Thread: Sun September 25th - Sat October 1st

I am a "New Born" Straight Shaver

Pre-Shave: Hot shower

Brush: 26mm Simpson "Chubby 2" Super Badger

Maxterpiece: 8/8" Wade & Butcher "Celebrated", Extra Hollow Ground, Spike Point (w/ Black Paper Micarta scales + Bone Linen Micarta wedge)

Honing Regimen: Chosera 1k, 2k, 5k, 10k + Maruichi Nakayama Kiita/Asagi Hybrid JNat w/ Tomonagura slurry progression/dilution to water only + 7 (very light pressure) laps on CrOx on Bridle IV (sanded) leather strop.

Strop: 0/40 (Ambrose Horse Hide Clásico leather)

Überlather: D.R. Harris "Lavender" Shave Creme + D.R. Harris "Lavender" Shave Soap + Glycerin

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

Moisturizer: D.R. Harris Aftershave Milk

After Shave Splash: D.R. Harris "Pink" AS

After Shave Balm: Boellis "Panama" ASB

Cologne: Acca Kappa "Blue Lavender" EdT

Results: I had been waiting and drooling over this Wade & Butcher Extra Hollow for well over a year and finally scored her in pristine condition the other day. Scales were in good enough and useable condition, but this beauty needed something more befitting her true character. So to Max she went for a makeover. I (almost) always give Max free reign over design and choice of scales and I have never been disappointed. This project was (almost) certainly no exception, but with the minimum requirement that her wardrobe consist of some kind of a timeless classic black scales with off white wedge. The result is what you see in this photo. I love it Maxtro (thank you ). Honing this beauty was a piece of cake too. The Choseras did a marvelous job in no time and the JNat/CrOx finish really sealed the deal with her edge. Hairs were popping all over town just with the mere whisper of the name W&B Extra Hollow, which admittedly deserved nothing less than the best in software/hardware. To this end, the D.R. Harris/Simpson combination fit the bill just perfectly. After this shave, I can honestly step up and say that I understand why Max swears by this beauty. How can I best describe today's experience? Well, let me just say that it makes all my other shaves to date feel like a "first time/learning" shave. This was the nirvana moment every newbie straight shaver goes through in his wetshaving journey, stumbling along the way, all in the quest for that "perfect" shave. The words "Irritation-free" and "BBS/CBS" quickly evolved and took on a whole new meaning and as such, shattered all prior expectations. I can proudly (and publicly) announce that a new standard has been set with this blade. The genesis of a new chapter is beginning to take a hold of my wetshaving life and it begins with; "Today marks the first day of the rest of my straight shaving journey".

Have an EXTRAORDINARY Sunday gentlemen .


______________________
Cheers,
Robert

.

Locale:	Das Haus der scharfen Rasiermesser
Music:	J. Geils Band - Full House Live
Prep:	Hot Shower / hair conditioner / virgin oil rub (heavy)
Razor:	9/16 Salamandar - Salamandar Werks Foche-Solengen
Hones:	King 800 / Norton 4/8k / PHIG / CrOx+Diamond paddles / felt / 3" chestnut leather
Brush:	Tweezerman
Post:	Ali Baliyki Alum - Humphrey's AF Oil Reducing
Uber:	RazoRock XXX + Speik + GLycerine = Amazing!!!
AS:	Lucky Tiger
Edt:	Black Leather
Result:	The face was really beat up from the horrible thing I did yesterday learning to hone. I thought I had a bevel set, and in my inexperience tried to shave a cheek with it. It wasn't sharp and now my cheek is trashed. 3 cuts and many abrasions later I took it back to the hones. I got it right the second (or was it 3rd, maybe 4th) try and was able to have a shave with this little Salamandar. What a great little blade. Overall my second attempt (skipping the cheek of course) went very well. Nice and Clean and Smooth!!! Yay! As always the lucky tiger and black leather set the tone ( or scent ) for the day. HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY!

.

Happy Shaves Brothers!!!!

Mike

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I am a "New Born" Straight Shaver

Robert, I didn't realize that YOU, as well as all of us, were still on the quest for that 'perfect' shave. If you feel your still always improving then that gives me real hope that I am still on the progression upward, and not regressing, which is what it feels like sometimes.

The quest is what is important, it's the journey that makes it all worth it, not the end. I personally can see no end in this progression.

On another note! I found a barber shop in Golden, CO that gives Shaves and a Haircut. They use a feather of course, since real straights have been made illegal for barbers here. I don't know if that applies to other places as well, but I was told it was the health department and the AIDS issue that made that happen. I guess I can understand. I still want to be shaved by someone else just once at least. It would be so cool.

Oh ya, also, Friggin Stunning blade my friend!!!! (Droooooool).

Have a great Sunday!!! All my best to my Brothers in Blades (as Roy would say!).

Mike

Casual Sunday Shave
Prep: Easy 2 mile run (those 5 mile runs sure aren't as invisible as they used to be), Cool Shower
Razor: Imperial Extra Hollow Ground
Brush: VDH Boar
Soap: VDH Deluxe
AS: Corn Huskers Lotion
Finish: Aqua Velva Classic

Great two pass shave, this is another one of those razors that just seems to get sharper every time I use it. My grandson "got his shave on" afterwards. His SOTD is as follows:
1912 Gem Junior (bladeless)
VDH Boar
VDH
Clubman AS (he's convinced that if he uses anything but witch hazel or Clubman, the flesh will be burned from his face leaving only a skull next to the sink

Very classy, very elegant SOTD Robert. I wonder after each of your posts how you will out-do your last shave but you always manage. You really set the bar.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Fabulous razor that Berg Mikael...and that brush? just lovely (where's mine??? I hate customs and the post office. They're probably enjoying it, LOL)

Cheers Robert! It's a sweet blade, a smoth talker and operator If your brush is in the same place as the one Törnblom wedge in pink ivory custom scales I sold to a guy in Cigaco (been laying there since 5th of September, I bet you they're very clean shaven in that office

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Maxterpiece: 8/8" Wade & Butcher "Celebrated", Extra Hollow Ground, Spike Point (w/ Black Paper Micarta scales + Bone Linen Micarta wedge)
After this shave, I can honestly step up and say that I understand why Max swears by this beauty. How can I best describe today's experience? Well, let me just say that it makes all my other shaves to date feel like a "first time/learning" shave. This was the nirvana moment every newbie straight shaver goes through in his wetshaving journey, stumbling along the way, all in the quest for that "perfect" shave.

Congrats Robert, sounds very nice! Does this mean I can have your other razors now?

Pre-Shave: Hot shower

Brush: Simpson Chubby 1

Razor: Henckels Friodur 72 1/2

Strop: 40/60 Neil Miller Linen/English bridle

Soap/Cream: Cella

Astrigent: Alum Block

After shave: Floid Blue

Results:A great Sunday afternoon shave!

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Musgo Real SC
FON "Golden Star Deluxe" 13/16 Full Hollow
Proraso pre/dopo Cream

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Angel,
Great choice of products today, but sorry to hear about the Spike's performance. I guess off to the hones she goes. That AS mix sounds interesting.

Thanks Robert. I think also she needs honing, but I have a problem, I don't know how to hone a SR. My attempts in this area have been a deep failure.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Rene,'Congrats...she's a beauty. Hmmm. First Max, then you. I wonder who's next, LOOL?

Probably you, Robert?

Angel

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

1st class shave today Antoni. I looooove that Henckels GH. She's in tip top shape too. Where on earth did you find her?

I bought her in Argentina. She was really cheap. Thanks!

Stunning and gorgeous Wade & Butcher Robert!