October 2023 Gentlemanly Restraint Until Month End (GRUME)

[Snowman94]

Still in, had been using the same setup of overlander/Noble Otter Noir et Vanille all week. This week I'm going to take a break from SWS and simply use what I please each day. I'm still figuring out which blades I like in the Overlander, although nothing DOESN'T work in it. Will try to document using pics more consistently.

Decided to return the Backland Osprey; can't get consistently good or close shaves with it, and it's annoying to adjust.

Excited to complete my first GRUME in a couple of days! its been a smooth ride this month, probably because I bought so much stuff last month...

November will be real test.

 

[La Malice]

Yeah, it was 75 degrees F a few days ago and now it's snowing in mid-michigan today. Wife scrambled to clip and bring in the Tomatos on the vine so they would ripen....so now her office is full of strung-up tomato vines.

On the bright side those tomatoes will still taste better than the grocery store crap.

 

[tjsgarden]

GRUME: 30/31


Hey Guys
Another great shave today. I paid careful attention to the hydration level in the lather and frequently rinsed the razor. I was surprised how easy it was to be in striking distance of BBS-land.
Please take care of yourself and each other.

 

[ChriWilson]

Shave #19
- Still In -

• Tabac w/Tallow - SOTM
• Semogue SOC Boar
• TI Le Grelot - 6/8
• Muhle R89
• Voskhod
• Kiehl's Blue Astringent
• Stirling’s Glacial Varen

 

[Roedeer]

Day 30, 96.8% complete

Preshave: Hot washcloth
Soap: Saponificio Varesino 70th Anniversary
Brush: Yaqi 24mm synthetic cashmere
Razor: Rockwell 6S R5, Ti Handle, Astra SP #6
Bowl: Turkish copper
Post-shave: Nivea Balm

Used the Rockwell for a change. It's mild, but getting a near-BBS was not difficult. A light handle works better for me than the original.

 

[LJBraaten]

Still in, we’re going to make it!
Today I participated in Micromatic Monday, and used a vintage blade. Here’s my post:
Today’s shave was again my favorite single edge, a Gem Junior 1912 series. This was my second attempt to revive my Vintage Gem Damaskeene blade. I used my Stag Sharpener blade holder and started honing with my finest grit knife whetstone. From there I went to my old Crown stone which I partially revived with a little elbow grease. Afterwards I stropped it on cow hide and horsehide strops. Although there is still room for improvement, I got a much better shave this time. No need to finish with another razor. I rate it an 8.9 / 10. I will continue to work on getting that Crown stone in shape, and see if I can get a better edge on that blade next time.
(I probably would have gotten that blade in much better shape this time if I hadn’t been distracted by a knife on my work bench that needed lots of attention. )

 

[Multum in parvo]

Done - DFS travel shave

See you in November

 

[Guido75]

Date	31.10.2023
365 daily shaves	304/365
OCtober	31/31
Tabactober	31/31
Lasta’s Blade Stash	06/32

Razor	Blade	Brush
Gillette NEW RFB	Feather (2)	Omega Proraso
Preshave	Soap	Postshave
Cold splash KCG Face Wash Proraso Green preshave	Tabarko (tallow)	Cold splash Aftershave Balm

Passes	WTG XTG ATG and touch up
Efficiency (details here)	Quality / My process
8/10 (~20m)	9/10 (Some red spots)
Effectiveness	Comfort / Blade condition
8/10 (DFS+)	10/10 (GlideFest)

Notes:

Last day of not being in.

Summary - Second shave with a Feather. Also switched to a heavier handle. Best result I think, but slightly at the expense of comfort. Tomorrow is the start of NOCvember!

For extended shave notes click here.

Enjoy your shave!

 

[Gaspare]

Still out and the last shave in October.

 

[Jens]

Still in -- last shave in October 2023 -- MADE IT ...!!
I had my doubts along the way .... as late as last night I was perusing DE blades online, struggling not to push the button.

BRUSH: Semogue SOC 2-band (Best)
SOAP: Cella (brick)
RAZOR: Merkur 34 G
BLADE: Derby Usta (2nd)
A/S: Alum, Floïd Vigoroso
COMMENT: "... One man's Trash, another man's Treasure... ". Derby Usta this morning were simply outstanding..!!
My understanding is that Usta's are the same blade as Derby Extra's, just with a higher level of quality control, and mainly for the Turkish domestic market (though I could well be mistaken). So basically, a Derby Extra blade. In the Merkur 34. A very "smooth" and conservative setup. But boy oh boy ... it was FANTASTICALLY smooth, and yet super efficient...!
DFS verging on BBS.
This Merkur 34G was one of my very first DE razors, gives me a sense of "coming home" every time I use it.
Fitting end to this GRUME.
For all my adventures in Shavedom, the Merkur 34 remains a damned fine razor. No wonder it's so widely acclaimed. Quite ridiculous it is also widely considered a "beginner's" razor. We see it too rarely displayed by more seasoned shaving aficionados. But then, so many things are a ridiculous in the realm of Shavedom. I very nearly bought another 400 DE blades last night, only abstained because I had sworn to a bunch of like-minded that I wouldn't -- in October..!! How crazy is that ...!

 

[Jens]

Still out and the last shave in October.

Looks like a Rocca ... how do you like it ..?

 

[Gaspare]

Looks like a Rocca ... how do you like it ..?

I like it a lot. Paired with BIC it provides consistently close, smooth shaves with no irritations. Previously I shaved with Personna Platinum, but the BIC blade blows it out of the water.

The razor looks fine and is very well-made (stainless steel). The weight of the razor handle is perfect for me.

The only drawback may be the fact, there are no holes in the plate, which forces the user to rinse it more often.

 

[Multum in parvo]

And I managed to kick myself out on the last meters….
Note to myself: Don’t follow your wife into a pharmacy in a foreign country!

shaving stuff

non-shaving stuff

 

[Jens]

Notice to myself: Don’t follow your wife into a pharmacy in a foreign country!

Ah, but don't despair -- it looks like you got yourself some absolutely gorgeous stash there ...
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing..!
May I ask, in what fine country did you manage to unearth such splendid goods..?

 

[Multum in parvo]

Ah, but don't despair -- it looks like you got yourself some absolutely gorgeous stash there ...
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing..!
May I ask, in what fine country did you manage to unearth such splendid goods..?

I’m currently visiting Cesky Krumlov, Czechia

 

[JAHE]

Still in...!

I finished this month successfully with a lovely shave with this 1918 Gillette Old Type Pocket Edition (which I ever so rarely break out as this razor was gifted to me by @South Dakota Guy and @nicked78 (Greetings, if you happen to stop by!). The razor is forseseen to become a heierloom for my son, since he's born in 2018...).

Congratatulations to everyone who completed this month without following the wife into a pharmacy in a foreign country

See you on the other side!
Cheers, Friends!

 

[awk_m4]

Still in! I made it!!

Tuesday October 31, 2023
Bowl: Captain's Choice Copper Bowl
Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Omega
Lather: Tabac
Razor: Gillette Styler
Razor: Henson AL13 Medium
Blade: Gillette Super Stainless
Post: Osma Alum Block
Post: Thayers Witch Hazel
Post: Tabac

 

[Markdad2]

Made it!

 

[Atarian]

This is it, last shave of the month for me. Still in!

Razor: Parker Shavette
Soap: Proraso Red
Prep: Hot water
Post shave: Alum block
AS: Pinaud Clubman

Off to Amazon I go!

 

[cryhavoc]

Still in and made it through another GRUME, see y'all in November!

Razor: Ever-Ready 1914
Blade: GEM SS PTFE (19)
Soap: Tabac stick (Tallow)
Brush: Vie-Long BGS 2012 Butterscotch Beehive Horse
AS: Aqua Velva Musk