The Twenty-Third 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 (29)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Oceana
• Post Shave: Ralon – Original
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co. – Island Man

Overslept my alarm and woke up late today. The routine of AA helped keep it Zen. AA++;

#Monthofweckoning

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

August 23, 2023

• Preshave: Proraso Green Preshave
• Brush: Zenith 506U XS Horse 🐎
• Razor: Greencult GC 2.0 II
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (22)
• Lather: Abbate y La Mantia Marduk
• Post Shave: Mennen Le Grand Large
• Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm

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

• Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
• Razor: Weck Sextoblade (Straight Shave 304)
• Blade: Kismet (23)
• 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

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.

• Prep: Splash of Cool Water
• Razor: Timeless - Stainless Steel .68 - Open Comb
• Blade: Gillette - Nacet (Marathon) (521)
• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
• Brush: Zenith - r/wetshaving MOAR BOAR B35/508A XL (46 uses)
• Post Shave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag (White Label)
• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag

Austere August: Day: 23
MRTNG's Ultra Nightmare Mode
Midnight Stag Challenge

Gear Pic :: Video

䷀ General Notes

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.)

䷀ Razor and Blade Notes

(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)

䷀ 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... 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)

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

Bowl: No Bowl

䷀ Brush Notes

(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