SOTD Saturday August 30 - Friday September 5, 2025

[Missouri Ustinov]

​

A long time coming ….. for the duration of 2025 I’ve been exclusively using Gillette cartridge razors. The main go to has been the skinguard. While a close second has been the labs.



The rod delivered an exceptional shave …. I was not scared or nervous but I was entering the shave with mild trepidation …. The rod.. a solid in hand feel is ofcourse a different sensation and experience from using a plastic cart.



And while it felt quality and a different way of shaving then the skinguard - in know way did the skinguard feel it was redundant or not worthy. I have always struggled with this way of shaving in regards to thinking that the more expensive … the more exclusive and the more aloof items in this system was always going to achieve something that a cartridge razor couldn’t.



More fool me - been there done it and got the credit card statements to say that I’ve had this . That . And this .. and that…. Do I feel like I’ve accomplished anything…. Absolutely.



That a cartridge razor will do just fine. But now enters curiosity… because here I am writing this .. after taking the photos and sharing with you. And curiosity is just that … the reason why I’ve documented this entire script. that I still want to try and I still want to experiment and experience different outcomes. The 4th rod I’ve owned. That’s how curious I have been. And now acquiring this 4th one. I think curiosity has been somewhat defeated. To enjoy the best of both worlds is what I’ve finally landed on.



11/10 shaves with a cart - and realistically 9/10 shaves with the rod. Perhaps the idiot proof way of shaving with a cart is what gives it the 11 and that’s why for me it’s still the way of shaving. It can’t be beaten and can’t be matched. A cart shave for me is exquisite. But the quality and sheer enjoyment of using the rod is worth the 9 .

Maybe with more regular use i can really dial in and master the nature and characteristics of single edge shaving. But for nearly 9 months of using a skinguard. I think the proofs in the pudding. And your mileage may vary … has never been truer. I’m definitely back though . Because taking photos is just too damn good. Always a pleasure gentleman.



J.

​

 

[Johnny Bravo]

​

A long time coming ….. for the duration of 2025 I’ve been exclusively using Gillette cartridge razors. The main go to has been the skinguard. While a close second has been the labs.



The rod delivered an exceptional shave …. I was not scared or nervous but I was entering the shave with mild trepidation …. The rod.. a solid in hand feel is ofcourse a different sensation and experience from using a plastic cart.



And while it felt quality and a different way of shaving then the skinguard - in know way did the skinguard feel it was redundant or not worthy. I have always struggled with this way of shaving in regards to thinking that the more expensive … the more exclusive and the more aloof items in this system was always going to achieve something that a cartridge razor couldn’t.



More fool me - been there done it and got the credit card statements to say that I’ve had this . That . And this .. and that…. Do I feel like I’ve accomplished anything…. Absolutely.



That a cartridge razor will do just fine. But now enters curiosity… because here I am writing this .. after taking the photos and sharing with you. And curiosity is just that … the reason why I’ve documented this entire script. that I still want to try and I still want to experiment and experience different outcomes. The 4th rod I’ve owned. That’s how curious I have been. And now acquiring this 4th one. I think curiosity has been somewhat defeated. To enjoy the best of both worlds is what I’ve finally landed on.



11/10 shaves with a cart - and realistically 9/10 shaves with the rod. Perhaps the idiot proof way of shaving with a cart is what gives it the 11 and that’s why for me it’s still the way of shaving. It can’t be beaten and can’t be matched. A cart shave for me is exquisite. But the quality and sheer enjoyment of using the rod is worth the 9 .

Maybe with more regular use i can really dial in and master the nature and characteristics of single edge shaving. But for nearly 9 months of using a skinguard. I think the proofs in the pudding. And your mileage may vary … has never been truer. I’m definitely back though . Because taking photos is just too damn good. Always a pleasure gentleman.



J.

​

A great write up, there's no denying that carts have come a long way and provide a cut free smooth shave.
My raz=r cart I found pretty impossible to nic myself but I like all the faff and fluff of wet shaving and that's surprising because I used to hate shaving with a passion.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

The Goat made light work of my face again.
Next was my head shave with 3 days growth, I was convinced it would clog easily and struggle, with me ending up reaching for my S1 to finish the job or I would eat my hat.

Err guess what?

 

[slapo]

​

A long time coming ….. for the duration of 2025 I’ve been exclusively using Gillette cartridge razors. The main go to has been the skinguard. While a close second has been the labs.



The rod delivered an exceptional shave …. I was not scared or nervous but I was entering the shave with mild trepidation …. The rod.. a solid in hand feel is ofcourse a different sensation and experience from using a plastic cart.



And while it felt quality and a different way of shaving then the skinguard - in know way did the skinguard feel it was redundant or not worthy. I have always struggled with this way of shaving in regards to thinking that the more expensive … the more exclusive and the more aloof items in this system was always going to achieve something that a cartridge razor couldn’t.



More fool me - been there done it and got the credit card statements to say that I’ve had this . That . And this .. and that…. Do I feel like I’ve accomplished anything…. Absolutely.



That a cartridge razor will do just fine. But now enters curiosity… because here I am writing this .. after taking the photos and sharing with you. And curiosity is just that … the reason why I’ve documented this entire script. that I still want to try and I still want to experiment and experience different outcomes. The 4th rod I’ve owned. That’s how curious I have been. And now acquiring this 4th one. I think curiosity has been somewhat defeated. To enjoy the best of both worlds is what I’ve finally landed on.



11/10 shaves with a cart - and realistically 9/10 shaves with the rod. Perhaps the idiot proof way of shaving with a cart is what gives it the 11 and that’s why for me it’s still the way of shaving. It can’t be beaten and can’t be matched. A cart shave for me is exquisite. But the quality and sheer enjoyment of using the rod is worth the 9 .

Maybe with more regular use i can really dial in and master the nature and characteristics of single edge shaving. But for nearly 9 months of using a skinguard. I think the proofs in the pudding. And your mileage may vary … has never been truer. I’m definitely back though . Because taking photos is just too damn good. Always a pleasure gentleman.



J.

​

Is there going to be an episode 2 after having used the Rod for 9 months exclusively?

 

[Missouri Ustinov]

Is there going to be an episode 2 after having used the Rod for 9 months exclusively?

Definitely not lol . But the rod is staying

 

[Lockback]

Preshave: Hot shower
Soap/Shave cream: Stirling Soap Hot Apple Cider
Brush: Maggard 24mm
Razor: 1956 Gillette Super Speed Flare Tip
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp Stainless (1)
Post shave: Clubman Pinaud Reserve Whiskey Woods

 

[purerockfury]

Sunday August Thirty-One, Twenty Twenty-Five's Shave Of The Day was meh...

PreShave: nothing
Lather Gear: Yaqi 24mm Synthetic Mountain Lake whipped up 345 Soap Co. sample in a Captain's Choice Copper Aquamarine Bowl.
Razor&Blade: 1974 Gillette Super Adjustable #84 loaded with a ASTRA Superior Platinum 2.5 buffs WTG(3) ATG(1) XTG(1) for touch-ups.
AfterShave Gear: Omega Alum Stick then Stirling Soap Co. Stirling Sport Post Shave Balm.

So the ASP was dull and finishing around our maw it started to really tug. Something i maybe experienced a few times in my traditional shaving hobby nearly 12 moons. Not the ASP's fault i just forgot i was done with that blade and never loaded in a new one.

Omega gave a little feedback around our maw and Stirling moistened our face/neck and got us sniffing good.

Have good SOTDs and a good week ATGSers...

 

[semajohn]

Pre-Op - Pears glycerine soap
Razor - Carbon Shaving Co, CX-Atlas ++
Blade - Amazon (3rd)
Set - Zingari Man, Rogue
Moisturiser - Nicea
Brush - Highlander, Manchurian
Bowl - Captain's Choice Cu

 

[Randy]

Shave of the Day - Sunday August 31st, 2025

• Soap: Saponificio Varesino - Tundra Artica
• Brush: Semogue SOC Cherrywood Sylver Synthetic 24mm
• Razor: Edwin Jagger ’3D Diamond’ Black Chrome
• Blade: KAI
• Aftershave: Nivea Men Aftershave Balm

Who's the lady on the right side

 

[Randy]

Soap: B&M Lavanille (Omnibus)
Razor: Jifuli Gold Aluminium
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Saloon Pack #2
Brush: Yaqi Timberwolf 26mm
Aftershave: Institut Karite Balm

So, I bloomed the beast for 5 minutes, the terrible scent was all over the bathroom. Smoky in a bad way, very earthy, dirty and definitely not for me.

Still way better than Talbot's Author Ridge & Chatillon Lux Sni Mato, the worst two scents in wet shaving history.

Loaded with a dripping wet brush, for about 45 seconds or more and put the knot under running water to hydrate the lather. The sink was filled with creamy, goopy, slimey, rich, dense lather, so strong and persistent that I wasn't sure if the razor could make contact with the hair to cut them. So, I added tons of water and the soap became even better and slicker as ice.

Two passes WTG & XTG and got an easy DFS, very deep shave. This razor shaves excellent, has definitely some bite, it's cheap but not crap. Good blade alignment & exposure.

No need to mention that the slickness & protection of Omnibus were top class, top5 for me. Ghost lather was incredible too . Only Ultima and most of Mohammad soaps or McDuffs, Orion can compare to Omnibus for me.
Orion will be the next shave, a formula that if you overload you are doomed to introduce water until SpeedyPC stops saying the word "bloody"...

Having tried one or two artisan soaps, I can say that Omnibus is among the BEST. I also have Nordost, The Full Measure Of Mann, Le Grand Chypre (Excelsior - a very finicky formula even for lunatic artisan friendly Randy).

Thanks

 

[Ram57]

Menthol Monday SOTD

Razor: ATT S1 Slant
Blade: Super Iridium (1)
Brush: Oumo Test Brush ST-2 26mm
Bowl: Turkish Porcelain Bowl 4 ½”
Pre-Shave Scrub: PAA Iced Cube 2.0
Pre-Shave Oil: Taconic Bay Rum
Shave Soap: Master Soap Creations Frosted Bay Rum
Butter: Inspired Naturals Bay Rum
Aftershave: Freyja"s Magic Thor's Hammer Bay Rum​

 

[Levi]

- Karve Overlander - Feather New Hi Stainless - Oumo Redwood Rorschach 25mm - Wholly Kaw Entropy Man -

 

[koenfucius]

Ascender Eagle Ti
Wizamet Super Iridium
Zenith Copper Silvertip
Wickham White Note
Nivea sensitive balm

 

[Palmolive-Fox]

SOTD: 1st September 2025.

​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/ Cien Men Kenya Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face.
Pears Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar.
Face & Head Lather.
Lather: La Toja shave stick.
Blade: GEM coated. (D1)
Razor: Gem Micromatic. (OC) 1930

Post:
Cold water Face & Head wash with brush squeezing's, cold water Face Rinse./Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse/Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.3 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel./ Repara Moisturising Lotion./ La Toja ASL.

Greetings,

My September focus I will be using my vintage SE razors for my face shaves and will be using the "Indian made Trac-II clone" Gallant II platinum cartridge razor for my head/dome shaves.

As it's been quite some time since I used the Gem PTFE coated blades, and I forgot how much audio feedback you get from them. The rigidity of them makes them feel sharp & efficient.

The GEM Micromatic (OC). is the most assertive of all my vintage SE razors, I have read in many shaving forums that the shaving characteristics you get from the GEM Micromatic (OC). replicates that of a straight razor.

As with any razor shaving confidence, a light touch, & good technique are the key to a comfortable close shave especially the GEM Micromatic (OC).

The La Toja shave stick has a good slickness & post shave I really like the fragrance of this shave stick, it's fresh clean scent reminds me of dove bar soap with a masculine edge to it.

Finishing the shave off with a generous splash of La Toja ASL.

My face is feeling smooth, & smelling divine.

Keep safe, and enjoy your day ladies & gentlemen.

​

 

[SpeedyPC]

Pre-shave:- Cool Shower
Bowl/Scuttle:- Captain's Choice
Brush:- Semogue 2016 Foro Afeitado Limited Edition Finest Badger 25/50mm knot
Soap/Cream:- Noble Otter ~ Toons & Spoons
Razor/Blade:- Weber with Bulldog Handle / NOS English Wilkie #4
Post/After-shave:- T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel Astringent mixed into the 240ml bottle with Plunkett's Vita E Pure with Rosehip Oil (10 drops), Natural Plant Glycerine (20) & Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic (5)
Moisturising Cream:- Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Fragrance-Free (for autumn & winter season)
Fragrance:- Milkman King of Wood (Australian made)