Anyone else having trouble getting to https://postimages.org/ website? It does not load for me so I cannot get to my images. Maybe something has changed or they are just down.

Hey everyone! I’ve been mostly away from forums for quite some time, but find myself with more downtime at home than I know what to do with and have started poking around again. If you’ve been a SE user for a while you might recognize me, yes I’m that Mr. Guy. For those of you who aren’t the couple of guys to remember me (I really don’t think I’m memorable or important, just being silly), I’m a long time SE user and proponent, primarily OCMMs. Still use the open comb for the majority of shaves followed by other SE options, with the occasional DE to keep things interesting.
Big thanks go to ShadowsDad for reaching out on another forum to let me know you’re all here. Thank you 

A gentleman wanted me to make him a brush in the style of #109 with a silvertip badger. So, I got to work. I ordered the knot and began the glue-up process. While I was at it, I made an extra. I told him he could choose which one of the two to adopt.



I turned both handles.



After I created the holes, I dry fitted them with two-band badgers.



I finished them with polycrylic.



He chose #418 for the silvertip badger. Here it is post bloom.



Here is #419 with a two-band badger after the first lathering. I am keeping this one for now.

I must admit, I have never been fond of the synthetic knot I had put in #220. So, today, I decided to take it to the next level. I removed the old knot and replaced it with a two-band badger.  That will be a big improvement.

Here it is before the rekotting.


I cut off knot.


I opened up the hole and dry fitted the new knot.


Here it is with the new knot set. I am looking forward to using this new configuration this week.

Had a great shave today with the wonderful Schick F. I do not keep it shined up but it still rocks!!
Also going to include the video. The brush is really breaking in good. 

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These 4 razors:  The Barnum, The Boston, The Dandy, and the Langsdorf, are all the same razor with different names/brands and sellers. I have The Barnum (I missed out on the Dandy), but pictures of the 4 razors in Waits' Compendium do confirm that the razors appear identical in look and even in their packaging.   Waits does not have a lot of information on dates for these razors, but he does list a patent number which goes back to 1913.  The handle is similar in look to a Mark Cross razor, but it's lighter feeling.



The blade was somewhat proprietary -- I say somewhat, in that it apparently took a Clarks blade No. 0 (zero).  Clarks produced multiple blade sizes (and shapes) for multiple razors....for example, the Burham took a Clarks No. 1; the No. 4 fit the Autostrop, and the list continues (also a Waits' Compendium reference).   What I discovered is that a GEM modern blade will work if you do the following:

1. Remove the blade's backing (i.e., spine)
   
2. Trim the blade vertically (i.e., trim the width of the blade) -- the blade is too wide by perhaps a millimeter or two (I didn't measure it, I just trimmed until it fit.  Here's the picture of the trimmed blade (note the left side).
   

So I'm not much of a fancy soap guy, but I've thoroughly enjoyed this particular one:  Barrister & Mann's Hallows (2020 version).  I think part of my enjoyment (aside from the excellent performance and scent) is that I spent the entire month of October with this soap.  I typically use a different soap every day...occasionally I use a soap a couple of times in a row, but even that is rare.  So I guess I'm *finally* starting to see the value of keeping a soap (or any kit, for that matter) constant for a significant amount of time. 

All that said, here's what I like about this particular soap:

* Consistency -- it's VERY soft....really more of a cream than a soap.  I typically scoop some out with an 1/8 of a teaspoon, spread it directly on a damp brush, and then apply to my face -- I'm not much of a bowl latherer, and this is how I get around using a bowl for soft soaps.  I should also note that this is their "Soft Heart" base, and it's also the first B&M soap I've tried.

* Performance -- not much to say here, the lather it produces is slick (always essential to me), and yogurty (if that's a word).  This month I was using OC razors, and that included a number of razors that some would consider aggressive; and this soap held up well -- no weepers, irritation or post-shave sensitivity (although those things are more technique driven, I find a good soap can help a bit in mitigating some problems).

* Post-shave -- I'm not a BIG post-shave guy....I like soaps even if they have a dry or tightening effect (I'll just splash on some of my fancy-pants Thayers Witch hazel -- tossed that in for Fuzzy   ).  But I will confess that it's nice when my face does feel more moisturized than not, especially as the cold weather comes; and this soap (which has lots of oils) definitely leaves my face feeling moisturized (or at least not dry).

* Scent -- Okay, this is the standout for me.  My fondest childhood memories were trick or treating in Massachusetts.  Falls in that part of the country have a nice crispness in the air, leaves crunching under your feet, and depending on where you are, a nice marshy (almost animalic scent combined with decaying woods).  So the first whiff of this soap just pushed me back and made me think of a slight death-funk (the kind you get with a *mostly* decayed animal lying in the woods), then that quickly goes away and the oakmoss, cedar, and vetiver come into play.  So I know I'm not exactly "selling" the scent, but I'm not trying to.  I don't think it's for everyone, but for me (and surprisingly to my wife), it's a winner.  There are very few scents that illicit a compliment from the lady of the house; and this was one of them.  While it reminds me of my childhood spent running around the Walden pond area, it reminds her of growing up on a farm in Louisiana and the scents of the surrounding woods.

I hesitated about posting about this one, it's a seasonal scent, and it's been "flying off the shelves", so it makes it difficult to get.  But I thought I'd let others know my experience, and you can make your own decision as to whether this soap maker (or this particular soap) is something of interest.  I'm guessing it will show up on the secondary market (i.e., BST's) in a few months.  I will confess that I can get a great shave with Williams, Tabac, MWF, and a whole-host of readily available soaps, sticks and creams; but I'm glad that I ultimately gave this one a try.

Here are a few pics from this month's shaves (and yes, before anyone says it, I know I need to feed my cat more often  ) :
 

 

hey there...just a dumb question from a dull mind:   does it affect the performance of the Williams Soap if it is "yellowed" when you buy it in the box?

Does anyone know when the Whiting Adams T-6 Badger brushes were made?

Well, OCtober has come to an end. Starting out with Lather Catcher Sunday. I have been enjoying VDH Luxury Shave Soap this week with my JR #144 Badger brush. Sunday's shave will feature my Ever-Ready Lather Catcher with a Personna SS PTFE blade. Wabbit Season will begin for me Monday.


Lather Catcher Sunday's Shave


Cold Water Rinse
Van Der Hagen Luxury Shaving Soap
Jayaruh #144 Finest Badger
Ever-Ready Lather Catcher
Personna GEM SS PTFE
CWR
Aqua Velva 5 in 1 ASB

The Van Der Hagen Luxury Shaving Soap face-lathered well with Jayaruh #144 Finest Badger Brush. Two passes and touch ups with the Ever-Ready Lather Catcher razor with a Personna GEM SS PTFE blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse I finished off with Aqua Velva 5 in 1 ASB. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

This is why it's called a lather catcher. This is after the first pass. Excellent shave.