2023.08.20 SOTD (#UNCHALLENGE shave #20):

• Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser

• Brush: AKA Brushworks Amethyst Watchman with 26mm AP Shave Co G5C

• Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable

• Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (5)

• 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 20! Did a simple 2-pass shave today, going north to south both times (mostly XTG on my neck). Quick, simple, easy, and irritation free.

#UNCHALLENGE

August 20, 2023: Austerish

• Preshave: Proraso Green Preshave
• Brush: Zenith 506U XS Horse 🐎
• Razor: Greencult GC 2.0 II
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (19)
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia Marduk
• Post Shave: Mennen Le Grand Large
• Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm

It is and will be hot here, and my will to forgo menthol decreased. Marduk is a perfect hot-weather soap, but it needs quite heavy loading. My slurry lathering days made me completely underload today, with predictable results. The soap is slick enough that it worked nevertheless.

Have a good night!

August 20, 2023

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade (Straight Shave 301)
• Blade: Kismet (20)
• Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
• Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
   

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Kismet Blade - Losing My Edge
#Monthofweckoning

I really focused on technique in today's shave. I wondered if a blade with 20 shaves on it could give me the level of comfort and closeness that it did on day one; allowing that I am much more familiar with this setup than I was on day one. Anyway, I have a BBS shave with no fixups needed in my trouble areas.

For technique, I am paying attention to what the unique dimensions of this razor can do. In particular, because of its shape, I can get it into areas that won't fit a wider razor. And this razor cuts a very low angles. It cuts better and much more comfortably this way.

I added an image to the edge album today. This is more about recording the condition than showing anything new. The edge is still in great shape.

I haven't talked about the brush much this month other than to note how comfortable and ergonomic the handle is. The AP Shave Co Titanium knot is the only synthetic I have that has changed over time. Luckily it has changed for the better. When it was new, it just had too much backbone for me. I did some bowl lathering with it where I emphasized spaying the knot and that helped a little. Using it everyday this month, though, has done the trick. The backbone, now, is just right to allow easy loading of soap and the knot splays more easily which highlights the softness of the tips.

Enjoy your Sunday!

The Twentieth Day Of Weckoning is upon us

• Brush: Rubberset 400-3 with a 26 mm unbleached Zenith boar knot at 56 mm loft
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade Med Prep
• Blade: Kismet Rostfrei, Polymer beschichtet (26)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Oceana
• Post Shave: Ralon – Original
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Island Man

The stupid heat dome is still going strong over all over Switzerland. A quick lunchtime shave'n'shower was really nice to cool off. The blade may not be perfect anymore, but still plenty sharp enough for BBS.

Oceana and Island Man were good choices for this hot August.

#Monthofweckoning

• Prep: Splash of Cool Water
• Razor: Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb
• Blade: Gillette - Nacet (Marathon) (518)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
• Brush: Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL (43 uses)
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Austere August: Day: 20
MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode
Midnight Stag Challenge

Gear Pic :: Video

䷀ General Notes

A speedy, and slightly groggy shave before my day begins!

Slurry lather.

Glad I had this method in my tool kit, because time was super short.

䷀ Razor and Blade Notes

(Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb ::: Gillette - Nacet - M ‹518 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. 3 quick passes.

Razor and Blade Performance/Comfort Rating: 2 out of 5 (Okay)

䷀ Soap Notes

(Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - White Label)

I just love all the aspects of this scent!

Scent Strength: 6/10, nicely present during shaving.

Lather... This was 4 swirls on a pretty dry puck.

It started off well.

And I ended up with plenty of lather for 3 good passes.

Pass two though, was a little more skimpy than when I have longer load times, but it was still very functional and slick.

super wet stuff was in the brush at the end, and so when I extracted it to use as the third pass of lather, it dripped everywhere.

Hydration: A Little Too Wet (for me)

• 1 sec load with a Very Wet brush
• = 3 passes of lather

Bowl: No Bowl

䷀ Brush Notes

(Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL ‹43 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: Felt blade but comfortable
  Neck: Felt blade but comfortable
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