My Shaving Diary for the week of Sep 23 -

[daleroller]

I started shaving with something other than a dull razor and canned cream on Monday. I have been trying out diffrent products (And a new sharp cartridge) every day and have been getting great results.

Monday 23 SEP
My first time shaving with a brush and soap. I used a Gillette Sensor razor with a new 2 blade cartridge with lubricating strip. I had a new van der Hagen Boar bristle brush ($4 Fred Meyers) and van der Hagen - Glycerin Shave Soap ($1.19 Fred Meyers). I made up a bit of lather in my coffee mug, but think I would have benefited from a bigger bowl. The bristle were also pretty stiff on that cheap boar brush. The shave felt good, and my face felt smoother than it had in quite awhile. I generally do two passes, 1 down and the second pass is kind of sideways or against the grain.
I used a creamy Steson Aftershave Balm to finish up with and a splash of Stetson cologne. My face felt irritated most of the day and I had to put on cocoa butter at the end of the day.

Tuesday 24 SEP
I thought my face needed a break after yesterday's close shave so I decided to use my electric razor. I never really have liked using electric razors, I don't get a good shave and my skin ends up being dry and flakey. I always blamed the old hand me down electric razor my dad gave me. Last year I purchased a new Braun Series 5 electric razor ($37.50 clearance, $149 retail price Target) Even with a new razor I was't satisfied. When I was at Fred Meyers returning the van der Hagen - shave brush I noticed Kroger Brand Electric Pre-Shave with Green Tea Extract ($2.19). I have never used Electric Pre-Shave but figured it was worth a try.
The Electric Pre-Shave stuff worked great!! My Electric Razor gave me the smoothic shave I have ever had. I was well pleased with the results. I think I with use the Electric Razor now every other day I wonder if that Electric Pre-Shave stuff will work for wet shaving? I will try that out next week. I finished off with a Clubman Bay Rum Aftershave and a spray of Dunhill Desire Blue.

 

[daleroller]

Wednesday 25 SEP
Today was my first time using a shave cream that didn't come out of a can. I bought 4 tubes of Caswell - Massey 1752 Sandalwood lather shave cream ($3 each cleance sale Quisenberries Drug Store). I read the reviews about this product but I quite enjoyed it. the sandlewood scent was really good. It lathered up nice in the bowl for me using a new Herban Cowboy boar bristle brush ($5 Lifesource grocery). This shave brush was much softer than that VGH one and had a nicer wooden handle. I used the Sensor razor again. Now again I say this was the smoothest shave yet. My face was as smooth as a baby's bottom using two passes with the grain. I finished off with a generous splash of Superior 70 Bay Rum and a spritz of Santa Fe cologne.
Later in the day my dad asked me why my face is so red. I think it might be because I was driving in the hot sun. But it may also be related to a cheap aftershave related accident. I went to Food for Less grocery store today and bought 2 bottles of Neve Musk and Spice aftershave for $1 each. They smelled pretty good and the main ingrediant is Castor Oil so I thought they may be soothing. While driving home the cheap plastic cap slid off the bottle and sarted spilling in the plasic bag in my car. I started rubbing that spilled aftershave in the bag onto my face to try it out. I wonder if that cheap stuff turned my face red. I took a shower and put aloe vera gel on my face.
While at Food For Less I also picked up a bottle of Seite Machos cologne and a bottle of Vitamin E oil (4 oz. for $1). I want to try the Vitamin E Oil out on Friday as a preshave oil.

 

[Barber-Eile]

Emmm I haven't read the whole thing but did you mean august?

 

[BladeRunner001]

Emmm I haven't read the whole thing but did you mean august?

I think he meant August

 

[Luc]

Shaves from the Future... Honest mistake I'm sure!

Going well, I can't advise for the electric shaving oil as I never had any. Can you list the ingredients? You might be able to use it in your prep.

 

[daleroller]

Yep, August. I am a month ahead of my time.

 

[Barber-Eile]

Okay I just read your posts and I know it can be exciting but I would advise you to slow down. With so many new things and variables you'll never learn the subtleties of each thing. You might be allergic to something. Also brushes need a good while to fully break in and begin to perform. I'd suggest you pick a nice brush and some proper cream or soap and work on getting a good consistent lather for a week. Then look into picking up a nice DE razor and a blade sampler pack. Again stick with the one razor until you can do it blindfolded... Okay maybe not quite

Then you can let the ADs kick in

 

[guitar2mw]

Okay I just read your posts and I know it can be exciting but I would advise you to slow down. With so many new things and variables you'll never learn the subtleties of each thing. You might be allergic to something. Also brushes need a good while to fully break in and begin to perform. I'd suggest you pick a nice brush and some proper cream or soap and work on getting a good consistent lather for a week. Then look into picking up a nice DE razor and a blade sampler pack. Again stick with the one razor until you can do it blindfolded... Okay maybe not quite

Then you can let the ADs kick in

+1

 

[daleroller]

Thursday 26 AUGUST 2010
Today I had to leave home in a bit of a rush. It was my day to shave with the electric razor anyways.
I applied the Kroger brand Electric Pre-Shave stuff and used the Braun series 5 electric razor. No Aftershave, but put on a bit of cocoa butter lotion and finished off with the Siete Machos cologne. Another great electric razor shave.
I stopped by Excaliber Cutlery in the mall today. They had a selection of Shaving brushes, mugs, straight razors and soaps. The salesman said the safety razors are out of stock, they are selling like crazy. They had Colonel Conk's soaps and Trumpers Shave Cream tubs. I was given a sample tub of Trumpers Almond and Lime Shave Creams. I look forward to trying them out, especially that Almond Shave. It smells wonderful. I am saving that for a special occassion.

 

[daleroller]

Okay I just read your posts and I know it can be exciting but I would advise you to slow down. With so many new things and variables you'll never learn the subtleties of each thing. You might be allergic to something. Also brushes need a good while to fully break in and begin to perform. I'd suggest you pick a nice brush and some proper cream or soap and work on getting a good consistent lather for a week. Then look into picking up a nice DE razor and a blade sampler pack. Again stick with the one razor until you can do it blindfolded... Okay maybe not quite

Then you can let the ADs kick in

Next week I will be sticking to the Atra razor and VDH Glyercerin soap every other day, alternating with the electric razor. This week I just want to play with my new toys.

 

[Barber-Eile]

This week I just want to play with my new toys.

well I can certainly relate to that !

 

[daleroller]

Friday 27 August
Today I did not shave. I splashed on some cheap Neve Spice aftershave I bought at Food For Less for a dollar. The scent wore off after half an hour.

I also bought 40 Trac II razor cartridges @ $2.48 for 10.

 

[daleroller]

Saturday 28 AUGUST
Gillette sensor razor, VDH Vglycerin Soap applied with Herban Cowboy brush. 2 passes. Finished with a Splash of Brut and a dab of Aspen cologne.

I went to the antique store today and bout 2 DE razors, I think they are a Gillette Super Speed and a Gillette vintage three piece. I also bought a full bottle of SHULTEN Old Spice Cologne.

 

[Luc]

Saturday 28 AUGUST
Gillette sensor razor, VDH Vglycerin Soap applied with Herban Cowboy brush. 2 passes. Finished with a Splash of Brut and a dab of Aspen cologne.

I went to the antique store today and bout 2 DE razors, I think they are a Gillette Super Speed and a Gillette vintage three piece. I also bought a full bottle of SHULTEN Old Spice Cologne.

Post a picture, someone will identify them very quickly, I'm sure!

 

[daleroller]

I got these pics from ebay. They are similiar to the razors I bought.

 

[daleroller]

Sunday, 29 August
you can read my full review here.
Casswell Massey Sandlewood shave cream, Herban Cowboy boar bristle brush, and the Gillette Super Speed DE safety razor with a WIlkenson blade.
All I can say is WOW. This really is the bast shave ever, hands down. Smooth, like a fifty year old aged scotch and pre embargo Cuban tobacco. I really need to rethink this whole cartridge stockpile thing.
Finished off with a generous dousing of Clubman bay rum (boy what a burn!) and a few dabs of Shulten formula Old Spice Cologne. I feel like a new man.

 

[daleroller]

Monday 30 August
Yesterday's shave was so great that I did not need to shave today. Tomorrow I am trying out the Gillette Ball End Tech. I talked to one of my friends that I share an office with. He tried shaving with a Merkur a couple of times that he boughta few years ago at Excaliber Cutlery but didn't like the experience. He is going to sell me his Merkur DE (we don't know what type it is) on Wednesday for $20. He was suprised when I offered to buy a used razor from him. He didn't think anybody would want a used razor.

 

[Luc]

Monday 30 August
Yesterday's shave was so great that I did not need to shave today. Tomorrow I am trying out the Gillette Ball End Tech. I talked to one of my friends that I share an office with. He tried shaving with a Merkur a couple of times that he boughta few years ago at Excaliber Cutlery but didn't like the experience. He is going to sell me his Merkur DE (we don't know what type it is) on Wednesday for $20. He was suprised when I offered to buy a used razor from him. He didn't think anybody would want a used razor.

It all depends on the condition for $20...