== My Shaving Gear ==
(Rev. 2012)
Double Edge Razors
Gillette 1966 SS Flare in Case - Really smooth, reliable razor. Everyone should try one. This is what my grandfather shaved with while in the Air Force. I gave this to him on Christmas 2012.
Gillette 19-- SS Red Tip - It is in really rough shape. Planning on restoring this, perhaps even plated in gold.
Gillette 19-- Knack - Shaves very much like a Super Speed, but with a plastic handle. This version had the metal end cap at the bottom of handle. Completely Under-rated razor in the wet shaving community. Given to step father on Christmas 2012.
Gillette Gold Tech 3-piece razor - Wow... so gentle! So Precise! My Techs are easily my most gentle razors. The Edwin Jagger DB89 feels like a heavier, beefier version of this razor. Which is a good thing!
Merkur Futur Satin - Previous Favorite Razor for 4 years straight. I liked its highest setting, a little past the 6 mark. I wish I would have sprung for the Gold Plating back in 2008. This is a quality razor
Parker 86R - Horrible Razor. Other Parkers hopefully are better.
Edwin Jagger DB89 Polished Chrome - New Favorite Razor. Smooth, yet shaves down my heavy and dense beard. I do have to use one more shaving pass compared with my aggressive Futur. It is the new redesign.
West German Gillette Travel Razor Kit, Red Leather. 19-- It is pretty much a travel Tech from Gillette.
"The red leather kit hails from West Germany. The razor and case are in excellent condition. Unfortunately the Super Blue Blade box has no blade in it, but there was an encoded note which I have forwarded to Checkpoint Charley. It measures 2.5" x 1.75" - Rick Sparks
(I need to put up the missing years on my vintage Gillette's)
(I need to list my Schick Krona and other Gillette razors)
Containers
1961-1964 Old Spice Shaving Mug (without a lip around the top rim)
VHD Blue/Green Shaving Bowl
(More containers that I own need to be listed)
Brushes
Omega 666 Pure Badger - For a couple years, this was my goto brush when I started. Looks elegant, and came in a fantastic presentation box. Started off prickly, but my dense heavy beard make it feel soft now. Excellent lathering performance.
VDH Boar - Easily my worst purchase. But it is what started me down the wet shaving path. It will make a good lather if you are skilled enough, and use to how it acts. Sheds like there is no tomorrow.
(More brushes that I own need to be listed...)
Soaps
ARKO Shave Stick - This made me fall in love with Shave Sticks and Face Lathering. I never had a problem with the smell, i think it smells like a good normal soap should. Performance and price are amazing, and amazingly found together!
VDH Deluxe - I always make sure to have at least one refill of this in storage. I started with this soap, and for many years it was my default goto. Cheap, and reliable. I really enjoy the smell too. Wish it was as long lasting as triple milled soaps.
Honeybee shaving soap Jasmine - Untested. Smell was too strong and I gave it to my mom.
Speick Shave Stick - Untested but I like the scent. Spicy.
(More Soaps I own need to be listed)
Creams
TOBS Cream Samples (Rose, Lavender, Avocado, Lemon Lime) - I found I didn't really have enough in amount to really test them out. They all smelled great. Avocado really stood out as the best to me in performance.
ARKO Moist - Fantastic product and cheap too! Love the smell. Cool and refreshing. Doesn't smell like the Arko stick at all if you dislike that product.
Proraso Red Sandlewood - Untested
Blades
USA Personna - I don't know much about these blades. They are the ones Walmart use to sell before they began carrying Wilkinson. They felt dull, uneven, and rough. My face looked like a patchwork of nicks and blood. Awesome Blade Case though.
Sharp Stainless - These are the blades I started with, and are my baseline blade when I test a new product or razor. They are between a Derby and a Crystal in performance. Although not as smooth and comfortable as either of those brands.
Crystal - My favorite blade for 4 years. I find them to be sold out a few times... and for good reason. Also the price for them has gone up over the years too. Still a good buy. Pretty much the best balanced blade I've found.
Derby - I actually like these, even though they do not pass my sharpness needs. They are smooth and comfortable to use, and cheap. If these were the only blades I could get I would be happy, and they are sharper than cartridge blades I use to use.
Red Gillette - I remember good things about this blade. My only problem is its availability to me, and I enjoy Astra and Crystal more.
Merkur (I have a few of these blades) - Untested but I hear they are not as sharp as what I usually desire.
Feather - Really enjoy these blades, but they are too expensive for me to go out and buy them. I feel Astra and Crystal blades are sharp enough, and do not require the attention or respect needed when shaving with Feather.
Red IP - Really smooth and easy to use. My big problem with this is that it wasn't sharp enough for my heavy dense beard.
(Blades Currently under Testing Run) - None
Post Shave
Superior 70 Bay Rum - Smells like old man to me. Admittedly, i'm not an old man. Even after 4 years I'm still leery of buying anything else that is Bay Rum scented. Maybe I will in the future. Obviously I didn't like this product.
Aqua Velva Ice Blue - Menthol really cools you down in the hot Texas desert heat. I enjoy the scent, which is about medium in how long it lasts on your skin. Usually doesn't interfere with my colognes since I wear a lot of aqua fragrances when it is hot.
Aqua Velva MUSK - I really enjoy this scent, and it allows me to use Aqua Velva during the colder seasons. It smells warm, yet fresh and clean. Oddly enough, still cooling... but not nearly as much as the others in the product line.
Aqua Velva Ice Sport - I like this scent more than the Ice Blue. Sadly it comes in a plastic bottle, and I can only find it in the smaller sizes. I use this sparingly due to this, and also how hard it is to find in my area.
AFTA Original by Mennen - I like its spicy peppery scent. This is the only gel I enjoy.
Old Spice Classic - This really grew on me over the years. Matches my Old Spice Soap Mug.
Nivia Balms - My favorite post shave product. Unscented so I can put on whatever cologne I want. Even when I use an Aftershave alcohol splash, I wait for it to dry so I can use some Nivia balm.
Witch Hazel - Does it work? Yes, and very well at that. Does it smell? Yes, like something awful. I simply just prefer balms.
Corn Huskers - Makes skin feel tacky or sticky, but is very moisturizing and protective. I just dislike the smell and feel of this. Excellent choice when looking for something good on the cheap.
UNLISTED:3. New French Monsavon soap [1]
4. Used vintage 4711 SIR irish moos soap stick
5. Vintage Victoria boar brush
6. Blades: Personna (4) and Gillette Swedes (6)
(Rev. 2012)
Double Edge Razors
Gillette 1966 SS Flare in Case - Really smooth, reliable razor. Everyone should try one. This is what my grandfather shaved with while in the Air Force. I gave this to him on Christmas 2012.
Gillette 19-- SS Red Tip - It is in really rough shape. Planning on restoring this, perhaps even plated in gold.
Gillette 19-- Knack - Shaves very much like a Super Speed, but with a plastic handle. This version had the metal end cap at the bottom of handle. Completely Under-rated razor in the wet shaving community. Given to step father on Christmas 2012.
Gillette Gold Tech 3-piece razor - Wow... so gentle! So Precise! My Techs are easily my most gentle razors. The Edwin Jagger DB89 feels like a heavier, beefier version of this razor. Which is a good thing!
Merkur Futur Satin - Previous Favorite Razor for 4 years straight. I liked its highest setting, a little past the 6 mark. I wish I would have sprung for the Gold Plating back in 2008. This is a quality razor
Parker 86R - Horrible Razor. Other Parkers hopefully are better.
Edwin Jagger DB89 Polished Chrome - New Favorite Razor. Smooth, yet shaves down my heavy and dense beard. I do have to use one more shaving pass compared with my aggressive Futur. It is the new redesign.
West German Gillette Travel Razor Kit, Red Leather. 19-- It is pretty much a travel Tech from Gillette.
"The red leather kit hails from West Germany. The razor and case are in excellent condition. Unfortunately the Super Blue Blade box has no blade in it, but there was an encoded note which I have forwarded to Checkpoint Charley. It measures 2.5" x 1.75" - Rick Sparks
(I need to put up the missing years on my vintage Gillette's)
(I need to list my Schick Krona and other Gillette razors)
Containers
1961-1964 Old Spice Shaving Mug (without a lip around the top rim)
VHD Blue/Green Shaving Bowl
(More containers that I own need to be listed)
Brushes
Omega 666 Pure Badger - For a couple years, this was my goto brush when I started. Looks elegant, and came in a fantastic presentation box. Started off prickly, but my dense heavy beard make it feel soft now. Excellent lathering performance.
VDH Boar - Easily my worst purchase. But it is what started me down the wet shaving path. It will make a good lather if you are skilled enough, and use to how it acts. Sheds like there is no tomorrow.
(More brushes that I own need to be listed...)
Soaps
ARKO Shave Stick - This made me fall in love with Shave Sticks and Face Lathering. I never had a problem with the smell, i think it smells like a good normal soap should. Performance and price are amazing, and amazingly found together!
VDH Deluxe - I always make sure to have at least one refill of this in storage. I started with this soap, and for many years it was my default goto. Cheap, and reliable. I really enjoy the smell too. Wish it was as long lasting as triple milled soaps.
Honeybee shaving soap Jasmine - Untested. Smell was too strong and I gave it to my mom.
Speick Shave Stick - Untested but I like the scent. Spicy.
(More Soaps I own need to be listed)
Creams
TOBS Cream Samples (Rose, Lavender, Avocado, Lemon Lime) - I found I didn't really have enough in amount to really test them out. They all smelled great. Avocado really stood out as the best to me in performance.
ARKO Moist - Fantastic product and cheap too! Love the smell. Cool and refreshing. Doesn't smell like the Arko stick at all if you dislike that product.
Proraso Red Sandlewood - Untested
Blades
USA Personna - I don't know much about these blades. They are the ones Walmart use to sell before they began carrying Wilkinson. They felt dull, uneven, and rough. My face looked like a patchwork of nicks and blood. Awesome Blade Case though.
Sharp Stainless - These are the blades I started with, and are my baseline blade when I test a new product or razor. They are between a Derby and a Crystal in performance. Although not as smooth and comfortable as either of those brands.
Crystal - My favorite blade for 4 years. I find them to be sold out a few times... and for good reason. Also the price for them has gone up over the years too. Still a good buy. Pretty much the best balanced blade I've found.
Derby - I actually like these, even though they do not pass my sharpness needs. They are smooth and comfortable to use, and cheap. If these were the only blades I could get I would be happy, and they are sharper than cartridge blades I use to use.
Red Gillette - I remember good things about this blade. My only problem is its availability to me, and I enjoy Astra and Crystal more.
Merkur (I have a few of these blades) - Untested but I hear they are not as sharp as what I usually desire.
Feather - Really enjoy these blades, but they are too expensive for me to go out and buy them. I feel Astra and Crystal blades are sharp enough, and do not require the attention or respect needed when shaving with Feather.
Red IP - Really smooth and easy to use. My big problem with this is that it wasn't sharp enough for my heavy dense beard.
(Blades Currently under Testing Run) - None
Post Shave
Superior 70 Bay Rum - Smells like old man to me. Admittedly, i'm not an old man. Even after 4 years I'm still leery of buying anything else that is Bay Rum scented. Maybe I will in the future. Obviously I didn't like this product.
Aqua Velva Ice Blue - Menthol really cools you down in the hot Texas desert heat. I enjoy the scent, which is about medium in how long it lasts on your skin. Usually doesn't interfere with my colognes since I wear a lot of aqua fragrances when it is hot.
Aqua Velva MUSK - I really enjoy this scent, and it allows me to use Aqua Velva during the colder seasons. It smells warm, yet fresh and clean. Oddly enough, still cooling... but not nearly as much as the others in the product line.
Aqua Velva Ice Sport - I like this scent more than the Ice Blue. Sadly it comes in a plastic bottle, and I can only find it in the smaller sizes. I use this sparingly due to this, and also how hard it is to find in my area.
AFTA Original by Mennen - I like its spicy peppery scent. This is the only gel I enjoy.
Old Spice Classic - This really grew on me over the years. Matches my Old Spice Soap Mug.
Nivia Balms - My favorite post shave product. Unscented so I can put on whatever cologne I want. Even when I use an Aftershave alcohol splash, I wait for it to dry so I can use some Nivia balm.
Witch Hazel - Does it work? Yes, and very well at that. Does it smell? Yes, like something awful. I simply just prefer balms.
Corn Huskers - Makes skin feel tacky or sticky, but is very moisturizing and protective. I just dislike the smell and feel of this. Excellent choice when looking for something good on the cheap.
UNLISTED:3. New French Monsavon soap [1]
4. Used vintage 4711 SIR irish moos soap stick
5. Vintage Victoria boar brush
6. Blades: Personna (4) and Gillette Swedes (6)
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