Brush: Yaqi Cashmere Synthetic Shaving Brush, Dandelion Green Handle, 24mm
Razor: Gillette Aristocrat (1948-50)
Blade: Lord Super Chrome (2)
Lather: Barrister & Mann - Presto Shaving Soap
Post Shave: Nivea - Moisturizing Post Shave Balm
A surprisingly not awful shave today. It was my second time using the Aristocrat after switching back to it, and for me it always takes at least a couple shaves for my technique to adjust to a new razor, even if it's one I've been comfortable with before. Also I was a bit pressed for time this morning, and so ended up with both a subpar lather (no fault to B&M) and a rushed shaved. And yet here I am, feeling pretty alright. Cheers everyone.
Post Shave: Alum, Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, Stirling Glacial Unscented aftershave balm, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
Got a CF Legacy in the mail yesterday from the Zaar, so of course I had to christen it with CF Banana. I'm very impressed with the razor. Probably should've used a fresh blade, but even still it was fantastic. I can see it turning into one of my favorites. Did a 3 pass shave with some cleanup which resulted in a DFS with no irritation (though I did stupidly nick a mole).
As a bonus, I used SW Boonana frag. Just felt right.
I love the Legacy. I've noticed not all blades work well in it, but most are very good. It took me a while to get the hang of that razor, but now it's one of my top 2 or 3.
That's what everyone says! What's your favorite blade for the razor? Need to give a fresh wizamet a try in it, but I'm going to throw a Perma-Sharp in it next.
I used a new Aluminum CFL for AA, but I'm thinking of testing some different blades in it as well. The last SOTD Hardware Report lists these as the most used blades in the CFL for the month:
Chiseled Face Legacy + Gillette Nacet
Chiseled Face Legacy + Personna Lab Blue
Chiseled Face Legacy + Wizamet
Have you tried Valley of Ashes? Gearhead is a less sweet, less cloying, more serious smelling version of VoA to me. My vote is non-meme, same as Stag is non-meme. Stag is arguably better, but they're different enough that I should own both (I only own Gearhead and have a sample of Stag).
Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Heather
Three very different fougères for today. I'm still figuring out how much water to shake out of this knoot before loading, and my Reserve lather was a bit bubbly today, to the answer is "more".
I'm really enjoying straightember, but today I felt like adjusting my sideburns. Mine are at a length where the blade has to cut at the level of my eyes, making it difficult to see what I'm doing. It works, but using an open comb safety razor would have been easier.
Sep. 22, 2023
Ok shave today. I’m noticing I missed a spot on my neck, no big deal, must have been a bit tired still.
Friday, September 22, 2023
A surprisingly not awful shave today. It was my second time using the Aristocrat after switching back to it, and for me it always takes at least a couple shaves for my technique to adjust to a new razor, even if it's one I've been comfortable with before. Also I was a bit pressed for time this morning, and so ended up with both a subpar lather (no fault to B&M) and a rushed shaved. And yet here I am, feeling pretty alright. Cheers everyone.
2023.09.22 SOTD:
Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser & Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
Brush: Paragon Shaving Plisson knot (28mm) with Paragon handle
Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy AL
Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium Extra Stainless (5)
Lather: Chiseled Face Banana
Post Shave: Alum, Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, Stirling Glacial Unscented aftershave balm, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
Got a CF Legacy in the mail yesterday from the Zaar, so of course I had to christen it with CF Banana. I'm very impressed with the razor. Probably should've used a fresh blade, but even still it was fantastic. I can see it turning into one of my favorites. Did a 3 pass shave with some cleanup which resulted in a DFS with no irritation (though I did stupidly nick a mole).
As a bonus, I used SW Boonana frag. Just felt right.
I love the Legacy. I've noticed not all blades work well in it, but most are very good. It took me a while to get the hang of that razor, but now it's one of my top 2 or 3.
That's what everyone says! What's your favorite blade for the razor? Need to give a fresh wizamet a try in it, but I'm going to throw a Perma-Sharp in it next.
I used a new Aluminum CFL for AA, but I'm thinking of testing some different blades in it as well. The last SOTD Hardware Report lists these as the most used blades in the CFL for the month:
Chiseled Face Legacy + Gillette Nacet
Chiseled Face Legacy + Personna Lab Blue
Chiseled Face Legacy + Wizamet
I threw a Perma-Sharp in it this morning, and it was great! I'll try it with a fresh wizamet after this one.
I've tried it a few times with a Nacet now, and it has made a substantial difference.
Sep 22, 2023 - Sample September: Fougere Nemeta
Extraordinary #fougerefriday shave this morning with Nemeta: great scent, great base, great everything!
Rating: 4.5/5
This is the first time I see the underside of the new Blutt, they really completely redesigned the base plate
Fougère Nemeta ++;
Interesting. I didn't realize there might be so much difference between the original and the new base plate. Do you have a picture of the first one?
I can do you one better:
The right one is first generation, the left one is second gen. I think yours is third, unless I missed one.
Thank you! The baseplates have been tweaked quite a bit between each generation.
September 22, 2023
Cracking shave, as they say on YouTube.
I'm still split on gearhead. Is it a meme soap or a serious product?
Yes.
Have you tried Valley of Ashes? Gearhead is a less sweet, less cloying, more serious smelling version of VoA to me. My vote is non-meme, same as Stag is non-meme. Stag is arguably better, but they're different enough that I should own both (I only own Gearhead and have a sample of Stag).
Valley of Ashes smells very serious to me, and not cloying at all. To me, VoA smells like a leather seat in a library where smoking was allowed.
Yeah, maybe cloying isn't the right word. There's a subtle sweetness to it which is nice, but I prefer the non-sweetness of Gearhead.
I had heard that Gearhead smells like WD40, so your comparison took me by surprise 😅
Fougère Friday
Three very different fougères for today. I'm still figuring out how much water to shake out of this knoot before loading, and my Reserve lather was a bit bubbly today, to the answer is "more".
I'm really enjoying straightember, but today I felt like adjusting my sideburns. Mine are at a length where the blade has to cut at the level of my eyes, making it difficult to see what I'm doing. It works, but using an open comb safety razor would have been easier.
September 22, 2023: Equine Greatest Hits Straightember
@walden inspired me to use VoA tonight. It was the correct choice: great base, and great scent.
Have a good night!
September 22, 2023
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Very nice shave. I'll be alternating between this razor and the Fili 14 for the next couple of days.