Mom's Surprise

So, when I first started getting interested in this hobby, I talked to my mother about it. She goes to lots of flea markets and the like, so I asked her to be on the look out for "those old fashioned razors that take a double edged blade." She started laughing, and said "I think I know what you're talking about."

Fast forward to last night. My wife's birthday package came in from back home, and lo and behold, look what was in it!




A shaving kit with an Early 1920s Gem Micromatic TTO, and what I think is a Ball End Tech. (I'm no good at identification). They were with some nail grooming goods, as well.

They're not in perfect condition:



There's some pitting and corrosion on the head of the Gillette, but the chrome is still shiny (see the Gillette logo? Pretty) and the handle is pristine. The Gem has some serious chewing on the teeth of the comb; it's clearly been used more. But their value isn't what's important.

My grandmother passed last year, and my mother inherited the house. I guess this shaving kit has been there for years--and my mom never knew just what to do with it. It might have been my grandfather's, but probably not. They divorced long before I was born, and I think it was pretty nasty. I never met him. But My mom knew that she remembered seeing something like this set when she was a kid.
I got a little bit of family history here.

It makes me feel really, really good to have this. I feel part of something bigger than myself.

Productive Product Reviews: Milk Brand Shaving cream

So, I found another brand of non-can shaving cream on the shelves. How was it?
Oh, don't you just want to know!

This is "Milk Brand Shaving Cream". Isn't it pretty?


Milk brand. I mean, wow. How wholesome is that? How clean, and healthy?
When I think milk, I think...Milkmaids, milky white skin, mother's milk...and this old Kahlua ad:


So it's GOT to be good, right?
So when I saw this stuff in my local supermarket, and a cursory examination of the label showed Aloe on the label, I thought Score!
I was right. Score one for THE DEVIL!!!!

When I got home, A deeper reading of the label showed a pretty picture of a cow.

See? Milky!
And then, looking at the ingredients...AW CRAP! Menthol!
Sigh. Well...I know what happened last time, but maybe that was a fluke, right?

Soooo, I put a bit in my cup, and started to lather. Nothing happened. I added water. Nothing happened. Some more water. Finally, I gave up. My brush was loaded with a thick, pasty white cream, but nothing that could be called lather. Wellllll...

I figured what the heck, and painted it on. It went on like greasepaint. Nothing creamy or luxurious about it at all.

And then the burn kicked in.

The milk did nothing. THE MILK DID NOTHING!!!!

Poop on a stick. I hadn't even set blade to face and my shave was ruined for the day.

Verdict? *Sigh* Back to the barber stuff.

Shopping Spree!

So, I may not have mentioned the problems I have had getting shaving goods here in Japan. I did? Oh, sorry.
Well, it turns out I was wrong. Not only is a full shaving kit readily available in Japan, but it's also cheap as all get out.

How can this be? It's all at DAISO!!!!


I went to Daiso, the Japanese version of an "everything's a dollar" store to pick up a mug, and as I was wandering around I spotted a men's grooming aisle. I took a curious look, and HIT THE MOTHERLODE!

First, the essential DE safety razor:


It's an all plastic job, with a long handle and a two piece head. Lovely, isn't it? Unbelievable at 105 yen!

And, the beauty is, it's a brand name!


That's right, it's a Dorco!
It also comes with two blades, which isn't a lot, but not to worry, right next to it are the refills!


(Dorco as well).


Well, that's the razor. Of course, we need a brush.
And we got one!


A genuine Chinese synthetic shaving brush. Score!

So, the total kit, including a huge cream/soap mug:

(they had cream, but it was all mentholated. Not going down that road again.)

How much? 420 yen. Less than a tall mocha at Starbucks.
And infinitely less healthy.

The blades will be used, and maybe the brush, but that razor ain't coming near my face. Not for you, not for science, not for anybody.
Nuh. Uh.

But not bad for couch money, eh?

Productive Product Reviews: Kai Gold-S Disposable

Japan is a land of great beauty, and great danger.
Earthquakes, Typhoons, Giant Hornets....
And the Kai Gold-S Disposable razor.



Before I started shaving with a double edged safety razor, I was advised to "train" myself off of my electric by using a single blade, fixed head disposable razor. This would help teach me how to adjust angles using my own arm, and get my face ready to have a sharp sliver of steel sliding up and down my skin.

In the course of this "training", I picked up these little beauties.



They were cheap, and interesting, and I was curious about Japanese options.

You know what they say about curiosity.


I tried this razor to help teach myself how to use a bladed razor. I learned a lesson all right.

That lesson was called "fear."

I don't know if it's the insanely sharp angle of the head, or if it's the insanely sharp blade, but something about this razor ended up giving me the worst shave of my life. Nicks, abrasions, stinging...blood everywhere.

Not pretty.

Somewhere, there must be men who shave every day with one of these monsters. Men like Toshiro Mifune or Mako, with faces of cured sharkskin and voices like buzzsaws. These men prep their beards with the snows of Mt. Fuji, and use the blood of fallen foes as a cream--which they lather with a hard stare.
Those guys can use this razor.

Not me.

+4 Smoothness

Had my fourth DE shave this morning.

I think I leveled up!



I changed my Sword to a Derby. They have a reputation for being "mild", which means that they shouldn't slice off steak-like chunks of your face. Apparently, they're good for beginners like me.

I'm still using my "professional" shaving soap.


I don't even want to post the ingredients. It's not technically "soap", it's some kind of chemical soup...but it works well enough till I get some real soaps and creams.

It's come to me that shaving like this is like an RPG. Each daily shave is like fighting a nasty, hairy monster. Some days your stats just don't match and it eats your face alive. Some days you roll twenties.
Today was...a solid win. Some irritation, but no bleeding.
I think I hit level two.

Productive Product Reviews: Rohto Mentholatum Medicated Shave

(This review originally appeared on the Shave My Face Forum. Check it out!)

So, for my second review, I decided to go for my current cream, Mentholatum Medicated Shave, from Rohto (another big company!).




With refreshing cool sensation. (According to the website)

In searching for a non-goo-in-a-can, this is the only cream I found on the shelves. I figured what the heck, it's cheap, and I like menthol.

So, first things first, I open up the "Olde Timey" box and take a look. I can't find the ingredients. Hmmmm...Well, what it's too late to go back now.
I open the tube and am overpowered by the smell. Medicated! Menthol! YESS!

My eyes watering, I drop a dollop in my "Japanese Scuttle" (more on that later) and get to work with my pre-soaked (apparently) boar brush. It takes a bit of time, but some weak lather does form. I work a bit, and finally get something like what one might call lather, if one were somewhat myopic and not wearing one's glasses.
Hmmm.....

So, start to lather my face. I add a touch of water and lather more. I start to notice a prickle. I think "That's just the boar talking."

Then I notice a tingling. "Ahh, here comes the menthol."

I apply my razor, and there's no real tugging or sign of problems with my shave, so I do my WTG pass. And it burns. Oh lordy, how it BURNS.
I wash off the rest of the cream, and look at my poor, glowing red face.

Medicated, my tuchus.

Would I recommend this? Oh, my lands no.
Not for all the Menthol in Kool Country.

My First Time

Everyone remembers it, don't they? The nervous tension beforehand...the trembling hands. The warm froth oozing down your face. The wetness. It's messy, and it can hurt if you're not careful, but in the end, it's worth it.

Wetshaving.


My first time was good. I loaded up my vintage Gillette Tech with a Wilkinson (Economie?) sword blade. I warmed up my Japanese scuttle and hopped in the shower.

I made sure to prepare my face as best I could, using a moisturizing exfoliating scrub in the shower to get my beard all nice and fluffy, and then I started up.

I used a professional barber's cream that I had gotten from, well...from my barber. He had also helped me get my brush. According to the guys at Shavemyface.com, it's probably boar hair.

Not as good as badger, but better than synthetic. I whipped up a bit of a lather which, in retrospect, I think was a little dry, as I felt a bit of tugging and drag when I shaved, but it worked out ok. The brush felt nice. There was some prickling (maybe because of the Boar hair?) but the warmth of the lather was very nice.

I was terrified before I started. Holding an intensely sharp metal blade against your face can do that to you. But I was careful, and I was slow, and I got her to do what I wanted like a good girl.

I did three passes: one with the grain, and two across the grain, in opposite patterns. No nicks, not cuts, and no razorburn. The shave wasn't the closest I've had, but it was far from the worst.

I look forward to the day when I can hit the legendary baby's butt...

How was your first time?

Productive Product Reviews! Kanebo "Eroica" Aftershave

(This review originally appeared on the Shave My Face Forum. Check it out!)

Well, since I'm over here on the other side of the world from civilized shavers, and I'm a little left out of the fancy-dancy Euro-traditional creams, soaps, and aftershave splash/balm/cremes, I've decided to dip into the local market and see what's available here. And I figured, why not share? Somebody might be slightly interested. Or they might not. Who knows?


So my first try is from a rather big company, Kanebo. They are a huge cosmetics/health/beauty/food manufacturer, with a few products available outside of Japan--but probably not this one. It's not even listed on their corporate website.

"Eroica".

When I was at the drugstore looking for a good aftershave, my wife was helping me, reading ingredient lists and making recommendations (I don't read much Japanese.). In the end, however, it all came down to smell. I opened up the greenish-brown glass bottle, my wife's eyes lit up and she said "Grandpa!"
I bought it. Grandpas are rarely wrong.

This is a simple mix.
Ethanol, water, propylene glycol, aminocapronic acid (a coagulating agent--nice touch. and BOY did that one take some translation!) and "fragrance".

On first touch, the alcohol kicks right in. It's a clean feeling, and one I liked. Especially after I mangled my face today; no fear of infection here! And it cleared up the bleeding that my alum bar couldn't--yay aminocapronic acid!

After it dried, it left my face feeling smooth and soft, not too dry, but not at all oily. A good feeling.

But best of all is the smell. It's, well, it's grandpa (and I never even met either of mine!). It's a clean, slightly citrusy, slightly bergamoty, slightly floral smell. It lasts for a while but is by no means overpowering.

This is an older man's line, I assume--they make pomades, and hair tonic, and the like. It's been around since the 60's, and to me that's a good sign. I will definitely be trying other of their products. I just wish they made a cream.

I would imagine, if you are ever in Japan and are looking for an inexpensive, pleasant aftershave (perhaps as a souvenir?) you wouldn't go wrong with this one.

My Frothy Face

This post originally appeared on my other blog, A Loss for Words.

So, as you may have noticed, I flit from interest to interest, picking them up and putting them down faster than a fruitfly farts. It's a fact of life for me, and my wife is certainly learning all about it. I admit it fully, it's no secret. But sometimes, things come along and just say "I'm going to be a part of your life, ya dig?" And one of those things has come along.

Wetshaving.


Wetshaving, you say? What, pray tell, is that? It sounds vaguely...naughty.

Wetshaving is good old-fashioned brush-and-bowl shaving. With real metal razors and no hissing cans of goo. It's staring down the barrel of a loaded razor blade and saying "I ain't afraid o' you." It's being a man.

Yeah, that's right, I said it. We don't have many coming-of-age rituals anymore. There's nothing that really happens and lets people know "You are an adult" now. And I feel I missed out on something. My dad never taught me to shave (my dad never really taught me shit) and looking at what shaving really is, I feel I missed out. I always treated it as a "get it done and try not to hurt yourself too much" kind of thing, which is why I had a beard for nearly ten years. Now I know, with some practice and the right tutelage, shaving can actually be GOOD for you.

It's not just the fact that traditional creams and shaving soaps are easier on your skin, better smelling, and much more economical than all the plastic, science lab stuff that people use to shave these days. It's the fact that, with a little skill and patience, the heretofore lamentable task of daily shaving can become an enjoyable ritual, a time to relax and forget your cares, and take some time for yourself. I look forward to the time when shaving becomes something I actually anticipate with pleasure, instead of dread. And someday, if I have a son, I look forward to the day when I can hand him a razor and say, "Ok boy, this is how you do it."

There are some masculine rituals that are, in fact, good things. And this is one of them.

If you're a guy, and you think shaving sucks, and you wish it could be better, do yourself a favor. Go to Shave My Face, or Corey's ShaveBlog, or watch Mantic59's YouTube videos (links are also on the left, in the sidebar) and find a better way.