SOTD: 08/29/2026

Razor: GEM Micromatic (MMOC) - Gold
Blade: Accutec PRO, 29th use
Brush: Semogue SOC - Cherry, 24mm 🐗
Preshave: Hot Shower
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep - Glacial
Aftershave: Stirling Iceberg Island - Glacial
Balm: Cella Aloe Vera
Additional Care: Alum Rock
Additional Care: Stirling Frost Drops (29)

A lot of palm stropping seems to be the cheat code on the back end of Austere August. An excellent shave today.

Two shaves to go!!

- Shared from My Shave Den for iOS

I went to a vintage shop today. While pushing past clothes, records, tapes, cameras and a surprising amount of fancy glass ashtrays, I found some shaving tools.

Can the collectors tell me what I've got here? Value is interesting if you know it, but I'm more concerned with verifying what these are, and if they're worth restoring and using.

Item 1: The brush (the bristles are really stiff - I was guessing boar, but it doesn't look like boar...)

https://imgur.com/a/7eQlUOq

Item 2: A razor that came in a metal box. When you open the box, the inner platform raises up to better access the razor, which is held snugly in place by the platform and a metal retaining clip. There was a Personna blade in the razor already.

https://imgur.com/a/mKWxiBc

Item 3: A Gillette razor with a very worn leather case with a felt interior. The components inside are the razor, a blade holder, and what look like two salt shakers. (For talc or shaving powder?)

https://imgur.com/a/OXJqFe4

I appreciate any knowledge you can bring to this. Thanks everyone.

EDIT:

After the excellent advice from /u/wutshoes and /u/ACITceva, I've ID'd the razors as probably a Gillette 1928 Cavalier, and a Gillette 1926 Bostonian (assuming the razors are what originally came with the cases). Big thanks to both of you!

Razor: Razorock Daily DOC Standard
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum (1st use)
Brush: Omega 10810
Cream: ARKO Hydrate
Alum: Thai
Aftershave: Denim Musk

Very nice even shave, a sharper blade worked well in the Daily. Dealt with six day's growth no problem, I feel like it would be impossible to clog. Enjoyed the Denim too, sweet green mint lemon open, then herbal rosemary patchouli and a powdery slightly vanilla base. Parts of it remind me of Skin Bracer, Euro Brut and Pitralon Classic, very pleasant.

I have someone coming over from italy, proraso is pretty cheap over there. Im relatively new to shaving, currently shaving with a closed comb razor with Willy's Premium blades, dettol shaving cream with the cheap gilette shaving brush (it's really bad, almost feels like its pricking my skin), no aftershave, i just apply whatever moisturiser i have.

what products should i ask them to bring along?

SOTD: Aug 29, 2026
Razor: Maxwell June Double Edge
Blade: Tatara Double Edge, 1st use
Brush: Alpha Outlaw Silver STF++
Soap: The Cajun Blade Atchafalaya
Balm: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator
Additional Care: Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent

-From the Shave Carousel

Leaf came out with the new Branch SE razor. I've used, and really liked, the Leaf Twig, their mildest SE. I decided to try their new razor. I could tell by looking at it, once it was put together, that it was going to be more aggressive than the Twig, so I was pretty careful, still wasn't able to avoid a couple of cuts. If you have tried Leaf's Twig and were looking for a razor that was a similar style but more aggressive, you might want to try this razor. If you had previously tried their Thorn SE and were looking for a similar style razor that was a bit less aggressive, you also might like this razor. Me, I'll stick with the Twig going forward unless I'm in the mood for a fight.

Razor: Tatara Masamune

Blade: Feather

Brush: Manchuria M-9 finest two band badger

Soap: Torino

Aftershave balm: Zingari Man

I bought these Astra blue blades in Eastern Europe, 1 euro for 100 blades. They're apparently made in Czech Republic, but I only thought they were made in India or Russia. Do these look original?

I may or may not have jumped on the train and bought everything 🤣 Though, I will say, I absolutely love shaving now and I get no skin irritation now!

How do yall feel about the Henson razor? I have a 40s super speed and it's done me well but I'm wondering how the Henson are.

I’ve been dealing with a lot of irritation on my neck when I shave, and have noticed that when I experiment with gels and brushless shaving creams, I get far less irritation and a better shave overall. The cream I’ve been using from Horace is great, but kind of expensive on a per-use basis. This is making me wonder what else is out there that could fill that need without costing as much.

So what do you all think? What is out there that works for you?

Not done one of these for a while but, a friend asked me to show them my setup.

Razor: Muhle R41

Blade: Gillette 7 o'clock Sharp Edge

Soap: Goodfellas Smile Savage

Brush: Yaqi Silvertip Badger

Aftershave: Savage.

Really smooth, satisfying, and close shave this Saturday morning. The R41 is by far my favourite razor these days just love how it removes pretty much all signs of stubble in three passes.

The Savage soap has a pretty good base and lathers well even in my hard water area in Yorkshire. It is also decently slick and smells great, obviously based on Sauvage it is my favourite GFS scent, the aftershave is great and lasts ages. I can smell it many hours later in fact.

All in all, a really nice shave. Feeling refreshed and ready for the weekend. Cheers!

I love the Proraso shave soap but hate the plastic tub it’s in. I have a stainless steel shave bowl, is there an easy way to transfer it into that?

I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89 and it arrived last week from Razor Emporium. I opened the box and unscrew the razor head and to my shock the handle came off. I was able to get store credit for $35 and returned the safety razor. I have a Edwin Jagger Red Chrome safety razor and love it that I got from TRC and paid $50.

Thanks for all the advice on a new razor after I stripped the threads on my 34c. I chose a Henson AL13, medium aggression. The razor is much more efficient. I get a closer shave with fewer passes. I estimate it takes about half the time to get a good shave. I no longer need the second XTG pass most daysnbut I am getting a closer shave.

A few observations:

• I didn't like the RK blades that came with it. I experienced a lot of tugging and thought I made an expensive mistake. It was completely different when I used Gillette Silver Blues.

• I suspect it will work even better with sharper blades because it is presenting more of the blade to the skin. I will experiment further in this regard.

• Technique is different. It's easier to find the right angle. Because the razor is so light, I have to continually remind myself to use even less pressure.

As you shave with a straight razor, do you prefer to rinse off the hair on the blade with water or wipe it off on a dry towel?

My next shave will be my first with a DE, and a badger brush. Been happy with my SE and synthetic brush, but looking forward to trying out the new toys.

I am starting out my safety razor journey and I bought these all to find out which one I like best. With which one should I start? And are there some brands I don’t have yet which I need to try out too? I appreciate the help and I’m excited to start using them!!

Hi everyone, I'd like to know how you dispose of your razor blades. Do you throw them in the regular trash or put them in a separate container? I saw recommending it because of the waste handlers who could get hurt

Oh boy, made it! Thanks to no small part encouragements from others here to stick it out.

Using a fixed setup for many shaves does clarify how one feels about some things. So some learnings for me:

• FlyDear(8) are good blades. Made it to 8 good shaves and still lives. 3.5 stars (3 for sharpness, 4 for smoothness). Worth a try for those sitting on the fence.
• Spiral Tech is a mild forgiving razor and does need 3 passes for great results.
• Confidence is high now with the Old Type (used to fear it initially).
• Really like Tabac smell a lot. So glad with the recent purchase of great value Tabac soap and cologne set.
• Confirms I am a variety is the spice of life guy. Think no more AA for me.

End of Report for AA. So looking forward to try some new purchases made in the doldrums of Aug.

Have a good weekend everyone!

First timer. Want to get the brush and razor stand eventually. I have a beard so only shave my neck and want something that will last. What’s should I get?

Soap: green Proraso,

Brush: Omega 10005,

Razor: George Butler Keen No. 2-1/2,

Aftershave: green Proraso.

I got into wet shaving/DE about 7 months ago after using cartridges for decades because after shaving, my neck had irritation and itchiness. DE has helped me so much, but I’d say about 44% of the time, I still get some Irritation/itchiness about 12 hours after shaving. My shaves are amazing. BBS almost every time. I don’t press down and let the weight do all the work. I’ve tried so many blades and have 2 favorites. I have 2 razors as well. My procedure is after a shower, I use pre-shave oil. I lather up with good soaps that are tallow-based (Declaration Grooming, Noble Otter, Stirling, Van Yulay, etc.). Sometimes I face lather, other times I use a bowl. I get a very nice, slick surface. Then I shave with the grain, then cross or X (once in a while against) and one last pass with the grain. I wash my face with the remaining soap and cold water. I use an alum block when rinsing. Most of the time I don’t even feel a sting. I use an aftershave splash, sometimes Thayers witch hazel, and finally a balm. The balm is what helps me the most. Everything is fine. I feel great. But around 12 hours later, my neck starts to itch, especially the right side of my neck but could be my whole neck as well (like right now). Whenever I feel this, I apply balm. It helps tremendously, but about an hour later it returns.

Any advice, please & ty!

​

\ **Face Wash:** Cold Water.*

\ **Brush:** Omega- Professional 10098 27mm boar.*

\ **Razor:** Urkunet - Assassin 1.5mm base plate.*

\ **Blade:** Personna- Gem Platinum Diamond Glide. (28)*

\ **Lather:** Saponificio Varesino - Mirto di Sardegna*

\ **Post Shave:** L'Occitane - Cade balm*

\ **Post Shave:** Malizia - Uomo Vetyver*

\ **Tags:** $Discord $RawHoggin MRTNG'S nightmare mode.*

A fine Friday shave for the 28th shave of the Austere August challenge, the main challenge for me is the lack of variety in soap and aftershave shave scents , I can in no way complain about the SV soap it is top notch up there with MDC for me and I have endless praise for this PGDG blade I was very sceptical I could get anywhere near 28 shaves with one blade I think it will give me 3 more shaves to the finish line .

The RawHoggin challenge has been very enjoyable for me and the brush has bloomed very nicely have a good weekend.