u/AloneWest6922

Razor: 1948 Gillette Fat Handle Tech

Blade: Astra Platinum

Brush: Amazon Pure Badger

Soap: Cella

Aftershave: Denim Black

First time using an Astra Platinum blade and gee whiz, what an exceptionally smooth shave! Right from the first pass, it felt comfortable, smooth and nicely efficient. The old Tech and Astra made a cracking combination.

Also first time trying out Denim Black, and I have to say, I absolutely love it. Excellent stuff with some Drakkar-ish vibes - a proper old school scent that really hits the spot.

A rich Cella lather, a smooth shave and a great splash to finish. Doesn't get much better than that.

Happy Days 🍻

Razor: 1938 Gillette Aristocrat No. 19, 1st Generation

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (3rd use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Soap: Tabac

Cologne: Tabac

A slow and enjoyable shave today, and a particularly welcome return to my Aristocrat.

I haven’t used this beautiful razor in over three months, and I’ve really missed it. There’s something special about putting this vintage Gillette back in my hand - the craftsmanship, balance and character make it such a pleasure to use. Paired with a Wiz on its third use, it delivered a smooth, controlled and thoroughly satisfying shave.

Today was also my first time using Tabac, and I can certainly see what all the fuss is about. The soap produced a lovely lather, and that unmistakable powdery, clean and classic scent was fantastic. Finishing with the cologne complemented the soap beautifully.

I can see why Tabac is still around. It really is an absolute classic. After enjoying it today, I may have to buy the matching aftershave.

Everything about this shave felt peaceful and relaxing. No rushing, just taking the time to enjoy the razor, the lather and the whole experience.

A wonderful return to a much missed razor and a fantastic first experience with Tabac.

Happy Days 🍻

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tasmanian Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

My challenge this year was to work on my lathering skills. I’ve done this in previous years, but more recently I’ve predominantly been face lathering. It took me until around my fourth shave to really get back into the swing of bowl lathering, but after that I felt I had it pretty well sorted.

I’ve also really come to enjoy using Wizamet Super Iridiums throughout the month. Would I prefer them over my favourite PermaSharps? For me, they’re very similar, although I’ve found the Wizamets don’t quite last as long. That said, if my PermaSharps weren’t available, I’d happily purchase a carton of Wizamets. They’ve definitely proven themselves to be a very good alternative.

The Speick shaving cream has been exceptional. I mentioned in an earlier post that I’d be buying a tub by the end of the month, but I think I might reconsider that for the time being. I’ve just had enough of that herbal lavender scent for a while. 😂

I’ve also mentioned before that I’ve burnt through the clear coat on the inside of the bowl. Well, as you can see, it turns out there’s some wear on the outside too. 🤣 Clearly, it’s getting plenty of use!

Overall, it’s been a great month. I achieved what I set out to do with the lathering challenge, discovered I really enjoy the Wizamets, and confirmed that nine shaves of Austere August is probably enough for me.

Would I participate in the challenge again next year? Probably not. 🤣

Austere August 2026 - Complete. ✅

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (7th use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tassie Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

Another Austere August shave in the books, and for the most part, this one was shaping up to be a really enjoyable shave. The old Krona paired with the Wiz continues to be a great combination, even with the blade now on its 7th use. Plenty of life left in it yet.

As usual, the brush whipped up a lovely Speick lather in the fairly worn blackwood bowl, and everything was going along nicely. Comfortable, smooth, and generally exactly what I was hoping for from today's shave.

Then, just as I was nearing the end, the bloody phone rang.

I turned my head and said, "Can you answer tha..."

Slice.

Yep. A small cut. 😑

Apparently, turning your head while holding a razor isn't quite the technique they teach in Shaving 101.

Out came the styptic pencil, applied a little pressure, and thankfully it was nothing to worry about. All good and back to finishing the shave.

The Old Spice finished things off nicely, and despite the little bit of drama at the end, it was still a great shave.

Austere August: Seventh Shave complete, blade still going strong, and phone officially blamed for the only casualty. 😅

It’s not every day we get a sale like this here in Aus. Looking forward to trying the Tabac and Paco Rabanne Pour Homme Aftershave in September.

u/LittleCooties: here's one on me mate 🍻

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (6th use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tassie Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

Six shaves into Austere August and this was an absolute cracker.

The Krona paired with the Wiz has been an outstanding combination. This is the blade's sixth use now, and I'm genuinely impressed with how well it's holding up. It hasn't lost any of its smoothness or efficiency, and once again it delivered a fantastic shave with no hint that it's already seen five previous outings. I’m curious to see just how far I can push this blade.

Speick provided a rich, slick lather, and the Old Spice made for a classic finish.

Halfway through the shave, I happened to look at the empty Schick blade bank and started wondering about the vintage blades these razors would originally have been paired with.

Has anyone here actually used vintage Schick blades? If so, what were they like? Were they good performers in their day, and how do they compare with the modern blades we use today?

I'd particularly love to hear from anyone who has actually shaved with the old blades rather than simply collecting them. Are they worth tracking down and putting to use, or is it better to stick with the modern alternatives?

Another superb shave in the books. Austere August is now past the halfway point, and the challenge continues to deliver some great shaves.

Not long to go now fellas. Keep at it 🍻

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (5th use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tasmanian Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

It’s been a fairly hectic couple of days, but I’ve managed to keep Austere August on track with shave number five.

Today’s shave was another beauty. The Krona and Wiz blade, now on their fifth use, delivered a wonderfully smooth and comfortable shave. Speick and Old Spice rounded everything off nicely. 👌

I did notice one small issue with the brush. The retaining ring has developed a crack. Thankfully, I’m really not bothered by it. Still working perfectly well, so I’ll carry on using it.

It’s been an expensive couple of days, too. A new set of Pirelli tyres for the car has set me back a bit. And, as if that wasn’t enough, I’ve also treated myself to something else for the shaving den. 😏

I know. I’ve probably bent the rules of Austere August a little, but I’m still using exactly the same gear and the same blade. Sometimes you just need a little incentive... right? 😁

I’m not going to reveal the new acquisition just yet. The question is whether I let the cat out of the bag now or keep it under wraps until September.

Might go and give it a clean now since I've got some spare time.

Five shaves down, and Austere August is still going strong.

Oh, and another thing - you can all blame this fella for being the enabler behind that purchase: u/jcr-1991 hahaha 😉

Cheers 🍻

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (3rd use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tasmanian Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

Third shave of Austere August.

The Krona and Wizamet are working really well together, making for another easy, comfortable shave. Speick continues to deliver a slick, creamy lather with a great post shave feel, and I wrapped things up with a splash of Old Spice. It's nice settling into the routine and getting to know the gear a little better with each shave.

Cheers guys 🍻

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (2nd use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tassie Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

Second shave with the Wizamet and it was an absolute belter. Smooth, efficient, and incredibly comfortable in the Krona. Hard to ask for much more.

One thing that's really surprised me is Speick. The more I use it, the more the scent evolves for me. What started as a straightforward herbal scent is now giving me definite cola vibes - almost like L.A. Ice or Pepsi. Once I noticed it, that's all I seem to get now, and I'm not complaining - it's great!

A splash of Old Spice to finish, and that's another excellent Austere August shave in the books.

Looking forward to seeing how both the blade and my appreciation for Speick continue to develop over the month.

Keep it up fellas! 🍻

Picked this up at a flea market today and thought it'd make a great shaving bowl.

It started life as an old silver plated coaster set. There were only a couple of coasters left, and the plating on them was pretty rough, so I binned those and kept the holder.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any before photos, but after a good clean and polish, this is how it turned out. I'm really happy with it. It's a decent size for loading and building lather, and the patterned rim gives a surprisingly secure grip, even with wet hands.

Always satisfying when you can give something old a new purpose. Looking forward to putting it into the rotation, that is, after the AA challenge is complete.

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (1st use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tasmanian Blackwood

Shaving Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Old Spice

A fantastic first shave to kick off Austere August. The Krona paired extremely well with the Wizamet blade, and the Speick shaving cream produced a rich, protective lather that made for a smooth and comfortable shave. Finished off with the classic scent of Old Spice.

This year, I've decided to take on Difficult Mode, with the Krona as my main razor throughout the month. I've only used it once previously, so I'm looking forward to getting to know it better and seeing how my technique develops with more consistent use.

I also started the month with a fresh blade after finding some rust on the one I had originally planned to use. It will be interesting to see how many shaves I can get from this one, especially as I usually shave every three to four days.

One of my goals for Austere August is to further refine my bowl lathering technique. I have experience with bowl lathering from years ago, but I see this challenge as a great opportunity to revisit and improve my consistency and overall approach.

Good luck to everyone taking part in Austere August.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's shaves throughout the month 👍

Razor: 1950's British Gillette Flare Tip Rocket

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium (1st use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Soap: Zingari Man - The Highlander

Aftershave: Brut

Finally gave the Wizamet Super Iridium a try today... wow. I wasn't expecting it to be that good. Sharp, ridiculously smooth, and just effortless from beginning to end. The Rocket felt like the perfect match, and The Highlander delivered its usual outstanding lather.

It's always interesting trying a blade for the first time because you never quite know what to expect, especially when it's one that gets talked about so much. This one exceeded every expectation I had. The blade felt incredibly refined - efficient without ever feeling aggressive - and the shave was comfortable from the first pass right through to the finish.

Rounded things off with a splash of Brut, which seemed like the perfect way to end an outstanding shave. If this first outing is anything to go by, the Super Iridium is going to earn a regular spot in the rotation.

Cheers fellas 🍻

Razor: 1960 Gillette Fatboy

Blade: Nacet (2nd use)

Brush: Amazon Pure Badger

Soap: Proraso Green

Aftershave Balm: Malizia Uomo

The Fatboy delivered another smooth and comfortable shave today, and the Nacet on its second use paired with it beautifully. I'm really beginning to appreciate Nacets - the balance of sharpness, smoothness, and consistency has been excellent. The more I use them, the more they impress me, and they may be the blade I use if I decide to take part in the upcoming Austere August challenge.

It was also great to bring Proraso back into the rotation. I hadn't used it in a while, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. The classic menthol kick, familiar scent, easy lather, and dependable performance made it a welcome return.

Finished off with Malizia Uomo Aftershave Balm for a soothing and refreshed finish.

A classic razor, the return of an old favourite soap, and a blade that continues to impress - another very enjoyable Fatboy Friday shave.

Cheers guys 🍻

Razor: 1948 Gillette Fat Handle Tech

Blade: Nacet (1st use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tassie Blackwood

Cream: Palmolive

Aftershave: Brut

Today's shave paired the Tech with a first use Nacet blade, Palmolive cream, and a splash of Brut to finish. Palmolive delivered its usual dependable, slick lather, and the classic Brut was a great way to round out the shave.

The Nacet was a delightful surprise. I'd say it's very similar to a PermaSharp - smooth, sharp, and efficient, delivering a comfortable shave with excellent results.

The only downside came after the shave. The blade had so much glue residue on it that it stuck firmly to the baseplate. I ended up having to carefully pry it loose using an old discarded blade, which wasn't ideal. Hopefully that's just a one off, because the shave itself was excellent.

Overall, a fantastic first impression of the Nacet, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs over the next few shaves.

Cheers

Razor: 1965 Schick Krona

Blade: PermaSharp (2nd use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Bowl: Tasmanian Blackwood

Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Malizia Uomo

Today's shave was all about trying a couple of new additions to the den.

This was my first shave with a Krona, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. Paired with a second use PermaSharp, it delivered a smooth, comfortable shave with very little effort. The razor has a slight head heavy feel, but it's still well balanced overall, making it easy to guide without feeling cumbersome. There's just enough blade feel to know what's going on without ever becoming harsh. I can already tell this one is going to see plenty of use.

The other debut was a Tasmanian Blackwood lather bowl that I picked up from a local thrift store for just $3. I couldn't leave it behind at that price, especially given how nicely made it is. I usually face lather whenever I'm using a cream, so it had actually been years since I'd used a bowl. I'd almost forgotten how enjoyable bowl lathering can be. The Speick cream whipped up into a dense, glossy lather with very little effort, and the bowl had plenty of room to work the brush without making a mess. It was a nice change of pace and reminded me why some people never stopped bowl lathering.

The Omega 11126 handled the Speick beautifully, loading and building lather with ease. Speick continues to be one of those creams that never disappoints - slick, protective, and with that distinctive herbal scent that I've come to enjoy.

To finish, I reached for Malizia Uomo. Its classic barbershop character paired really well with the Speick and left a pleasant, refreshing finish that lingered just enough without being overpowering.

All in all, this was one of those shaves where everything seemed to come together. A vintage razor making a great first impression, a thrift store find proving to be an absolute bargain, and a reminder that stepping away from your usual routine every now and then can make the hobby feel fresh again.

Cheers fellas

A knock at the door from the postie, and I was greeted with this beauty - a 1965 Schick Krona.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the condition. Everything looks to be in great shape, and the razor itself appears to have seen very little use. The doors line up perfectly, and the TTO mechanism opens nice and smoothly.

I was expecting it to be quite lightweight overall, but the head actually has a bit of heft to it. (In fact, I literally just dropped it onto the bubble wrap while writing this! 🤣)

Looking forward to giving it its first shave.

Razor: 1970's Gillette Super Slim Twist

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3rd use)

Brush: Amazon Pure Badger

Soap: Cella

Aftershave: Old Spice

First outing with the Super Slim Twist today. It's a comfortable, forgiving razor and felt very easy to maneuver. That said, I think it would have benefited from a sharper blade. The Silver Blue blade on its third use was smooth but seemed to lack a bit of sharpness, so I had to do a little more work than I'd have liked to get the result I was after.

Cella, as always, delivered a rich, slick lather with its classic almond scent. Finished off with a splash of Old Spice, which capped off the shave perfectly.

Ended up with a comfortable DFS and no irritation, so overall a very enjoyable first experience with the Super Slim Twist. Looking forward to trying it again with a fresh or sharper blade to see what it's really capable of.

Cheers 🍻

Hi everyone,

I recently scored what appears to be a 1960s Minolta SR-3 at a thrift store and I'm hoping to get an appraisal and learn a little more about it.

The camera was marked $40.61, but after using a $10 off coupon, my final cost was $30.61.

It came with three additional lenses, and everything appears to be in very good cosmetic condition. I haven't had a chance to test it yet, so I don't know if it's fully functional.

Could anyone help with:

- Confirming the approximate production year.

- Identifying the three lenses and whether they're considered desirable or collectible.

- Estimating the current market value of the camera and the complete kit.

- Letting me know if this was a good thrift store find.

I've attached photos of the camera, lenses, serial numbers, and any other markings that might help with identification.

Thanks in advance for any information or opinions - I appreciate the help!

Razor: 1950's British Gillette Flare Tip Rocket Mk II

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2nd use)

Brush: Omega 11126

Shaving Cream: Speick

Aftershave: Malizia Uomo

Today's shave was a day of firsts. After giving the Flare Tip Rocket a thorough clean and light polish, it was finally time to see how it shaved. Happily, it lived up to its reputation and made for a smooth, enjoyable first outing.

The Silver Blue blade was on its second use and paired beautifully with the Rocket, delivering a comfortable and efficient shave.

It was also my first time using Speick shaving cream. The scent struck me as a blend of lavender and herbal notes with a distinctly medicinal character, reminding me quite a bit of the Sanofi branded "Shave" cream. Performance wise, it was excellent, producing a slick, protective lather with very little effort.

To finish, I reached for Malizia Uomo aftershave for the first time. It was a refreshing way to end the shave and complemented the overall experience nicely.

Three new experiences in one shave - the restored Flare Tip Rocket, Speick cream, and Malizia Uomo - and each one made a great first impression. I can definitely see all of them getting plenty of future use.

Cheers fellas 🍻