Thread: SOTD - Sun August 29th - Sat September 4rd

Pre-Shave: Hot shower + Stephan's Conditioning Smooth Shave Creme

Razors: 4/8" S.R. Dröescher, Hollow, Spike Point

Brush: 23mm Shavemac Silvertip Badger

Überlather: NancyBoy Replenishing Shave Creme + Mama Bear's Lilac Patchouli Shave Soap + Glycerin

Astringent: Thayers Witch Hazel (Rose Petal, no alcohol)

ASB: Truffit & Hill Grafton

Facial Moisturizer: Trumper's Fragrance-free Moisturizer

Cologne: Penhaligon Opus 1870

Result: Today is a very early shave for me and one that begged for an interesting experiment. My usual sweet size for blades is 6/8" to 7/8" and I have in my arsenal something that I don't use quite often enough - a 4/8" Dröescher - mainly because it's small and as a result a bit more difficult to handle (for me, at least). This thing is tiny, but don't let the size fool you. Like it's bigger brothers, this mini-animal delivered the characteristically smooth shave that I have become so accustomed to day in and day out.

PS: I am humbled and equally apologetic that my bias about the size and handling of the Dröescher had led me to unfairly discount the stellar performance of this wonderful blade. Well, no more. I have seen the light . Size clearly isn't everything...After today's result, my Dröescher will be making more special appearances in these SOTDs...like everything else I learned in wet shaving, time and practice will reveal my comfort zone in handling these smaller blades.

I'd love to hear others' experiences with small blades (good, bad and ugly).

Have a great, productive and fun Thursday guys .

Robert,

Great shot as usual! How would you compare the Opus to the Endymion?

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Pre-Shave: Hot shower + Stephan's Conditioning Smooth Shave Creme

Razors: 4/8" S.R. Dröescher, Hollow, Spike Point

Brush: 23mm Shavemac Silvertip Badger

Überlather: NancyBoy Replenishing Shave Creme + Mama Bear's Lilac Patchouli Shave Soap + Glycerin

Astringent: Thayers Witch Hazel (Rose Petal, no alcohol)

ASB: Truffit & Hill Grafton

Facial Moisturizer: Trumper's Fragrance-free Moisturizer

Cologne: Penhaligon Opus 1870

Result: Today is a very early shave for me and one that begged for an interesting experiment. My usual sweet size for blades is 6/8" to 7/8" and I have in my arsenal something that I don't use quite often enough - a 4/8" Dröescher - mainly because it's small and as a result a bit more difficult to handle (for me, at least). This thing is tiny, but don't let the size fool you. Like it's bigger brothers, this mini-animal delivered the characteristically smooth shave that I have become so accustomed to day in and day out.

PS: I am humbled and equally apologetic that my bias about the size and handling of the Dröescher had led me to unfairly discount the stellar performance of this wonderful blade. Well, no more. I have seen the light . Size clearly isn't everything...After today's result, my Dröescher will be making more special appearances in these SOTDs...like everything else I learned in wet shaving, time and practice will reveal my comfort zone in handling these smaller blades.

I'd love to hear others' experiences with small blades (good, bad and ugly).

Have a great, productive and fun Thursday guys .

Originally Posted by LegalBeagle

Robert,

Great shot as usual! How would you compare the Opus to the Endymion?

Good question Bill...If you're asking which is my favorite, I would say Endymion first and Opus a very close second. The differences are subtle. I like them both because they are spicy (which I like a lot), but the difference is that for Endymion the spicy-ness is in the base notes whereas in the case of the Opus, it is part of the head notes.

In fact, I have asked Al to make me a custom scent Bomb shave creme with black pepper, lavender and cloves...it's on it's way. I will bring you a sample when I see you in Oct - hopefully

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

I'd love to hear others' experiences with small blades (good, bad and ugly).

Robert,

Glad you asked. I was planning on starting a thread about the forlorn razor in everyone's collection - you know, the little razor that acts like Donkey in Shrek crying "Pick me, oh, pick me" each morning. That is my Boker. She's so neglected that I don't think I've ever showcased her in a SOTD, nor have I ever put a ruler to her (I think she's a 4/8"). I guess I have a preference for bigger razors and tend to overlook the Boker.

I think it's because I've led myself to believe that I don't get as good of a shave from her. Make no mistake, she's wicked sharp, honed by Lynn. However, I took her out for a spin a couple of days ago, and she delivered an awesome BBS shave. Maybe I've been blaming her when in reality the problem was... (are you sitting down?) ME! I know that comes as a shock as everyone knows it's always the equipment's fault and never an ID10T error

Greg

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

That gator looks clean shaven

...and the blade has NO teeth/dentures!

Man...I know what you mean . And I feel so stupid for ignoring that little thing. You know, I read a little about this thing...There was a thread on B&B (maybe one here too) here...apparently Dröescher was in business from 1916-1924...so, this thing could be >86+ yrs old.

Use your Boker Greg...display her like you do your other blades. She's no "Donkey". That's what I plan to do with my Dröescher.

Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by LinacMan

Robert,

Glad you asked. I was planning on starting a thread about the forlorn razor in everyone's collection - you know, the little razor that acts like Donkey in Shrek crying "Pick me, oh, pick me" each morning. That is my Boker. She's so neglected that I don't think I've ever showcased her in a SOTD, nor have I ever put a ruler to her (I think she's a 4/8"). I guess I have a preference for bigger razors and tend to overlook the Boker.

I think it's because I've led myself to believe that I don't get as good of a shave from her. Make no mistake, she's wicked sharp, honed by Lynn. However, I took her out for a spin a couple of days ago, and she delivered an awesome BBS shave. Maybe I've been blaming her when in reality the problem was... (are you sitting down?) ME! I know that comes as a shock as everyone knows it's always the equipment's fault and never an ID10T error

Greg

Razor: Puma 81
Pre: Proraso pre/post
SC: Proraso
AS: Proraso Splash
ASB: Proraso pre/post

nICE nICE baby, nICE nICE baby....

today:
iKon 24mm badger knot in tgn butterscotch handle
dr.dittmars soap
w&b for barbers use 8/8"
t&h grafton as

Thursday, 9.2.10

Cool Water splash
Erasmic Shave Cream
Kent B&B LE Badger
Bowdin's Wedge 5/8ths
SRD Premium I strop .. 50Linen/90 Leather
Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Nivea AS Balm
Osage Rub AS for hopefully the last brutally hot day for awhile thanks to Earl

Today's shave is in honor of the best Field Gordon I ever had, pictured here. He was a dog that just did everything right, at least in my eyes. His few shortcomings were due to my poor attempts at teaching. He was an outstanding dog in the field, in the home and most importantly, in my heart.
He's been gone more than ten years, and nary a day goes by that I don't think of him and miss him...

There are those who say... "It's just a dog..." I don't try to explain to them... Some just don't understand the depth of feeling that can exist between a man and his dog...

For Duncan... Until we meet again...

Sorry to be a downer, it's nearing his Anniversary..

Originally Posted by BlacknTan

Thursday, 9.2.10

Cool Water splash
Erasmic Shave Cream
Kent B&B LE Badger
Bowdin's Wedge 5/8ths
SRD Premium I strop .. 50Linen/90 Leather
Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Nivea AS Balm
Osage Rub AS for hopefully the last brutally hot day for awhile thanks to Earl

Today's shave is in honor of the best Field Gordon I ever had, pictured here. He was a dog that just did everything right, at least in my eyes. His few shortcomings were due to my poor attempts at teaching. He was an outstanding dog in the field, in the home and most importantly, in my heart.
He's been gone more than ten years, and nary a day goes by that I don't think of him and miss him...

There are those who say... "It's just a dog..." I don't try to explain to them... Some just don't understand the depth of feeling that can exist between a man and his dog...

For Duncan... Until we meet again...

Sorry to be a downer, it's nearing his Anniversary..

Bill,
What a nice, sentimental post my friend. That is a beautiful story...and what a bond between you and Duncan. Thank you for sharing. He certainly was a beautiful dog and looks like full of "zest" too.
Here's to the man and his dog .

I am sure that wherever he is, he appreciates your teachings.