My final FFFMM 2023 Edition:
Fatip Noce OC/New Lord Platinum
Old Spice Original Cream
Omega Evo Ovale
... 4.5
I like the scent of the cream. I also prefer the scent of Old Spice Original aftershave over Old Spice Classic as sold in the US. The Original is close to what I remember growing up. I can't get enough of it. The cream smells like a good match. India makes superb soaps and creams from my experience. My wife buys Chandrika soap from the Indian market where I live. Great soap with an excellent scent!
Ah, Mysore Sandal...a new soap to buy for my wife. I'm sure she already knows about it, but I haven't tried it. I can get it on Amazon, 12 bars at $2.00 a bar, Not bad for the US.Chandrika and Mysore Sandal are classics !
Brilliant Al. You're officially in-decision.Razor head - decided
Razor handle - currently undecided
Soap/Cream - easy decision
Brush - was decided, but now in doubt
Blade - decided
Work in progress...
Brilliant Al. You're officially in-decision.
Ah, Mysore Sandal...a new soap to buy for my wife. I'm sure she already knows about it, but I haven't tried it. I can get it on Amazon, 12 bars at $2.00 a bar, Not bad for the US.
Alright! I had initially assumed I can use various plates with the Rockwell 6S as it's all part of the same razor. But I still wanted to check and seems it's not allowed. In fact I should stick with the same setting only and not even change the same plate around for variation. I've been using the 6S (in red) only for about a little over a month now. My usual Pearl T121 razor developed an uneven gap and became unusable. So I had to discard it. I bought a Merkur 34C and immediately realized it was a blunder as it was way too mild for me even with a Feather blade. Required lot more strokes repeatedly and still the shave wasn't close. I have very tough beard, sensitive skin and the growth pattern is so bad that it's not easy to shave. Finally I got my hands on the 6S but I am still experimenting with it to see which plates combo gives me a close and comfortable shave. I can go up to plate 6 on the first pass with BIC and Voskhod but not Feather and Gillette Nacet. With the Voskhod I can do the second pass across the grain too with the plate 6. But on the 3rd pass against the grain and the cleanup later on, only plate 3 works best, with the least irritation except for the Voskhod where I can use plate 4.
So if I were to pick just one base plate setting then I was sure it was either 3 or 4. Coming to the blade, I eliminated Voskhod right away because it just can't shave with these 2 plates on the first 2 passes. The BIC I can manage with either plate 3 or 4 but I only have one blade left and I am not planning to repurchase it as I love the Feather and Gillette Nacet better.
Finally I decided to go with the Gillette Nacet and base plate 3 as I feel that the plate 4 maybe a bit too much for the against the grain pass with this and the Feather too. Not much of a dilemma in choosing the cream because there was something I had reserved just for this, and the brush choice was obvious. So here's the first and final fixed four.
(1) Brush - Semogue 820 Pure Bristle.
(2) Cream - O'Melhor Classico.
(3) Razor - Rockwell 6S in red with base plate 3.
(4) Blade - Gillette Nacet.
I shave alternate days and so it will be 16 shaves as the first shave day for me in March is 1st. The shaving cream being 100 gms I believe it will last the whole month given that I've only used it twice before. The brush looks solid and I can do 3 shaves with each Gillette Nacet. Even otherwise I have about 95 counts of it.
Previous question from ironfingers:This brings to mind an interesting variable:
If a member wants to use their Gillette 195 Fatboy, or Gillette Slim (or any other adjustable with a dial), are they required to shave at the same setting every time?
(Asking for a friend, of course. )
My response, which also answers your question, Joe:I am planning to use my Rockwell 6S razor. Am I allowed to use the different base plates? Because it's all part of the same razor.
Nope! Sorry.
Only one baseplate is allowed (and in the case of a Rockwell 6S, only one side of that baseplate). Adjustables that can be altered by simply turning an adjustment knob (Fatboys, Futurs, etc) are allowed.
I think I will use stuff I rarely use for the month of March…
Brush - Simpson M7 Best
Razor - Merkur Progress
Blade - KAI
Soap - Tabac stick
AS - Tabac
Wish me luck.
If it's not going to be a joyful learning experience, I wouldn't do it. A month can be a l-o-n-g time, especially if you've picked gear that you're not over keen on.
It's not meant to be an endurance test.
Weird responses, guys but all good.Stuff you rarely use might be the bee's knees, but I hope you're sufficient familiar with each and every component so you know what you're getting into with each of them. I've made that mistake; the tee shirt's made of sackcloth.
Personally I hate the Fixed Four and dread it every year. Problem is, it's such a damn good learning experience. It's kinda like giving up something hard to give up for Lent if you'll excuse a terrible simile.
Why anyone does it twice is a question for Big Nurse.
Good luck and happy shaves,
Weird responses, guys but all good.
I never really thought about this being hard or not joyful as I have run similar monthly threads on many occasions here over the years, but I am going to bow out.
Have fun.
A SUGGESTION:
Stop confusing your senses with endless hardware and software changes. Do a "Fixed 4" month (with your four current favorites). That's the same razor, blade (change as required but same make and model), brush, and soap for a month. If the month's a great success, do the same again but change only one of your four items (and that small change might shock you). Put all your current unused goodies in a safe place and tell them that you're going on a training course especially for them, and their next use will be with increased love, respect, skill and finesse. They love stories like that, especially when you REALLY MEAN IT.
What is SWS please? You can start FFFMM on March 1.I'm also in SWS, so I'll start tomorow
What is SWS please?