As seems to be a theme with these SOTD posts, let me address how this one got started: plain and simple, I needed a chance to get the Razorock GameChanger .68-P into action. It’s been sitting unused since May, and I’ve only used it in two weeks’ shaves, so only in 6 shaves.
It’s a favorite, mostly because of its design. I really like how it looks and feels. And yes, that’s part of the considerations I put into my razors. But I tend to overlook it because it isn’t as mild as I’d like. Which is why I’m considering picking up a milder sibling to it. But that’s later. Much later.
The GC is a solid performer, and paired with a milder blade, it’s proven itself, so after deciding on this week for it’s use, I needed to choose a blade to match it. The Gillette Super Blue and Personna Gem seem too aggressive for it, though I’ll probably try them in it at some point, and I’ve already tried the Astra blue and Gillette 7 O’Clock Yellow, so I needed to consider my options among the milder blades: Derby Extra or Premium, Dorco Platinum HQ, 7 O’Clock green, Gillette Silver Blue, PAA Platinum Strangelet, Shark Super Stainless.
Then the Bic came to me. I’ve used it in 10 different razors or razor configurations (6 different individual razors, and all 3 plates on the Oliworks M3teorite and three plates on the Rockwell 6C. It’s a good medium-aggressive blade, so I’m thinking it should do well in the slightly more aggressive GameChanger.
But you don’t know until you try, right?
For the shaves for the rest of the week, I’ve been itching to get back to the Cella Organic green set, so I’m getting that in on Tuesday. And for Thursday, I created a mostly British shave and I’ll be getting in the D.R. Harris Arlington lather for it’s first go.
So, some old favorite combos and a new product to try this week, which always makes for an exciting shave week.
Oh, and one other thing to note in the stats starting this week: I’ve added a computation of average shave ratings to my spreadsheet and those will be reported on the first shave–which will show the overall average going into the shaves–and on the last shave of the week–to show the overall average after the week of shaves (because 3 shaves will shift the averages at least a little bit). I’m starting just with the average razor and blade overall ratings, but others may appear if I can figure out what story they’re going to tell.
The Ratings
Sunday’s Shave, #313. The Proraso Blue Sunday Shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Razorock GameChanger .68-P
- Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum
- Pre-Shave: Proraso Protective pre-shave cream (blue)
- Brush: Proraso boar shaving brush
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Proraso Protective shaving cream (blue)
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Proraso Protective after shave balm (blue)
- Stats:
- 7th shave with the GameChanger
- 4th blade used with the GC
- 16th shave with the Bic Chrome Platinum blade
- 21st shave with the Proraso Protective line (blue)
- 22.50 average overall rating in shaves with the GC
- 21.67 average overall rating in shaves with the Bic blade
- 127th almost perfect shave
- 7th consecutive almost perfect shave
- 48th shave with an overall rating of 24 (19.4% of all logged shaves)
This is another case where knowing my face and neck and knowing how the razors and blades perform for me are so important in predicting a result. This was an amazing shave, with an impressive closeness and perfect comfort with no irritation with the alum.
Yes, the Proraso blue pre-shave and lather contributed to an excellent, slick shave. But the relative mildness of the Bic blade seems perfectly matched in the GameChanger. Finishing with the Proraso blue balm, my skin is happy and comfortable, even after a shave with the standard 3 passes plus extra too clean up a few spots.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the week, but expect those shaves to also be great, at least. This combo in the GC is one to remember!
Comfort: 25 of 25
Quality/Closeness: 24 of 25
Overall: 24 of 25
Tuesday’s Shave, #314. The GameChanger Cella Organic Shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Razorock GameChanger .68-P
- Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum
- Pre-Shave: Cella Organic pre-shave gel (green)
- Brush: Parker Blue Storm synthetic
- Soap/Cream/Gel: Cella Organic Aloe Vera Shaving Cream (green)
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Cella Organic after shave balm (green)
- Stats:
- 8th shave with the Cella Organic set
- 4th shave with the Parker Blue Storm brush
- 128th almost perfect shave
- 8th consecutive almost perfect shave
- 49th shave with an overall rating of 24 (19.7% of all logged shaves)
Here’s the first takeaway: I really need to make an effort to use the Cella green set more often. It just works and makes me happy. And that’s worth it.
It’s been just over four months since I used it all last, and it worked wonderfully as it usually does in this morning’s shave. Lathering with the Parker Blue Storm synthetic brush, it made a nice thick, rich lather that protected and lubricated well.
Today’s shave also confirmed Sunday’s findings with the GC/Bic combo–that it’s nicely mild, not quite as efficient as other mild combos, but it worked with an extra pass or a few extra strokes to clean things up. And it did this without any irritation with the alum.
So far, it’s been a great shave week, and I’m really looking forward to Thursday’s shave!
Comfort: 25 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 24 out of 25
Overall: 24 out of 25
Thursday’s Shave, #315. The D.R. Harris British Shave.
The setup:
- Razor: Razorock GameChanger .68-P
- Blade: Bic Chrome Platinum
- Pre-Shave: Taylor of Old Bond Street Jermyn Street pre-shave gel
- Brush: Maggard Razors Purple Swirl synthetic
- Soap/Cream/Gel: D.R. Harris Arlington shaving cream
- Alum Block: Stirling Soap Co. Alum
- After Shave: Barbasol 1919 after shave balm
- Stats:
- 1st shave with the D.R. Harris Arlington lather
- 63rd lather used in my shaves
- 4th shave with the Maggard Razors brush
- 3rd shave with the TOBS Jermyn Street pre-shave
- 129th almost perfect shave
- 9th consecutive almost perfect shave
- 50th shave with an overall rating of 24 (20% of all logged shaves)
- 23.00 average rating for all GameChanger shaves (9 shaves)
- 22.06 average rating for all Bic blade shaves (18 shaves)
Let me address the grand question for the week: yes, this was an outstanding razor/blade combo, and I will make a note to return to the GameChanger-Bic Chrome Platinum in the future.
This third shave of the week was no exception to the trend for the week–very comfortable results with no irritation and good closeness with an extra pass or two. Coupled with an excellent lather, this was a very nice shave to end the week.
The D.R. Harris Arlington lather was amazing. It’s got a very pleasant scent–soapy, floral, and citrusy–but isn’t strong or overpowering. And the cream or croap formulation lathered quickly into a very nice rich and thick lather that provided great slickness. The TOBS pre-shave is a thicker gel than the other pre-shave gels I have, but that seems to just make it stick better to the skin. It isn’t overly slick on its own, but it provides a nice base for the lather that follows.
The fourth shave with the Maggard brush was great, and it’s helping prove that I’m a big convert to synthetic brushes. It has enough stiffness to make a great lather, but also a nice softness that makes applying the lather very comfortable.
So again, overall, a great shave week as I head into the Anniversary Month shaves starting next week.
Comfort: 25 out of 25
Quality/Closeness: 24 out of 25
Overall: 24 out of 25