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Micromatic Monday

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
ASRazor shave, Tuesday, November 8th 2022, Election day in USA!

Razor : Ever-Ready streamline 2nd generation- Mfg 1949-53, upper mid range, one of the nicest looking ASR razors and well built to last with some care. The blade stops are set forward more than other ASR razors that hold a Gem blades to create more blade feel. Installed a RIGS shim to smooth it out a little more. Very easy going shave with a blade on 10 uses.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(10) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle IMO.
Soap : Razorock Irish Country side, nice unique sharp clean scent with excellent lather qualities. Very slick soap.
Brush : Yaqi "black marble" 24mm silver tip badger, WoW hair bloom, excellent lather generator, heavenly pillow like soft tips, nice gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter. Very fine hairs that give a gentle smooth face feel.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Razorock Irish country side with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers=:a17: excellent shave with my Ever-Ready Streamline with a coated Gem blade.
SOTD November 8 2022.jpg

Have some great shaves!
 
Hope you healing is still progressing well, loose razor head is a rarity but it can happen with a 3 pc or a the older rake type of razors.
I got a shallow gouge with just a sharp corner on a razor head and had to file those corners on a modern razor months ago. One of my favorite razors also and it had never given issues before with about 40+ shaves but it was operator error half asleep on my part.
Thanks Ron. It was clearly operator error. I have been using a thin thick lather lately, and for the first time in over a year I have to occasionally loosen the razor head to rinse out the build up. I apparently didn’t tighten it that one time between rinses.
 

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
ASRazor shave, November 14th, 2022

Razor : Star bar #4 model lather catcher(Rare)- Mfg 1929-30, upper mild>tame mid range depending on blade # usage, a new blade and this razor performs very nicely. Built to last with some care, very enjoyable drama free shave this morning(the kind we all enjoy)! Favorite lather catcher of 3 I own.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(1) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Ogallala Bayrum & sandalwood, nice Bayrum scent with some clove + excellent lather qualities(slightly pastier side on a wet face works well for myself). Very affordable.
Brush : Yaqi"Viper" 24mm boar bristle hair- excellent lather generator, soft split end bristles, excellent splay scrubber + great lather painter. Very enjoyable boar brush.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave :Witch hazel beard cleanse + Ogallala Bayrum & Sandalwood (some clove):001_wub:+ a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBs + no irritation + no weepers=:a17: Excellent shave with my Star bar #4 lather catcher with a Gem coated blade.
SOTD November 14 2022.jpg

Have some great shaves!
 
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Micromatic Monday / NOCvember

Pre: P.A.A. Cube 2.0 w/Cube Dock

Razor: T.R. Cadman & Sons "Bengall"
Razor: Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf
Blade: Gem Stainless Steel PTFE

Soap: Pre de Provence No.63
Brush: Omega Boar 10005/80005

Post 1: P.A.A. Alum No-Slip Grip System w/ Dry Dock System
Post 2: Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Deep Cleansing Astringent w/ Menthol &Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Pre de Provence No.63 balm


Onward and upward... Shave number two with a straight razor.

I haven't use the amazing smelling PdP No.63 in what seems like forever, so it was my choice for today.

I face lathered after grating some of the puck on my whiskers using my seemingly indestructible Omega boar brush. I then drew my steel.

I again started on my right side as it's easiest. I pretty easily went over the entire side removing all I could see, in not much time. I then switched to my left side. This is clearly more of a challenge for me but not one that I won't best. I took it slowly and removed the whiskers in small batches. I'd say my technique is improving but still has a long way to go.

I couldn't shake this alarming sticking feeling I would sometimes feel though. It felt like the steel was kind of gluing itself to me cheek. The really issue here is that this feeling (with my lack of experience) gives the impression that I'm catching the edge on my actual skin. Yikes, right? Well, in reality my lather could have been a little more wet and less thick. I guess.

I suspect that slickness may in fact be the single most important quality in a shaving soap when using this format. This is not to say that the No.63 wasn't slick, but if you've used it, you may know that the lather can actually turn light and flaky if it dries out. I had to make sure to keep my lather moist.

I rinsed between passes and continued on using the Bengall to shave my lip, chin and neck. Once done I switched over to the Gem Micromatic.

I used the awesome Micromatic razor with its Gem single edge blade format to finish the shave. I did two across the grain passes and one final against the grain pass to achieve a sweet bbs shave.

All in all a much better shave than the first, with only one small weeper.

I'm going to continue practicing both stropping and shaving with this "thing" until I get it down. I want to get to the point where I can do a full shave, including against the grain, with a straight.

Alright my friends. Have a good Monday and enjoy your shaves.
 
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Nov 14th: 3-Days Growth

MMOC/GEM(8th or 9th)
Dove Men +Care Pre-Shave
Stirling Green/RR 24mm Chrome Silvertip Plissoft
Stirling Green Aftershave (Splash)
Stirling Green Balm
Polo Green Cologne/EDT

Awesome shave as always with the MMOC on a multi-day growth, takes it down to near BBS on the first pass. Best of all, usually no nicks, cuts, or weepers with the MMOC.
 
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Razor: Ever-Ready Streamline Deluxe Set
Blade: Personna GEM PTFE Stainless Steel Blade
Brush: Jayaruh #429 White Rook in two-band badger
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Seaforth! Sea Spiced Lime
Aftershave: Shannon's 25th Street Lime splash
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented

I used a RIGS shim on this razor today and it really made a difference. It went from harsh to merely agressive and delivered a very nice shave. A tip of my hat to @Ron R !
 
I revisited my much neglected Gem 1912 Travel Razor (Squat Head). I used a RIGS Shim and managed to get a CCS, although there was some slight irritation (does that make it a CUS?). I seem to get a better shave with the Junior 1912 series. I think the main difference is it is a little more difficult to get full control of or confidence with the Squathead due to the shorter handle.
 
Late, great shave!!

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Very late, very great: I last shaved Thursday evening.

>Ertan Süer Russian Bear 7/8 SR for stubble reduction on the neck
>Ever-Ready long neck Shovelhead for the cheeks and for finish work on the neck
>Ever-Ready brush re-knotted black badger
>Col Conk Amber to thoroughly prep (three lather/wash cycles)
>Proraso Green for the shaving passes
>Floïd the Genuine AS
 

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
ASRazor shave, Tuesday, November 15th 2022

Razor : Gem Junior Bar lather catcher- Mfg 1907-11, excellent mild>tame mid range, this razor has been around in time yet it performs very well, excellent razor to use on the 1-3 shaves with a new blade IMO. Built to last with some care and just a joy to use with a 120 + year old razor.:001_smile
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(2) very sharp, excellent longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest razor blade to handle.
Soap : Ogallala Bayrum sage & cedarwood, nice Bayrum scent with some clove + excellent lather qualities. I like a slightly pastier lather applied to a wet face does the job every time with no drama.
Brush : Yaqi "Cavern lake" 24mm Tuxedo knot, excellent lather generator, cloud like soft tips, nice splay scrubber + excellent lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Ogallala Bayrum + Sandalwood (some clove) AS :001_wub: + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results :CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers=:a17: Excellent shave with my Gem Jr bar with a coated Gem blade.
SOTD November 15 2022.jpg

Have some great shaves!
 

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
GEMonday, Nov21, 2022

Razor : Gem Feather weight 1st Generation- tame mid range, 1 OZ weight, excellent and enjoyable shave this morning + carefree shaving mostly.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE(3) very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle.
Soap : Mitchell's wool fat- nice mild clean scent with excellent lather qualities. Synthetic brushes work excellent also with this soap.
Brush : Yaqi "Club Casino's"26mm timber wolf synthetic, Excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury cloud like soft tips, gentle scrubber + excellent lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups.
Post shave : Proraso green with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers=:a17: Excellent shave with my Gem Feather weight with a coated Gem blade.
SOTD November 21 2022.jpg

Have some great shaves!
 
Finally made up my mind about the day's activities. So I was suddenly in a hurry. I picked up my Improved Star lather catcher, already PTFE loaded and in the den. Hand lathered Lea Mentolada cream from the tube. Splashed on some of my 4RumBB badger blend AS. Quick post, now to gather tools and put on overalls, hit the road...
E50ADE52-2A20-43C5-9FFA-27CD84EFC945.jpeg
 

Ron R

I survived a lathey foreman
Finally made up my mind about the day's activities. So I was suddenly in a hurry. I picked up my Improved Star lather catcher, already PTFE loaded and in the den. Hand lathered Lea Mentolada cream from the tube. Splashed on some of my 4RumBB badger blend AS. Quick post, now to gather tools and put on overalls, hit the road...
View attachment 1560278
Very nice set up this morning, very nice looking handle to compliment the Star lather catcher.
 
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