freshman year, so instead of rolling up a new razor as planned I just re-rolled one to use with the Lord Cool. The German 37 was great, leading to a two-pass DFS with a small area of CCS and only minor alum feedback. That blade, though, is toast. Tugged from the start this time and didn't really improve from there.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

And next is the aptly-named Fine Superlite slant, an all-plastic homage to the Bakelite slants of the past.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Saturday shave

Prep: Noxzema
Soap: Col. Conk Lime
Brush: EJ Silvertip
Razor: Fine Superlite slant
Blade: Astra SP, #1
Post: alum -> Pinaud Clubman Citrus Musk aftershave

A very good first shave with the Superlite. Two-passes and, because it was feeling good, touch-ups for an all-around DFS. Only minor feedback from the alum and minor sting from the Citrus Musk. A very comfortable shave. I resisted the urge to use any pressure due to the light weight and just let the blade do all the work. The Col. Conk gave some fantastic lather tonight--what a bargain that stuff is and it smells great, too!

 

[TinyT]

The Col. Conk gave some fantastic lather tonight--what a bargain that stuff is and it smells great, too!

How do you load from that - puck in the hand?

 

[4and20blackbirds]

How do you load from that - puck in the hand?

I think I’ll try that next time, @TinyT. I’ve just been scraping some (not an easy soap to scoop) and pressing it into a bowl.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Sunday shave

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: Barrister & Mann Reserve Fern
Brush: Vie Long Silvertip
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #2
Blade: Astra SP, #2
Post: alum -> BM Reserve Fern aftershave

Two passes for DFS face and mostly CCS on my neck. A comfortable shave with negligible feedback from the alum. I decided that the Fern is not for me. Like the lather, but not the scent, so it'll be moving out of the den.

Tuesday shave

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: SW Druantia
Brush: Omega 10290
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #3
Blade: Astra SP, #3
Post: alum -> Florida Water aftershave

A comfortable two-pass shave this afternoon, but not real close: usual DFS on my face, but my neck was CCS and a large section of SAS. Hardly any feedback from the alum.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Wednesday shave

Prep: Noxzema
Soap: Tallow + Steel Morocco
Brush: Omega Mixed Midget
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #4
Blade: Astra SP, #4 and banked
Post: alum -> T+S Morocco aftershave

Took it steep for two passes and needed up with DFS face and an even mix of CCS and SAS on my neck. A little more feedback from the alum, but not too bad.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Friday shave

Prep: Noxzema
Soap: SV Cubebe
Brush: EJ Silvertip
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #5
Blade: Personna Lab Blue, #1
Post: alum -> Stirling Lemon Chill aftershave

First use of a Lab Blue and I wasn't impressed. Two passes and a touch-up with tugging the whole way led to DFS face and a mix of CCS and SAS on my neck. Decidedly uncomfortable with a small weeper and irritation on my neck, but, surprisingly, only moderate feedback from the alum. So there was that.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Saturday shave

Prep: Cleansing Story White Clay foam
Soap: Stirling Iced Pineapple
Brush: Simpson Astor A1 Best
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #6
Blade: Personna Lab Blue, #2
Post: alum -> Ogallala Bay Rum aftershave

Not impressed with this blade in the Superlite. It's a terrible combination. Two passes, tugging all the way. Some irritation on my neck and feedback from the alum. I'm going to try a different blade in the Superlite tomorrow, but I've about made up my mind on where it stands.

I'm also going to hold the Lab Blue for use in my next in-between shave to see if some weight in the razor makes a difference. I won't hesitate to bank it on the first pass if it doesn't behave, though.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Sunday shave

Prep: Neutrogena Razor Defense face scrub
Soap: Mickey Lee Grand Havana
Brush: Simpson PJ2 Super
Razor: Fine Superlite slant, #7
Blade: Duablade Clifton, #1
Post: alum -> Clubman Pinaud Reserve Whiskey Woods aftershave

What a difference a blade can make! A fantastic shave with the Clifton tonight: sharp and smooth with zero issues. Two passes and DFS all over except the usual small CCS patch on my neck. Only the most minor feedback from the alum. And that will do it for the Superlite.

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Seven shaves with the Fine Superlite slant. An interesting razor and, no surprise, the lightest DE I've used. It felt like using a disposable razor. The lack of weight didn't bother me from a "how it feels" standpoint, but I do think it affected how it shaved. I found it to be relatively comfortable, but lacking in efficiency and it wasn't until last night with a new Clifton blade that I got an actual DFS on the right side of my neck, which is usually a given. I think that might be because the lightness was working against me in that there wasn't enough pressure to assist with keeping the blade a consistent pressure against the skin, particularly when shaving under my chin. Whatever the case, I just don't find it gives a reliably close shave. I think the Superlite is the most sensitive to blade choice of any DE I've used so far which I also think is due to its lightness, i.e., the blade has to compensate for the lack of natural weight you'd get on another razor. Overall, not too bad, but not for me. I’m going to place it at 16, with a 7 on comfort and a 4 on efficiency.

	Rank	Razor	Comfort	Efficiency
Tier 1 - Keepers	1	Gillette Slim	10	6
	2	Schick Type L1	10	5
	3	RazoRock German 37	9	7
	4	Fine Marvel	9	6
	5	Parker Semi-slant	9	6
	6	Yaqi Beast
	7	Gem Junior	8	6
Tier 2 - In Consideration	8	iKon X3	8	6
	9	RazoRock Mamba	8	4
	10 (tie)	1940s Gillette Super Speed	8	5
		1947 Gillette Aristocrat Junior	8	5
	11	Gillette fat handle Tech	8	5
	12	Merkur 34C HD	8	6
Tier 3 - Not for me	13	Timeless .95	8	6
	14	Gem MMOC	5	6
	15	Timeless .68	7	5
	16	Fine Superlite slant	7	4
	17	Parker 24C	7	6
	18	Karve Christopher Bradley, D Plate	6	5
	19	Karve CB, C Plate	7	5
	20	Karve CB, B Plate	7	4
	21	RazoRock Mamba 70	5	3
	22	Wilkinson Sword TTO
	23	Schick Injector Type E3	3	6
	24	Fatip Open Comb Slant	3	4
	25	Standard Razors Deep Black	4	3
	26	Mühle R89 Grande	3	3

 

[4and20blackbirds]

Monday shave

Prep: PAA Ice Cube 2.0
Soap: P&B Spitfire
Brush: Omega Mixed Midget
Razor: Gillette Fat Handle Tech
Blade: Personna Lab Blue, #3 and banked
Post: alum -> Clubman Reserve Brandy Spice aftershave

I'm getting close to a big BST den clearing so I've decided to take the next few shaves to go through the razors in Tier 2 to make a final decision on them. First up is the Gillette Fat Handle Tech. I started with the Lab Blue, fully expecting to not even make it through the first pass based on its performance in the Superlite. Well. On the contrary. I wouldn't say it was outstanding, but it was a good shave all the way and the two passes resulted in DFS on my face and a mix of DFS and CCS on my neck. Not a hint of tugging and zero feedback from the alum. A very comfortable shave overall. I guess the weight of a razor can somewhat cover up a blade's flaws, but with the Superlite it had nowhere to hide. As for the Tech, it's going to move up to Tier 1.

In light of the den clearing, I've also taken another run through my brushes and have decided to move along the La Maison du Barbier and both SOC brushes. And I've gone through my soaps and decided to move out M&M Gael Luc, RazoRock Don Marco, Mike's Bay Rum, GS Abysso, and WK Man From Mayfair. There may yet be a couple more before I post to the BST.