Better than expected, as usual with my unrealistic phobias. Got a full dental checkup, an x-ray and they removed some dental calculus. Got two follow-up appointments for September, since two of my old fillings need to be replaced since they've shifted over time - the one that gives me trouble probably has some caries around it too, but thankfully none of my teeth need to be pulled.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Flattop/Fan hybrid
Razor: Razorock Cyber Medium w/ 316L Bamboo handle
Blade: BIC
Lather: Noble Otter - Ace
Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Master
Pre-workout shave yet again - 1 pass on head and neck, comfortable shave.
This was a nice shave. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, first in almost two years. I have terrible anxiety - to the point that I even got an anxiety attack after my workout, sigh...
Due to this, I feel extremely defeated and exhausted. Can't write much more right now.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
Razor: Leaf Thorn
Blade: Derby Premium half-DE
Lather: Barrister and Mann - The Full Measure of Man
Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Master
2 passes on the head, 1 on the neck. Very comfortable shave with no bleeding at all!
I actually wanted to do this shave since Saturday, but alas, there's always something holding me up. Mostly it's my work, it's currently rather exhausting again.
However, I did this shave when it actually still was Thursday before my home training session. I could leave a bit earlier today and wanted to make the most of it, so a great shave before a nice workout seemed like perfect late evening plans...
And somehow, this shave was strikingly good. I took my time, washed my head and face beforehand and made short, deliberate strokes with the razor. Truly a great feeling when you don't need to rush your shave! FMoM smells great, like an old cigar shop - and it's in Omnibus base, so great for my skin.
I'm done with trying to make the goatee work though. I've really tried in the last few days, but even the trimmer and electric shaver irritate my face badly. I guess it's just really short, well-groomed stubble until the end for me. Well, at least I can shave around that! The neck part of the shave was really good too and it feels really satisfying to have this smooth, soft feeling on my neck again. I'll do the cheek line in due time, currently the stubble is knocked down to 1 mm and barely noticeable to anyone but myself.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid
Razor: HNDRX Razor
Razor: Razorock Hawk V2, Superknurl handle
Blade: Unknown Japanese half-DEs
Blade: Kai Captain Protouch MG
Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Rope Swing
Post Shave: HAGS - Apocalypse ASB
1 pass on the head with the Hendrix razor, 2 on my face around the beard with the Hawk. Oh, and one on the chest with the HNDRX. Overall, face shave felt the best - suffered a tiny cut on the back of my head.
This extended shave was done before my home workout session. Provided some much needed cooldown in the summer heat. Today I tried the HNDRX with the "Japanese blades" that came with it and I was unimpressed. These are definitely no Feathers, they were rather dull. Normally I don't get cut with this razor, but these were the cause of some blood loss on the back of my head. I cut the shave short after that, only 1 WTG pass on the dome. To get at least something out of it, I also shaved my chest with it. Normally I only trim it, but at the current temperatures it's rather easy. Then again, I ain't no Tom Selleck - there's not a lot of hair there anyway, which is why I prefer to cut it short. I used my Better be Bold head shave cream for this bit of body shaving, and unsurprisingly it also works for parts other than your head. The HNDRX has its flaws: there's a tiny magnet in the top compartment that is loose and sticks to the old blades every time I change them and when used with brushless creams, it gunks up rather quickly. Still it's a good razor for uneven terrain.
As for the face shave: quick, efficient and comfortable. Somehow the Hawk is great for that.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
Razor: Leaf Thorn
Blade: Derby Premium
Lather: Abbate Y La Mantia - Blu Tobacco
Post Shave: HAGS - Apocalypse ASB
2 passes WTG on the head and 2 around my stubble goatee on the face. Comfortable shave yet again.
It was the third hot day in a row over here, so I needed some kind of cooldown. The menthol in Blu Tobacco at least helped to get through this shave - temperature in my bathroom has climbed up over 28°C and due to so called "tropical nights" where temperatures don't fall below 20°C, I fear it'll stay that way.
Anyways, I figured it was time to do my face with a real good shave after trimming it neatly yesterday. Only used a trimmer and my foil shaver yesterday, but it was good enough to spend the least amount possible in my hot and humid bathroom. Like on my head, I kept it easy - mostly WTG, except some XTG on the cheeks and for the "line work" of the beard. I must admit that the Leaf is slowly falling out of favour with me, it is good enough on the dome but the Derbys struggle with my stiff beard hair. The handle is also awkward to hold at certain angles since it has this conical shape. Except for the purple "Fig" colour, it's a rather unaesthetic razor 🫤
Unfortunately that is business as usual at the hospital I work at. Our station is really understaffed and the remaining personnel has to fill in all the gaps. Like I said, August brings me a full seven night shifts in a row and so far, there has almost been no month where I haven't had a full week of work at least once. Except June, since I had vacation days there 😅
I need to assess the situation after summer is over - this might not be my job forever.
Post Shave: HAGS - Apocalypse ASB (+ SPF30 sunscreen)
Cold water shave, two passes WTG. Still taking it slowly after some recent skin issues on my scalp. This was a very comfortable, albeit not too close shave. But comfort beats closeness in that case.
So I actually did a proper shave again, hooray! I got this cream recently from amazon, Better be Bold makes a lot of overpriced stuff for baldies - but since it is 150 ml of brushless cream for just under 20€, I can't complain. So far I only tested it with an electric shaver, but that wasn't the greatest experience. Electrics, despite their IPX 5/6/7 ratings, are meant for dry use IMHO and that's where they don't hurt me. With any cream, I usually get razor burn from electrics. Why did I even get one? I wanted something to at least shave my head in some capacity and my zero gap trimmer is too harsh for that. Anyways, it looks like my scalp has calmed down enough to do at least some wetshaving.
The cream touts an "Ultra-Glide Formula" and I was skeptical due to the nature of brushless creams. However, if enough is used, it actually provides very good slickness. The scent is very fitting for the current high temperatures: citrus and maritime notes, kinda in the fresh aquatic ballpark. Fits perfectly with HAGS Apocalypse I thought and indeed, it was a great combo.
Since I had way more stubble than I expected after just two days of not trimming/shaving, I used the Thorn. It made quick work of it, just had to be rinsed more often to get the gunk out.
So now I have an option when I'm in a hurry or short on time which unfortunately is a common occasion recently. Currently I'm at the second day of 3 days off after yet another 7 late shifts in a row and don't feel that recovered yet. Just need to work Thursday and Friday this week, but the following it's 7 night shifts in a row. I think a lot of my current health issues (skin rashes on the scalp, stomach aches, etc.) are stress-related. Sigh.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
Razor: HNDRX razor
Blade: Derby Premium half-DEs
Lather: Abbate Y La Mantia - Blu Tobacco
Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Master
Post Shave: Alterra Men Sensitive ASB
2 passes on the head. Lots of weepers unfortunately, very rough shave.
This shave was done before my night shift and I kinda wish I had left everything alone after just one pass. Overall a rather irritating shave, probably because of some recent skin issues on my scalp.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
Razor: HNDRX Razor
Razor: Leaf Thorn
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
Blade: Derby Premium
Lather: Zingari Man - The Navigator
Post Shave: Zingari Man - The Master
Post Shave: Störtebekker - Crusoe ASB
2 passes on the head with the Hendrix, 1 on the neck. A bit rough on the neck, I need to get back into the swing of things.
So I actually shaved on Tuesday, but forgot to post. Oh well, time to rectify that.
Between my work and other hobbies there's rarely time left for a slow paced traditional shave. Unfortunately. Today was a rare occasion where I had enough time, energy and motivation to get a really smooth shave. I need to be content about only doing it once the planets have aligned, it seems.
I really like Navigator, even though it's a mellow aquatic IMHO. Usually I prefer more bold aquatics, but this one can be rather nice if you want something inoffensive. ZM soap is really great for my skin, especially since I tried the Hendrix with a halved BIC today. Honestly, it wasn't the best feeling and I'd rather not do it again - live and learn.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
Razor: HNDRX razor
Razor: Leaf Thorn
Blade: Derby Premium (both)
Lather: E&S Rasage Traditionnel - Shaman
Post Shave: Lavera Men Sensitive ASB (killed)
2 passes on the head, 1 on the face. No problems with the dome, but razor burn and irritation on the face - I blame the soap.
So I survived the heat weekend and work and had two days off before going back into the early shift (yuck!) tomorrow. The heat finally faded to much nicer temperatures and we even got a bit of rain today.
Unfortunately for my shave, I grabbed a soap that's not only a little bit finicky to lather, it has gone bad. There were lots of small little pieces, kinda like clumps in a protein shake in my lather. The lather itself was a gooey mess, no structure whatsoever. It was like shaving with a semitransparent gel... The scent was still ok, but there was no saving it. I even completely started over for shaving around my goatee and it was even worse - even irritated my face with the fragrance oils, I have some red splotches on my neck now. Unfortunate ending, but I had to throw the soap away after I was done with my shave. I still have enough soap to last me a lifetime, so I won't bother with something that only gives me trouble.
In other news: surprise, surprise - our german soccer team still sucks. Not every single player, but unfortunately the majority. Watching this match yesterday was over two hours of torture - uninspired, unstable, no motivation nor creativity whatsoever. I think the trouble during qualifications was a bad omen and I was right. At least we save ourselves the blame of playing against the superstars of France, who would easily beat us 6 - 0 in this current state. At least now I can enjoy the world cup as a neutral viewer mostly (except for England, I really hope they reach the final).
I resumed my calisthenics training today and it feels good to be active again. Still 26°C in my flat, but I didn't care and it was still good. I probably know why I much prefer individual sports over team sports 😂
Yes, I think cold water is the only option during such temperatures. I even shower mostly with cool water (not extremely cold though, just enough to cool my body temperature down). 👍🏻
Last day of paid leave/vacation time for me before I return into the late shift at the hospital tomorrow.
Despite not having an actual vacation (I missed searching for good travel options yet again), I got some new items and some things done. Additionally, the unexpected heatwave would've hit me way harder at work than at home - however, I still feel kinda trapped inside if that makes sense? Heat is really not for me, which is why I usually avoid the "ideal holiday locations" my colleagues favour, like e.g. Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Spain. I feel much more at home in mild or even colder climates.
I've paused my current training in calisthenics and will resume next week due to the heat supposedly fading by then. I trained twice during some less hot days and the second time had me feeling like I'd die despite not doing much. Nevertheless, I ordered some XL Parallettes/Dip Bars by Gravity Fitness from the UK and received them on Wednesday. Very sturdy equipment which now completes my budget home gym setup.
I was also finally able to get myself a new gaming handheld PC despite the crazy price situation and shortages, a Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS. It has the weaker Chipset of their available models, but it was a very good deal overall. Also, just in time for a Summer Sale on Steam! Looking forward to playing a few older titles I have missed throughout the years.
Some other hobbies had to be put on the back burner due to my current situation and the extreme weather, namely drawing and wetshaving. As for drawing, I often lack the creative energy and the discipline to stick with lots of the fundamental exercises. Shaving was simply impossible in an already hot and humid bathroom; really glad that I managed to get a shave in today because at the weekend I've got work and the peak of the heat to survive.
Brush: AP Shave Co. Snakeskin w/ 26 mm Silksmoke Flattop/Fan hybrid knot
Razor: HNDRX Razor
Razor: Stando Perun
Blade: Derby Premium half-DEs
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
Lather: Abbate Y La Mantia - Blu Tobacco
Post Shave: Störtebekker - Tortuga AS Tonic spray
2 passes on the head with the HNDRX, 1 on the neck with the Perun. Exhausting due to the heat, but smooth nonetheless.
Last day off for me. The current heatwave in Europe also hits Germany hard, albeit not as extreme as France (my thoughts go out to @PorkButtsNTaters666@wetshav.ing , that extreme heat really sucks). While the French people get 42+°C, our max will be reached tomorrow at 40°C (= about 104°F for our imperial folks!). Just right when I need to get back to work for a late shift, yay 😮💨
Despite my best effort my flat has also heated up quite a lot since this heat lasts for over 8 days already - I am just a bit over 27°C in all of my rooms. I already wanted to shave yesterday, but my bathroom reached a record high of 28,7°C and I decided I just couldn't do it. Unlike most homes in the US, we don't have any built in AC over here. Today it's 36°C and the apartment complex is very hot all around. Had a lot of stubble to knock down on the dome, but it could be done in two passes.
Blu Tobacco was very quick to lather with this flat brush and provided a much needed cooling sensation with the menthol. The aftershave spray was killed today, but I am keeping the bottle and filled it with water to spray on myself periodically. I'll also take it to work with me tomorrow.
It actually feels great to be "smooth up top" again, can't imagine going with any kind of hair especially during that summer heat. But just this short shave exhausted me enough that I had to take a bit of rest after it. Fuck this heat, why can't we have a normal summer?! 🥵
Honestly they were the better team for long periods of the game, but our joker Undav brought the win. I seriously thought we'd be lucky with a 1-1 draw until the final goal. CIV can definitely be proud of their performance though, it was a hard match!
2 passes on the head, 1 on the face (mostly to touch up the lines of the circle beard). Comfy head shave, a few blood spots around the beard with the shavette.
So I finally did my head shave, just forgot to post it on time. I had quite a lot of stubble to knock down this time, but the HNDRX managed - much to my surprise, since it almost perfectly emulates a cartridge razor and those usually struggle at that length. The only other flaw I could find with it so far, apart from being not good at beard lines/contouring, is that the gaps under the blades (lather channels?) are rather narrow/thin and hair with soap gets caught easily there. In other words, it clogs easier than e.g. my Leaf Thorn or Stando Perun. Not as easily as other cartridge razors do, but it's noticeable. I also think it's time to change blades before the next shave. I kinda want to see how it performs with a BIC, just need to snap one perfectly in the middle. I think it's worth it to test it more, currently I'm somewhat in a honeymoon phase with it.
As for Rope Swing, the heat over here is still in full swing so it was an easy choice. Provided some much needed cooldown. I had a nice evening despite sweating like a marathon runner while not doing much, had a family barbecue with my parents and we watched the World Cup game of our team afterwards (narrow last-minute win against CIV). The current soccer world cup being held in America and Mexico means very late games for us in GER, but I can do with that.
A very fast shave before running some errands. Almost forgot to post it.
So this time I stretched the skin around my jaw more upwards and it definitely got me a closer result. We've got quite hot weather here atm and Rope Swing helped nicely by providing at least a little relief. I still need to do my head ASAP.
2 passes on the head as well as the face around a fresh henriquatre. Again a rather irritation-free shave, but smoother on the dome than on the face.
So it was time for a second try of the HNDRX today. I was wondering if it could be any good for face shaving, since on the box it's clearly advised to use it for shaving body hair (I mean, head shaving is often lumped together with body shaving). So I was curious enough to try it out...
Of course it has similar limitations to a cartridge razor and by extension also the Leaf/Shavent razors: it's not suitable for getting a sharp line-up/contours on a beard. I had to supplement with my Leaf Thorn for the detail work on the sides and chin part of the beard for a good result. However, it worked good for the rest of my face except that it also struggles to get my jawline very smooth without skin stretching.
It delivered a very flawless head shave once again and tbh, one of the closest ones I ever had without much effort or any redness or bleeding. I'd say it's perfectly suited to that job - I might even be tempted to try going ATG on the sides of my head next time, something that usually ended in razor burn or ingrown hairs with other razors. Once I fold my ears over, it also has no problem with the tricky areas around the ears and doesn't cut me there.
As for the face? Very smooth on the sideburns and cheeks. Good to OK on the neck (ATG pass felt less cool, but Derby Premiums aren't the sharpest either). As for the jawline, I definitely need to stretch my skin there up again despite the pivoting action. My jawbones are very prominent and this is, as it seems, a necessary technique to get the underside shaved smoothly. Definitely something I need to keep in mind for next time. As explained, it doesn't do any contouring and I need an additional tool for that. So far though, that's the only flaw that I can find with it.
As for the software, usually Peaches & Cognac is awesome, but today I had a mild burn on my face from it. More of a tingling. I know A&E uses a lot of fragrance, but I usually never had problems with this one here and couldn't feel anything weird on my scalp. Strange... Then again, this soap is now a bit older and still in Peter's OG Kaizen base - we're now up to "Ultima" from Kaizen2 and Kaizen2e. Maybe frag oils become more aggressive with age or protective ingredients less effective? Who knows.
Lather: Barrister and Mann - The Full Measure of Man
Post Shave: Störtebekker - Tortuga Aftershave Tonic spray
Additional Care: Moisturiser
2 passes on the dome. Smooth, irritation free shave.
So I received this razor from amazon on Friday. It's a pivoting safety razor, similar to the Leaf or Shavent. After seeing that the Shavent is mostly made of Zamac, I didn't really want to spend so much on it. This one here claims to be mostly stainless steel, which from the weight of the handle seems to be true. I guess the head could be aluminium. Here's a link with some pictures
The handle has some nice ridges, making it rather grippy. I must say, I was impressed with the first result - a very close yet smooth shave, handling is similar to a cartridge razor just minus the plastic and slimy goop strip. I'll see how it holds up - at the price it's hard to beat (I got mine at just 50€). Blade feel is definitely present with it, but it's a nice shaver. Very much an autopilot razor on first impression.
Night shift is good so far, currently posting from my break.
2 passes on the head, 1 on the neck. A few weepers here and there, I blame nerves.
Now it's 12 days instead of 14 since my last post. Small improvement, but I count it.
Actually my work has brought my energy levels down quite a lot, I look forward to my two weeks of paid leave in mid-June. However, tonight I have the first ever night shift at the hospital - first of 3 in total, but after over 6 months they finally trust me enough to work nights. Despite this being my wish, I am certainly very nervous and am feeling it in my digestive system and my shaky hands. I blame most of the blood spots/weepers on bad technique and going to fast with shaky hands. Otherwise, it was a pretty solid shave!
I picked Neon Sun since it usually helps me to focus on nice things. Such a clean, classic masculine cologne scent. It's also hard to go wrong with Noble Otter, the base is really slick for head shaving. Maybe I should've picked a milder razor, but since I also wanted to shave my neckline (can't seriously commit to the required daily grooming of a circle beard atm, so it's just stubble atm) it seemed like a good choice. Forgot about the neck shave until after already rinsing my brush, so I just applied some soap with wet hands and worked it up with some more water. It definitely helped to see the lines more clearly, but it probably provided less protection that way.
I sure hope I can get back into the habit of regular wetshaving once my vacation period is here. My technique needs serious improvement, I even watched some basic videos in preparation for this shave. Now at least I look good enough for the night shift, off to the gas station and grocery shopping I go...
Better than expected, as usual with my unrealistic phobias. Got a full dental checkup, an x-ray and they removed some dental calculus. Got two follow-up appointments for September, since two of my old fillings need to be replaced since they've shifted over time - the one that gives me trouble probably has some caries around it too, but thankfully none of my teeth need to be pulled.
23. August 2026
Pre-workout shave yet again - 1 pass on head and neck, comfortable shave.
This was a nice shave. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, first in almost two years. I have terrible anxiety - to the point that I even got an anxiety attack after my workout, sigh... Due to this, I feel extremely defeated and exhausted. Can't write much more right now.
20. August 2026
2 passes on the head, 1 on the neck. Very comfortable shave with no bleeding at all!
I actually wanted to do this shave since Saturday, but alas, there's always something holding me up. Mostly it's my work, it's currently rather exhausting again.
However, I did this shave when it actually still was Thursday before my home training session. I could leave a bit earlier today and wanted to make the most of it, so a great shave before a nice workout seemed like perfect late evening plans...
And somehow, this shave was strikingly good. I took my time, washed my head and face beforehand and made short, deliberate strokes with the razor. Truly a great feeling when you don't need to rush your shave! FMoM smells great, like an old cigar shop - and it's in Omnibus base, so great for my skin.
I'm done with trying to make the goatee work though. I've really tried in the last few days, but even the trimmer and electric shaver irritate my face badly. I guess it's just really short, well-groomed stubble until the end for me. Well, at least I can shave around that! The neck part of the shave was really good too and it feels really satisfying to have this smooth, soft feeling on my neck again. I'll do the cheek line in due time, currently the stubble is knocked down to 1 mm and barely noticeable to anyone but myself.
9. August 2026
1 pass on the head with the Hendrix razor, 2 on my face around the beard with the Hawk. Oh, and one on the chest with the HNDRX. Overall, face shave felt the best - suffered a tiny cut on the back of my head.
This extended shave was done before my home workout session. Provided some much needed cooldown in the summer heat. Today I tried the HNDRX with the "Japanese blades" that came with it and I was unimpressed. These are definitely no Feathers, they were rather dull. Normally I don't get cut with this razor, but these were the cause of some blood loss on the back of my head. I cut the shave short after that, only 1 WTG pass on the dome. To get at least something out of it, I also shaved my chest with it. Normally I only trim it, but at the current temperatures it's rather easy. Then again, I ain't no Tom Selleck - there's not a lot of hair there anyway, which is why I prefer to cut it short. I used my Better be Bold head shave cream for this bit of body shaving, and unsurprisingly it also works for parts other than your head. The HNDRX has its flaws: there's a tiny magnet in the top compartment that is loose and sticks to the old blades every time I change them and when used with brushless creams, it gunks up rather quickly. Still it's a good razor for uneven terrain.
As for the face shave: quick, efficient and comfortable. Somehow the Hawk is great for that.
5. August 2026
2 passes WTG on the head and 2 around my stubble goatee on the face. Comfortable shave yet again.
It was the third hot day in a row over here, so I needed some kind of cooldown. The menthol in Blu Tobacco at least helped to get through this shave - temperature in my bathroom has climbed up over 28°C and due to so called "tropical nights" where temperatures don't fall below 20°C, I fear it'll stay that way.
Anyways, I figured it was time to do my face with a real good shave after trimming it neatly yesterday. Only used a trimmer and my foil shaver yesterday, but it was good enough to spend the least amount possible in my hot and humid bathroom. Like on my head, I kept it easy - mostly WTG, except some XTG on the cheeks and for the "line work" of the beard. I must admit that the Leaf is slowly falling out of favour with me, it is good enough on the dome but the Derbys struggle with my stiff beard hair. The handle is also awkward to hold at certain angles since it has this conical shape. Except for the purple "Fig" colour, it's a rather unaesthetic razor 🫤
Unfortunately that is business as usual at the hospital I work at. Our station is really understaffed and the remaining personnel has to fill in all the gaps. Like I said, August brings me a full seven night shifts in a row and so far, there has almost been no month where I haven't had a full week of work at least once. Except June, since I had vacation days there 😅 I need to assess the situation after summer is over - this might not be my job forever.
4. August 2026
Cold water shave, two passes WTG. Still taking it slowly after some recent skin issues on my scalp. This was a very comfortable, albeit not too close shave. But comfort beats closeness in that case.
So I actually did a proper shave again, hooray! I got this cream recently from amazon, Better be Bold makes a lot of overpriced stuff for baldies - but since it is 150 ml of brushless cream for just under 20€, I can't complain. So far I only tested it with an electric shaver, but that wasn't the greatest experience. Electrics, despite their IPX 5/6/7 ratings, are meant for dry use IMHO and that's where they don't hurt me. With any cream, I usually get razor burn from electrics. Why did I even get one? I wanted something to at least shave my head in some capacity and my zero gap trimmer is too harsh for that. Anyways, it looks like my scalp has calmed down enough to do at least some wetshaving.
The cream touts an "Ultra-Glide Formula" and I was skeptical due to the nature of brushless creams. However, if enough is used, it actually provides very good slickness. The scent is very fitting for the current high temperatures: citrus and maritime notes, kinda in the fresh aquatic ballpark. Fits perfectly with HAGS Apocalypse I thought and indeed, it was a great combo.
Since I had way more stubble than I expected after just two days of not trimming/shaving, I used the Thorn. It made quick work of it, just had to be rinsed more often to get the gunk out.
So now I have an option when I'm in a hurry or short on time which unfortunately is a common occasion recently. Currently I'm at the second day of 3 days off after yet another 7 late shifts in a row and don't feel that recovered yet. Just need to work Thursday and Friday this week, but the following it's 7 night shifts in a row. I think a lot of my current health issues (skin rashes on the scalp, stomach aches, etc.) are stress-related. Sigh.
24. July 2026
2 passes on the head. Lots of weepers unfortunately, very rough shave.
This shave was done before my night shift and I kinda wish I had left everything alone after just one pass. Overall a rather irritating shave, probably because of some recent skin issues on my scalp.
21. July 2026
2 passes on the head with the Hendrix, 1 on the neck. A bit rough on the neck, I need to get back into the swing of things.
So I actually shaved on Tuesday, but forgot to post. Oh well, time to rectify that.
Between my work and other hobbies there's rarely time left for a slow paced traditional shave. Unfortunately. Today was a rare occasion where I had enough time, energy and motivation to get a really smooth shave. I need to be content about only doing it once the planets have aligned, it seems.
I really like Navigator, even though it's a mellow aquatic IMHO. Usually I prefer more bold aquatics, but this one can be rather nice if you want something inoffensive. ZM soap is really great for my skin, especially since I tried the Hendrix with a halved BIC today. Honestly, it wasn't the best feeling and I'd rather not do it again - live and learn.
30. June 2026
2 passes on the head, 1 on the face. No problems with the dome, but razor burn and irritation on the face - I blame the soap.
So I survived the heat weekend and work and had two days off before going back into the early shift (yuck!) tomorrow. The heat finally faded to much nicer temperatures and we even got a bit of rain today.
Unfortunately for my shave, I grabbed a soap that's not only a little bit finicky to lather, it has gone bad. There were lots of small little pieces, kinda like clumps in a protein shake in my lather. The lather itself was a gooey mess, no structure whatsoever. It was like shaving with a semitransparent gel... The scent was still ok, but there was no saving it. I even completely started over for shaving around my goatee and it was even worse - even irritated my face with the fragrance oils, I have some red splotches on my neck now. Unfortunate ending, but I had to throw the soap away after I was done with my shave. I still have enough soap to last me a lifetime, so I won't bother with something that only gives me trouble.
In other news: surprise, surprise - our german soccer team still sucks. Not every single player, but unfortunately the majority. Watching this match yesterday was over two hours of torture - uninspired, unstable, no motivation nor creativity whatsoever. I think the trouble during qualifications was a bad omen and I was right. At least we save ourselves the blame of playing against the superstars of France, who would easily beat us 6 - 0 in this current state. At least now I can enjoy the world cup as a neutral viewer mostly (except for England, I really hope they reach the final).
I resumed my calisthenics training today and it feels good to be active again. Still 26°C in my flat, but I didn't care and it was still good. I probably know why I much prefer individual sports over team sports 😂
Yes, I think cold water is the only option during such temperatures. I even shower mostly with cool water (not extremely cold though, just enough to cool my body temperature down). 👍🏻
Last day of paid leave/vacation time for me before I return into the late shift at the hospital tomorrow.
Despite not having an actual vacation (I missed searching for good travel options yet again), I got some new items and some things done. Additionally, the unexpected heatwave would've hit me way harder at work than at home - however, I still feel kinda trapped inside if that makes sense? Heat is really not for me, which is why I usually avoid the "ideal holiday locations" my colleagues favour, like e.g. Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Spain. I feel much more at home in mild or even colder climates.
I've paused my current training in calisthenics and will resume next week due to the heat supposedly fading by then. I trained twice during some less hot days and the second time had me feeling like I'd die despite not doing much. Nevertheless, I ordered some XL Parallettes/Dip Bars by Gravity Fitness from the UK and received them on Wednesday. Very sturdy equipment which now completes my budget home gym setup.
I was also finally able to get myself a new gaming handheld PC despite the crazy price situation and shortages, a Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS. It has the weaker Chipset of their available models, but it was a very good deal overall. Also, just in time for a Summer Sale on Steam! Looking forward to playing a few older titles I have missed throughout the years.
Some other hobbies had to be put on the back burner due to my current situation and the extreme weather, namely drawing and wetshaving. As for drawing, I often lack the creative energy and the discipline to stick with lots of the fundamental exercises. Shaving was simply impossible in an already hot and humid bathroom; really glad that I managed to get a shave in today because at the weekend I've got work and the peak of the heat to survive.
26. June 2026 - Heatwave Shave
2 passes on the head with the HNDRX, 1 on the neck with the Perun. Exhausting due to the heat, but smooth nonetheless.
Last day off for me. The current heatwave in Europe also hits Germany hard, albeit not as extreme as France (my thoughts go out to @PorkButtsNTaters666@wetshav.ing , that extreme heat really sucks). While the French people get 42+°C, our max will be reached tomorrow at 40°C (= about 104°F for our imperial folks!). Just right when I need to get back to work for a late shift, yay 😮💨
Despite my best effort my flat has also heated up quite a lot since this heat lasts for over 8 days already - I am just a bit over 27°C in all of my rooms. I already wanted to shave yesterday, but my bathroom reached a record high of 28,7°C and I decided I just couldn't do it. Unlike most homes in the US, we don't have any built in AC over here. Today it's 36°C and the apartment complex is very hot all around. Had a lot of stubble to knock down on the dome, but it could be done in two passes.
Blu Tobacco was very quick to lather with this flat brush and provided a much needed cooling sensation with the menthol. The aftershave spray was killed today, but I am keeping the bottle and filled it with water to spray on myself periodically. I'll also take it to work with me tomorrow.
It actually feels great to be "smooth up top" again, can't imagine going with any kind of hair especially during that summer heat. But just this short shave exhausted me enough that I had to take a bit of rest after it. Fuck this heat, why can't we have a normal summer?! 🥵
Honestly they were the better team for long periods of the game, but our joker Undav brought the win. I seriously thought we'd be lucky with a 1-1 draw until the final goal. CIV can definitely be proud of their performance though, it was a hard match!
20. June 2026
2 passes on the head, 1 on the face (mostly to touch up the lines of the circle beard). Comfy head shave, a few blood spots around the beard with the shavette.
So I finally did my head shave, just forgot to post it on time. I had quite a lot of stubble to knock down this time, but the HNDRX managed - much to my surprise, since it almost perfectly emulates a cartridge razor and those usually struggle at that length. The only other flaw I could find with it so far, apart from being not good at beard lines/contouring, is that the gaps under the blades (lather channels?) are rather narrow/thin and hair with soap gets caught easily there. In other words, it clogs easier than e.g. my Leaf Thorn or Stando Perun. Not as easily as other cartridge razors do, but it's noticeable. I also think it's time to change blades before the next shave. I kinda want to see how it performs with a BIC, just need to snap one perfectly in the middle. I think it's worth it to test it more, currently I'm somewhat in a honeymoon phase with it.
As for Rope Swing, the heat over here is still in full swing so it was an easy choice. Provided some much needed cooldown. I had a nice evening despite sweating like a marathon runner while not doing much, had a family barbecue with my parents and we watched the World Cup game of our team afterwards (narrow last-minute win against CIV). The current soccer world cup being held in America and Mexico means very late games for us in GER, but I can do with that.
19. June 2026
Just 2 passes on the face, good shave.
A very fast shave before running some errands. Almost forgot to post it. So this time I stretched the skin around my jaw more upwards and it definitely got me a closer result. We've got quite hot weather here atm and Rope Swing helped nicely by providing at least a little relief. I still need to do my head ASAP.
HNDRX Razor, second impression - 15. June 2026
2 passes on the head as well as the face around a fresh henriquatre. Again a rather irritation-free shave, but smoother on the dome than on the face.
So it was time for a second try of the HNDRX today. I was wondering if it could be any good for face shaving, since on the box it's clearly advised to use it for shaving body hair (I mean, head shaving is often lumped together with body shaving). So I was curious enough to try it out...
Of course it has similar limitations to a cartridge razor and by extension also the Leaf/Shavent razors: it's not suitable for getting a sharp line-up/contours on a beard. I had to supplement with my Leaf Thorn for the detail work on the sides and chin part of the beard for a good result. However, it worked good for the rest of my face except that it also struggles to get my jawline very smooth without skin stretching.
It delivered a very flawless head shave once again and tbh, one of the closest ones I ever had without much effort or any redness or bleeding. I'd say it's perfectly suited to that job - I might even be tempted to try going ATG on the sides of my head next time, something that usually ended in razor burn or ingrown hairs with other razors. Once I fold my ears over, it also has no problem with the tricky areas around the ears and doesn't cut me there.
As for the face? Very smooth on the sideburns and cheeks. Good to OK on the neck (ATG pass felt less cool, but Derby Premiums aren't the sharpest either). As for the jawline, I definitely need to stretch my skin there up again despite the pivoting action. My jawbones are very prominent and this is, as it seems, a necessary technique to get the underside shaved smoothly. Definitely something I need to keep in mind for next time. As explained, it doesn't do any contouring and I need an additional tool for that. So far though, that's the only flaw that I can find with it.
As for the software, usually Peaches & Cognac is awesome, but today I had a mild burn on my face from it. More of a tingling. I know A&E uses a lot of fragrance, but I usually never had problems with this one here and couldn't feel anything weird on my scalp. Strange... Then again, this soap is now a bit older and still in Peter's OG Kaizen base - we're now up to "Ultima" from Kaizen2 and Kaizen2e. Maybe frag oils become more aggressive with age or protective ingredients less effective? Who knows.
HNDRX razor first impression - 12. Juni 2026
2 passes on the dome. Smooth, irritation free shave.
So I received this razor from amazon on Friday. It's a pivoting safety razor, similar to the Leaf or Shavent. After seeing that the Shavent is mostly made of Zamac, I didn't really want to spend so much on it. This one here claims to be mostly stainless steel, which from the weight of the handle seems to be true. I guess the head could be aluminium. Here's a link with some pictures
The handle has some nice ridges, making it rather grippy. I must say, I was impressed with the first result - a very close yet smooth shave, handling is similar to a cartridge razor just minus the plastic and slimy goop strip. I'll see how it holds up - at the price it's hard to beat (I got mine at just 50€). Blade feel is definitely present with it, but it's a nice shaver. Very much an autopilot razor on first impression.
Night shift is good so far, currently posting from my break.
10. June 2026 - Pre-Night Shift Shave
2 passes on the head, 1 on the neck. A few weepers here and there, I blame nerves.
Now it's 12 days instead of 14 since my last post. Small improvement, but I count it.
Actually my work has brought my energy levels down quite a lot, I look forward to my two weeks of paid leave in mid-June. However, tonight I have the first ever night shift at the hospital - first of 3 in total, but after over 6 months they finally trust me enough to work nights. Despite this being my wish, I am certainly very nervous and am feeling it in my digestive system and my shaky hands. I blame most of the blood spots/weepers on bad technique and going to fast with shaky hands. Otherwise, it was a pretty solid shave!
I picked Neon Sun since it usually helps me to focus on nice things. Such a clean, classic masculine cologne scent. It's also hard to go wrong with Noble Otter, the base is really slick for head shaving. Maybe I should've picked a milder razor, but since I also wanted to shave my neckline (can't seriously commit to the required daily grooming of a circle beard atm, so it's just stubble atm) it seemed like a good choice. Forgot about the neck shave until after already rinsing my brush, so I just applied some soap with wet hands and worked it up with some more water. It definitely helped to see the lines more clearly, but it probably provided less protection that way.
I sure hope I can get back into the habit of regular wetshaving once my vacation period is here. My technique needs serious improvement, I even watched some basic videos in preparation for this shave. Now at least I look good enough for the night shift, off to the gas station and grocery shopping I go...
Sounds like a good idea, definitely better than shaving after working out (shaky hands and legs) 😅