This is a community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor. We are a part of the WetShaving community found on Reddit, Discord, and IRC.
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Overslept my alarm and woke up late today. The routine of AA helped keep it Zen. AA++;
#Monthofweckoning
AA++;
Amazing how useful austerity can be for a shaving hobbyist! 🙂
2023.08.23 SOTD (#UNCHALLENGE shave #23):
Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
Brush: AKA Brushworks Amethyst Watchman with 26mm AP Shave Co G5C
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (3)
Lather: Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime
Post Shave: Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, Seaforth! Sea Ice Lime Aftershave Splash, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
AA Day 23! Did a simple 2 pass shave. Quick and easy.
On a different note, today was my 100th DE/wetshaving shave. It's been fun.
#UNCHALLENGE
Congratulations, and carry on!
Thanks, will do!
today was my 100th DE/wetshaving shave
Congrats!
Cheers!
Here's to 1000 more!
Hopefully I stop recording everything by then!
August 23, 2023
Today I smeared Marduk directly on the brush, and face lathered from there. This is probably the correct way of treating AYLM soft soaps - unless you're using an ultrasoft horse hair brush with 0 backbone. It still worked out reasonably well.
Have a good night!
August 23, 2023
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Kismet Blade - Losing My Edge
#Monthofweckoning
The edge on this blade is definitely duller, but it does not show up under the microscope. I will add an image to the edge album in the next couple of days, but I think that edge durability on these Kismet blades is very high.
Today I spent time tinkering with my 2-pass pattern. The pattern is a mix of directions; WTG-XTG and ATG-XTG as you might expect. Some of how I accomplish this is to use overlapping strokes but to change the direction of blade travel as I overlap. Because I can't help myself, and chase BBS, I tend to stay in an area longer than I probably should. I'm playing around with reducing the number of strokes while maintaining the level of closeness. Interesting stuff for a shaving nerd.
Interesting stuff, indeed.
Austere August: Day: 23
MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode
Midnight Stag Challenge
Trying for a speed shave record again, and I did improve on my time a little. 2:43 to get the three passes done, with a theme/concept of "late for work."
I'll paste in the givens/criteria from last time, since they're the same:
I did not apply splash and frag during the timed portion, because I felt that in an emergency/"late for work" situation, those could/should be skipped, or applied as one was driving to work, etc.
However, I thought that rinsing one's face properly should be included, as well as cleaning a natural hair brush (synth users can skip that) to prevent excessive soap exposure from damaging the knot.
(Again, this time is only relevant to the category of "guys with goatees", since it is likely easier than also shaving your chin and stash.)
(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Gillette - Nacet - M ‹521 uses›)
Same: First pass has some tugginess to it. But no irritation that lasts longer than a little tuggy stroke. Latter passes feel fine and give a reasonably close shave. 5 pretty quick passes.
Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 2 out of 5 (Okay)
(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)
I just love all the aspects of this scent!
Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving.
Lather... Well, it was nothing to brag about, but that's okay, because it was only meant to be fast, and slick enough. And it was that.
Hydration: Wet End of Perfect (for me)
Bowl: No Bowl
(Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL ‹46 uses›)
Same: Comfortable soft tips that do flex some, but that are supported by a base with strong backbone. As with all young boars, I look forward to the tips splitting with more uses and getting softer with use.
During the Shave Feel:
Cheeks: Just a little tugging
Neck: Just a little tugging
After the Shave Closeness:
Cheeks: Close Shave
Neck: Several hairs are showing some tip length (still a pretty good shave)
Ending of Blades Ledger - entry form and the data spreadsheet
