2007.11.26 Shave of the Day

Wednesday 11/21 - 4.5/5.0
Hair Tonic: Lucky Tiger Special Formula Hair Tonic
Razor: Merkur 500 Progress Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor Chrome
Razor Blades: Derby Double Edged Razor Blades
Brush: Shavemac 23mm Handmade Nickel Ivory Pure Badger Shave Brush
Shave Cream/Soap: The Shave Den Bergamot Glycerin Shave Soap
Bowl: Mitsuwa 5" Blue swirl hand thrown Japanese Rice Bowl
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Thanksgiving 11/22 - 4.6/5.0
Hair Tonic: Lucky Tiger Special Formula Hair Tonic
Razor: Merkur 500 Progress Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor Chrome
Razor Blades: Derby Double Edged Razor Blades
Brush: Shavemac 23mm Handmade Nickel Ivory Pure Badger Shave Brush
Shave Cream/Soap: The Shave Den Bergamot Glycerin Shave Soap
Bowl: Mitsuwa 5" Blue swirl hand thrown Japanese Rice Bowl
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Friday 11/23 - 4.5/5.0
Hair Tonic: Lucky Tiger Special Formula Hair Tonic
Razor: Merkur 500 Progress Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor Chrome
Razor Blades: Derby Double Edged Razor Blades
Brush: Shavemac 23mm Handmade Nickel Ivory Pure Badger Shave Brush
Shave Cream/Soap: The Shave Den Bergamot Glycerin Shave Soap
Bowl: Mitsuwa 5" Blue swirl hand thrown Japanese Rice Bowl
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Saturday 11/24 - 4.6/5.0 (Practice for the Big Day)
Hair Tonic: Lucky Tiger Special Formula Hair Tonic
Sharpening: The Well Shaved Gentleman Horsehide Heirloom #1 BEST Wide 3" Premium Strop
Razor: Dovo INOX 4/8 SS Straight Razor w/White Plastic Scales
Razor: Merkur 500 Progress Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor Chrome
Razor Blades: Derby Double Edged Razor Blades
Brush: Shavemac 23mm Handmade Nickel Ivory Pure Badger Shave Brush
Shave Cream/Soap: Crabtree & Evelyn Sweet Almond Oil Shave Cream
Bowl: Mitsuwa 5" Blue swirl hand thrown Japanese Rice Bowl
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Sunday 11/25 - 4.6/5.0 (The Big Day)
Hair Tonic: Lucky Tiger Special Formula Hair Tonic
Sharpening: The Well Shaved Gentleman Horsehide Heirloom #1 BEST Wide 3" Premium Strop
Razor: Bill Ellis Custom 1/4 Hollow 7/8 Irish Point Straight Razor w/Yellow Heart Scales
Razor: Merkur 500 Progress Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor Chrome
Razor Blades: Derby Double Edged Razor Blades
Brush: Shavemac 23mm Handmade Nickel Ivory Pure Badger Shave Brush
Shave Cream/Soap: Crabtree & Evelyn Sweet Almond Oil Shave Cream
Shave Cream/Soap: Crabtree & Evelyn Sweet Almond Oil Triple Milled Shave Soap
Bowl: Mitsuwa 5" Blue swirl hand thrown Japanese Rice Bowl
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Comments: I am considered a Newbie when it comes to straight razor shaving. I normally use a Feather ACD-N for straight shaving. Today, I used the Bill Ellis custom razor, Bill was so generous in donating to The Shave Den prize drawing. It is a true work of art. I won't kid you. It is both gorgeous and scary. It's a big blade at 7/8 and has the Irish Point. I have never used a straight razor anything near as quality as this razor. I had to do some breathing exercises because I was so excited about trying it and not wanting to blow the shave due to my lack of experience with such a blade. All I can say is WOW! Now I know what a quality blade can do even in the hands of a str8 Newbie like me. I got close but didn't push it. The length, balance and geometry of the blade is not what I'm used to so I didn't have the confidence. This razor is all that and more. I know I need to practice stropping and honing better because this is 44o steel but it's worth it. Thank you Bill. I am so glad I won this razor.

Monday 11/26
Shave
Razor: Feather Artist Club DX Japanese Style Non-Folding Razor ACD-N
Razor Blades: Feather Professional Blades for Feather ACD-N
Razor: Gillette TTO 1970 Gold Plated, Long Black Handled Super Adjustable Double Edged Safety Razor
Razor Blades: 7am Platinum Double Edged Razor Blades v2
Brush: Concord Shear Cobalt Long Handle Bulb Badger Shave Brush
Bowl: Mitsuwa 6" Beige shallow hand thrown Japanese bowl with side rest
Shave Cream/Soap: D R Harris Marlborough Shave Cream
Technique: (Feather WTG/ATG)/(DE XTG/Cleanup)
Post Shave
Aftershave Balm: Nivea Extra Soothing Sensitive Skin Balm
Aftershave: Thayer's Witch Hazel Aftershave

Result: 4.6/5.0 Smooth, smooth, smooth. It was still knocked down from using Bill's razor yesterday and the ACD-N just killed the whiskers today. I actually got away with just a tiny touch up with the Gillette to finish off the shave. Balm then AS does work. A lot of faceturbating going on.

Posted to: The Shave Den 2007.11.26