Thread: I dunno, Yogi...

Crap, forgot the Arko

You'll just have to remember on the next sample spree

So, I've been in Germany the past week and a half. Boy howdy, I've been busy and missing my straights. I ended up bringing my dovo shavette and a bunch of blades. Should have only brought my feather blades, those are hands down the best. The derby and shark blades just seem harsher and duller. OTOH, they were looser than my feathers. It's amazing how the merkur blades I used before just don't seem made properly, easily too long, but usually partnered with the shavette. Curious. I brought my tobs samples as well, some serious love for these. I used my omega s-brush because it was inexpensive and good for face lathering, which I enjoy more because of the necessity of spartan packing methods. Still pita to get bbs all over, damn right side growth pattern and ultra sensitive there also. To shaves to go and some ideers to try. I am also sad to say daily shaving is impossible for me, so so so much irritation. Should try some extra prep when I get back, then I finally be able to use my 1k hone! Next time I come for business, a couple days vacation to visit revisor and ralf aust hopefully. A bummer being on the opposite side of the country.

Well, I kinda forgot about this thread a wee bit. I felt like I should update my thoughts on my soaps. First, I still have not finished a single sample. Have not even touched one of the MT samples and only one shave out of the other one. I have gained appreciation for the proraso and feel that my lather building is improving with those. It is my preferred menthol so far and enjoy it greatly on warmer days, as it will get hotter and more humid, I should probably get a full size of it. The other three are just alright for me. Sandalwood still seems soap until lathering, the Blue and White I like more than the Red scent wise and performance is adequate. I still enjoy all 4 TOBS creams, the Cedarwood is my favorite scent by far and wish they had a post-shave balm and AS in that flavor. I kinda want to bathe in that scent. I feel it could be my "signature" scent. I can actually tell with shaving/post shave that the Jermyn St. sensitive skin is actually nicer to my skin. I dunno what that scent is, but it makes me feel fancy. I must like to feel fancy, since this one has the least amount left, maybe a shave or 3 left. Either the Mr. Taylor's or that 4th flavor has a slightly "grandma's perfume" background scent that the jury is out on, the other scent is a more clean/soapy scent that I enjoy after greasy food/travel/some other activity that make you feel dirty to the bone. I may have mixed up the caps, which really sucks. Obie can probably tell me which is which, if I want to buy either one. The EJ creams have seen the least use, the flavors are a little muted and not the best performance.

I feel my competence in shaving has increased since using the shavette over my trip. It definitely taught me to "lighten-up" a bit and I have more or less solved my sensitivity issues with my right jaw-line, using my hair conditioner in my beard during my pre-shave shower does seem to help. Or my skin is toughing up. Or the fact that I put the spine on my jaw and whittle down the hairs until flush. Trick I learned with my Schumate, since it really does what to be flat on the face, they tell you this on the coffin. However; I kinda look like a teenager today, since I shaved 3 days in a row, trying to see if I could do a nightly shave every day except Tues&Thurs. Seems feasible if I only do one pass ATG on the cheeks.

I suppose my verbal diarrhea is over, for now.

EDIT: I did get my 1k hone... and a bout 8 (maybe? I forget) coticule. The 1k is.... a 1k. The coticule seems likely to not be a finisher, maybe not even a pre-finisher. The bout 1 slurry stone looks like the "gravelly" vein people have purchased.... More testing and experimenting needed. It chipped a blade, but that may have been due to inadequate lapping on my part, maybe a stray garnet sticking in a pot-hole. Ardennes really does ship with those saw marks on there, but with 320 grit 3M, it took maybe 5 minutes. Re-lapped the second time with 600 grit norton paper, since I ran out of the 3M. Really hate the norton paper... Did extra dilligence on breaking the corners. Good pictures will probably be had in a future date/different thread. However, it hones, it's still a nice looking rock.

I revisited my EJ soaps for the first time in awhile, something about them makes me go towards Proraso and TOBS. Nothing really rational, maybe the cream seems to not really "fluff" up. However, I used the Limes & Pomegranate last night and I was impressed with the glide and subtle citrus scent. The razor was my Schumate, finished on a Vermio, a skosh on the too keen side.... Bought a bunch of samples for my father for Father's day aaaand doubled the order, since it was stuff I haven't tried. Might go through the whole year just on samples...

Success! My father loved the kit I sent him, but has lost his brush. He's probably going to buy one from walgreens on the cheap and probably get a nice one from me for his birthday or an excuse for my to try another brush.

I have used a few of my new samples, but I think it prudent for myself to kinda 'conclude' my first sample run with my preferences so far.

TOBS:
Cedarwood is easily my favorite scent I have so far (including my new samples, as of right now) and have purchased a full tub. The ladies seem to enjoy this scent as well, so I am now on a hunt for a cedarwood similar post-shave balm and after shave. Me thinks my father would like this scent as well.

The Jermyn street is a great cream, but something about the scent makes me not want a full container. Really is better for sensitive skin.

Mr. Taylor and the other one I can never remember are fine soaps, but I am not sure which is which. One smells soapy and clean, the other slightly like something my grandma wore from the 70's to the early 'aughts'.

Proraso:
Menthol and eucalyptus all the way on hot days. Definite full line-up purchase worthy for summer, must get on that.

The blue and white are both nice soaps, one or both may make their way to the den. Will have to revisit the sample later.

Red (sandalwood) is good and clean, but the smell is not that great.

EJ:
Menthol is nice feeling, simply a slightly less olfactory proraso green but not as good to me.
Limes and Pomegranate is a nice soap, but just smells like an underpowered lime soap.
Sandalwood is stronger, but not enough for me. Lathers okay.
The aloe I do believe is a pretty good cream, may have to revisit sample.

Now, for round 2.

Just wondering is there a particular store/web site you are ordering the samples from? Nice reviews!

Belay my last. Helps to read the first post!!!

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

Just wondering is there a particular store/web site you are ordering the samples from? Nice reviews!

Belay my last. Helps to read the first post!!!

Haha, no worries. If you have any other questions, let me know.

It's been almost 2 months, I can't believe it. These samples still have plenty of soap in them. I kept putting off updating this thread until I got the hand of them, which has been an issue. Xpec hates me, one little drop too much of water and the lather disappears.

So, my new plan is to scoop out the soaps and place them in my pyrex "scuttle". I have been face lathering a little more frequently, so I can turn it into a dedicated sample bowl. This way I seriously concentrate on one at a time to really get the hang of it. The first up is my least favorite MdC, not to mean it is bad, more of the sense of "least favorite of the two incredibly hot TV stars you had a crush on when you were young." This is the lavender, I'm saving the fougere so that it will be replaced with a full jar, once my samples are not taking up precious real estate on my counter. MdC seems to like just a skosh more water than what appears necessary, as it was drying up just a touch too soon. I got away from soaking my brush with the previous sample pack, out of laziness and no need. The higher-end soaps may benefit much more from the extra water.

I have become a fan of AS. The samples also have a ton of life left, the Pinaud Special Reserve getting the most use. Spiek is sorta my "safe" AS, it's the most like a 2010 Honda Civic. Nice, but not too noticeable and most can be agreeable. I tried applying a touch more of the Penhaligon's Halfeti one morning, I wanted to smell it all day. Then one of more co-workers told me I smelled like a pimp. Ugh.