Thread: Righty Tighty; Lefty Loosey

Shave #174 - Just Quibbling at This Point

Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave
Tabac Original Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
WISS Ugly Duckling 9/16" (10)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave

Another 2.5 pass shave, really paying attention to my neck region and how to attack it. The spots that have traditionally been resistant to my razor are getting smaller and smaller. The whole right side of my neck was once an issue, now I usually get a clean shave there. The sideways growing hairs in the center of my neck have been a continual issue, through really concentrating on skin pulling and scything I was able to get them this time. I did a Fool's Pass and my mustache feels good. In fact I would declare this shave an overall BBS, except I'm only DFS on my right sideburn (an area I usually get clean without paying any attention). C'est la vie.

I've been really enjoying the straights lately. I suppose it is partly farting around with honing and edge quality that has made it interesting again. It is something new and quite endless to experiment with. The sharper edges are contributing to better shaves, better results and thus more interest in reaching for a straight razor.

Shave #175 - A Bit Off

RazoRock Bay Rum Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
ERN 5/8" (2)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
C&E West Indian Lime AS Balm

I did another 2.5-passer. The shave felt a bit off the whole time. I'm not sure if it was me (I had a couple drinks), the lather (it wasn't in the zone), or the edge (possible, but since it was great last shave, I'm hopeful this isn't the problem). The shave just didn't really flow. I would give myself an overall DFS+. Still a good shave - 2 months ago I would have been ecstatic with that result in a 2-ish pass shave, but now I'm hoping for slightly more.

I'll be heading to France in a few days, and staying about a month. I'm trying to figure out my (shave) travel kit. For a guy who travels quite a bit, I really don't have my travel mojo worked out.

Shave #176 - Packing

RazoRock Bay Rum Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
DOVO Palisander 6/8" (5)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum

Another standard shave with great results - I'm an overall BBS, except for a Loonie size piece under my left eye that is maybe DFS/CCS. I managed to get my neck BBS in 3 passes. That's a significant achievement for me. I'll have to see if I can repeat it.

I'm trying to figure out my dopp bag. I'm thinking 2 straights, no DE, a little bottle of Proraso shave cream and the Klar Seifen which comes in a small (travelable) tin...maybe... So, today I ran the ERN and WISS over the diamond spray, then stropped on newspaper, followed by leather, trying to give the edges the best chance possible of surviving a month of being stropped on nothing but newsprint (my travel solution).

Shave #176.1 - DEing

I was just plain in a DE frame of mind.

RazoRock Bay Rum Shave Soap
Semogue 2012
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (4)
Hulk's Smash
Baxter of California AS Balm

I did 3 passes on the face and 4 on the neck and I'm BBS. I did some packing today, seems like I have more shave space than I thought, so I may throw the DE in. I like having it in the mix.

Shave #176.2 - Rushing

Just heading to the airport. I've been busy right up to the last second. So, I just needed a quick and effective shave.

Proraso Green Shave Cream + C&E West Indian Lime Shave Cream
Semogue 2012
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Astra Platinum (1)
Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Baxter of California AS Balm

All right. Good to go. In about 28 hours, or something like that, I should be reaching my destination.

Shave #177 - It's Nice in Nice

Arrived in Nice last night, battered from my travels. There was a terrorist threat in Charles De Gaulle airport as I was trying to transfer flights. The terminal I needed to get to was shutdown, which made the transfer time consuming and stressful, but I'm here.

Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave
Klar Seifen Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
ERN 5/8" (2/1)
Aveda Men AS Balm
Gaulimard Aventure Cologne

My Dopp kit arrived unharmed and I enjoyed a relaxing morning shave. I'm usually a night shaver. It was a 2.5 pass shave, and I'd declare it an overall BBS/DFS combi-pack. Slightly off my recent results, but that's mostly due to unfamiliar surroundings and jet lag. The edge on the ERN was great. I'd say the diamond spray raised it up a notch. It was a nice relaxing and centering shave.

Since I'm about to face my day I topped the shave off with a cologne that my wife got me here in France. She visited a traditional perfumeur that has been around since 1747. I smell like a really old man, but in a pleasant way.

Shave #177.1 - Morning Shaving



Villefranche-sur-mer, on the French Mediterranean.




Cheese as far as the eye can see. (Something that either is not available in Taiwan or is cost prohibitive).


I'm enjoying my relaxing time on the French Riviera. A symptom of my being relaxed is that I have the time for morning shaves. Normally I just roll out of bed and boot it out the door as fast as possible, but this shaving as preparation for the day has its charms. One of the things I like is being able to incorporate cologne into my shave.

Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave
Klar Seifen Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (1)
Aveda Men AS Balm
Gaulimard Filibustier Cologne

My normal 3-passer on the face and 4 on the neck has provided a comfortable BBS. Time to head to a cafe. Sante.

Shave #178 - Wedding Anniversary Shave

Seven years ago today I became a (slightly) more honest man. Tonight after my wife finishes her French class we'll head to one of the local beaches to drink a fine bottle of wine that we picked up, and maybe I'll have a Cuban as well.

Yesterday we went to a little Medieval town called St. Paul de Vance. It was very scenic with the wall and some of the architecture dating from the reign of Francois I.


Attachment 205938

St. Paul de Vance


Attachment 205939

A little church dating back to the 12th century. St. Paul de Vance.




Interior of the church. St. Paul de Vance.


Well, on with the shave...

Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave
Klar Seifen Shave Soap
TOBS Badger Brush
WISS Ugly Duckling 9/16" (10/1)
Baxter of California AS Balm
Galimard 1747 Cologne

I did another 2.5 pass shave. The results are good, BBS/DFS, with most places being BBS. I didn't really go crazy on the shave, seeking great results, anniversary or not, it's still holiday time. All I really need to achieve is to stop my stubble from becoming irritating. I will say the Mediterranean sun is direct and burny, while my skin is painfully white. But, despite any extra sensitivity that my skin might have due to sun exposure, this was still a very comfortable shave.

Now I'm off to wander around Nice and then meet my wife for lunch. Have a good day everyone.

Shave #179 - Shave Siesta

It is really quite hot here. The midday sun is a real burner.




Downtown Nice.




Downtown Nice.


So, I've decided to change my schedule. Now I'm getting up and heading out in the mornings, returning home around noon for a shower, shave and siesta, and then going out again in the evenings.

This is my first siesta shave:

Proraso Green Pre/Post Shave
Proraso Green Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
ERN 5/8" (2/2)
Baxter of California AS Balm
Galimard 1747 Cologne

My warm skin really appreciated the Proraso menthol. I kinda wish I'd brought the Vostok - that'd be just the ticket. I did my standard 2.5 pass shave with good results. I think I'm more or less BBS except for my mustache, where I didn't perform a fool's pass.

Shave #179.1 - Wandering Around Lost




I spent the morning wandering around Nice very lost and confused, when I stumbled on this knife maker's shop, so I popped in and bought myself an Opinel.




Then I headed to a park for lunch, where the Opinel came in very handy.


After getting back to our apartment in the early afternoon, it was time for a refreshing shave.

Klar Seifen Shave Soap + Proraso Green Shave Cream
TOBS Badger Brush
Edwin Jagger DE89L + Feather (2)
Aveda Men AS Balm

I'm BBS, refreshed, and ready to face the rest of the day. A bien tot.