Following @djunjila@sub.wetshaving.social's advice (or at least trying to), I paid more attention to the angle. The result were mostly a close enough shave - but for my cheeks, which I probably need to blow out more.
First shave since the new water softener was installed yesterday. The plumber said that it could take a few days for all the hard water to get out of the hot water tank, but already there is a night and day difference. The lather was so much easier to form and felt softer and slicker. I’m excited to see the difference as the hard water works its way out of the system, and suggest everyone try a soft water shave.
Post Shave: Thayer's Aloe Vera toner; Aloe Vera moisturiser
Headshave at night. Still really in the honeymoon phase with this NO soap - the scent is like 80s music, a timeless classic with a nostalgic vibe.
One pass plus cleanups on the dome. My skin on the scalp seems to not respond too negatively to the scented soap, so I theorize that it really was the alcohol aftershave that was always the irritating factor. I'm glad that there's a plethora of alcohol free options like toners and balms nowadays. The milder razors seem to help too.
Tomorrow will be the last day of my internship at the place for disabled parents with children. It was only two weeks, the shortest internship we have. But nevertheless interesting. I found out that I can get along way better with children than I thought... Maybe one day I will finally have a family of my own.
Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Incorporeal - Aftershave
Post Shave: Harry's - Aftershave Balm
Yesterday I used an MMOC Gen 1, which is widely reported as being not as smooth as Gen 2. I enjoyed yesterday's shave a lot more, but I think it has more to do with the blade. This shave was just straight up tuggy. I got through it and the result is very nice, but nobody likes a tuggy shave. I'll have to do a side-by-side with fresh blades to see if I can tell any difference.
The auto-post bot seems to have broken. I couldn't fix it on my end, so I submitted a bug report to the developer. Here's hoping it's an easy fix!
MMOC Gen 1, which is widely reported as being not as smooth as Gen 2
This always intrigues me. The difference between gen 1 and 2 are the blade bumps, which are there so that a then-brandnew spineless double-edged Micromatic blade would sit at the same angle as a classic GEM blade propped up by its spine. If you use a modern GEM blade, the blade bumps seem to do nothing, at least when I check mine, there is no wear spot on them after I move the blade sideways.
I have multiple gen 1 and gen 2 MMOCs and they all feel exactly the same, and as far as I can tell they are functionally the same.
This was my analysis, but I did it by observation rather than experiment. I have two Gen 2s. The first was a chromed one. I went looking for a Gen 1 and saw a gold-plated Gen 2 and could not resist. I was not about to buy a third MMOC so I did a hard look at the bumps on the Gen 2 relative to the spine of the blade and concluded that lack of bumps would make no difference. [ I only use my gold-plated MMOC. It has more character and is more photogenic. ]
Brush: Мужской Материк Orange Stabilised Burl with 28mm Oumo boar knot at 57mm loft
Razor: Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple (8/8", extra full hollow, carbon steel)
Lather: Geo.F. Trumper Rose
Aftershave: Noble Otter Two Kings
Fragrance: Mäurer und Wirtz Tabac Man Gravity
Extra fragrance to complement: Parfums de Marly Delina
I had planned to be on theme today, but then my wife got a bottle of Parfums de Marly Delina (a delicious rose scent) in the mail yesterday, so my cool shave is relegated to Second Luxury Shave ™ later today and I'm going for a Wallygatorian complementary non-dickhole shave pairing (quadrupling?) lather, post, my frag, and my wife's frag today. I enjoy rose scents a lot, but I don't have many to work with in my den. This, YRP, Orbit, Rose Santal and that's about it, I think. I'll have to keep this in mind when I allow myself again to buy new software. Anyway, this was a very nice combo, even if Gravity sets a cooler mood than Delina.
I'm surprised by how much I enjoy using this Geo.F. Trumper cream. The scent is simple and nice, and a good glob of cream in the bottom of the lather bowl is enough for loads of pink lather. Even the performance is surprisingly good for a cream. I may have reconsider my disdain for shave creams when compared soaps. It may be an unjust prejudice.
The Fili 14 continues to impress me and treat me with great shaves; it's just so easy to feel and hear this blade cut, it's like having a friendly guide making sure everything is going well.
I like the shaving soaps from Trumper in terms of fragrance, but I don't want to achieve optimal lather. I don't know the shaving creams from Trumper yet. According to your description, they foam well!?
I have no idea what cool would be in a shaving setup, but Darkfall was calling to me this morning. This shave was preceeded and then followed by coffee, and then some time in the woods feeding squirrels. A great way to start the day.
Brush: Мужской Материк Blue Stabilised Burl Maggard Tuxedo
Razor: Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple (8/8", extra full hollow, carbon steel)
Lather: Barrister and Mann Terror
Aftershave: Barrister and Mann Terror
I know this wasn't the intention, but I used today's theme as an excuse to dig up my Terror set. My cheeks and neck are now thoroughly refrigerated and because my brain is already focused on mountains and skiing slopes, this feeling triggered a skiing déjà vu and filled me with eager anticipation.