My other Journal Page is about Fatips.

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti SB
Blade: New Lord Platinum (1)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Soap: Van Der Lovett Sailor's Blend
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

My gratuitous Friday shave headlined this most auspicious line-up. Edwin Jagger makes a great brush. I've never owned an Edwin Jagger brush that I didn't cherish. My grail razor topped the shave as the finest in the world. I adore the New Lord Platinum blades. Combined with Van Der Lovett shaving soap, it was a matchless experience.

Following Shane's advice, I held my Blackbird razor like a pen. I was more relaxed with the method today and it felt natural. Maybe I've been using this grip for most of my shaves without realizing it. The previous shave I held the razor tight, and it felt rigid and unnatural. This shave was comfortable as if I had been using this technique all along.

Then there is the Veg! Imagine the old-school charm, predating Old Spice, reminiscent of Errol Flynn's era. As I sat on the porch, the fragrance of the aftershave mingled perfectly with the lilacs, creating an olfactory bliss. Ah, the simple pleasures. Life is good!

Cheers
Rave

 

[Raven Koenes]

I ordered the Lord L122 C, aka L5, with a plastic OC baseplate from Razor Blade Club for $7.99 shipping included.

 

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti SB
Blade: New Lord Platinum (2)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Soap: Van Der Lovett Sailor's Blend
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

My Monday morning shave reminded me what a joy my Blackbird Ti is. Each shave with it surpasses the performance of all my other razors. Yet, this is B&B, and here I am.

Cheers!
Rave

 

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti SB
Blade: New Lord Platinum (3)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Soap: Van Der Lovett Sailor's Blend
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d,
And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in the night,
I mourn’d, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning spring.

Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the west

-Walt Whitman

 

[Eric_75]

Have a great day ahead, Rave!

Nice to see some Whitman.

 

[Raven Koenes]

Have a great day ahead, Rave!

Nice to see some Whitman.

Enjoy your day, Eric! I trust you're getting settled in well.

 

[Eric_75]

I trust you're getting settled in well.

I am, my friend. Thank you for asking.

 

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti SB
Blade: New Lord Platinum (5)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Soap: Van Der Lovett Sailor's Blend
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

I forgot to log a shave; this was my fifth one. The Blackbird is fantastic. After a week of holding it like a pen, I've concluded that while I hold it that way 90% of the time, it's not a pen—it's a razor. I do whatever yields the best results. The EJ87-6 SYNST brush has become a favorite of mine. It's an excellent brush, offering great control and a wonderful feel. I highly recommend it. It's less expensive than the Evo 2.0 but every bit as good. They both are top-tier synthetic brushes.

Cheers
Rave

 

[Raven Koenes]

I'm shouting out to Del Langejans from Holland MI, who has been making guitars since I was a kid in the 1970's. I used to like to go into his shop and watch him work. He is truly a master.

Here is one in the wild, if you'd like to see what it sounds like being played by someone good. Enjoy!

 

[thombrogan]

Happy ears. Thanks, Rave!

 

[Eric_75]

Have a blessed weekend, Rave!

 

[Raven Koenes]

Have a blessed weekend, Rave!

You too, my friend!

 

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti SB
Blade: New Lord Platinum (8)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Soap: Van Der Lovett Sailor's Blend
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

I'm finally getting around to logging my shave progress. As of yesterday, I'm on shave eight with this kit. It has been spectacular. It's the equipment and not the person wielding it, I expect. My lilacs are in full bloom. The Veg goes nice with their scent sitting out back. In other news, my hair looks like Boris Johnson's when I get out of the shower. Ugh, it's at that awkward stage as it grows out. I will do a Friday shave after work.

Cheers
Rave

 

[thombrogan]

Sorry you get vile politician hair. Time for pomade or a tam o’shanter?

Since at least my twenties, my eyebrows grow out like a former president’s.

 

[Raven Koenes]

Sorry you get vile politician hair. Time for pomade or a tam o’shanter?

Since at least my twenties, my eyebrows grow out like a former president’s.

Thom:

Rave:

 

[thombrogan]

I wish I had Nixon rizz. Actually a more hated yet more innocuous one.

 

[Raven Koenes]

I wish I had Nixon rizz. Actually a more hated yet more innocuous one.

Ahhh, say no more.

 

[Raven Koenes]

Next lineup:

Blackbird Ti OC/Polsilver Super Iridium

Proraso Green Pre-Shave

Musgo Real, Oak Moss

EJ87-6 SYNST

Reuzel Wood and Spice

 

[thombrogan]

Open comb for the win!

 

[Raven Koenes]

SOTD:
Razor: Blackbird Ti OC
Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (1)
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Cream: Musgo Real, Oak Moss
Brush: EJ87-6 SYNST
Aftershave: Reuzel Wood and Spice

My shaving experience has been elevated by the Blackbird Ti OC, which has surpassed all my other razors and configurations to become my favorite. Revisiting Musgo Oak Moss and Reuzel Wood and Spice feels like reuniting with old friends after a long absence. The Polsilver Super Iridium is an excellent blade, but to be fair, many match its quality, including every blade I've used recently, like the New Lord Platinum. Is that heresy? The first shave with this setup is complete, and I'm looking forward to many more. I couldn't be more satisfied.

Cheers
Rave