A newbie’s journey into DE shaving

[Guido75]

29.10.2023

• Guido75
• Oct 29, 2023

Gillette NEW RFB • PolSilver (17) • Omega Super Badger • Tabarko

Date	29.10.2023
365 daily shaves	302/365
OCtober	29/31
Tabactober	29/31
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette NEW RFB	PolSilver Stainless (17)	Razorock 400
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Tabarko (tallow)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
7/10 (DFS)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Very relaxing and great shave with the Raised Flat Bottom today. Blade is approaching 20 shaves and still works like a charm. I was on the verge of binning it around shaves 12-15, but using my newly found feather-light touch in using my razors (thanks to @AimlessWanderer) the blade sprung back into better action for me. OCtober is almost coming to a close - and it has been super fun using al my OC razors (whose number has grown significantly since OCtober 2022 I noticed!). So it is about time to start thinking about those safety bar razors for NOCvember!

Razor and blade - I had this razor on my wanted list for some time and earlier this year the opportunity presented itself to get it at a very fair price. I even alerted the seller of said price, but it didn´t make a difference to that person and so here we are. Based on other reviews I was expecting to be blown away by its performance and up to now I have to say it has been an underwhelming experience. It is very mild - even milder than my Gillette Aristocrat OC - which I already consider to be a mild shaver. Now that is not to say that it is not effective, but it is also not particularly close in shaving. Hence the DFS result as I can definitely feel stubble ATG. I need to experiment with different blades to see if I can up the ante. O and check out that Lavender handle from @lasta

Brush and lather - Funny realisation today - I have been working with Al's new method for lathering so much lately that I am having trouble doing my normal routine! I moved Tabarko from the Mike's tub to one of my enamel shaving mugs (so that Mike's barbershop could return to its rightful home). I used my floppiest brush and did my tipdip method for building lather while also using the layering aspect of Al. This time with my usual preshave prep. Good hydration. Went back to the soap during passes two and three. In my personal view the lather on the third pass was the best - balance between slick and thick(er).

Technique - I am definitely getting used to the truly feather-light touch. I had the impression that every so slightly it made the RFB more effective than I experienced in previous shaves. Mild aftershave burn - all good!

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Guido75]

Date	30.10.2023
365 daily shaves	303/365
OCtober	30/31
Tabactober	30/31
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette NEW RFB	Feather (1)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Tabarko (tallow)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	9/10 (Some red spots)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8/10 (DFS+)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Better than yesterday using a sharper blade or fresher blade at least. One day left thinking about those safety bar razors and start using them for NOCvember!

Razor and blade - Decided to use a Feather and check if that increases the razor’s performance for me. It did, but not by much. I even had BST in mind, but for now it’s still a nice addition to the den. And it’s not like it’s not shaving at all. Just super mild.

Brush and lather - The T3 is just a great brush. I could really have multiple of them and use only that in my rotation. Great lather today using my usual lather method. Al did got me paying more attention to hydration.

Technique - As I am using a Feather a feather-light touch appropriate. ATG resulted in one or two tiny red spots. And I noticed my pressure increased in the ATG as well. Second observation: I have divided my neck strokes - bottom part S-N and upper part NW-SE and NE-SW (mostly Gillette Slides). Seems more enjoyable this way.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Balin]

Date	30.10.2023
365 daily shaves	303/365
OCtober	30/31
Tabactober	30/31
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette NEW RFB	Feather (1)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Tabarko (tallow)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	9/10 (Some red spots)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8/10 (DFS+)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Better than yesterday using a sharper blade or fresher blade at least. One day left thinking about those safety bar razors and start using them for NOCvember!

Razor and blade - Decided to use a Feather and check if that increases the razor’s performance for me. It did, but not by much. I even had BST in mind, but for now it’s still a nice addition to the den. And it’s not like it’s not shaving at all. Just super mild.

Brush and lather - The T3 is just a great brush. I could really have multiple of them and use only that in my rotation. Great lather today using my usual lather method. Al did got me paying more attention to hydration.

Technique - As I am using a Feather a feather-light touch appropriate. ATG resulted in one or two tiny red spots. And I noticed my pressure increased in the ATG as well. Second observation: I have divided my neck strokes - bottom part S-N and upper part NW-SE and NE-SW (mostly Gillette Slides). Seems more enjoyable this way.

Enjoy your shave!

The T3 comes in different colours.

But this is the one I think you need!!!

 

[Guido75]

There’s no emoticon for drooling as reaction : so need to do it here @Balin drooling:

Orange?! Your red one is amazing too as well as a sparkling blue I have seen too!

I believe @apshaveco sells Simpson made knots so could knot own handles as well.

 

[Balin]

There’s no emoticon for drooling as reaction : so need to do it here @Balin drooling:

Orange?! Your red one is amazing too as well as a sparkling blue I have seen too!

I believe @apshaveco sells Simpson made knots so could knot own handles as well.

I don't own any of them!! I just pulled them from the Simpsons current offerings!!

I don't mind being your personal shopper! lol

 

[Guido75]

I don't own any of them!! I just pulled them from the Simpsons current offerings!!

I don't mind being your personal shopper! lol

O that's right, but you have the Chubby in Red though, right?

 

[Guido75]

I don't own any of them!! I just pulled them from the Simpsons current offerings!!

I don't mind being your personal shopper! lol

I just literally backed away from my computer! I had the orange one in my cart and was about to proceed when I realised that I haven’t even received my four new brushes from my dad back yet!

 

[Balin]

I just literally backed away from my computer! I had the orange one in my cart and was about to proceed when I realised that I haven’t even received my four new brushes from my dad back yet!

25 pound sterling though, thats cheaper than a movie night!

 

[Balin]

O that's right, but you have the Chubby in Red though, right?

I do!! I may also have a classic 2 and Duke 3 in red too. I don't know why I do things in 3's, lol

 

[Guido75]

Date	31.10.2023
365 daily shaves	304/365
OCtober	31/31
Tabactober	31/31
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette NEW RFB	Feather (2)	Omega Proraso
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Tabarko (tallow)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	9/10 (Some red spots)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8/10 (DFS+)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Second shave with a Feather. Also switched to a heavier handle. Best result I think, but slightly at the expense of comfort. Tomorrow is the start of NOCvember!

Razor and blade - Second use Feather which reportedly is usually its sharpest shave. Also swapped my handle for another of @lasta ’s (Red/Grey) which is a little heavier than the Lavender one. This has an impact on the razor’s effectiveness (I might be hallucinating that) as I definitely had more blade feel and more audio feedback. Blade was sharper indeed and I incurred some red spots again.

Brush and lather - On the final day of Tabactober I went with my first boar brush. Feels super soft and yet has that backbone I want simply due to its size. Hogged my soap again, but fun to use. One month with Tabac and I did it!

Technique - Continuing a feather-light touch, but I didn’t stick to it as I sensed that effectiveness was still lagging behind my expectations. And I paid for my pressure with some more spots.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Guido75]

Great to see you back Butch! @Butch Waxx. We are finishing OCtober and getting ready for NOCvember. I finally get to use my Ti95 again! Whoop whoop!!

 

[Guido75]

01.11.2023

• Guido75
• Oct 31, 2023

Matador Deluxe • PolSilver (18) • Omega Roma • Dutchy Bergamot

Date	01.11.2023
365 daily shaves	305/365
NOCvember	01/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Matador Deluxe	PolSilver (18)	Omega Roma
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Magnificent start to NOCvember with the terrific Matador. A wolf in sheep’s clothing if you ask me. It looks mild and tame, but its effectiveness is superb.

Razor and blade - All this talking about Matadors with @lasta and @blethenstrom made me grab this razor and i was really looking forward to shaving with it. It’s a beat up razor head with some plating loss, but I wouldn’t replace it for anything in the world. It came without a handle and I have been looking around to select one that would properly fit the bill. And I think I may have finally found one. One of my Techs came with the heavy English ball end and this turns out to be a great match with the Matador head. I have also straightened a bent in one of the safety bars. Marvellous shave. Audio feedback similar to the Razorine Flatboy for those familiar with that razor. The blade is still amazingly smooth and comfortable while still doing the job accordingly. Wow!

Brush and lather - O no! After using Tabarko for a month and also face lathering for a month I seemed to have lost my art of bowl lathering! Soap did not cooperate at all in the bowl. So took to face lathering again and made a wonderful lather. The Omega is said to have similar bristles as the Evo brushes. It is on the smaller size perhaps, but just a wonderful brush to use.

Technique - Easy going today. I might have missed one or two spots, but definitely a step up in effectiveness from my shave with the RFB.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[blethenstrom]

01.11.2023

• Guido75
• Oct 31, 2023

Matador Deluxe • PolSilver (18) • Omega Roma • Dutchy Bergamot

Date	01.11.2023
365 daily shaves	305/365
NOCvember	01/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Matador Deluxe	PolSilver (18)	Omega Roma
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Magnificent start to NOCvember with the terrific Matador. A wolf in sheep’s clothing if you ask me. It looks mild and tame, but its effectiveness is superb.

Razor and blade - All this talking about Matadors with @lasta and @blethenstrom made me grab this razor and i was really looking forward to shaving with it. It’s a beat up razor head with some plating loss, but I wouldn’t replace it for anything in the world. It came without a handle and I have been looking around to select one that would properly fit the bill. And I think I may have finally found one. One of my Techs came with the heavy English ball end and this turns out to be a great match with the Matador head. I have also straightened a bent in one of the safety bars. Marvellous shave. Audio feedback similar to the Razorine Flatboy for those familiar with that razor. The blade is still amazingly smooth and comfortable while still doing the job accordingly. Wow!

Brush and lather - O no! After using Tabarko for a month and also face lathering for a month I seemed to have lost my art of bowl lathering! Soap did not cooperate at all in the bowl. So took to face lathering again and made a wonderful lather. The Omega is said to have similar bristles as the Evo brushes. It is on the smaller size perhaps, but just a wonderful brush to use.

Technique - Easy going today. I might have missed one or two spots, but definitely a step up in effectiveness from my shave with the RFB.

Enjoy your shave!

You just made me look forward to my first test of the Matador even more. I cannot wait! You know your experience with trying bowl lathering after you have been face lathering for an extended period is exactly what happened to me. My bowl lather was horrible. I guess we have to keep up with our skills or else we lose them after a while.

 

[Guido75]

guess we have to keep up with our skills or else we lose them after a while.

That we do and the reason why I am a daily shaver (not the reason but it helps!)

 

[Guido75]

OCtober evaluation.

• OCtober was the theme for this month shaving with open comb razors only.
• October saw 31 shaves with an average effectiveness score of 8.6 (September: 8.8) - which equates results at mostly DFS++ level on the way to BBS. Slightly less than September mainly as a result of using a milder OC razor (namely the NEW RFB).
• I took a vintage PolSilver well into the double digits with 17 shaves. Excellent blade!
• Lowest score this month was a 7 on effectiveness with the NEW RFB. This months top shave goes to the Karve CB paired with a PolSilver blade. Amazing.
• Razor usage in OCtober:
  • NEW RFB (16%)
  • Fatip Piccolo (16%)
  • Karve CB OC-C (13%)
  • Eclipse Red Ring (10%)
  • R41 and Gillette NEW LC/SC (each 6%)
• The razor stand is fully packed and I found a way to overflow it to my brush stands that can also hild razors resulting in two additions: Gillette Red Tip and a Mühle R89.
• Soap of the month was Tabarko which I took to 57 shaves. Excellent frankensoap. It lathers fantastically. The puck seemed untouched after a month of using.

Technique was consistently applied throughout the month.

Theme for November is NOCvember. And I can always be found in the monthly GRUME thread - whether I am in or out.

 

[Guido75]

Date	02.11.2023
365 daily shaves	306/365
NOCvember	02/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Matador Deluxe	PolSilver (19)	Yaqi Lucky Dice
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Stayed with the Matador after yesterday’s wonderful shave. A wonderful shave again.

Razor and blade - The blade is still amazingly smooth and comfortable while still doing the job according. Splendid! The Matador is a very versatile razor and this ball end handle really made a difference. Amd I really like the fact that there is no blade overhang. The cap covers the blade fully. Instead the baseplate’s design is accommodating easy blade loading. It’s actually the reverse design from the standard Karve CB head. There is another Matador model on sale at our local bay site, but I have been able to restrain (given also the R89 addition).

Brush and lather - Went straight for face lathering today. Excellent lather because of excellent soap and an excellent brush. Did I mention it was excellent yet?

Technique - Easy going which means consistent application. I do notice some slight underperformance on the jaw line today.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Guido75]

Date	03.11.2023
365 daily shaves	307/365
NOCvember	03/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Matador Deluxe	PolSilver (20)	Yaqi Lucky Dice
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Third and final shave with the Matador. I was actually short on time, but the Matador delivered nonetheless.

Razor and blade - The blade was still performing nicely, but with 20 shaves I called it quits and binned the blade. Superb blade! I love the Matador. Easy, smooth and stellar performance every time. Especially with this handle. Who knew!

Brush and lather - Repeat from yesterday. Excellent!

Technique - I did not do much of a touch up but had the touch up nee part of my third pad more or less. Very good end result still. Very happy.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Guido75]

04.11.2023

• Guido75
• Nov 3, 2023

Gillette Prewar Tech • RK Stainless (6) • Semogue Cherry Finest • Dutchy Bergamot

Date	04.11.2023
365 daily shaves	308/365
NOCvember	04/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette Prewar Tech	RK Stainless (6)	Semogue Cherry Finest
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Very easy and smooth shave. Techs for the win!

Razor and blade - After the PolSilver I am back to the RK blade. I stropped it on my Twinplex for no other reason than experiencing what that does to the blade. The Weatherly Tech (@mgweatherly) is a rather practical razor, particularly on this @lasta Red/Grey handle. Practical meaning I think it can deal with multiple situations. And it provides a great shave. I like it so much it actually triggered a (successful I might add!) mini RAD for solely Tech razors.

Brush and lather - The Semogue is a splendid badger brush. It is just a joy to use it when face lathering. I really need to tell myself to continue the shave otherwise I would just be using this brush and nothing else. It kept my lather slightly in the knot, but a little splaying near the end of the shave solved that too a great extent.

Technique - Because it is a Tech it might be on the safer side of effective. I had a bit more of a challenge finding the right angle. Even had an idea that blade alignment was slightly off. At least after tinkering it felt better.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Butch Waxx]

04.11.2023

• Guido75
• Nov 3, 2023

Gillette Prewar Tech • RK Stainless (6) • Semogue Cherry Finest • Dutchy Bergamot

Date	04.11.2023
365 daily shaves	308/365
NOCvember	04/30
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette Prewar Tech	RK Stainless (6)	Semogue Cherry Finest
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Kox Dutchy Bergamot	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	10/10 (Clean)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8.75/10 (DFS+++)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Summary - Very easy and smooth shave. Techs for the win!

Razor and blade - After the PolSilver I am back to the RK blade. I stropped it on my Twinplex for no other reason than experiencing what that does to the blade. The Weatherly Tech (@mgweatherly) is a rather practical razor, particularly on this @lasta Red/Grey handle. Practical meaning I think it can deal with multiple situations. And it provides a great shave. I like it so much it actually triggered a (successful I might add!) mini RAD for solely Tech razors.

Brush and lather - The Semogue is a splendid badger brush. It is just a joy to use it when face lathering. I really need to tell myself to continue the shave otherwise I would just be using this brush and nothing else. It kept my lather slightly in the knot, but a little splaying near the end of the shave solved that too a great extent.

Technique - Because it is a Tech it might be on the safer side of effective. I had a bit more of a challenge finding the right angle. Even had an idea that blade alignment was slightly off. At least after tinkering it felt better.

Enjoy your shave!

A splendid kit indeed sir!

 

[Guido75]

A splendid kit indeed sir!

Thanks Butch! Have a great (sports) weekend!

Cheers,

Guido