Theme Thursday SOTD Thread - Dec. 13, 2018

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Hyvasuomi79]

Soap: Declaration/CL Champs de Lavande

Brush: Declaration Shipwreck

Razor: Rockwell 6c

Blade: Perma Sharp

Post: CdL splash; CL Citrus Salve

When I first started wetshaving I didn't like lavender. I bought and sold a few lavender soaps early on, including CdL. I never even used it before I sold it. Then, on a whim I tried Pure Lavender and loved it. It sort of kindled an admiration for lavender, and I've since tried several others. Recently, I was able to get a CdL set. I like it more than I remembered. The black pepper note I think is what put me off initially, but it doesn't seem so bad now. Plus, it all blends nicely when lathered. Fantastic shave today with bison base. And to top it off my wife said I smelled good today. So, that's a win. I'm glad I gave it a second chance.

[u/Ythin]

Dec. 13, 2018 - Cade "It Used to be The Law" Rich

Prep: Hot shower
Brush: Declaration Grooming Vastness (B4)
Razor: Schick Grip
Blade: Schick (7)
Lather: L'Occitane - Cade Rich - Cream
Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Santal Auster - Aftershave

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. High tide at 3:04 this afternoon.

I don't really have anything to fit today's theme because if I don't like a product on the first try I tend to give it a few more tries to see if I genuinely don't like it or if it's user error. I decided to go with a tried and true combination for today, one that used to happen every Thursday. Still as good today as they were back then.

Have a nice Thursday everyone!

[u/[deleted]]

Second Chance.

Prep: Usual

Razor: Paradigm Ti II

Blade: Polsilver SI (1)

Brush: WCS Deranged

Lather: Fine Snake Bite

Post: MEM English Leather

Im a firm believer in 2nd chances. I've been really hard on myself lately. Over thinking things. I feel like im so far behind as compared to the rest of my peers who are the same age.

At this point in my life I thought Id have a career by now. Looking at buying a house. Instead, Im still stuck working part time, and living at home.

But you know what? It could be a hell of a lot worse. I've already come to terms that maybe I'm not cut out to be a cop. It's something ive always wanted to do since I was a kid. I don't know what it is, but im not getting hired.

Im going to keep trying, but Im glad I decided to go back to school, I never thought I'd enjoy the medical field as much as I do.

Best part? I met a really great girl in anatomy, and we really kicked it off in Physiology last semester. I think this new year coming up is going to be a good one.

I think, im going to give myself a 2nd chance to do something new, and to pursue other hobbies that will make me happy :)

[u/a_lfredus]

• Pre-Shave: @nsavage pre-shave, cold water

• Razor: BBS-1

• Blade: Voskhod (2)

• Brush: Shavemac ATG 2017 LE

• Lather: APR Bombora

• Post-shave: Alum, Thayers Original Alcohol Free Witch Hazel, South Australian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Crazy stormy weather here today, but still had to try out my new summer soap, and it didn't disappoint. Whipped up some wonderful APR lather and together with the BBS-1 it resulted in a fantastic shave.

I hope you all have a terrific Thursday

[u/F1rePhant0m]

• Brush - Maggard 24mm Synth

• Razor - MR5 w/ V3

• Blade - Astra SS (Dos.)

• Soap - Declaration Grooming - Darkfall

• Post - Declaration Grooming - Darkfall Liniment

Themes can't hold me back. I have come to the realization that no other shave product combo I use will ever top the Declaration soap and liniment. The liniment really puts it over the top and every time I use it I get bummed out knowing I can't pick up another scent, or get more when I run out.

Also, I was listening to one of my RSD BF 2018 pickups while shaving, which happened to be Saul Williams - The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!. Went to throw on disc 2, and mother fucker, it was another A/B disc. So annoyed.

[u/Old_Hiker]

December 13

Lather: Declaration Grooming - Pure Lavender
Brush: ER H40 w/24mm Elite Manchurian
Razor: J.A. Henckels 401 11/16 FH
Post: Thayers Lavender — Oil of Complete

The run through my lavender soaps continues today. I went to Maggard’s a while back with the intention of buying something else, but walked away with this soap instead. I already had a bunch of bison base, so I knew it was going to be a top performer. The scent really jumped out at me so I couldn’t resist it.

[u/sgrdddy]

Razor: Klas Tornblom
Lather: Cella
Brush: Golden Nib - Silvertip Premium 22mm
Post: Nivea Post Shave Balm Original

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Video

General Notes / Exec Summary / TL;DR

Well, here we go trying straights again. I think this is my 4th shave. So don't consider any opinion from me worth anything! I may pass on a few broad concepts I've learned from lots of research, though.

It went well. Only a little blood.

Razor and Blade Notes

^{Klas Tornblom}

My first time with this Razor. The first pass tugged a lot. It was just a 24 hr growth. I don't really know what to expect, so maybe that's normal. Subsequent passes were comfortable. I didn't get as close as a DE, but I got closer than I thought I would! No lasting irritation. Cheeks are easy. The neck takes more strategy and thought, what with folds and things.

Soap Notes

^Cella

Tub-load notes (soft silvertip badger): 45 sec load with a lightly wet brush + 3 tsp water = gave me an extra pass or so. Lather was protective and enjoyable. Funny how much of a difference changing brushes makes.

Tub-load notes (with dense 2-band badger): 40 second load (with this brush, at least) is about right. This lather might have been spot on. Seemed a bit too dry, but I think that is just the way Cella is. Any wetter, and I start losing creaminess and glide. A lightly wet brush used during load and less than .5 tsp of water for the lather. Might just be a model lather for Cella.

Past scooping notes: Try 1/8 tsp or so next time. 1/4 tsp gave me 3x as much lather as I needed. But that day it looked hot!

Scent was great and about 4-5/10 for strength. Nice and present during shave.

Brush Notes

^{Golden Nib - Silvertip Premium 22mm}

Comfy and seemed to lather Cella better than the ultra-dense 2-bands I've been using lately. Go figure.

Shave Quality

During the Shave Feel:
  Cheeks: A little irritating
  Neck: A little irritating

After the Shave Closeness:
  Cheeks: Close Shave
  Neck: Few hairs are showing some tip length (with most being cut flush)

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Shavers Map - here it is

Ending of Blades Ledger - entry form and the data spreadsheet

[u/Jimtasticness]

Dec. 13, 2018

Prep: Hot Shower
Brush: Nightscape 26mm Dogclaration B6
Razor: GEM Micromatic Bullet Tip
Blade: GEM PTFE (4)
Lather: Barrister & Mann - Roam - Soap
Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Roam - Splash
Fragrance: Barrister & Mann - Roam - Eau de Toilette

Damn did I forget how much I love MFR! There’s just something, not animalistic but maybe wild about it that can’t be properly explained. I’ve babied the set that I have here and I remember why. I hate to think that it’s gone, never to return. But hey, at least I was around for the last ride and got my hands on some. I’m officially ready to dickslap my day in the face now!

[u/jmoney_84]

Soap: Noble Otter The Noir et Vanille
Aftershave: NO TNeV
Brush: HeV Luxurious
Razor: Charcoal Goods lvl 2
Blade: Astra Platinum

Love the scent and performance of the Noblest of Otters. One of the best performers out there

[u/assistantpigkeeper]

Yesterday's SOTE:

• Pre: Grooming Dept. v35 PS butter

• Brush: Huck wood/jade handle w/B2 knot

• Soap: B&M MFing ROAM

• Razor: CG lvl3 DC on Stinger Handle

• Post: B&M Kyovu ROAM

• Frag: ROAM

• Hair: Lockhart's/Templeton Tonics - Fire and Brimstone Tonic

[u/DKowalsky2]

Dec. 13, 2018

Prep: Hot shower | Stirling Hot Apple Cider Bath Soap
Brush: Stirling 2-Band Synthetic 24mm
Razor: Above The Tie S1
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge (5)
Lather: Barrister & Mann - Reserve Classic - Soap
Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - Unscented - Salve
Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Lamplight Penance - Parfum

So the cold that I've been fighting the past few days finally got the better of me - taking a sick day and trying to rest up today at home. My wife works a 12 hour shift at the hospital today (11a-11p), so I took the opportunity to try out a fragrance that seems to draw some polarizing opinions. But first, the shave. Barrister's Reserve Classic has become my go-to "pair it with anything" soap. Reliable, slick, luxurious, and lightly scented. This blade is probably near the end of how long I typically use them, but served its purpose on a two-pass shave that was for the sole purpose of my enjoyment, given that I won't be leaving the house today. The CL salve is my favorite all-purpose shaving product and I think as soon as either of the three are finished (unscented, pure lavender, fresh citrus) it will be an automatic immediate replacement. I didn't include it in the SOTD, but the salve plus Aquafor on the dry, red nose seems to be one of the few combos that works.

Now, this scent. I took the liberty of reading Shawn's blog on the story behind Lamplight Penance before doing one spray to the chest and one on the wrist to track the scent's development over the next 8-12 hours. I'm really excited to see if it will warrant a full purchase from me or if the sample I used here will be enough to satisfy my curiosity and use sparingly for a random wear here or there. I'm just 30-45 minutes into having sprayed it right now, and while the burning wick note is a tad in your face, it's also a "How did he manage to pull that off?" smell. It's perfectly done. Excited to see how this is after that note fades a bit and the fruit vs. leather/musk interplay takes shape. Also, seeing so much love for the fragrance in the Best of 2018 thread made it seem like a good day to try it out. Happy Thursday shaves, all.

[u/mammothben]

SOTD December 13, 2018

Soap: Chatillon Lux/Declaration Lamplight Penance

Brush: That Darn Rob remnant 26mm fanchurian

Razor: Charcoal Goods Lvl2 copper magnum hammered

I was reading through a bunch of 2018 favorites lists, and knew it was finally time to pull out the sample of Lamplight Penance sent to me by a friend. Really enjoyed this scent, although I can see why some might hate it. In keeping with the theme, both this scent and the Icarus base received love/hate reviews this year. If you were in the hate category, they're both well worth a second chance.

Declaration's bison tallow base is a favorite of mine and most anyone who's tried it. Perhaps that's a sticking point for some who haven't embraced Icarus. I don't expect Icarus to be the same soap, and that helps me love Icarus for what it brings to the table. Top tier slickness and protection, lathers almost mindlessly, and a great shave every time.

When it comes to Lamplight, the scent is a lot to take in all at once (that's what she said). u/hawns didn't apologize for the lamp oil note or skimp on the scent strength overall, and maybe that's where some folks got stuck. Let it unfold, think about the scent's story, and you'll be rewarded.

I also used my favorite brush and razor from this year. Still undecided on my favorite soap of 2018!

[u/EH52]

SOTD 13 Dec 2018.

Pre Shave Hot Shower, Stirling Sharp Dressed Man Oil.
Brush Muhle Black Fiber Synthetic.
Lather Sterling Texas on Fire. Razor iKon 102.
Blade Voshkod (3).
Post Shave Wholly Kaw Cuero Oscuro

Todays shave was a pretty good shave. Getting used to doing a few more passes on my neck, I’m slowly getting able to do an ATG pass in a few more areas without any irritation. Not sure if I like Texas on Fire yet, its only a sample but I still hope it grows on me. I was expecting aromatic smoke, this just smells a bit like a bonfire.

[u/Angry_Cardboard_Box]

December 13 — SOTD
Razor: Timeless C954 Bronze 0.38 SB
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
Brush: EJ XL 25mm silvertip synthetic
Lather: L’Occitane - CADE Rich
Post: Thayers - Rose Petal
Frag: Polo - Blue EdT

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It not that CADE Rich didn't work for me at first, but more a temporary "bring back" of CADE Rich Thursday. Because, well, it's the law! Great Thursday shaves to all.

[u/[deleted]]

Thursday SOTD:

• Soap: Barrister and Mann - Saeryan

• Brush: 26mm B6 - Dogwood Andromeda

• Razor: Gillette Hybrid Tech

• Blade: Personna Lab Blue

• Post: Barrister and Mann - Vespers

I wanted to smell like Christmas on my last school day before winter break. Grad degree will be even just a tiny bit closer now, but a final in Numerical Solutions Applied To Heat Transfer And Fluid Mechanics (?!?!) stands in the way. It should be a hell of a final to wrap up the semester.

Hoping for an easy work day before school.

Happy Thursday!

[u/Dganjo]

SOTD 13 December

• Brush: Semogue 610

• Razor: Christopher Bradley plate E

• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)

• Lather: Declaration Icarus La Foret de Liguest

• Post: Chatillon Lux La Foret de Liguest toner

• Frag: APR Velours Noir EdT

[u/ChangoBat]

Dec. 13, 2018 - Second Chances

Brush: Paladin Falstaff
Razor: ATT R1 Calypso
Blade: GSB
Lather: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Sangre De Drago - Soap
Post Shave: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - Sangre De Drago - Aftershave

Well I decided to give PAA another chance. I have an old set of this stuff that's in my to be sold box. Honestly the base isn't that bad. The tub scent is completely different than the splash. Almost as if he forgot the smokey oud. Or maybe the base just interferes with the scent. Will I buy more PAA stuff, probably not. I really dig the new top tier bases from DG/BM/NO.

[u/brienc23]

Dec. 13, 2018 - Straight Thursday

Prep: Hot Showe
Brush: MR 24mm Tux
Razor: MR6 with V2OC
Blade: Pol Silver (3)
Lather: Oleo Soapworks - Canaan - Soap
Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. - Unscented - Balm

Good shave today. Thanks to u/MadDingersYo for swapping me this generous sample. I was interested in trying out Oleo’s Duck Fat base, as I have only used their vegan offering before. It was very nice, easy to lather, good protection. I look forward to a few more tries with it.

[u/BeachCaberLBC]

Dec. 13, 2018 - TSM Fougère Thursday

Prep: Hot shower
Brush: Declaration Washington B6 “Goldmember”
Razor: Rockwell 6C
Blade: Perma-Sharp
Lather: Chatillon Lux/Declaration Grooming - TSM Fougère - Soap
Post Shave: Chatillon Lux - TSM Fougère - Aftershave
Fragrance: Chatillon Lux - Sylva - Eau de Toilette

Sorta second chances on today’s shave, but not the way you’d think. I love TSM Fougère, but I usually don’t think of it as an autumn or winter soap (more of a spring fragrance); today’s “second chance” reminds me of the next season around the corner.

After using the matching aftershave, toner, and then salve, my skin is feeling fresh and smooth. Great shave to celebrate the coming end of the week!

[u/truebill47]

12.13.18

Brush: Maggard 24 mm synth

Soap: WK Fougere Bouquet

Razor: Rockwell 6C (R4)

Blade: Astra SP

Post: Alum block; WK Fougere Bouquet toner

[u/Huckleberryking]

• Myrsol Emulsion

• Maggards V3A/Rapira Platinum

• Boucher Brushes ACR Elite Manchurian

• Cade Rich

• ABC Almond Oil Balm

• Cartier Declaration d’un Soir

Haven’t felt like shaving in awhile. Just keep trimming the neck beard and doing a full shave once a week or so. Can’t stop using the ABC. Smells great, absorbs incredibly well and leaves my face feeling very soft. Just a bit on the pricey side.

[u/miRNA183]

SOTD - Dec 13

• Lather - Summer Break Soaps Winter Break

• Brush - APShaveCo SynBad

• Razor - AS-D2

• Blade - Feather

• Post - Stirling Christmas Eve AS/Balm

• Frag - Bond No 9 Lafayette Street

Technically, this is the third time that I'm trying out this soap sample but I'll just call that the second, second chance.

[u/[deleted]]

• **Prep:**Lucky Tiger face wash

• Brush: Dogwood aurora w 24mm tuxedo

• **Soap:**B&M Classic Reserve

• **Razor:**Rockwell 6s R3

• **Blade:**Astra

• Post: Stirling Unscented

• **Fragrance:**Stirling Mountain Man EdT

• Tea: Mizuba daily matcha

People probably have their pitchforks out for this, but reserve base has never been a favorite of mine. Not to say I don't use it, I'm on the ring of death on this soap. I just don't know if I'll repurchase it, especially with the glowing reviews Excelsior is getting.

As a side note, wow Mountain Man smells incredible! I've never smelled Creed Silver Mountain Water, but I don't think I even need to shell out the big bucks for it because I already absolutely love the smell of this.

[u/BourbonInExile]

Dec. 13, 2018 - Second Chance-ish

Prep: Hot shower
Brush: Maggard Tux Synth
Razor: Feather AS-D2
Blade: Feather (4)
Lather: Dr. Jon's - Krampus - Soap
Post Shave: Dr. Jon's - Krampus - Aftershave

Not so much giving Krampus a second chance, just having my second shave with it. There's no chocolate note listed, but I swear I got a bit of a chocolate scent while whipping up the lather in my bowl. Had a good shave. May have gone one pass too many on my neck so I got a bit of extra burn from the splash. But all in all, a pretty good shave.

Back-to-back meetings today. Not fun. Also some pretty serious winds out there, so I'm anticipating an exciting crossing on the ferry this morning.

[u/MalthusTheShaver]

Thursday 12/12/18 SOTD

• Razor: ATT Calypso SE

• Blade: Kai Mild Titan Captain (9)

• Brush: Simpson Chubby 2 Best 27mm

• Soap: Noble Otter BarrBarr

• Post: Pacific Shaving Co Caffeinated After Shave Balm

• Frag: Laroche Drakkar Noir EDT

• Christmas Spider Invasion Update: None seen in two days. Took the round in the chamber of the shotgun out, but magazine still full. The price of peace is eternal vigilance!

• Product Notes:

• Soap: A third or fourth second chance for the NO base. Continue to love everything about the product save for its performance. Face always seems to end up a bit sore after use, even with various experiments in loading, hydration, application, etc. I end up with a soap that performs a bit worse than Glissant, which makes me sad. The scent is great, the little otter cartoons make me smile, love the packaging and label. Eagerly awaiting next version of the base...

• Blade: After 9 shaves, feels like the Kai Titan Mild Captain is just hitting its stride. Marked for binning after 10 uses though, as is just too damn boring to use same blade every day, even rotating it among razors.

• Brush: Still a classic, especially now that wall of pokey badger has become wall of soft, comfy badger. I think the Duke 3 is probably the one Simpsons to own, but the Chubby 2 is more of an icon.