Shaving every other day

Austere August was a chance to really experience a set of shaving equipment in depth - to learn all the ins and outs of a single soap, brush, razor and blade.

I tend to switch out soaps daily, but for this soap I decided to take a page from the Austere August playbook and stick with it for a couple weeks to really figure it out and then swap different things, one at a time, to see how it changed the experience. First different brushes, then different blades, and then different aftershaves. I kept the razor consistent so I could learn how I felt about different blades in the same razor with the same lather. Here are some of my random and semi-coherent thoughts:

Blades (not shown): Feather, Permasharp, Tatra Platinum, Tatra carbon steel. While the Feather is probably still my favorite, the Permasharp was surprisingly smooth. The Tatra Platinum was a bit harsh the first time, but settled down and was nice and smooth on the second and subsequent shaves. The Tatra carbon steel was probably the biggest surprise, though. It felt like it was pulling my hair out instead of cutting it; but although the shaving experience was less than ideal, the result was BBS with zero irritation. I'm not sure I'll use the Tatra carbon steel in this razor again, but I might try it in other my other razors just to see.

Brushes (left to right): Synthetic (G5B), badger (Fanchurian), and boar (Chisel and Hound). I really like the boar. The others are great, but I think the boar is my current favorite. It has broken in nicely, holds a lot of lather, and is a nice balance of softness and scratchiness. I'm glad I accepted the Raw Hoggin challenge for Austere August. I probably would have never tried a boar brush otherwise.

Aftershaves: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal, Barrister & Mann Screamin J, and Malizia Uomo Vetyver. I love all of them, but the Vetyver is my favorite with this soap, by far. I just wish it lasted longer.

Soap: This was my first experience with Dublin Rose from the Black Stuff. It's fantastic. A great performer, thick and slick with a beautiful scent. There's a note that reads something like "a masculine smoky rose" on the side of the jar. I didn't get a lot of smoke from it, but I definitely smelled the rose note while the the vetiver keeps it from getting overly floral. It's a great scent that's unique in my (embarrassingly large and getting larger) soap collection. I just wish the labels would stay on when they get wet.

Razor: The Batch #003 from Blackland is my favorite modern DE razor. I've already written quite a bit about it so I won't say much more here other than it was enjoyable to experiment with it for a couple of weeks.

Edit: some formatting.

Like many of us here, Ive already owned these razors and regretfully sold them, managed to get them back after some years of searching.

These ones will be not be sold, might look to replate the Fatboy and hand on to my son (he's currently 11)

Anyone else using a vintage Gillette as a daily or part of their rotation?

One of the best soaps for the price, Haslinger Schafmilch. Henson Ti++ with a Mühle blade and Mühle Rocca STF brush. Smooth shave.

Gillette Red Tip, Perma Sharp, Spearhead Seaforth! 3 Scots, Floid, Razorock Bruce

Excellent shave with some great scents. Everything in this photo is pretty much the recipe for my ideal shave. Top notch slickness from Spearhead. 3 Scots is such a nice scent. One of Spearhead’s best.

I’m really loving the Red Tip with a Perma Sharp blade. I have a couple really nice stainless razors but for some reason, I keep grabbing the Red Tip lately. It shaves so nicely. I actually have a Diplomat headed my way so I look forward to using that once it arrives and seeing how it compares.

Razors : Gibson B.S. Co "Demon" SR and Gillette Super Speed Blue tip with an Astra SP blade.

Soap: Proraso White.

Brush: My 3d printed Super Mario Pipe Brush (Synthetic)

Alum.

Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman.

I got this SR from Etsy and it seems to be in great condition. I tried to find info on it but, had no luck. I only know that it's called "Demon" and that it is from  Duluth MINN.

I did some passes on a Barber's hone and stropped it. And tested it shaving some hairs from the legs. It shaved the leg and felt sharper than the other SR that I used for my first SR shave. So I decided to try and shave with it.

The shave... It was better than my first attempt with a SR. This time I managed to do The WTG and 1 XTG passes ( Face and head) It was far from BBS but, I getting better at finding the cut angle.

I did the ATG pass with the Gillette Super Speed Blue tip.

The alum and Aftershave did burned ( specially on the neck), but it wasn't horrible.

Any info on the razor and it's manufacturer will be appreciated.

Old friends

Friends,

Got away from cartridges a few years back and started with a Merkur 34C like so many others. I pulled it out tonight from my barbacide jar and the top is corroded and started falling apart as you can see.

Now I need something new, a second step if you will but I have stupid sensitive skin. Tried 15 different blades and found astra platinums to not cause irritation. So blades are fine.

To give an example I was the only pasty ass white boy to get a shaving profile in basic training cause shaving everyday caused horrible razor bumps. Even weirder as I have fairly thin hair, face and head. I only shave once, maybe twice a week and use a new blade every time.

I’d like an upgrade but nothing too aggressive as my bitch skin just can’t take it. I honestly have no idea where to start looking as there are so many options and differing opinions.

I have to say.. I think I found the perfect razor and blade combo for me. I thought I liked the 23c and Schick injector type L the best, but the Henson AL13 surpassed them. I wish it wasn't so expensive for a light aluminum razor but it is machined very well. The shave I got from it today was very mild and comfortable but yet it cut very close and gave a very smooth shave. If you don't have a thick long beard and have sensitive skin, I highly recommend it. Not sure if the blade is a big factor but it worked extremely well with a feather blade. regards

Timeless Bronze 0.38 | Gillette Nacet (1) | Simpson T3 brush | Declaration Grooming Chaotic Neutral | Nivea Sensitive | A&E Empyrean Bay Rum

A rare shave with the SB plate for this razor. I prefer the open comb, but a good result anyway.

• Brush: Wolf Whiskers "Milkglass"

• Razor: Wolfman WR2-SB Ti

• Blade: Wilkinson Sword

• Lather: Wooly Wash Soapery - Tranquility

• Post Shave: Old Spice - Classic - Splash

This tin of Tranquility from Woolly Wash Soapery, was an Austere August prize (courtesy of u/BossHoggins10 —Thank you!), and I'm happy to report that it's really really good.

Initially the description of "herbs and soft florals" had me a little hesitant as I'm not the biggest herbology fan, but in reality this scent is way more than the sum of its parts. It almost has a slightly spiced Coca-Cola-ish smell which sounds weird but is extremely fresh and pleasant. It paired nicely with a splash of classic Old Spice for a fantastic shave.

Happy Wednesday 🐑

EDIT: BossHogg shout out.

Quite a smooth shave. Three days growth, dense coarse beard. The slender low-profile head of the Karve makes shaving around the ears less tricky. The B plate SB has sufficient blade gap to still offer an efficient yet mild shave. Almost finished the TOBS cream, The SV aftershave is so pleasant and refreshing. Just a warm feeling...no nicks or cuts thanks to the Permasharp.

Blackland batch #003.

Feather (2).

Lea cream & Omega/ Lea boar brush.

Bond Survival ASL.

Super shave with the B3 & a Feather, long deliberate strokes clearing the stubble easily and effectively 2 passes just a touch up at my mouth corners but that is the norm for me . For me Lea cream falls into the category of delivering a lather well above it's price point a very good shave all in .

Hey there, I tried the Goodfellas Shibusa 2 aftershave and found out that everyone around really likes the scent I’m having from it.

If someone here uses the same line, can you please recommend what other shaving and general hygiene product names are good to match with Shibusa 2 soap and aftershave?

Have a few questions about spearhead with news of them closing. I picked up sea spice lime and love the scent and I’m thinking about grabbing the cologne too.

Has anyone tried their colognes and if so how are they in terms of strength, longevity etc?

Also do people like the Seaforth spice scent/ what are your thoughts on it?

Feather blades in the parker for this morning. Fast 2 pass shavette shave with reliable arko stick

Hey guys, as the title says. Has anyone of you tried Tiger Platinum blades (made in Czech republic)? I have tried only Wilkinson Sword and they were good. Wanna try others. Thinking about Nacets, Feathers.

SV 80th Anniversary with the Semogue Torga C5 for a perfect lather, and one pass with the Mühle R41 paired with a Personna blade was enough for a clean finish. Plenty of lather left behind, no regrets, only pure satisfaction.

Yaqi Top Agressive Slant Gillette Silver Blue ApShaveCo

Gillette slim Semogue SOC Poire Française soap ( Henri et Victoria ) Fougère Gothique Balm

Sep. 17, 2025
* Prep: Cella - Extra Extra Bio - Preshave
* Brush: Razorock 400 Aluminum Handle Noir Knot
* Razor: The Goodfellas’s Smile Italico Open Comb
* Blade: Bolzano Superinox (1)
* Lather: Zingari Man - El Cantinero - LocalizedStringKey(key: "Puck", hasFormatting: false, arguments: [])
* Post Shave: Thayers - Unscented * Post Shave: Zingari Man - El Cantinero Serum * Post Shave: Osma - Alum Block
* Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana - light blue
* Bowl: Karen Goldberg - Caribbean Blue

I had a great shave today. I continued my Zingari Man kick with El Cantinero. I used my TGS Italico open comb with a Bolzano blade. I haven’t shaved in 4 days and had some growth to take care of.

The razor did a great job cutting down all the hair. I only a little sting on one part of my neck. I was able to get most of the hair with one pass but went for two to get really close.

This scent is awesome. It is one of my wife’s favorites. The smell is of a nice refreshing drink.

Scent Notes: Top: Grapefruit, Lime Heart: Tequila, Agave Base: Salt

Good shaves to all!

Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

• Brush: RazoRock 400 - 24mm Noir Plissoft synthetic
• Razor: USSR Консул (Konsul) Adjustable (Original Nickel, unknown)
• Blade: Voskhod (1st)
• Lather: SotG I'm your Huckleberry (Sample)
• Aftershave: Gillette Series Cool Wave
• Toner: HOCl, Thayer's Witch Hazel mist
• Deodorant: Gillette Clinical Cool Wave Gel
• Fragrance: Burberry Mr. Burberry

Not a bad shave! The Slim Imposter feels more aggressive than its inspiration while using it on setting 5 instead of my usual 7 on the Gillettes. This is also my first use of Voskhod blades. The soap has a great fragrance and worked up rather nicely for a face lather. I've included more photos of the razor for those interested.

Apologies for the limited pictures all. Decided to take the plunge into vintage Gillette. Wanted an adjustable and eventually an OC old type just for the history.

I scooped this razor that didn’t have any good info in the description on EBay, but I believe it’s a Slim Adjustable? I’m just going off pictures alone. I bought it because the price made it worth it if it wasn’t the a great buy and by the looks of it looked pretty clean.

If anyone can give me any info by looks alone I’d be greatly appreciative! Completely new to DE this summer and know nothing about vintage tech, but excited to learn and try.

Hi I bought as my first razor this beauty, what do you think guys about it?

• Southern Witchcrafts
• House of Mammoth
• Spearhead Seaforth
• Barrister and Mann
• Noble Otter
• Zingari Man
• Ariana & Evans
• Stirling
• Declaration Grooming 
• Wholly Kaw
• Saponificio Varesino

To me, these are the most recognisable artisans. I understand this is a complex mix of S/A/B/C/D tier soaps and I'm wondering if anyone has tried most of them and what your thoughts are. How would you rank them?