A newbie’s journey into DE shaving

[Guido75]

July evaluation - High Efficiency July

• July saw 31 shaves with an average effectiveness score of 8.68/10 (June: 8.73) - which equates results slightly above DFS+++ on average. Nice efficiency indeed!
• Lowest score this month was a a 6.67/10 on effectiveness with the Canadian Tech and a 7.67/10 with a Gillette Super Speed. This months top shave(s) go(es) to the Red Tip and Gillette SA 109. The Red Tip shave was solid!
• Ti95, Athena and Blackbird were used the most together with the Mühle R89 (travel razor) getting similar attention.
• I used 5 blades this month without taking any of them into double digits. At least not in the month itself.
• Soap of the month was Mike's Natural Barbership which I took to 142 shaves. A very good and solid performing soap. Excellent longevity as my current tub will see the end of August and likely September as well.

Technique was very consistent throughout the month. Average Facial Impact Score was 8.87 (June: 8.33) which is coming in closely to Butterysmooth shaves with little to no damage. In terms of weepers and red spots I was better than in June (9.49/10 versus 9.25). Comfort levels were up overall with 9.52/10 versus 8.98 for June.

No theme for August except for High Efficiency Summer (see my signature for a link). And I can always be found in the monthly GRUME thread as well as the yearly GRUYERE thread.

 

[Guido75]

Date	10.08.2024
366 daily shaves	223/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle R89	Dorco Titan (15)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (153)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

A nice and comfortable quick shave. Blade and razor are an absolute match with each other and I am looking forward to many future shaves with these.

Final lather with the T3 was nice enough. Loading was more difficult as the ring of dispair is growing. I transferred the remainder to an empty Proraso tub for easier future loading.

Technique was constant and solid. Very nice to have this dialled in so I can adjust for razors rather than doing the same across razors.

Other news. We just returned from a round trip through the North West of France. Two main reasons were the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the conquest of England by William the Conqueror).

D-Day site visits were a sobering yet beautiful experience. We visited three cemeteries. It is quite emotional to witness 4,100 British tombstones and 9,100 American tombstones and realising that I was standing there because of their sacrifice. It made it very tangible.

There is also a German burial site with 21,000 graves. We also went there as I wanted to get a sense of the difference in experience.

The Overlord museum is excellent in its storytelling and for those who pay attention the keeper of at least one Gillette Old Type!

I believe I also recognised a 7 O’Clock razor a little later in the exhibition.

And Fort La Latte might just be a candidate for our physical clubhouse as this was guarding the living room:

Had some great camping shaves along the way. Facilities were good enough for some face lathering and a DE shave. No particular prep, but just a little longer face lathering made up for that. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave today!

 

[Eric_75]

Date	10.08.2024
366 daily shaves	223/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle R89	Dorco Titan (15)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (153)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

A nice and comfortable quick shave. Blade and razor are an absolute match with each other and I am looking forward to many future shaves with these.

Final lather with the T3 was nice enough. Loading was more difficult as the ring of dispair is growing. I transferred the remainder to an empty Proraso tub for easier future loading.

Technique was constant and solid. Very nice to have this dialled in so I can adjust for razors rather than doing the same across razors.

Other news. We just returned from a round trip through the North West of France. Two main reasons were the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the conquest of England by William the Conqueror).

D-Day site visits were a sobering yet beautiful experience. We visited three cemeteries. It is quite emotional to witness 4,100 British tombstones and 9,100 American tombstones and realising that I was standing there because of their sacrifice. It made it very tangible.

View attachment 1891827

There is also a German burial site with 21,000 graves. We also went there as I wanted to get a sense of the difference in experience.

The Overlord museum is excellent in its storytelling and for those who pay attention the keeper of at least one Gillette Old Type!

View attachment 1891830

I believe I also recognised a 7 O’Clock razor a little later in the exhibition.

View attachment 1891831

And Fort La Latte might just be a candidate for our physical clubhouse as this was guarding the living room:

View attachment 1891832

Had some great camping shaves along the way. Facilities were good enough for some face lathering and a DE shave. No particular prep, but just a little longer face lathering made up for that. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave today!

Thanks for sharing, Guido.

 

[blethenstrom]

Date	10.08.2024
366 daily shaves	223/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle R89	Dorco Titan (15)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (153)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

A nice and comfortable quick shave. Blade and razor are an absolute match with each other and I am looking forward to many future shaves with these.

Final lather with the T3 was nice enough. Loading was more difficult as the ring of dispair is growing. I transferred the remainder to an empty Proraso tub for easier future loading.

Technique was constant and solid. Very nice to have this dialled in so I can adjust for razors rather than doing the same across razors.

Other news. We just returned from a round trip through the North West of France. Two main reasons were the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the conquest of England by William the Conqueror).

D-Day site visits were a sobering yet beautiful experience. We visited three cemeteries. It is quite emotional to witness 4,100 British tombstones and 9,100 American tombstones and realising that I was standing there because of their sacrifice. It made it very tangible.

View attachment 1891827

There is also a German burial site with 21,000 graves. We also went there as I wanted to get a sense of the difference in experience.

The Overlord museum is excellent in its storytelling and for those who pay attention the keeper of at least one Gillette Old Type!

View attachment 1891830

I believe I also recognised a 7 O’Clock razor a little later in the exhibition.

View attachment 1891831

And Fort La Latte might just be a candidate for our physical clubhouse as this was guarding the living room:

View attachment 1891832

Had some great camping shaves along the way. Facilities were good enough for some face lathering and a DE shave. No particular prep, but just a little longer face lathering made up for that. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave today!

That sounds like an awesome trip. Thank you for sharing with us.

 

[WhiskerLess]

He knows how to pick a great wood handle for a brush. Thanks for sharing Guido.

 

[Guido75]

Date	11.08.2024
366 daily shaves	224/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Razorock Game Changer .84P OC	Dorco Titan (16)	Razorock Big Bruce
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (154)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
9/10 (BBS)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Fantastic shave with the GC and Titan today. Amazing combination based on the one shave.

I hadn’t used an OC in a while and man was it effective today! Talking about a clear departure from the mild (but excellent) shaves of late! Wow! Absolutely fantastic. @Luc inspired me to pull out the GC for this shave to also test the Titan blade in that setting for myself. The combination with this blade is an excellent one and the blade gave a tremendous performance on its 16th run which is unprecedented for me with this blade - at least as far as a I can remember.

Compared to the T3 I have to say that I prefer my Big Bruce. What an excellent brush this is. Lathered up quickly and was very soft opposed to the somewhat scritchiness of the T3. Enjoyed my face lathering very much.

Technique was solid again and the GC also let me. It is very nimble and easy to handle especially with the Bulldog handle. That extra mm gives it an edge as handle. Easy BBS what I could already tell from the first pass. It might be a fluke we’ll see, but today was a great Sunday shave!

Lots of errands to do today before the week kicks off again!

Enjoy your shave today!

 

[Mannic]

Date	10.08.2024
366 daily shaves	223/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle R89	Dorco Titan (15)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (153)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

A nice and comfortable quick shave. Blade and razor are an absolute match with each other and I am looking forward to many future shaves with these.

Final lather with the T3 was nice enough. Loading was more difficult as the ring of dispair is growing. I transferred the remainder to an empty Proraso tub for easier future loading.

Technique was constant and solid. Very nice to have this dialled in so I can adjust for razors rather than doing the same across razors.

Other news. We just returned from a round trip through the North West of France. Two main reasons were the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the conquest of England by William the Conqueror).

D-Day site visits were a sobering yet beautiful experience. We visited three cemeteries. It is quite emotional to witness 4,100 British tombstones and 9,100 American tombstones and realising that I was standing there because of their sacrifice. It made it very tangible.

View attachment 1891827

There is also a German burial site with 21,000 graves. We also went there as I wanted to get a sense of the difference in experience.

The Overlord museum is excellent in its storytelling and for those who pay attention the keeper of at least one Gillette Old Type!

View attachment 1891830

I believe I also recognised a 7 O’Clock razor a little later in the exhibition.

View attachment 1891831

And Fort La Latte might just be a candidate for our physical clubhouse as this was guarding the living room:

View attachment 1891832

Had some great camping shaves along the way. Facilities were good enough for some face lathering and a DE shave. No particular prep, but just a little longer face lathering made up for that. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave today!

Went too Normandy about 15 years ago, and I recognise the feeling. I live not far from The US War cemetery in Margraten and even there i always get the shivers. I try to use a on the 4&5 of may some period related shave stuff as an kind of hommage too all those guys.

 

[Teutonblade]

Date	10.08.2024
366 daily shaves	223/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle R89	Dorco Titan (15)	Simpson T3
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (153)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

A nice and comfortable quick shave. Blade and razor are an absolute match with each other and I am looking forward to many future shaves with these.

Final lather with the T3 was nice enough. Loading was more difficult as the ring of dispair is growing. I transferred the remainder to an empty Proraso tub for easier future loading.

Technique was constant and solid. Very nice to have this dialled in so I can adjust for razors rather than doing the same across razors.

Other news. We just returned from a round trip through the North West of France. Two main reasons were the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Bayeux Tapestry (depicting the conquest of England by William the Conqueror).

D-Day site visits were a sobering yet beautiful experience. We visited three cemeteries. It is quite emotional to witness 4,100 British tombstones and 9,100 American tombstones and realising that I was standing there because of their sacrifice. It made it very tangible.

View attachment 1891827

There is also a German burial site with 21,000 graves. We also went there as I wanted to get a sense of the difference in experience.

The Overlord museum is excellent in its storytelling and for those who pay attention the keeper of at least one Gillette Old Type!

View attachment 1891830

I believe I also recognised a 7 O’Clock razor a little later in the exhibition.

View attachment 1891831

And Fort La Latte might just be a candidate for our physical clubhouse as this was guarding the living room:

View attachment 1891832

Had some great camping shaves along the way. Facilities were good enough for some face lathering and a DE shave. No particular prep, but just a little longer face lathering made up for that. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave today!

Very cool trip! Great photos. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Guido75]

Date	12.08.2024
366 daily shaves	225/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Mühle Rocca R94	Tiger Platinum (1)	Mühle Rocca Silvertip
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (155)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	8/10 (Smooth)

Notes:

A smooth Monday shave with one of my favourite razors. My preciousssss.

My desert island razor perhaps. This thing is simply phenomenal. Smooth, nimble and a beauty to look at. And not to mention effective as heck! That is if you put the right blade in it. I took one from an open tuck and after the first pass it seemed like nothing had happened. Tigers aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but this was ridiculous. I soon came to realize this was actually an older blade. Opened up a new blade, glue dots and all. And relathered for a second first pass. And there were the results again I am accustomed to. This combination can be smoother if my lather had been better.

The brush is equally beautiful. The badger loads like a boar but feels soft to the skin. I think overall I might prefer the STF over the ST, but this brush punches above its knot size for sure! That’s on me by the way and not the brush. I just have a harder time proper;y lathering with this knot. Maybe I am still breaking the brush in?!

Technique. Solid as a rock and the Rocca helps me in that respect. After switching blades no surprises. Very nice!

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Guido75]

Date	13.08.2024
366 daily shaves	226/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Timeless Ti95 SCL	Tiger Platinum (2)	Omega 10810
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (156)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
9/10 (BBS)	9.5/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

Back my number 1 most favourite razor (but it has competition!). The blade/razor combination isn’t the best according to my stats, but I still went ahead as planned. Scientists gotta do what they gotta do! Well today was a total fun day with this blade. Very nice. Smooth sailing all the way without any mishaps.

This brush is a little boar and has been described by some as the closest you can get to a big boar as a small boar. Either way it was a Canadian gift and therefore a great brush in my book! Slightly hogging, but just a small reload solved that on the final pass.

Technique is very straightforward with this razor. Aftershave stang just a little more thanthe past period. Still on the refreshing side, but it did tell me it was a very close shave.

Enjoy your shave today!

 

[Guido75]

Date	14.08.2024
366 daily shaves	227/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Souplex OC	Tiger Platinum (3)	Razorock 400 Butterscotch
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (157)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
9/10 (BBS)	7/10 (Comfortable)

Notes:

Looking at my stats this razor hasn’t seen much airtime yet and undeservingly so. It’s phenomenal! With similar geometry as the old type Souplex managed to make it feel smoother (I think because the teeth are somewhat rounded compared to the OT). Combined with the Tiger on 3 it made for a very effective shave albeit a tuggy and harsh one. I am putting this on the state of the blade. Adjusted my angle towards the cap and that increased smoothness. Again a fantastic shave with the Souplex.

The 400 is my favourite brush and this butterscotch is not only beautiful. It’s just perfect for lathering up a nice and slick lather while delivering a splendid face lathering process. Happy happy joy joy!!

Technique. Bordering on boring, but why change a winning team. I did notice that I vary my strokes WTG on the neck and have found that Gillette Slides might just be very suited for that part of the shave. The Souplex is a mightly effective razor. A very close and nice shave for sure! Aftershave sting was above refreshing level, but it disappated soon without much redness I found (which I thought was surprising and a plus).

Onwards!!

Enjoy your shave today!

 

[Guido75]

Date	15.08.2024
366 daily shaves	228/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Blackland Blackbird SS	Tiger Platinum (4)	Razorock 400 Butterscotch
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (158)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
9.25/10 (BBS+)	9/10 (Butterysmooth)

Notes:

Simply a superb and perfect shave. I feel smooth allround. Nice combination between razor and blade as well. I honestly did not expect that, but it was a smooth shave. Aftershave sting was less than yesterday and also less than expected - all good.

The brush was my first and is too floppy to my liking. Thinner lather as a consequence, but still perfectly suitable for today’s shave.

No deviations in the technique department. I am totally at ease and peacefully using this superb patterning. Three pass and a mild touch up and I feel marble levels approaching. Stunning performance. Maybe the Blackbird is growing on me further still even though my rational mind is still in between. I need to come to grips that this razor is simply amazing.

Enjoy your shave today!

 

[Guido75]

Date	16.08.2024
366 daily shaves	229/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gilette Tech US prewar	Tiger Platinum (5)	Omega Proraso
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (159)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

A kingly shave to remember The King. And it was awesome. Superb performance by the Tech in combination with the Tiger - even on its 5th run.

The brush was rubbish and ate all my lather after the first pass. I had to reload twice for subsequent passes. I need to try and use this brush in a dryer state, because I have a hunch that wetness and dampness actually contribute to the hogging. Soap was fine as ever. Maybe that will lead to a little less conversation a little more action. Otherwise it might really go return to sender and I will replace it with another brush.

Technique steady as she goes. Everything went smoothly. Great glide, razor super nimble. I love the @lasta lavender handle - makes the shave a 10+ in experience every time.

Enjoy your shave today.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

 

[huck1680]

Excellent pics! And as you say a great reminder as to why we're here. A point sadly lost on quite a few people today.

 

[cranewarrior]

Date	16.08.2024
366 daily shaves	229/366

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gilette Tech US prewar	Tiger Platinum (5)	Omega Proraso
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash	Mike’s Natural Soaps Barbershop (159)	Cold splash Proraso Green Balm

Effectiveness	Facial Impact Score FIS™
8.75/10 (BBS-)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

A kingly shave to remember The King. And it was awesome. Superb performance by the Tech in combination with the Tiger - even on its 5th run.

The brush was rubbish and ate all my lather after the first pass. I had to reload twice for subsequent passes. I need to try and use this brush in a dryer state, because I have a hunch that wetness and dampness actually contribute to the hogging. Soap was fine as ever. Maybe that will lead to a little less conversation a little more action. Otherwise it might really go return to sender and I will replace it with another brush.

Technique steady as she goes. Everything went smoothly. Great glide, razor super nimble. I love the @lasta lavender handle - makes the shave a 10+ in experience every time.

Enjoy your shave today.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Guido,

Do you have a post anywhere about your shaving technique? I ask because the Tiger Platinum was already mis-firing for me on the third shave, and I wondered if you had any Excalibur tips in general to prolong blade lifespan (really to be efficient and have good shaves, the by-product might be improved longevity).

 

[huck1680]

Also...the earliest carol singers are depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry as well. The soldiers were from Western France...so you could call them the "Brittany Spears". BADABOOM!... Au revoir and abientot mon amis!

 

[Guido75]

Guido,

Do you have a post anywhere about your shaving technique? I ask because the Tiger Platinum was already mis-firing for me on the third shave, and I wondered if you had any Excalibur tips in general to prolong blade lifespan (really to be efficient and have good shaves, the by-product might be improved longevity).

Hi Alex,

Two answers to that question. My shaving patterns can be found here. This is the latest iteration.

As for Excalibur techniques I use quite short strokes and in a two steps forward two steps back kind of way. The other thing is I tend to shave at a neutral or slightly shallow angle even though I like shaving steep. Maybe I am hybrid in that sense. But I think it’s more towards the cap for most razors I have.

Another Excalibur technique is to have slick lather which for me is not running or yoghurt either. But having Santa flakes is too much. So it’s wet enough to remain consistent without becoming a film or dripping. It sort of shines in the light.

Finally I prep my beard with face wash and like to rub that in for a minute or two.

But I think it’s the shorter strokes that have the biggest impact. And of course shaving as much according to my beard map as I possibly can WTG.

 

[cranewarrior]

Hi Alex,

Two answers to that question. My shaving patterns can be found here. This is the latest iteration.

As for Excalibur techniques I use quite short strokes and in a two steps forward two steps back kind of way. The other thing is I tend to shave at a neutral or slightly shallow angle even though I like shaving steep. Maybe I am hybrid in that sense. But I think it’s more towards the cap for most razors I have.

Another Excalibur technique is to have slick lather which for me is not running or yoghurt either. But having Santa flakes is too much. So it’s wet enough to remain consistent without becoming a film or dripping. It sort of shines in the light.

Finally I prep my beard with face wash and like to rub that in for a minute or two.

But I think it’s the shorter strokes that have the biggest impact. And of course shaving as much according to my beard map as I possibly can WTG.

Wow, that's quite some detail in your map!

I know my facial hair doesn't grow perfectly in the same direction, but I've stuck mostly to a N/S first pass and then a E to W cross grain pass.

I'm assuming to map one's hair growth, you really need to let it grow long enough to see visually which way the strands lay or stand out. Maybe a magnifying glass and mirror would help.

 

[Guido75]

you really need to let it grow long enough to see visually which way the strands lay or stand out.

Not necessarily. I found that when you wash your face with soap you can feel the direction of your stubble (the soap acts as lubricant mostly). Little or less resistance means WTG. More resistance is ATG. XTG is more deductive in that I worked out WTG and ATG so perpendicular to that should be XTG. But this varies, because I found multiple patterns XTG effective. Interestingly, if J want my cheeks really smooth S-N (which technically is more XTG for me) is the way to go. Purely on the cheeks. Chin is definitely not S-N although I do use those strokes in between during touch up.

Maybe one day’s worth of growth is enough. It sort of was for me. I did ensure stubble was long enough though. So no how effective razors the day before! Haha!

Cheers!

Guido

 

[Guido75]

Wow, that's quite some OCD in your map!

Fixed it for you!