by

Post 20

As co-host of Moustache & Blade, I’ve had to get used to several new things in life. The main one, as you might imagine, is going from being the guy behind the lens, to the “talent.” I keep insisting that I’m not the guy that should be hosting a show; Doug keeps affirming that is the very reason he chose me to be his co-host! So there you go, circular logic at its finest. However, the other thing I’ve had to get used to is the regular appearance of packages on my front porch containing samples of some new shaving product. Sometimes it is in thanks for participation in the podcast (i.e. the lovely shaving oil and shaving balm from Iain Kane, the Village Barber, refer to Newby Note #10 and M&B Episode 5). Sometimes it is a pure solicitation; such was the case with CREMO (more on it in the next post). Sometimes it is in anticipation of a podcast to come; such was the case with a sampler pack of scented aftershaves from Mr. Fine. Now, I’ve stated on the podcast and elsewhere that I’m not an aftershave man. For some time past I’ve been using jojoba oil, but ever since Iain sent his shaving balm, I don’t know if I’ll ever use any other post-shave product! That said, it was a revelation to me to learn in our interview with Mr. Fine (M&B Episode 11) that aftershave and cologne are the same thing. And, as it happens, I am a cologne man. So, what I’ve been doing is actually wearing Mr. Fine aftershave as cologne behind my ears. Probably my favorite of the four scents is Fresh Vetiver. My wife likes the American Blend as well.

Post 21

As mentioned, I receive packages on my porch with some regularity. The most recent contained CREMO Cream. This is a company that is based in Laguna Beach, very near my hometown of Los Angeles. I’d never heard of this company until I received an email from their marketing director asking me if I was interested in trying their product. Absolutely. First thing to note – CREMO comes in a plastic tube. It is not a cake, either in tin or in paper. Secondly, CREMO does not require lathering. In fact, the instructions literally read, “Just add water.” I was not a little skeptical. In just seven months time, I’ve grown quite fond of the lathering process as one of the best parts of the wet shaving experience. But, following the directions, I was VERY impressed that despite the thin, and mostly transparent, layer of shave cream, the glide is pretty dang good. It did not make for a bad shave at all. The only real downside for me was that there is only one scent, and that is orange. I do not happen to be a citrus man (I didn’t realize until now how much I really love my Cavendish!). But, when in a hurry, I will not hesitate to reach for CREMO again. A good shave.

Post 22

Ryan’s first straight-razor shave.

[vsw id=”uS4yGcCY3T0″ source=”youtube” width=”525″ height=”444″ autoplay=”no”]



Post 23

Three more blades tested, and no real standouts. All three provided nice, comfortable shaves. I noted that Perma-Sharp gave a comparable shave to my Rapira, but with a plain wax-paper wrapper, it was not as satisfying aesthetically (hey, give me a break, my career relies entirely upon making images. I can’t help it if I want to enjoy looking at my DE blades even while in their wrapper!). On this front, Astra too came in a plain wax paper wrapper. Derby’s was not much better. But, again, three solid blades, each worthy of trying out if you’re in the search for the blade that’s right for you.

Post 24

Doug sent me some of his aftershave lotion to try out. He knows I’m a sucker for Bay Rum and so that’s the scent he sent (this is starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book!). Now, I’m not going to lie, any product vying for my post-shave face whether it’s a balm, lotion, aftershave, or oil, is going to have a very difficult time toppling Narnia… er… The Village Barber’s Shaving Balm. But when it comes to Doug I’m willing to try just about anything he recommends (if you haven’t noticed, the man knows a little about wet shaving). And I’m happy to say that his aftershave lotion did not disappoint. The scent is spot on. The bottle’s pump is SUPER convenient. The feel of the lotion is nice. It’s different from the Village Barber’s which I would describe as much wetter. In comparison Doug’s feels dry, chalky, or cloying. I do not use any of those adjectives as a critique; and, admittedly, I only have two other balms with which to compare (the aforementioned Village Barber’s, and Cremo brand moisturizer which I did not enjoy as much as their shave cream). All that to say, HTGAM aftershave lotion has been added to my post-shave rotation. Plus, when you consider cost (which, of course, we must) HTGAM comes out to $4.48/oz. as opposed to Village Barber’s $6.86/oz. Two good products. Something to consider.

Post 25

My wife was in the bathroom with me this morning as I was completing my third and final shave with Laser’s Super Stainless blade. This is, yet another, very good blade. I did get a couple nicks, but I think it had more to do with being in a bit of a rush during the shaves due to the holiday season. However, I remarked to her on the ugly wrapper with, “I hate to admit it, but I think I am a total sucker for good packaging. By rights this blade should be in every wise comparable to my favorite blade Rapira, and yet it’s not, and it’s solely on account of this ugly wrapper!” Then, meekly, “Should I be ashamed?” My wife, in her wisdom, pointed out that in our consumerist society we’ve all been conditioned to fall for nifty packaging. She then added in regards to the disparaged Laser Super Stainless blade, “Remember, you can’t judge a book by its cover.” From the mouths of babes and WIVES! But what I realized in this brief exchange is that packaging actually does matter to me. Take a chef, for instance. What self-respecting chef is going to plop his creation onto a platter all a-jumbo, at random, with no organizing principle? Not one, I say! No, a chef, if he is worthy of the title, will “plate” his meal in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. Why? Because in so doing he has added a whole new dimension to the meal. No longer is the experience of eating engaging just the senses of taste and smell, but now sight is involved as well! And so with my blades: given two blades with an equally nice shave, but one has an ugly, the other a beautiful, wrapper, which will I choose? Of course I am going to chose the beautiful one, because now not only do I enjoy the close shave the blade itself provides, but I get an added pleasure when I open the beautiful wrapper in which it is contained. So, men, don’t let these anti-consumerist fellows get you down. You deserve a beautiful wrapper on your blade!

Post 26

Stopped into Old Town Shaving Company in my hometown Pasadena. In addition to soaking in the vast array of beautifully scintillating products they offer, I had a lovely discussion with the owner, Damon. I bought a bottle of Captain’s Choice Bay Rum, a blade bank, and Damon threw in a sampler of Penhaligon’s moustache wax. I’ve told you already I’m not a wax guy. I hate it, in fact. But, nevertheless, I tried out Penhaligon’s, just to get one more wax brand under my belt–or nose, I suppose. The wax portion I dislikes as much as is usual, but the hold was like a vice grip too, if such things are important to you.

Post 27

So Lynn Abrams emailed to check up on my progress with my restored straight razor. I replied with the following email to him:

Lynn!

I did get the razor back and could not believe how beautiful you made it! You were right in saying that it is very used, but I never thought it would again gleam like it is right now. Beautiful! Thank you so much. My grandmother, whose father was the original owner of the razor, is absolutely thrilled and awed as well.

I have been shaving with it every day since I received it. I wanted to get to some understanding of how to use it before reporting back to you. I feel I’m at a good place to give you some thoughts.

Per your instruction, I started with just my right sideburn. In fact, I filmed my very first shave. You can see it here:https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=uS4yGcCY3T0&feature=youtube_ gdata_player

After a week or more of just the right, I consulted the Old Book to learn how to do my left. I’ve now been doing both right and left sideburns for about two weeks.

I have to confess that I’m pretty disappointed with the actual shave. No doubt it is due in large part to my ignorance of proper technique, but even with the blade as parallel as I can get it, it still feels as if it is just scraping hair off rather than slicing it. By point of comparison, I see many times more hair come off my DE razor with each stroke than with the straight edge. Especially getting down toward my cheeks the straight razor seems incapable of cutting anything at all.

I’ve been stropping my razor before and after each shave, according to the instructions set forth in the Old Book. As far as I can tell, I’m following all of the instructions I am aware of to the T. Proper prep, pre-shave oil, nice thick lather, pulling skin tight with left hand, parallel angle, short strokes.

I’ve wondered perhaps my strop is faulty? It is vintage, but was never used, stored hanging in my grandpa’s closet since its purchase in the ’50s. The leather is in pristine condition as is the linen. The “pull” that I’ve heard so much about is certainly in operation.

I’m going to keep at it, as the fact that I am actually conquering my fear is very thrilling. I’ve even found myself wondering what a new straight razor shave might feel like. Are there any particular razors you would recommend for me? Would a new one provide a better shave?

So, that’s the report for now. Any suggestions you have, you can bet I will follow up on!

Ryan Steven Green, aka Rynostevie, is a native Los Angeleno and a professional film and commercial director. Along with Douglas Smythe, he co-hosts the popular podcast–Moustache & Blade. It was Smythe’s discovery of his award-winning short documentary Between the Upper Lip and Nasal Passageway that initiated Ryan’s entree into the wet-shaving world. Contact Ryan: Ryan@moustacheandblade.com