Thread: Sun March 13th - Sat March 19th - THEMED SOTD

Originally Posted by eTom

Such a lot of excellent equipment. It would be nice we had a "Thanks"-button again!

+ 1 it could be an extra thank you buttom, that says "SOTD thank", so that it doesn´t get confused with the reg thank you buttom.

Gentlemen: I commend you for commemorating your shaves to the people of Japan as they are struggling with this disaster.

Originally Posted by eTom

Our hearts and thoughts are in Japan in this days. It is a terrible situation.
razor: H-Diamond

Tom,
Beautiful blade

Originally Posted by Arrowhead

Thank you. If I have much growth, it's a trial really because there's no question of letting the weight of the razor do the work, but if it's a case of a quick once over or tidying up it's very easy to do, and you can be very precise about it. If I had smaller fingers, that'd help!

Andy,
That's very well put. That's my feeling too. I have a 4/8", but it is "uncomfortably" too small for me to hold, but very very maneuverable.

Originally Posted by Mikael

My thoughts goes to the people of Japan today, I hope the worst is over (and that your wife´s still fine, Bill)!
Razor: Henkotsu

Beautiful Kamisori Mikael.

Originally Posted by Birnando

My thoughts are with the Japanese people, as they fight thru the hardship of the horrendous disaster they have been hit by.
Brush: Heinrich L. Thäter, Silvertip 26mm
Razor: The very petite Solgen75 Chemical Steel.

(in the back of the picture, you can just make out the curious face of my African Grey Parrot, he goes by the name Viggo..)

Birnando,
I love it. I am glad to see someone else liking the Thäter. Awesome brush and somewhat understated (I think)...They don't get the praise adn recognition they deserve. That Solgen is one sweet blade. I love mine too. It maybe small, but she delivers as affective of a shave than her larger cousins. Well done maestro

PS: Can't see Viggo very well, but I am sure he's one heck of a character (as most parrots seem to be).

Originally Posted by rum

He's one of us now people!!!

He's always been Rum...he just didn't realize it until now, LOL

Originally Posted by LegalBeagle

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for my wife's family and all the people of Japan.
Akatombow | SRD Bulgarian Rose | Semogue 2010 LE | Thayers Rose | SCS Avacado Oil | Caron Yatagan

Beautiful shave Bill. I love the Daruma doll. I hope that wish comes true soon.

PS: I also hope that your wife's family is still safe from the aftermath of this disaster and ravages of radiation. They are in our thoughts and prayers. Tell her we said hello.

Originally Posted by fonthunter

RAZOR: IWASAKI (today)

Geez Louise Fonti. How many Kamisoris do you have, LOL? Nice collection. The Iwasaki is one nice (and heavy) blade. Great choice and nice shave?

Originally Posted by baldy

Like all of us I hope things can begin to improve for the people of japan and Bill's family.

Razor: The Mutant
Sorry boys, this is as close to a Kamisori as I've got (yet, Ill have one one day).

Grant,
That mutant is a very nice Kamisori-looking blade. I bet she delivers an equally great shave too.

Originally Posted by newb

Feather Blade/Merkur slant/VDH Soap/Turkish horsehair brush/Masters Bay Rum

Sadly, as I take a moment to reflect on the tragedy that has struck Japan. I have a silent shave. The only Japanese steel I own are feathers.

Beautiful and thoughtful shave David. Feathers rock

Originally Posted by sharp

My thoughts & Prayers continue to be with the people of Japan (Especially each of your with friends & Loved ones there).
Razor: IWASAKI KAMISORI 1- CHOU GAKE
Result: Today is my first ever Kamisori shave. I've been wanting a Kamisori for quite some time and seeing this theme coming provided the perfect excuse to get one. I was amazed how easy this things was to shave with (I had actually had a new-b fear about this shave).

Glenn,
CONGRATULATIONS on this wonderful purchase. The Iwasaki is a fabulous blade (as Fonti and others who own it can probably attest to). A very nice box and lovely picture...very very serene. Well done my friend. You'll get those angles figured out. Honing this beast is an interesting exercise in and of itself too.

BTW: You're a better man than I in getting a nick-less shave from a Kamisori. My first time left me with a nice cut across my cheek (which healed very quickly). I got a small one today too (lack of attention and arrogance on my part). But then again, my Iwasaki was easy to use and has a muted tip whereas my Hanamasa (used today) has one of the meanest and unforgiving spikes I have seen. She's out for blood.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Birth Year Ball End Tech (4th Quarter 1962)
Semogue 1305
Speick shavestick
Alum Block/Cold Water Rinse
Crusellas Colonia 1800 Vetiver

Beautiful (albeit quick) shave.

Originally Posted by nicknbleeding

I believe we are all praying for everyone in Japan. Hope eveything gets resolved soon.

Very classy Rene. BEST all around Japanese theme so far. I love it. Well done. What you're missing is the Sake, LOL

Originally Posted by du212

Kent H4, Feather portable, Kell's Original "ancient sedona" SS, Anthony Logistics ASB

José,
This is simply a gorgeous shot. Worthy of a magazine cover.

ひげそり日本語
(Our thoughts & prayers are with our friends and the people of Japan)

Pre-Shave: Hot shower

Brush: 26mm Simpson "Chubby #2", 3-band Super Badger

Razor: 6/8" Hanamasa Kamisori, Yasuki Steel

Strop: 10 laps @ 5:1 ratio (Omote:Ura) using Torolf linen/Premium IV leather

Überlather: Trumper's "Violet" Shave Creme + Trumper's "Rose" Shave Soap + Glycerin

Toner: Thayer's Witch Hazel (Rose Petal, no alcohol)

Moisturizer: Trumper's Fragrance-free Moisturizer

Skinfood: Trumper's "Lime" skinfood

Cologne: Creed Original Santal

Results: I have ~7 Japanese razors, 2 of which are Kamisoris. I definitely wanted to go with the latter (as did my wife). So, it boils down to either the Iwasaki or the Hanamasa. A coin toss was the determining factor between the two. Unlike their western counterparts, these beasts take an unusual honing/stropping regimen, which is comprised of unequal strokes between the two different sides (the omote and the ura, with the latter being the side that is usually facing away from the skin). This ratio varies from 3:1 to 10:1 depending mostly on user preference. I have found a 5:1 ratio to work well with this blade, providing for an amazingly keen edge . Trumper's soap/creme combo gave a super slick lather with an amazing floral scent that surrounded the shave den. An equally super shave with this Kamisori led to a super smooth and BBS face . The unforgiving sharp tip of this blade gave a tiny nick above the jawline . However, the cut was so clean that the skin healed almost immediately, leaving very little time for bleeding. I have never seen skin heal so fast. Speaks volumes about the relentless nature of these tips and their demand for respect and your utmost focus and attention during the shave...not recommended for "quick and dirty" or a "hurried pass" shaves.

******************************


Have a LOVELY Wednesday gentlemen.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Geez Louise Fonti. How many Kamisoris do you have, LOL? Nice collection. The Iwasaki is one nice (and heavy) blade. Great choice and nice shave?

Thanks Robert!
Yes it was very nice shave!
...and I tried to symbolize the life after the tsunami.
Regards,
fonti

QED Wild Rose soap + Top Secret cream
Semogue Owners Club Cherrywood Boar brush
Wacker Jungmeister straight razor
Confiança EdC
444 Balm

Prep: Hot shower – followed by Robeson bay rum (mentholated) beard prep method
SS/SC: Proraso + TOBS “Shaving Shop” = Superlather
Brush: Rooney Style 3 Size 2 (Medium) Faux Ebony “Super Silvertip Badger”
Strop: VB Red Latigo 50 fabric; 55 leather
Razor: 6/8" Manaslu “Extra True Heart” Thanks to LegalBeagle (Bill) for loaning me this razor to shave with during SOTD Theme Week
Astringent: Dickinson’s Witch Hazel
ASB: Nivea for Men “Sensitive”
AS: Shiseido “Basala” Pour Homme
Result: Outstanding!

Rooney Brush/ Creed Original Vetiver Shave Soap/ Hayashi Diamond 50 razor/ Creed Original Vetiver

In common with everybody else, my thoughts have been very much on Japan. One of my oldest friends is living there: the last I heard the family were safe, but scared and shaken by this unusually awful set of events.

Since my kamisori is still a work in progress, and fit only for use as eye candy, this was how I did it:



Gillette NEW with Feather blade; Kent BK4; Taylor's sandalwood cream and aftershave.

SOTD Wednesday, March 16, 2011

11/16 Geo, Wostenholm Pipe Razor, Full Hollow, Spike Point
Proraso Pre-Shave Cream
Musgo Real Shaving Cream
Medium Badger
Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Nivea Replenishing ASB
Aqua Velva Musk ASL/EDC
Results: Splendid!

Uberlather - Escential Himalaya Shave Soap mixed with Organic Shea & White Tea Shave Cream and a few drops of glycerin ...

Brush - Restored Old Spice Long Handle W/ 24mm Slivertip

Strop - Nichiri Pelican

Razor - 50mm Iwasaki Kamisori (Swedish Steel)

ASB - Bvlgari Man

Unfreaking believable !!!! So perfect and only one multi directional pass...
This razor is so sharp and velvety smooth from it's time spent on the Nakayama Midori stone it outshines so many other razors...
But you barely touch your face with it, the edge basically glides on the lather and skin, the pressure is a butterfly's kiss... I love the shave, but the intense concentration to keep that delicate balance during the shave, I could do without