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- #101
Shave #19: finding more success.
Razor: Geencult, Lvl 2 plate
Blade: Astra SP
Brush: Rudy Vey 2020 Contributors (Shavemac 2-band)
Pre: PAA The Tube 2.0 + Crown Shaving Co.
Soap: Truefitt & Hill 1805
After: Lucky Tiger
Post: Taylor of Old Bond Street Jeremyn
This shave was about growth for me. My last few shaves (maybe 4-5?) have all been pretty successful. This leads me to believe that it couldn't just be that I am consistently using razors that are better for me, but rather that my comfort and technique are growing. Yes, I have gotten some nice pieces lately, so it's not a zero factor... I just don't think it's the biggest.
That said, I like the Greencult. It's got some heft, which certainly explains why @Phoenixkh subbed the Timeless Crown in. Well, and surely because it's bloody gorgeous. Not sure I will go that route yet, but it's a consideration. I don't find weight to be something I care much about.
The Lvl 1 plate may never end up seeing use and instead being given away, as the Lvl 2 was not an issue. There does seem to be a little more warmth on the face and neck, so perhaps a slight amount of irritation, but not enough to make me think the Lvl 2 is too much for my face to bear. And the results: BBS. Really lovely from an efficiency standpoint.
I have eyed the Rocnel and Blutt, also as a result of @Phoenixkh, but I wonder.... with the Wolfman and Blackbird here as "trophy" razors, the Athena near completion, the Overlander here for "no sh*its given" shaves... AND the Greencult.... is there a point in more DE razors? This doesn't even account for La Faulx in bronze on order and the Vector Ti, both of which are A+ razors for me. I have only had one shave with the ATT X1 Slant, so there's more to do, but I am already beginning to wonder about its long-term place considering the two AC razors just mentioned. I imagine I will enjoy having a nice sized rotation, but I don't want 10 regular-use pieces. I reckon I will find myself longing for one that is still 3-4 shaves away in that instance. AT MOST, I shave every other day. Often times, every three days. I can't imagine, at this point at least, taking 2-3 weeks away from La Faulx once it arrives.
Skipping the brush because, ya know, Rudy gonna Rudy... I think Grooming Dept. does indeed have an edge over Crown Shaving Co. for favorite pre-shave product to pair with The Tube, as postulated in my previous shave. I still have some stuff here and will use a fair amount, but some may make it into my next PIF. Don't get it twisted, Crown Shaving Co.'s pre-shave product is an A and will remain. Grooming Dept. is just an A+.
The splash is the sort of not fancy thing that I still find myself really enjoying. The citrus is lovely and I imagine it will remain, even if not as exciting as something from SV or Crown.
The balm is nice, but it does feel a bit like I have moved past it in terms of the other stuff I have simply being at another level. It may also make its way into the next PIF.
Yes, I did skip the soap. Saved it for last. Hot damn it's good. This is my second Truefitt & Hill product, with one other still left to use, and both have been top-tier. This is a brand to stick with, no doubt. Between them, MDC for soaps, SV for a few different things and ABC here and there, I wonder if a lot of the other stuff I have will become minimal over time. Sure, there are standout products like Crown's splash and Grooming Dept. pre shave, but those four brands seem to be in a "do no wrong" category for me. I also have some Ariana & Evans stuff that I enjoy a lot as well... but even that is in a "not these ones" category. Again, simply a matter of A vs. A+++.
As a follow-up, after writing this, I went to the bathroom to take a look at my skin. There is definitely a little irritation on the neck. Again, not enough to think the Lvl 1 is "better" for me, but it does place the Greencult Lvl 2 in the more aggressive end of my razors. Now, I do know some of this could simply be familiarity, but I am working with the data I have. From an efficiency/aggression standpoint, my "keeper" (for now) DE razors rank as follows, from most mild to the other end:
Overlander, Wolfman .95 SB, Greencult Lvl 2, Blackbird Ti. I have used the Wolfman and Overlander only once each and the Blackbird only twice, so this is very early feedback and I imagine Greencult and Blackbird will get more comfortable over time, simply from a reps perspective.
Happy Thursday. Already looking forward to giving the ATT X1 it's second trip around the face in a couple days.
Razor: Geencult, Lvl 2 plate
Blade: Astra SP
Brush: Rudy Vey 2020 Contributors (Shavemac 2-band)
Pre: PAA The Tube 2.0 + Crown Shaving Co.
Soap: Truefitt & Hill 1805
After: Lucky Tiger
Post: Taylor of Old Bond Street Jeremyn
This shave was about growth for me. My last few shaves (maybe 4-5?) have all been pretty successful. This leads me to believe that it couldn't just be that I am consistently using razors that are better for me, but rather that my comfort and technique are growing. Yes, I have gotten some nice pieces lately, so it's not a zero factor... I just don't think it's the biggest.
That said, I like the Greencult. It's got some heft, which certainly explains why @Phoenixkh subbed the Timeless Crown in. Well, and surely because it's bloody gorgeous. Not sure I will go that route yet, but it's a consideration. I don't find weight to be something I care much about.
The Lvl 1 plate may never end up seeing use and instead being given away, as the Lvl 2 was not an issue. There does seem to be a little more warmth on the face and neck, so perhaps a slight amount of irritation, but not enough to make me think the Lvl 2 is too much for my face to bear. And the results: BBS. Really lovely from an efficiency standpoint.
I have eyed the Rocnel and Blutt, also as a result of @Phoenixkh, but I wonder.... with the Wolfman and Blackbird here as "trophy" razors, the Athena near completion, the Overlander here for "no sh*its given" shaves... AND the Greencult.... is there a point in more DE razors? This doesn't even account for La Faulx in bronze on order and the Vector Ti, both of which are A+ razors for me. I have only had one shave with the ATT X1 Slant, so there's more to do, but I am already beginning to wonder about its long-term place considering the two AC razors just mentioned. I imagine I will enjoy having a nice sized rotation, but I don't want 10 regular-use pieces. I reckon I will find myself longing for one that is still 3-4 shaves away in that instance. AT MOST, I shave every other day. Often times, every three days. I can't imagine, at this point at least, taking 2-3 weeks away from La Faulx once it arrives.
Skipping the brush because, ya know, Rudy gonna Rudy... I think Grooming Dept. does indeed have an edge over Crown Shaving Co. for favorite pre-shave product to pair with The Tube, as postulated in my previous shave. I still have some stuff here and will use a fair amount, but some may make it into my next PIF. Don't get it twisted, Crown Shaving Co.'s pre-shave product is an A and will remain. Grooming Dept. is just an A+.
The splash is the sort of not fancy thing that I still find myself really enjoying. The citrus is lovely and I imagine it will remain, even if not as exciting as something from SV or Crown.
The balm is nice, but it does feel a bit like I have moved past it in terms of the other stuff I have simply being at another level. It may also make its way into the next PIF.
Yes, I did skip the soap. Saved it for last. Hot damn it's good. This is my second Truefitt & Hill product, with one other still left to use, and both have been top-tier. This is a brand to stick with, no doubt. Between them, MDC for soaps, SV for a few different things and ABC here and there, I wonder if a lot of the other stuff I have will become minimal over time. Sure, there are standout products like Crown's splash and Grooming Dept. pre shave, but those four brands seem to be in a "do no wrong" category for me. I also have some Ariana & Evans stuff that I enjoy a lot as well... but even that is in a "not these ones" category. Again, simply a matter of A vs. A+++.
As a follow-up, after writing this, I went to the bathroom to take a look at my skin. There is definitely a little irritation on the neck. Again, not enough to think the Lvl 1 is "better" for me, but it does place the Greencult Lvl 2 in the more aggressive end of my razors. Now, I do know some of this could simply be familiarity, but I am working with the data I have. From an efficiency/aggression standpoint, my "keeper" (for now) DE razors rank as follows, from most mild to the other end:
Overlander, Wolfman .95 SB, Greencult Lvl 2, Blackbird Ti. I have used the Wolfman and Overlander only once each and the Blackbird only twice, so this is very early feedback and I imagine Greencult and Blackbird will get more comfortable over time, simply from a reps perspective.
Happy Thursday. Already looking forward to giving the ATT X1 it's second trip around the face in a couple days.
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