lapislazuli
@lapislazuli@sopuli.xyz
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, January 7th, 2026 (#939) 3 days ago:
I see. I could experiment and see how far I can push the Astras. I’m using Logseq daily so I could use that to log my shaves. It just hasn’t ever occurred to me, because I only shave 1-2 times a week. My skin can’t take a daily or a every-other-day shaves. The Simpson doesn’t list tallow as being one ingredient, but neither does it explicitly say it is vegan. But AFAIK eg stearic acid (which the cream contains) can be both vegan and animal origin, so go figure. It was one of those purchases “if it doesn’t contain tallow and I’m guessing it’s vegan, I’ll buy it”.
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, January 7th, 2026 (#939) 4 days ago:
I don’t actually know how many times I use a blade. Might be between two and four times. Some people put the blade back into the wrapper and put a little dot on the wrapper, but I can’t be bothered. I’d say I use a blade three times on average.
The Simpson says “Ultimate Glide” on the tub, but on the forums (Reddit) people say that the slickness is just about average. And I think I have to agree with them, I don’t feel any residual slickness. Maybe I’m lathering it wrong, I don’t know. But it lathers well and smells good. Also it’s easily applied on the face using fingers, because it literally is a shave cream in a tub (not runny, but very soft). Plus it’s relatively cheap.
Good shaves to you!
- Comment on Wednesday SOTD Thread, January 7th, 2026 (#939) 5 days ago:
7 Jan 2026
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Astra Sps [Russia] (4th use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Simpsons “Bay Rum”
- Passes: 1 x WTG pass on face and neck, 1 x XTG on face
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 6 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: DFS on the face, presentable on the neck
Used the Simpsons Bay Rum shave cream, hadn’t used it for a loong time. It’s got a nice scent. The Astra on its 4th use was very smooth. Good shave all in all.
Have a good one, ladies and gents!
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, January 1st, 2026 (#933) 1 week ago:
1 Jan 2026
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Astra Sps [Russia] (3nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: NSC “Grapefruit”
- Passes: 1 x WTG pass on face and neck, 2 x XTG on face
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 6 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: DFS on the face, presentable on the neck
Happy New Year, everyone!
- Comment on Free Talk Friday - December 26th, 2025 2 weeks ago:
Good point about using the brush more. I never understood the purpose of all the swirling on the face, but it makes sense when face lathering: it helps build the lather (makes it possible in the first place, in fact), and in the process, works the lather into the hairs and lifts the hairs up.
- Comment on Free Talk Friday - December 26th, 2025 2 weeks ago:
Maybe we can change that? Have you seen any Donald Youngner (Wet The Face) videos? Fastest shaver in the West, I’d say!
- Comment on Free Talk Friday - December 26th, 2025 2 weeks ago:
I realised that I told a colossal lie. I do own shaving bowls, but I don’t use them. My aunt who is into ceramics made me three bowls. Two were too small and did not have a high enough edge, the third one is just about right. And it’s a beaut! I think I’ll take a photo of it for my New Year shave. It’s literally one of a kind, which makes it feel special. The first shave bowl that I had had high edges, but was rather narrow so when I got my Yaqi 26 mm brush it had little room to work a good lather. I gave it away to a friend, along with some shaving gear (including my R89), but I don’t think they’re really using any of it. It’s a pity, but I’m not going to ask it back. Ok, rant over!
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, December 26th, 2025 (#927) 2 weeks ago:
Good to hear! :)
- Comment on Free Talk Friday - December 26th, 2025 2 weeks ago:
My year in review
- Started face lathering, got kind of good at it. I don’t even own a bowl anymore.
- Got quicker with my shaving: 30-40 minutes (incl. face washing, making the lather, shaving (2-3 passes), applying the alum, after-shave, putting the gear away, cleaning and disassembling my razor and leaving it to dry)
- Started posting here
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, December 26th, 2025 (#927) 2 weeks ago:
I dunno. 🤷♂️ Maybe instant gained in popularity? Anyway, I’m reading it the other way around: coffee got good again after they started producing their coffee makers in '68.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, December 26th, 2025 (#927) 2 weeks ago:
A Moccamaster One Switch. It’s a company based in the Netherlands, highly regarded in Europe.
- Comment on Friday SOTD Thread, December 26th, 2025 (#927) 2 weeks ago:
26 Dec 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Astra Sps [Russia] (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Zingari Man “Traditionalist”
- Passes: 1 x WTG pass on face and neck, 2 x XTG on face
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 5 days (thick & long stubble)
- Result: DFS on the face, presentable on the neck
Hope y’all had a nice Xmas. I hope everybody was nice and got presents. Santa brought me a coffee maker, which is a great gift because I am partial to a nice, hot cup of Java ☕️
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, December 21st, 2025 (#922) 3 weeks ago:
And to you!
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, December 21st, 2025 (#922) 3 weeks ago:
21 Dec 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Astra Greens [Russia] (1st use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: NSC Coffee (150 ml tub)
- Passes: 2 x WTG pass on face and neck
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 7 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: Presentable on the face, neck okay I guess
Methinks this is the second-last shave of the year for me! Have a Merry Xmas, ladies and gents! See you in ‘26!
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, December 14th, 2025 (#915) 4 weeks ago:
14 Dec 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Lord Platinums (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Lea Professional (250 ml tube)
- Passes: 2 x WTG pass on face and neck
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 7 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: I mean I did get rid of the hair on my face, so…
Have a good one, ladies and gents!
- Comment on Anyone in tech confirm? 4 weeks ago:
buy the farm Slang To die, especially suddenly or violently.
Yeah, sure, I guess…
- Comment on know your worth 4 weeks ago:
Please, not the Bidet Wars again. I’m getting flashbacks.
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, December 7th, 2025 (#908) 4 weeks ago:
It’s nice for sure, but not particularly mind. I’d say the scent strength is 6/10 or 7/10. But it’s good.
- Comment on Sunday SOTD Thread, December 7th, 2025 (#908) 5 weeks ago:
7 Dec 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Lord Platinums (1st use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Zingari Man “Traditionalist”
- Passes: 2 x WTG pass on face and neck
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 3 days
- Result: Presentable on the face, neck okay I guess
Been holding off on the ATG for the time being, so just 2 x WTG. The scent notes for Traditionalist are sandalwood, musk and pepper. To my nose, it’s a sweet sandalwood scent that’s also fresh in a way.
Have a good one, ladies and gents!
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 15th, 2025 (#886) 1 month ago:
I have it in the 4.9 oz tub so I should get many shaves out of it. When they went vegan they also shrunk the tubs to 4 oz and ditched the coffee scent. Enjoy it while you’ve got it, I know I will.
- Comment on Monday SOTD Thread, December 1st, 2025 (#902) 1 month ago:
1 Dec 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Lord Platinums (3rd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: The Goodfellas “Abysso”
- Passes: 2 x WTG pass on face and neck
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 10 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: Presentable on the face, a massacre on the neck
Oof, what can I say. I used a dull blade, an Henson and too little soap. This time around I thought I’d only do two WTG passes because the last ATG pass had left eight small scars on my cheeks, which became visible upon stretching the skin. Then, magically, they disappeared overnight. So maybe it was some really minor surface nicks, IDK. Neck took a hit, though. I think I’ll shave again in two days, was left with some hair on my jawline.
Black Friday came and went, didn’t buy anything. Have minor regrets, wanted to get a 6C and some SV, but didn’t allow myself to pull the trigger. Then today wasted some money on other, non-shaving-related things. So it goes.
Have a good one, ladies and gents!
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, November 20th, 2025 (#891) 1 month ago:
I know Arko is highly praised for its bang for the buck ratio and for its performance, but I only use vegan products. Yeah, I know, I know. But consider this: SV (Saponificio Varesino) is vegan and it’s considered one of the best soaps out there. So I’m thinking I’ll treat myself to some SV either this Christmas or some other time. 😃 Wishing you great shaves!
- Comment on Thursday SOTD Thread, November 20th, 2025 (#891) 1 month ago:
20 Nov 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Lord Platinums (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Rasozero Rinfrescante (Refreshing)
- Passes: 2 x WTG on the cheeks and neck, 1 x XTG on the cheeks
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 5 days
- Result: BBS on the cheeks, neck acceptable
The Rinfrescante was € 4,90 (cheaper than Proraso on that particular online store). It’s got coconut, sweet almond and castor oil, amongst other ingredients. Vegan. The shave was pretty good all in all, I loaded lots of product as is my wont, so I definitely had enough. However, the residual slickness just wasn’t there. I suppose they have to sacrifice something, and it seems to be slickness. The lather itself was okay, and thick enough. For the last pass, I added some extra water into my cheeks and neck, which seemed to make it a tiny bit slicker. It has a citrusy smell, I imagine that’s more or less what Arko smells like (never used it and probably never will). An okay shave, but not great. Face feels smooth, but felt dry after the shave.
Enjoy your [enter time of day], ladies and gents!
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, November 15th, 2025 (#886) 1 month ago:
15 Nov 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1)
- Blade: Lord Platinums (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: NSC Coffee (discontinued)
- Passes: 1x WTG on the cheeks, 2 x WTG on the neck, 2x ATG on the cheeks
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Growth: 7 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: BBS on the cheeks, neck acceptable
NSC stands for Nordic Shaving Company, they’re based in Finland but ship world wide. They have a solid selection of shaving supplies. They also have a brick-and-mortar store. Vintage Shave, which is also Finland-based, has a larger selection of soaps and razors and I think they also ship world wide. They sell out of their warehouse. I recently ordered another 100 pack of Lord Platinums and a tub of Rasozero Rinfrescante from them, I want to see how it compares to Proraso (Rasozero is Italian, as well).
Enjoy your weekend ladies and gents!
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, October 4th, 2025 (#844) 3 months ago:
4 Oct 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1) with handle 1/4 opened
- Blade: Lord Platinums (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: NSC Grapefruit + Lea Professional as preshave
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Passes: 1x WTG on the cheeks, 2 x WTG on the neck, 2x ATG on the cheeks
- Growth: 7 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: BBS on the cheeks, neck acceptable
- Comment on Saturday SOTD Thread, September 6th, 2025 (#816) 4 months ago:
#6 September 2025
- Pre-shave: Face wash w/ hot water
- Razor: Henson Mild (v1) with handle 1/4 opened
- Blade: Astra Greens (SP) (2nd use)
- Brush: Yaqi Tiberwolf Synthetic 26mm
- Soap: Lea Professional shaving cream (large tube)
- Post-shave: Alum, TFS witch hazel
- Passes: 1x WTG on the cheeks, 2 x WTG on the neck, 2x ATG on the cheeks
- Growth: 7 days (very thick & long stubble)
- Result: cheeks BBS, neck acceptable
Great shave. I used to think “residual slickness” was BS, but this after shave cream has TONS of residual slickness. Maybe I haven’t hydrated my soaps enough, I don’t know. But the LEA cream is great. I also thought I hated the Astra Greens, but apparently they work okay with a Henson. I tried them once with my Mühle R89 and nicked myself pretty badly like a year or two ago. This razor+blade+cream combo seems to be a keeper.
Enjoy your weekend!
- Comment on Yeasty 5 months ago:
Something something our Yeast overlords
- Comment on RIP obsolete tech 8 months ago:
For music CDs? I dunno bout that (see comment above). I do borrow books a lot, if that counts.
- Comment on RIP obsolete tech 8 months ago:
Tbh I don’t know. I torrented lots of stuff as a kid (including music on Soulseek), but now I feel like paying for stuff. I know, weird.
- Comment on RIP obsolete tech 8 months ago:
I don’t burn CDs, I buy music on CDs (Best Of albums, etc.) and copy them to my computer. Cheaper than some of the online music stores.