Preshave: frigid tap water
Brush: Semogue 1800
Soap: Ariana and Evans ~ Kaizen
Razor: Karve Brass Open Comb D-plate
Blade: Polsiver Super Iridium (1)
Post shave: frigid tap water, Ariana and Evans ~ Kaizen AS.
Shave no. 100 in 2021 - and this one has been one of the most comfortable shaves thus far. A very slick soap, a sharp blade and an efficient razor provided a silky smooth shave. Three lovely passes, bbs galore.
I din't judge my shaves but this shave would have been a 10/10.
Not like the Valet grandpa used!
This is my VC4 AutoStrop that has been heavily modified to only accept GEM type SE blades. It will no longer accept Valet or Feather blades. Don’t worry, I still have another undebauched VC4.
Although I believe the VC4 to be the mildest shaver of the Valet family, this modified version is now one of the mildest razors I own. For some reason, the modification process narrowed the blade gap. It now seems to shave best held completely flat against my face. You would think that’s way to shallow, but it still gives audible feedback that it’s clearing whiskers. I did find it harder to obtain a BBS though, especially on my soft, pliable neck skin. Much the same problem I always encountered with my EJ DE86.
Besides having to readjust my technique to the modification, the shave went well. I’m nice and smooth with no post shave irritations. My first ever splash of mentholated grapefruit...pretty neat. I’ll definitely use it during the hot summer.
Pay no attention to the Valet AutoStrop cigar cutter...it’s just a prop.
Razor: Gillette British Rocket SS- Mfg 1950's, nice milder mid range with a Kai blade. Great results usually. Blade: Kai SS (3) excellent blade, sharp & smooth with excellent longevity. Wider than a standard Gillette blade by .009" or .0045" per side. Soap: Razorock XXX - nice fresh scent when it dries down, excellent lather qualities. Brush: Yaqi red Zebra handle 26mm- excellent lather generator, heavenly cloud like soft tips + gentle scrub + excellent lather painter. Pre shave: Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser + a dollop of clear Aloe Vera gel on the cleaned beard area. Prep: Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG + ATG + pickups. Post shave: Razorock XXX aftershave with witch hazel + a dollop of Nivea balm with witch hazel. Results: CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers = Excellent shave with my Gillette British Rocket SS with a Kai SS blade.
Have some great shaves! Stay & think safe in these times!
4/10/21
Chiseled Face Midnight Stag
Muhle 31K 256 Silver Tip Fiber
11/16 Le Grelot #361 "The Lord Barber"
Tony Miller 3" Fast Bridle Strop
Osma Alum Block
Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum
Haslinger Sandalwood Balm
Banana Republic Cordovan
Prep:Valobra Glycerlanolina soap, Myrsol Emulsion Brush:Tony Forsyth P&C LE 2017 Platypus High Mountain White Badger Soap:Phoenix & Beau Spitfire Razor:Wolfman WR1 Blade:Vintage NOS Gillette Spoiler (3) Post:Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel, Bootlegger's Perfecto Virginia Aftershave Splash
An effortless, smooth and close three pass shave with this line-up, with tobacco featuring prominently.
You will find a review for the Bootlegger's Aftershave here - Bootlegger's Perfecto Virginia Review.
Razor - Gillette King C
Blade - Perma-sharp
Pre - cold water splash followed by AOS pre shave oil, unscented
Soap - Proraso white
Brush - AOS genuine badger
Blood loss control - Proraso gel
Post shave - Nivea sensitive skin balm