A journal of a Cajun's life wet shaving

[cajunrph]

Shave Date 9/18/23
GRUME September: 18/30
Razor: Rockwell 6c #3 Plate
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (5)
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0
Soap: PAA Awesome Sauce
Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket 26mm Syntetic
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, PAA Mysterium Serum, Aqua Velva Ice
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.2/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 0 weepers or nicks.

Notes:
Top of the morning to everyone. It seems as though Self is sleeping in again. Another excellent shave, not much to say. Lathering worked out in the end, stick to the script and it will all work out

I binned the blade after this shave and the Lord Platimum from yesterday as I had quite a bit of growth this morning. I doubt my testosterone kicked in overnight to aid my facial hair growth. The PAA Awesome Sauce is mentholated, the only one I have so far. The scent is not as overpowering as other PAA soaps, another good candidate for the mass. And the Aqua Velva as always faded fast.

"How Fast did it fade" asked Self.

"I thought you were sleeping?" I replied.

"I was but you said the magic word, now how fast did the scent fade?" Asked Self

"Faster than Alabama's drop out of the top 10 this year."

"You know that will go over like a turd in the punch bowl." Added Self

"So what are you doing today Self?" I asked

"I have to replenish the Jell-O shot supply. It's taken a hit lately."

"You need to slow it down Self, before your Check Liver Light comes on."

"I have a steadfast rule for my drinking."

"And what is that?"

"I only drink on days ending in Y."

"Very convenient isn't it?"

"Yep" Replied Self as he headed to make more Jell-a Shots.

I had no irritation from the shave or weepers. I was able to get BBS but had to do a few more passes on the cheeks. So I decided to bin the blade I said before. All in all a fine shave.

I wish everyone a blessed day, and may your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

P.S. I’m trying different things with the picture. It is taking too long to set up the pics cutting into the time I have to shave.

 

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

I will have you know, my Check Engine Light came on a long time ago, people still wonder about me. I am pretty sure I launched out the womb pedal to the metal, and somebody had to catch me before I shot out the window saying, "Screw this world, I've seen it, heck no, I'm out yo!

 

[Osyri]

checking in on your journals and getting some great tips and view, plan on making my own journal soon!

Should not have read your first 2 page of the journal, my AQ is acting up!

 

[cajunrph]

checking in on your journals and getting some great tips and view, plan on making my own journal soon!

Should not have read your first 2 page of the journal, my AQ is acting up!

Big Nurse will be by soon to check your meds. They told me that. She hasn’t shown up but I’ll be ready for her when she does. Haha.

 

[cajunrph]

Shave Date 9/19/23
GRUME September: 19/30
Razor: 1967 Gillette Slim Adjustable Setting 5
Blade: Astra SP
Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Pre-shave Soap
Soap: West Coast Shaving Barbershop
Brush: Razor Emporium Best Badger Acrylic Black and Orange
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, Razor Emporium Heritage Balm, Aqua Velva Ice Sport
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 DFS+ Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 1 big ole weeper, Zero nicks.

Notes:

Those Astra SP's have been looking at me for a while now and I finally decided to use them. Impressed and cautious all at the same time. More on that later.

The end result of the lathering was an excellent lather, creamy and slick. The road there was a tad different, but I kept on adding small amounts of water, incorporating it into the lather and repeating as needed. I do find my badger brushes retain more of the lather than the synthetic brushes. I truly find no other difference between them making a synthetic brush an easy decision for a new shaver. The synthetics have come such a long way from when I started to wet shave back in 2010.

On to the shave. New combo for me and I was looking forward to trying out a popular blade. Many have the Astra SP towards the top of their favorite blades. I understand why after this shave. I started out with a North-South pass, which is WTG on the cheeks and XTG on the neck, followed by a true ATG and then touch-ups. The blade gave me great feedback at the start. As I progressed I was less able to feel the blade. I am still refining my technique and have learned much today about the proper angle of the razor head with this blade. I noticed I got sloppy with my South-north passes around the jawline and transitioning to the face. I had the razor set at 5 which was a pure shot in the dark. I lost the feel of the blade during the shave, again likely due to my developing technique. I get to the touch-ups, and I'm really getting aggressive with the razor on the neck and then it happened, I cut myself pretty good on the neck. Right before I cut myself I thought that I was getting really aggressive with the razor and needed to calm down. When I saw the blood I looked into the mirror and there was Self, staring back at me, with condescending eyes.


"Hummmmm" as Self slurps down a Jell-O shot. "Uhh, what did you do there???"

"Nothing much, just some redness," I replied.

"Redness you say?? Most would call that redness blood."

"It's nothing really, just a little weeper."

"Yeah, and Spindle Top was just a little spill." Snapped back self.

"Don't you have anything else to do Self?"

"I do, I have a Poem for you"

Self clears his throat,

You say it's only Redness
Not quite sure that's True
From the butchering I see
I ask, did you use a Ginsu?
​

"Hardy, har, har, Self, are you proud of yourself?"

"Yep and I have more"

I heard you when you did it
You murmured "What the heck"
Now you are less coona$$
and more of a Redneck.

Now that I've done my job
and under the collar you're hot,
I leave you to your thoughts
As I slurp more Jell-O Shots.
​

Self bows spins around, and slurps down another Jell-O Shot while heading to the couch.

Lesson learned, I got too aggressive with this Razor/Blade combo due to my not feeling the blade well. I should have kicked up the setting, it was an adjustable razor after all. I will try this blade in another razor tomorrow to see the results. I know it is a good blade as many like it.

I used the Razor Emporium Preshave soap and Heritage aftershave balm because their scents are along the lines of The Barbershop soap. The Aqua Velva was a nice splash for the end and left fairly quickly.

"How quickly did the aftershave leave?" Self asks running into the room.

"Quicker than Enron's accountants when the auditor showed up."

I'm going to bump this down to a DFS+ on the face and Neck for the shave. After the nick, I was hesitant to chase BBS on the face. I need to bump up the aggression on the razor next time. I have no irritation, but my face feels a tad dry. Maybe the Aqua Velva. I will skip it tomorrow and see if that helps.

I wish everyone a blessed day, may all you shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

​

 

[blethenstrom]

Shave Date 9/19/23
GRUME September: 19/30
Razor: 1967 Gillette Slim Adjustable Setting 5
Blade: Astra SP
Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Pre-shave Soap
Soap: West Coast Shaving Barbershop
Brush: Razor Emporium Best Badger Acrylic Black and Orange
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, Razor Emporium Heritage Balm, Aqua Velva Ice Sport
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 DFS+ Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 1 big ole weeper, Zero nicks.

Notes:

Those Astra SP's have been looking at me for a while now and I finally decided to use them. Impressed and cautious all at the same time. More on that later.

The end result of the lathering was an excellent lather, creamy and slick. The road there was a tad different, but I kept on adding small amounts of water, incorporating it into the lather and repeating as needed. I do find my badger brushes retain more of the lather than the synthetic brushes. I truly find no other difference between them making a synthetic brush an easy decision for a new shaver. The synthetics have come such a long way from when I started to wet shave back in 2010.

On to the shave. New combo for me and I was looking forward to trying out a popular blade. Many have the Astra SP towards the top of their favorite blades. I understand why after this shave. I started out with a North-South pass, which is WTG on the cheeks and XTG on the neck, followed by a true ATG and then touch-ups. The blade gave me great feedback at the start. As I progressed I was less able to feel the blade. I am still refining my technique and have learned much today about the proper angle of the razor head with this blade. I noticed I got sloppy with my South-north passes around the jawline and transitioning to the face. I had the razor set at 5 which was a pure shot in the dark. I lost the feel of the blade during the shave, again likely due to my developing technique. I get to the touch-ups, and I'm really getting aggressive with the razor on the neck and then it happened, I cut myself pretty good on the neck. Right before I cut myself I thought that I was getting really aggressive with the razor and needed to calm down. When I saw the blood I looked into the mirror and there was Self, staring back at me, with condescending eyes.


"Hummmmm" as Self slurps down a Jell-O shot. "Uhh, what did you do there???"

"Nothing much, just some redness," I replied.

"Redness you say?? Most would call that redness blood."

"It's nothing really, just a little weeper."

"Yeah, and Spindle Top was just a little spill." Snapped back self.

"Don't you have anything else to do Self?"

"I do, I have a Poem for you"

Self clears his throat,

You say it's only Redness
Not quite sure that's True
From the butchering I see
I ask, did you use a Ginsu?
​

"Hardy, har, har, Self, are you proud of yourself?"

"Yep and I have more"

I heard you when you did it
You murmured "What the heck"
Now you are less coona$$
and more of a Redneck.

Now that I've done my job
and under the collar you're hot,
I leave you to your thoughts
As I slurp more Jell-O Shots.
​

Self bows spins around, and slurps down another Jell-O Shot while heading to the couch.

Lesson learned, I got too aggressive with this Razor/Blade combo due to my not feeling the blade well. I should have kicked up the setting, it was an adjustable razor after all. I will try this blade in another razor tomorrow to see the results. I know it is a good blade as many like it.

I used the Razor Emporium Preshave soap and Heritage aftershave balm because their scents are along the lines of The Barbershop soap. The Aqua Velva was a nice splash for the end and left fairly quickly.

"How quickly did the aftershave leave?" Self asks running into the room.

"Quicker than Enron's accountants when the auditor showed up."

I'm going to bump this down to a DFS+ on the face and Neck for the shave. After the nick, I was hesitant to chase BBS on the face. I need to bump up the aggression on the razor next time. I have no irritation, but my face feels a tad dry. Maybe the Aqua Velva. I will skip it tomorrow and see if that helps.

I wish everyone a blessed day, may all you shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

View attachment 1720116

​

Note to Self: It is nothing by a flesh wound:

 

[thombrogan]

Please heal quickly. Thank you for recounting your self mutilation in such a creative manner.

 

[Eric_75]

Shave Date 9/19/23
GRUME September: 19/30
Razor: 1967 Gillette Slim Adjustable Setting 5
Blade: Astra SP
Pre-Shave: Razor Emporium Pre-shave Soap
Soap: West Coast Shaving Barbershop
Brush: Razor Emporium Best Badger Acrylic Black and Orange
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, Razor Emporium Heritage Balm, Aqua Velva Ice Sport
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 DFS+ Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 1 big ole weeper, Zero nicks.

Notes:

Those Astra SP's have been looking at me for a while now and I finally decided to use them. Impressed and cautious all at the same time. More on that later.

The end result of the lathering was an excellent lather, creamy and slick. The road there was a tad different, but I kept on adding small amounts of water, incorporating it into the lather and repeating as needed. I do find my badger brushes retain more of the lather than the synthetic brushes. I truly find no other difference between them making a synthetic brush an easy decision for a new shaver. The synthetics have come such a long way from when I started to wet shave back in 2010.

On to the shave. New combo for me and I was looking forward to trying out a popular blade. Many have the Astra SP towards the top of their favorite blades. I understand why after this shave. I started out with a North-South pass, which is WTG on the cheeks and XTG on the neck, followed by a true ATG and then touch-ups. The blade gave me great feedback at the start. As I progressed I was less able to feel the blade. I am still refining my technique and have learned much today about the proper angle of the razor head with this blade. I noticed I got sloppy with my South-north passes around the jawline and transitioning to the face. I had the razor set at 5 which was a pure shot in the dark. I lost the feel of the blade during the shave, again likely due to my developing technique. I get to the touch-ups, and I'm really getting aggressive with the razor on the neck and then it happened, I cut myself pretty good on the neck. Right before I cut myself I thought that I was getting really aggressive with the razor and needed to calm down. When I saw the blood I looked into the mirror and there was Self, staring back at me, with condescending eyes.


"Hummmmm" as Self slurps down a Jell-O shot. "Uhh, what did you do there???"

"Nothing much, just some redness," I replied.

"Redness you say?? Most would call that redness blood."

"It's nothing really, just a little weeper."

"Yeah, and Spindle Top was just a little spill." Snapped back self.

"Don't you have anything else to do Self?"

"I do, I have a Poem for you"

Self clears his throat,

You say it's only Redness
Not quite sure that's True
From the butchering I see
I ask, did you use a Ginsu?
​

"Hardy, har, har, Self, are you proud of yourself?"

"Yep and I have more"

I heard you when you did it
You murmured "What the heck"
Now you are less coona$$
and more of a Redneck.

Now that I've done my job
and under the collar you're hot,
I leave you to your thoughts
As I slurp more Jell-O Shots.
​

Self bows spins around, and slurps down another Jell-O Shot while heading to the couch.

Lesson learned, I got too aggressive with this Razor/Blade combo due to my not feeling the blade well. I should have kicked up the setting, it was an adjustable razor after all. I will try this blade in another razor tomorrow to see the results. I know it is a good blade as many like it.

I used the Razor Emporium Preshave soap and Heritage aftershave balm because their scents are along the lines of The Barbershop soap. The Aqua Velva was a nice splash for the end and left fairly quickly.

"How quickly did the aftershave leave?" Self asks running into the room.

"Quicker than Enron's accountants when the auditor showed up."

I'm going to bump this down to a DFS+ on the face and Neck for the shave. After the nick, I was hesitant to chase BBS on the face. I need to bump up the aggression on the razor next time. I have no irritation, but my face feels a tad dry. Maybe the Aqua Velva. I will skip it tomorrow and see if that helps.

I wish everyone a blessed day, may all you shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

View attachment 1720116

​

I hope that cut heals up quickly, John.

 

[cajunrph]

Please heal quickly. Thank you for recounting your self mutilation in such a creative manner.

I looked worse than it turned out to be. I can't see it anymore. Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[cajunrph]

I hope that cut heals up quickly, John.

Just about healed. Thanks.

 

[cajunrph]

Shave Date 9/20/23
GRUME September: 20/30
Razor: Rex Envoy
Blade: Nacet (1)
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0
Soap: PAA Good Vibrations
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar #2 Synthetic brush
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, PAA Mysterium Serium
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 2-3 weepers, slight irritation.

Notes:

I whipped the much loved Nacet blade today, paired it with the trustworthy Rex Envoy. Much like yesterday, I got overconfident with the excellent blade and nicked myself. Under the lower lip, inside the Goatee area, which is challenging as I am trying to sculpt the area taking off hair in a restricted area. Also, getting over aggressive with the fine blade lead to some weepers.

"Did I hear someone say weepers?" Asked Self from the other room.

"Not today, Self, I don't have time for you today." I replied.

"I'll make it quick, one stanza." Self clears his throat.

A new blade for today
You've chosen the Nacet
You go after your face
with a diabetic lancet?
​

"Are you done?" I ask Self

"Yep, I think I am." Self returns to the living room.

The weepers were short-lived and disappeared before I even got to the alum block. This time around, my face tends to heal quickly from the nicks. It is likely the nicks are less severe as I have avoided the Feather Blades that sliced and diced up my face the first go round back in 2010. Looking in the mirror at work, I could hardly tell where the nicks were. If I didn't know where the nicks were, I'd likely not be able to find them.


The lathering worked out in the end. Again, it seemed as though it had too many bigger bubbles at the start. I kept at it and was able to get a darn fine lather, if I do say myself.

I do enjoy the scent of Good Vibrations, a masculine Summer Time Barber scent. I think I'll get the aftershave. Scent is mild with not much. The scent had zero staying power.

"About like you and the first wife? Huhh?" Yelled Self as he killed off another Jell-O Shot.

"Shut your Jell-O shot Hole"

All in all a fine shave. Although I did get a few weepers, they healed before the end of the shave. I was able to achieve BBS on the cheeks this time. Where yesterday's shave was DFS+, additionally I had less irritation yesterday than today. I gave some up today on the irritation, and gained some on the smoothness. A wash in the end. 'twas a fine shave.


I wish everyone a blessed day, may your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

 

[thombrogan]

Please heal quickly

 

[Eric_75]

Please heal quickly

@cajunrph I second that.

 

[cajunrph]

@cajunrph I second that.

Please heal quickly

Already healed up, not bad at all. Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[Osyri]

@cajunrph I second that.

I third that, get well soon.

Reminds me, I need to buy some alum and triple antibiotic ointment for my upcoming shave this weekend.

 

[blethenstrom]

I third that, get well soon.

Reminds me, I need to buy some alum and triple antibiotic ointment for my upcoming shave this weekend.

Alum block and a styptic pen for the gushers trying not to scare you though, but they are invaluable sometimes. Otherwise you will look like grandpa with TP pieces on your face.

 

[cajunrph]

I third that, get well soon.

Reminds me, I need to buy some alum and triple antibiotic ointment for my upcoming shave this weekend.

Alum block and a styptic pen for the gushers trying not to scare you though, but they are invaluable sometimes. Otherwise you will look like grandpa with TP pieces on your face.

Yes. The alum block for the most part closes weepers right up. An essential in my book. I use it every day. It tomes the face up as well. And at my advanced age, I can use all the toning I can get. Haha.

 

[Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker]

Shave Date 9/20/23
GRUME September: 20/30
Razor: Rex Envoy
Blade: Nacet (1)
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0
Soap: PAA Good Vibrations
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar #2 Synthetic brush
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, PAA Mysterium Serium
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 2-3 weepers, slight irritation.

Notes:

I whipped the much loved Nacet blade today, paired it with the trustworthy Rex Envoy. Much like yesterday, I got overconfident with the excellent blade and nicked myself. Under the lower lip, inside the Goatee area, which is challenging as I am trying to sculpt the area taking off hair in a restricted area. Also, getting over aggressive with the fine blade lead to some weepers.

"Did I hear someone say weepers?" Asked Self from the other room.

"Not today, Self, I don't have time for you today." I replied.

"I'll make it quick, one stanza." Self clears his throat.

A new blade for today
You've chosen the Nacet
You go after your face
with a diabetic lancet?
​

"Are you done?" I ask Self

"Yep, I think I am." Self returns to the living room.

The weepers were short-lived and disappeared before I even got to the alum block. This time around, my face tends to heal quickly from the nicks. It is likely the nicks are less severe as I have avoided the Feather Blades that sliced and diced up my face the first go round back in 2010. Looking in the mirror at work, I could hardly tell where the nicks were. If I didn't know where the nicks were, I'd likely not be able to find them.


The lathering worked out in the end. Again, it seemed as though it had too many bigger bubbles at the start. I kept at it and was able to get a darn fine lather, if I do say myself.

I do enjoy the scent of Good Vibrations, a masculine Summer Time Barber scent. I think I'll get the aftershave. Scent is mild with not much. The scent had zero staying power.

"About like you and the first wife? Huhh?" Yelled Self as he killed off another Jell-O Shot.

"Shut your Jell-O shot Hole"

All in all a fine shave. Although I did get a few weepers, they healed before the end of the shave. I was able to achieve BBS on the cheeks this time. Where yesterday's shave was DFS+, additionally I had less irritation yesterday than today. I gave some up today on the irritation, and gained some on the smoothness. A wash in the end. 'twas a fine shave.


I wish everyone a blessed day, may your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

View attachment 1720673

Your really lucky to have self. He might make jokes, but you know he cares. It's good to have someone to trade thoughts with, bounce questions off of. I'd love to try Jello shots, but I need to be sober if I'm going to use a razor lol. I can picture the whole seen in my head. I'm glad your getting a nice shave.

 

[blethenstrom]

Shave Date 9/20/23
GRUME September: 20/30
Razor: Rex Envoy
Blade: Nacet (1)
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0
Soap: PAA Good Vibrations
Brush: Simpson Trafalgar #2 Synthetic brush
Post-shave: Alum Block, Thayers, PAA Mysterium Serium
Bowl: Douglas Smith Pottery Suribachi Shaving Bowl
Rating: 9.0/10 BBS Cheeks and DFS on the neck. 2-3 weepers, slight irritation.

Notes:

I whipped the much loved Nacet blade today, paired it with the trustworthy Rex Envoy. Much like yesterday, I got overconfident with the excellent blade and nicked myself. Under the lower lip, inside the Goatee area, which is challenging as I am trying to sculpt the area taking off hair in a restricted area. Also, getting over aggressive with the fine blade lead to some weepers.

"Did I hear someone say weepers?" Asked Self from the other room.

"Not today, Self, I don't have time for you today." I replied.

"I'll make it quick, one stanza." Self clears his throat.

A new blade for today
You've chosen the Nacet
You go after your face
with a diabetic lancet?
​

"Are you done?" I ask Self

"Yep, I think I am." Self returns to the living room.

The weepers were short-lived and disappeared before I even got to the alum block. This time around, my face tends to heal quickly from the nicks. It is likely the nicks are less severe as I have avoided the Feather Blades that sliced and diced up my face the first go round back in 2010. Looking in the mirror at work, I could hardly tell where the nicks were. If I didn't know where the nicks were, I'd likely not be able to find them.


The lathering worked out in the end. Again, it seemed as though it had too many bigger bubbles at the start. I kept at it and was able to get a darn fine lather, if I do say myself.

I do enjoy the scent of Good Vibrations, a masculine Summer Time Barber scent. I think I'll get the aftershave. Scent is mild with not much. The scent had zero staying power.

"About like you and the first wife? Huhh?" Yelled Self as he killed off another Jell-O Shot.

"Shut your Jell-O shot Hole"

All in all a fine shave. Although I did get a few weepers, they healed before the end of the shave. I was able to achieve BBS on the cheeks this time. Where yesterday's shave was DFS+, additionally I had less irritation yesterday than today. I gave some up today on the irritation, and gained some on the smoothness. A wash in the end. 'twas a fine shave.


I wish everyone a blessed day, may your shaves be BBS, nick, and weeper free.

View attachment 1720673

I have a very serious question. Does Self have a problem with alcohol? He seems to be downing those Jell-o shots quite frequently. Even better @cajunrph it would be if you let us talk to Self. We could really help him get on the right track. Right now he seems more like the Al Bundy type of a person who likes to sit on the couch and comment.

 

[cajunrph]

I have a very serious question. Does Self have a problem with alcohol? He seems to be downing those Jell-o shots quite frequently. Even better @cajunrph it would be if you let us talk to Self. We could really help him get on the right track. Right now he seems more like the Al Bundy type of a person who likes to sit on the couch and comment.

Nahh. Self doesn’t have a problem with alcohol. He’s Catholic. And Cajun. A double whammy. Haha. Self takes the later shifts at work. He’s not a morning person. Except for Jell-O shots. And the occasional Bloody Mary. Hahaha.