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Joseph Rodgers & Sons, Celebrated India Steel
XPEC Original (Not pictured because it's 3017)
Maggard's Black and White
Hazlett's Apothecary, 1888
The XPEC is gone. Second soap in two months to be no more! Hail QUADSAB! And I get to pick another "fun" soap for my regular rotation! What shall it be ...?
The Rodgers made its first appearance since The FFFMM. I found it a little "toothy" and may have to take it back to the Les Lateneuses if it doesn't smooth out with some extra stropping tomorrow.
Now ... To finish off the nub of Arko... It will be replaced by another stick from my stash, but still feels good to watch a soap die.
Gentlemen, in the last period i have reduced my forum activity and well, also comments in this thread, because with the covid danger reduced, i have less time, plus i was recently involved into a community project (completely unrelated) and got an invitation to another community too. So, at this point, i don't know myself whether i will have time or will to organize myself the September Quadsab. Maybe i will just take a Sabbatical from the forum altogether, because i won't be able to juggle different things at the same time. After all, the best Sabbatical is not to be in forum at all. Tried and tested.
:SNIP:
Nothing wrong with participating in real life. I hope it brings you blessings as well as those you are "projecting" with LOL
Still in. Going with the Vector for the next two weeks and hoping to get close to polishing off my B&M Reserve Cool. It's gotten hot and humid in D.C. and appreciating the menthol.
I also wanted to say congrats to everyone who's participating - we're durn close to the halfway mark!
Finishing a product is oddly satisfying and sometimes bitter sweet.After the yesterday's nick, today i resorted to my "healing blade", aka Supermax Super Stainless, because it is incapable of cutting deeply and in deed, the nick didn't reopen. This strategy always pays for me. When you get cut, use a dull blade until the skin heals.
And, i declare the Proraso Blue FINISHED! In reality, i could have gone for 2-3 shaves still, but i am so bored of it, that i just threw it in the bin and i will open an Arko Max Comfort which has "orange" scent. Unless i find i have some older cream.
BYE, BYE, Proraso blue!
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Finishing a product is oddly satisfying and sometimes bitter sweet.
I have been wanting to try some of the proraso line since I started this adventure but have yet to do so. I seem to be drawn more to the green and red.It is VERY satisfying. In my case bitter sweet only when i really really like it and i don't have a spare. Proraso blue i like enough, but not a cream that i will miss if i don't use for a long time. So, i am glad i finished it!
Wow! Thank you so much. That is super helpful information. I will be sure to reach out via PM. It’s looking like I need to tread very carefully otherwise I may end up falling down another rabbit hole and failing out of the quadsab and year long sabbatical. Soon as this year is over though, I’m thinking I may try my hand and the SR shaving! Thank you again @RumpleBearskin!@Jmp63:
Happy to oblige with what little I know...
My recommendation would be to start with a truly shave ready razor (or two - see below). I have some restored vintage blades available at (IMHO) reasonable prices. You can find truly cheap razors out there, but it's questionable that you can shave with them. By the time you get them tuned up, you've spent more than if you had gotten a shave ready restoration. I've heard that Whipped Dog also offers reasonably priced vintage razors, but have no experience with them personally. The BST is also often s good source from reputable gentlemen.
Then there's a strop. Tony Miller makes great strops at very reasonable prices. I believe Whipped Dog also has a "Poor Man's" strop for relatively cheap. Don't go expensive since you *will* nick and cut it up as you learn.
That's really all you need to start, but it will soon be insufficient. After 15, or quite likely fewer, shaves the edge will need "refreshed". That takes a barber's hone, a 12k stone, or a "finishing" stone, and the knowledge of how to use them. That, or you must send it out to a "honemiester". (That's where the second razor comes in, so you have one to shave with while the other is off being touched up.)
If you want more information or to know what inventory I have available, feel free to PM me. I'm even open to a Zoom meeting if a real chat would help.
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PAX 178
Arko (not pictured)
CRV
TOBS Eaton College
Finished off the Arko this morning! That's three soaps in two months.
Replaced the Arko with a new Arko Stick (always in my rotation). And, after careful consideration, replaced the XPEC with DG Trismegistus.