Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Test Lathering the Wild Cherry Brushes


This morning after I shaved, I did test latherings for each of my new Wild Cherry Brushes.

Named Jayaruh #1 (silver tip badger), 
I lathered with Arko Performance Shaving Cream.

Named Jayaruh #2,
I lathered with TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream.


Jayaruh #1, pre and post bloom.

Planned shave for January 1, 2015
To continue this story, click on O-rings for the Wild Cherry Brushes.

Traveling


We will be traveling to Charlotte on January 1, so, I have been getting my shave kit ready. I will be using my Jayaruh #2 brush for the first time on this trip. I have a pill bottle with holes drilled in the top for travel. I have a nice leather case that will protect my Schick I2 razor. In the case is Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap. Why didn't I put it in the picture? I don't know. Duh. 

I am looking forward to spending the day with the boys and their families. There will be sixteen of us in all.

Wild Cherry STB: Post Bloom

This is the Jayaruh #1 brush with the silver tip badger knot before and after bloom. I did a test lather with Arko Performance Shaving Cream. The knot is very soft and has good backbone. It is 22X65mm set to a 53mm loft. I will be alternating between this brush and the Wild Cherry PTS synthetic brush starting January 1. January will be Wild Cherry brush month.


I will be using the Schick I2 Hydromagic razor with a Personna blade for at least the first week of January.

Shave of the Day - 12/31

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
C.O. Bigelow Shave Cream 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The C.O. Bigelow Shave Cream face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Glued in the Knots


I glued in the knots today with some Gorilla Glue 5-minute Epoxy. I set the loft at about 53mm on each. This was a very enjoyable project.

I will do test lathering tomorrow and will put them in rotation for January.




To continue this story, click on  Test Lathering the Wild Cherry Brushes .

Shave of the Day - 12/30

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
ARKO Stick
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The ARKO Stick Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Monday, December 29, 2014

New Knots Arrived


This is the continuing story of the Wild Cherry Brush Handles.


My new knots arrived today from China, so I got out the two handles I have been preparing and did some final fitting. I used the Dremel to widen and deepen the openings so the knots would fit. Below, I have dry fitted the knots in the handles. 

On the left: SilverTip Badger hair Knot 22/65MM
On the right: Pur tech Synthetic Faux badger Knot 22/65MM


I used emery paper to smooth out the openings and then put a coat of Minwax polyurethane on them to seal them. They will dry overnight, and then they will be ready for setting them with some 5-minute epoxy.


To continue this story, click on  Glued in the Knots.

Shave of the Day - 12/29

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
TOBS Grapefruit 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The TOBS Grapefruit Shaving Cream face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/28

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Cella 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Cella Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/27

First shave with Home-made Scuttle

Nivea Men's Face Wash
TOBS Lavender 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

Today, I used hot water for my face wash and rinses except for my final cold water rinse. I lathered the TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush in my new home-made shaving scuttle. I had soaked my brush in hot water and did four swirls in the TOBS. I had lots of lather. This is the first hot water shave I have had in a long, long time. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Friday, December 26, 2014

Home-made Scuttle

Every time I go into the Goodwill Store, I browse the cup/bowl isle. Today, I found a nice big Niagara Falls cup and a stainless steel pet bowl that fit perfectly. I got both for $1.25.  After the adoption was completed, I took them home and cleaned them up.


I filled the cup with water and pushed the bowl in until it forced all the water out that it could. It then made a nice seal. I removed the bowl and put it in the microwave for one minute. That was not enough, so, I did one more minute. That did it. I put the bowl back in and filled it with some hot water from the faucet.


I soaked my Semogue 1305 brush in the water. 


I shook off the water and did four swirls in my Taylor of Old Bond Street Lavender Shaving Cream and made some nice warm lather. This was just a test run. I will be doing the real thing for tomorrow's shave. Although I normally do a cold water shave, I will be doing this hot water/lather shave for the first time. I am looking forward to it.

Shave of the Day - 12/26

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
TABAC
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The TABAC Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/25

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
ARKO Extra Performance 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The ARKO Extra Performance Shaving Cream face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

New GEM Micromatic Razor (Bullet Tip)

I picked up this very nice GEM Micromatic Razor today. It was boxed and had the original directions and two Treet blades. This model was the third in the series of Micromatics. It was nicknamed the Bullet Tip because of its tapered twist button. The Micromatics were the first twist to open razors. Its predecessors were the Open Comb and the Clog-pruf. The Bullet Tip was produced ca. 1947. 





The Push-Pak dispenser that came with this razor came out in 1949.


Shave of the Day - 12/24

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Kiss My Face Cool Mint moisture shave 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Kiss My Face Cool Mint moisture shave face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/23

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Proraso Green Shaving Soap 
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Proraso Green Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Monday, December 22, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/22

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Williams Mug Shaving Soap
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Williams Mug Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/21

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Soap
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Soap  face-lathered well with my Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/20


Nivea Men's Face Wash
Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Soap
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette NEW
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Van Der Hagen Deluxe Shave Soap face-lathered well with my
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush. Two passes with my Gillette NEW and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Friday, December 19, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/19

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap
Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush
Merkur 37c  Slant
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes with my Merkur 37c Slant and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/18

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap 
Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush
Merkur 37c  Slant
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes with my Merkur 37c Slant and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/17


 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap 
Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush
Merkur 37c Slant
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes with my Merkur 37c Slant and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Shave of the Day - 12/16

 

Nivea Men's Face Wash
C.O. Bigelow Shave Cream 
Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush
Merkur 37c Slant
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal 

The C.O. Bigelow Shave Cream face-lathered well with my Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes with my Merkur 37c Slant and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...